Chapter 75
The men all headed out. There wasn't a solution to be found here, and this talk would be a lot easier with a beer in hand, so they stripped off their gear and headed out.
J.D. and I stuck around, waiting for Tanner to get done with the award ceremony, so Jake and Ty decided to wait too.
Just to make sure Austin didn't make a second attempt, they said.
Derek had won. I was "sure" the judges hadn't given him better scores or anything. No, they would never do something like that! But what surprised me was to see Eli hadn't gotten a score either. When I asked, Ty said the guy didn't ride. Not that he was bucked off, but he hadn't even ridden.
"And he wasn't there when Austin jumped us," J.D. said.
But that didn't make sense. He could've won. He could've earned some money, because I was pretty sure he wasn't on our side, so could this be some kind of trick? Yeah, and that was another thing I hadn't even thought about. Some of these guys could end up fucking us all over for their own benefit.
In other words, the chances of this crap actually working out? Not fucking likely.
We still had to try, though. We had to do something, because if it wasn't me, it would be J.D. And if it wasn't him, then who'd be next? I didn't doubt at all that Mr. Merrill would find someone else he could easily hate - because that asshole clearly thought this was working for him.
That, or he just got off on the power trip.
But when Tanner was finally done, we headed over to the bar to meet up with everyone else. He sent a text, making sure the other bullfighters would join us. I told Rhaven where to meet us. And while we drove, we filled him in on all the bullshit he'd missed behind the chutes.
We arrived to find Rhaven and Braden waiting by the door.
He had on a t-shirt and combat boots. She was wearing her version of "goth country.
" It consisted of very short shorts, a long-sleeve tee tight enough to count as "painted on" and a pair of cowgirl boots.
All of it was black, and damn, was it working for her.
"You look good," I said as we reached the pair. "Should've said something. I would've gotten you a real belt buckle to finish the look."
"Hell," J.D. said. "I've got a few spares. I'll send one home with you, because the other guy?" He looked at Braden and lifted a brow. "Yeah, he needs to see that look at least once."
"Already sent him pics," Braden promised.
"I bet," Tanner said, moving to get the door. Then he held it open wide. "Ladies first."
So I hooked my arm in Rhaven's and towed her in with me. She'd made it clear she was worried to be in a place like this, so I was going to make it very clear she was here with me.
Inside, the music was loud enough to be heard, but not so loud it smothered conversations. Over by the bar, at least six cowboys were leaning in, holding up their hands for another drink. But in the far back corner? Jake stood up.
"Cody!" he called. Then, "Rhaven?! Hey, come!"
"Ok, feeling a bit better about this," Rhaven told me.
I flashed her a grin. "Trust me, you're fine.
" But I pulled her to a halt. "Hey! Y'all!
" It took a moment, but the bull riders paused, turning to find me in the sea of people.
"This? Rhaven here is my Deviant Games representative.
She came out tonight with her boyfriend.
.." I turned to indicate the very massive wall of muscle she was dating.
"...to get a little taste of our lifestyle.
Rumor has it she might still have a few sponsorships to offer, so be nice! "
"Rhaven!" Jorge called out. "Hey, Braden too!"
"Get those two a drink," Isaac called out. "Put it on J.D.'s tab!"
"I'm good with that," J.D. said.
"Shit," Braden said around a chuckle. "No, lemme start a tab. Babe? Go sit."
So I took Rhaven over to Jake's table. Tanner followed, with J.D. and Braden following once they got their tabs set up. But Ty made his way over too, pulling a chair with him. When he turned it around backwards and sat down beside me - and across from Rhaven - Braden lifted a brow.
"And you are?" he asked.
"Ty McBride," he replied, offering his hand over the table. "Let me guess, you're the jealous type, can break all of us in half, and all that shit?"
"No, yes, and no," Braden said. "I'm the protective type, not the jealous kind. I'm also a senior member of Deviant Games. That's like a VP in most companies."
Ty thrust out his lower lip and nodded. "Cool." Then he turned to Rhaven. "So, how much do you know about what went down tonight?" And finally to me. "And how much should she know?"
"Teamwork is overpowered," I told him. "And yeah, Deviant seems to be all about the pushing back, but that's not why I asked her to come."
"Why did you?" Tanner asked, proving I'd skipped that part.
I sighed. "Look, Ty and Jake organized that strike today. They also hid it from me. But Rhaven, so you know, J.D. and Tanner got jumped before the show."
"What?!" Braden roared, shoving to his feet. "By who?"
"For being 'gay,'" Ty told him, clearly thinking that was going to be news to Braden.
Rhaven grabbed her boyfriend's arm, dragging him back into his seat like this wasn't out of the ordinary. And yes, Braden sat.
He also told Ty, "I'm bi, you dimwit. I'm also big enough no one ever has a problem with it."
"Yeah," J.D. said, leaning back to lace his hands behind his neck.
"That's why I like this one, Rhaven." Then he looked at Braden.
"I took a tire iron to the head. Have a fucking concussion again, most likely.
Tanner?" He leaned over to grab one of Tanner's hands, lifting it to show the raw knuckles.
"He fought off two men when I dropped. And yeah, that don't make my pride feel too good, but my boyfriend's a fuckin' badass. "
Braden lifted his hands, turning them so the backsides were toward us, showing scars lacing his knuckles and a tattoo across one that said "Flawed." Slowly, he rocked his head, making it clear he understood.
"Yeah, I don't like asswipes like that. Got a little record for putting them in their place. Got a boss who thinks that's a good thing."
"Well, I'm hoping your cool boss might be willing to give me an advance," I said. "Rhaven, they just fined everyone who did the right thing. The president of the Pbr -"
"Donald's a fuckin' asswipe," Braden grumbled.
Ty just jerked his thumb at Jake. "His dad."
Jake dropped his head. "And now that's out there. Bastard child, he hates that I exist, and it's not going to help us here."
"I need to help these guys pay the fines!" I insisted.
"Same," J.D. said. "We were thinking we could donate our Deviant sponsorship checks - "
"No," Rhaven said. "That defeats the whole point of a sponsorship. The goal is to incentivize you to promote us. It's also a reward for stepping up for what's right and fighting against what's wrong."
While she talked, Braden pulled his phone out and started texting.
"The problem is they can't afford to keep fighting the good fight," I told her. "Look, J.D. and me? We're good. We've made it in this sport. Ty and Jake too, but even if we all chipped in and paid these fines? We'd run out before the season's over."
"And there's only two events left," Jake clarified. "Also, Donald Merrill chewed out the riders before the closing ceremony tonight. He made it clear we all owe ten grand for not riding. Tomorrow will be fifteen. The next time?"
"Suspension," Ty said. "And while some of us can take that, most of these guys can't. Hell, most of them are pinching pennies just to make it to the next show. That cross-country drive isn't exactly cheap."
"Plus hotels, food, and everything else," Braden said, glancing up. "Not sure how much your gear costs, but from the looks of it, it can't last forever with those bulls running all over it."
"Exactly," Jake said. "And I'm willing to add my sponsorship check to the pool as well, Rhaven. It's for the right cause."
Braden was still typing.
"Sadly, I don't know how to help with this," Tanner said. "Look, Jorge and Isaac are finally making enough money to safely pay their bills, guys. I can't ask them to jump in on this..." But he looked over at J.D. "I can, though. Right?"
"Yeah, you can," I assured him. "We got you, Tanner."
But Rhaven waved us down. "No, there has to be another way to deal with this." And she looked over at Braden. "Which one are you texting?"
"Dez."
"Ah."
"What's the total for this shit?" Braden asked, looking up at all of us. "How many people are not riding?"
"There's thirty-five riders at this event," Ty said. "J.D., Cody, Austin, and Derek actually rode."
"So thirty-one," Braden said, typing again. "And if you had to put the cause into one word?"
"We're striking against discrimination," I told him. "Right now, it's because the judges are biased against me because I'm a woman, and J.D. because he's not straight."
And one corner of Braden's mouth slid higher as he typed that in. "Yeah. And who's fucking you over? What's their plan?"
"To make sure this isn't some social justice movement," Jake grumbled. "Braden, it's just an old white man's club, and the riders see that. A bunch of redneck hillbillies, basically. I mean, if we're all honest, that's pretty much what we are."
"Disadvantaged young adults," Braden said, making it clear he was typing that, "from poor socioeconomic areas with limited job growth options."
"Or that," Ty said with a chuckle. "So you're not just one of those big, dumb types, eh?"
"Nope," Braden said, finally looking up. "You?"
"Kinda am," Ty said. "Trying to fix that, but yeah. I was on the express path to becoming the next old white asshole, I think. Right up until Cody woke me up."
"Mm..." And Braden just kept typing. Then, finally, he turned his screen to Rhaven.
"Oh," Rhaven said.
"Yeah..." Braden drawled. "So how you wanna handle this, Rhave?"
Without saying anything to us, Rhaven stood, put her fingers to her mouth, and let out the sort of piercing country whistle I hadn't expected her to know how to do. It cut through the conversation and excitement around us, making everything but the music stop.
"Tell me one thing!" she called out. "Why are you people striking for a queer and a girl?"
"Because they can ride!" someone called back to her.
But over there, Jackson stood to face her. "Because they might not be what the Pbr wants, but those two? They're our 'queer' and girl. More than that, the bulls don't care. We're here to fucking ride! So are they, and anyone who has a problem with that can go right to hell."
Rhaven just looked back at Braden. "Yeah, we're doing this."
"All you," he told her.
And a smile took over her black-painted lips. "Then Deviant Games will pay the fines for every rider who stood up today. We'll do the same tomorrow too. You fight the good fight, and we will stand up for everyone willing to be labeled a deviant."
The room erupted into cheers, but just as the rush of enthusiasm started to fade, Braden stood, lifting his hands to get their attention.
"And drinks are on Deviant Games tonight!" he called out. "Compliments of the owners!"
"Wait," I begged. "So you're giving us the advance to cover it?"
"No, Cody," Jake said. "They're just paying it."
"Our company got rich as fuck by doing the right thing," Rhaven explained. "We have no intention of stopping now. Braden just had to convince the owner. Good thing she calls him a best friend, huh?"
"So we're still doing this?" I asked, needing the confirmation.
"Yes, Cody," J.D. said. "We are."
But Tanner reached over to rub his shoulder. "And you're being quiet, babe."
"Because I hurt like a motherfucker," J.D. admitted. "Can't vape here, but this? This was worth suffering for."
Rhaven reached over and caught J.D.'s hand. "Go home, sweetie. You're fighting for us tomorrow. I need you to represent, ok?"
Slowly, J.D. rocked his head in a nod. "Yeah. I got you, Rhaven. Maybe drink a bit for me?"
"Oh, I'll make sure she does," Braden promised. "And who knows, maybe one of these cowboys will even show her how to dance."
Immediately, both Jake and Ty stood, offering their hands. "Ma'am?" Jake asked.
"I'd be pleased to, Miss Rhaven," Ty told her.
I just giggled. "See, Rhaven? It's safe here. These boys? They're the good ones."
"I'm starting to realize they're a hell of a lot more than merely nice chaps," she agreed, accepting Jake's hand.
So Ty turned his to Braden. "I'll lead. I'm even ok with getting my toes stepped on. Still straight, but not afraid of the 'gay', either."
"Oh, we're so doing this," Braden agreed.
"It might even count as teamwork," I told him, flicking a finger at Ty. "Pretty sure he's all about that."
"Gotcha," Braden said, and the smile on his face made me think he was on the same page.