Page 8 of Spur It On

And Tanner?

J.D.:

Don't pout. I'm sending him a message next. Also, Cody might have some more sponsors. Tell you when you get here. How long?

Ty:

About an hour. Fueling up.

J.D.:

Means I got some time to see if these beds squeak.

Yeah, I quit there. I wasn't sure if he was yanking my chain or serious. It also didn't matter, but as soon as my truck was full, I was back on the road and driving just a bit faster than before. Turning my GPS on, I let it give me directions through the city and to the hotel that would be our home for nearly a week.

The place was just like every other Marriott I'd stayed at this year, but in a nice way. It felt like a little stability on the road. After finding a parking space and gathering up the most important of my bags, I hauled my ass inside. At the front desk, a real cute girl looked up with one of those sweet smiles that came with customer service.

"Can I help you, sir?" she asked.

"Ty McBride. I heard my partner already checked in?"

She began typing, then nodded at me with another one of those professional smiles. "Yes, sir. Let me get your key."

Soon enough, I had a key in my hand and the elevator was heading up to the second floor. Chasing the signs in the hall, I made my way to room 219, then slid my card into the electronic lock. It clicked - and I stepped into a completely empty room. Not what I'd expected, but ok. Moving to the closest bed, I dropped my haul on it, then pulled out my phone.

Ty:

I'm here.

J.D.:

Unlock that door over by the windows.

I looked up and saw what he was talking about. There was a panic latch on it as well as a deadbolt. Once those were released, I pulled open the door to find another on the other side, and J.D. holding it wide open. Ok, that was convenient. But before I could say anything, J.D. lifted a finger to his lips.

"She passed out while I was having a shower." Then he tilted his head over to one of the beds.

I swore an angel was lying there. Cody's blond hair was spread out behind her. The shorts she was wearing were damned short, showing off all of her long, fit legs. Her tank had twisted around, revealing a hint of a pink bra underneath, but she was curled on her side, hugging her arms to her chest, and completely on top of the blankets.

So I stepped back, letting J.D. come over to my side. "What the hell did you do to her on the way here?" I teased, hoping he wasn't gonna say that he'd pulled over for a little "pit stop" to get her naked or anything.

The bastard just rolled his eyes at me. "We talked."

Then he kept walking until he threw himself down on my bed, face up. Thankfully, he kept his damned boots off the blankets. The fool also smirked at me like he was waiting for my meltdown. Evidently, he knew me just a little too well.

"And?" I pressed.

"You worried I fucked her?" he asked.

Why yes, yes I was. I'd also die before I admitted it. "No. Just looks like she's wiped out."

J.D. chuckled. "I'm sure she is. Tulsa, St. Louis, and now Cheyenne? That's a whole lot of excitement that it sounds like our girl isn't used to." He lifted his arms to lace his fingers behind his head like a pillow. "Max is coming up because he got her some more sponsors, it sounds like. Also sounds like they aren't sure about her yet."

I nodded before grabbing the closest chair and dropping into it. "Makes sense. How many rookies show up, do great until they get hurt, then vanish to never ride again?"

"And a girl," J.D. said. "Sponsors are gonna wanna figure out what people think about that."

"True," I agreed. "No reason to hang your name on the PBR's embarrassment."

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