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"Her daddy," I reminded him.
"To a point," Tanner countered. "Dean also wanted her to go to college, not ride bulls. So, when I say this, I want you to know it's because of that - because you are putting Cody first, ok?"
Shit, that sounded bad. Like real bad. "Ok?" I asked.
"I'm going to spend the morning with her. I figure I'll take her to the arena for her pictures so she doesn't need to drive your monster with a hangover. Means I get some time with her. The alone kind." He paused to lick his lips. "Then I'm gonna get a ride to Iowa with the guys."
"Why?" I asked.
He leaned back, his eyes searching my face for a reaction. "It'll give you a couple of days alone with her."
"You're backing off?" That didn't make any sense. "No. With Ty leaving her high and dry like that, then him moving on so fast? She's not gonna take that well."
"Not backing off," he clarified. "I'm sorting out some shit with my guys, making sure we're all on the same page so I can give her my full attention. Well, that's my story - and what you'll tell Cody if she asks."
"And the real reason?"
He smiled. "Because you're a fucking chickenshit. You've been throwing Ty at her, and me at her, but never yourself. I think you need a few days to step up, romance the pretty little cowgirl, and make it clear that you are so much more than her mentor."
My head dropped to my chest, and I couldn't stop the laugh. "Busted."
"Oh yeah," he agreed. "The unstoppable J.D. Adkins is terrified of making a move with his rookie? Not really what you want the guys to be saying."
"Kinda scared of makin' a move with you too," I said softly, glancing up to see how he'd take that.
Tanner made a face, then glanced away. "Um, you need to know one thing about Iowa."
"Your home show," I said, proving I already knew that.
"And my folks don't know I'm anything but a good, straight man." He paused, looking up at me. "My dad..."
"Not cool with it, huh?" I realized.
He shook his head like he was agreeing with my statement. "He'd fucking kill me. Queers, going to hell, and all that. I dunno about Mom. She says about the same stuff, but she's not as pissed about it. I keep hoping she'll be one of those who is ok if it's her son, you know?"
"And she doesn't need to know," I reminded him.
"They'll be there," he said. "J.D., that's the thing. Every year, my parents show up in Des Moines, make a fuss, and want to do dinner one night when I'm not working. They grill me about my future, if I've met anyone, and those things."
I turned on the bed so I was facing him better. "I bet they'd love Cody."
His eyes narrowed. "Well, yeah, but..."
"And we're friends," I assured him. "I tried to kick your ass for hitting on her, you kicked a little back, and damned if I wasn't impressed that you'd stand up for her. We got to be friends, and you've saved my life a time or two, and I know it. Tell 'em she and I are best friends. That's all your folks need to hear."
"Any of it true?" he asked.
I smiled. "Well, you weren't kickin' my ass. Pounding, maybe. The rest is."
He barked out a laugh. "Ok, good point."
"I get it, Tanner," I assured him. "Promise. I fuckin' get it. The hardest coming out is always to our parents. Telling friends? Lovers? That shit's easy by comparison. But our parents? Naw, my mama always knew, and I still froze up when she met my first guy. So you be the sweet boyfriend to our girl. I'll be the annoying 'best friend' of hers that's all up in her shit, keepin' you on the up and up."
"And behind closed doors?" he asked.
"Me, you, her," I decided. "We might be a couple of fuckups, but that girl's worth fuckin' up for, right?"
"And you," he said.
