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Chapter24
I was leanedagainst the bar, listening to J.D. talk about how he'd made that damned bull buck so good, and soaking up every hint he probably didn't realize he was handing out. Yes, he was bragging to anyone who'd listen, but at the same time, he was also giving us all the information we needed. While half these guys might not care about that, I sure did.
Then Tanner clasped my arm. I turned back to see what he wanted, and he tipped his head towards the flow of traffic just behind us. Confused, I turned to see Ty staggering his way through bodies, clearly heading for the door.
"I think he's drunk," he told me. "Pretty sure he also drove."
"Shit," I breathed.
"And you're the one who can talk him down," he said.
I grasped Tanner's arm for a second, and then hurried after Ty. A few of the cowboys in here were big enough that I had to weave around them. Thankfully, I caught Ty just before he reached the doors.
"Ty!" I called out.
He stopped and turned at the same time, a silly smile taking over his mouth. "Cody!"
"Hey," I said when I got closer, "are you drunk?"
"Got a damned good buzz," he assured me, but it sounded like a bit more than that. Ok, a lot more.
"And six shots of whiskey in him," Isaac said from right behind me.
So I thrust out my hand. "Can I see your keys for a sec, Ty? Please?"
"Shit," he grumbled, shoving his hand into his pocket obediently. "Did you have to do the puppy dog eyes?"
Ok, I hadn't realized I was doing puppy dog eyes, but when he slapped his keys into my palm, I didn't really care. In all honesty, there was something a little ironic about this moment. It was almost the complete opposite of Tulsa, when Ty had convinced me to go home with him because I'd had a few too many. Well, minus the boob-grabbing by Austin and J.D. breaking bottles.
"I need you to stay right there," I told him.
"And I'll make sure of it," Isaac promised.
Clutching Ty's keys in my hand, I wove my way back to the bar. There, Tanner had moved next to J.D., and the pair were talking with their heads bent together. The problem was the cluster of other bull riders packed around them, because I knew anything I said would definitely be overheard.
"Hey," I breathed when I was close enough. "Ty's had a few. I was thinking I should drive him back."
"You should," Tanner told me. "Have your key?"
"I do," I assured him. "You coming over?"
He tilted his head at J.D. "I'll make him give me a ride. Also means I can drag his ass out of here before he's sloshed."
"Gonna babysit me now?" J.D. asked.
"Yep," Tanner assured him.
So J.D. pulled out his own keys and handed them to Tanner. "Good, because I was gonna make Cody drive. Now you can. Don't worry, girl. I'll get your piece of ass to ya soon enough."
Smooth. Easy. Seamless. These two said that like it was no big deal. I also noticed how close they were standing and how easily they hung out. Most people would assume they were merely friends. Right now, they were, but I also knew they both needed a little time together to figure out if it could be more.
"Sorry," I told Tanner as I backed away.
"Hey!" he called after me. "That sweet thing is part of your charm, Cody. Not askin' ya to change." Then he winked.
That made me feel a lot better, and combined with his words from earlier, I was almost guilt-free. "Then have fun with my mentor," I called back as I turned to make sure Ty didn't do anything too stupid.
Thankfully, he was still standing where I'd left him, and as I made my way closer, the sweetest smile touched his lips. Ty turned to Isaac and said something, then held out an arm to me like an invitation to tuck myself in at his side. I did, wrapping my arm around his waist, not surprised at all when he veered off course as we headed towards the door.
