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"Ican't," I insisted. "They won't let me come back."
While his hands kept working, Anthony's eyes flicked to my face, then back to my arm. "There's no rule against it, Cody. You'd get in the same way you did last time."
"But would I?" I pressed. "I got hurt once and they're planning my farewell. Least, that was what the announcer made it sound like. The judges are scoring me lower for some of my best rides. We all know they don't want me here, but I'm not quitting!"
"So you're going to ruin your arm instead?" he asked.
"No," I said calmly. "I'm going to ride with my main hand for once, and I'm going to ask for help when I need it, which might be harder than scratching."
His hands paused. "Yeah, it kinda is."
"So I need your help," I told him. "Anthony, I need you to wrap this so good I can pull the tail free from a simple wrap. That's it."
"Warming up?" he said, because that took more strength.
"I'll ask for help."
Cutting the end of the gauze, he reached for the tape, but he didn't start applying it. "J.D.'s sitting on the sidelines. That's because of you, right?"
"Kinda," I said. "He's hurt bad. Ribs all down that side, you know? He shouldn't be walking, but he is."
"And he's not taking the pills," Anthony said. "He might be sucking back enough pot to knock out an elephant, but he hasn't slipped and asked for pills?"
"No, he hasn't," I agreed.
"That's because of you," he told me, but this time it was a statement, not a question. "Cody, I know what the three of you are doing. I also know Ty McBride was involved in it for a bit. So, we're going to make a deal, ok?"
"Do I get a choice?" I asked.
"Yep." He lifted the tape. "You keep me informed of where you are mentally - with no bullshit - and I'll make sure this holds well enough for you to pull the tail. It'll still hurt, but it won't screw up your healing. So start talking, because I know damned well what's going on in your head tends to be tied directly to how much I'm going to be seeing you."
"There's not much to say," I told him. "I mean, my dad's here. He came because he saw J.D. get hurt, though."
"Nope." He was holding the strip of tape up like he was ready to take it away. "Let me in, Cody. Think of me as your PBR-supplied therapist. Besides, I already know all about your boyfriend and mentor."
"Yeah, and did you know that's how Austin found out?" I asked, dropping my voice so it wouldnotcarry through the walls. "Tanner was telling you his inner turmoil or some shit, and Austin was out in the waiting room."
"Fuck," Anthony said. "Really?"
I nodded. "Which is how I ended up in a relationship with him. I mean, it's a real one now, but yeah, it kinda started to keep him from being outed, but they got outed this weekend anyway!" And it was hard to hold back, but volume. I had to stay soft enough so no one could hear.
"Wait, they got outed?"
I nodded. "That's what the press was here for this morning. I think Austin told them. They were asking if I knew my boyfriend was cheating on me with my mentor."
"Fuck," Anthony growled as he began taping. "And I just wrapped Stephen Hodge's knee. He said..." Anthony groaned. "Yeah, they called in all the alternates. Tanner got outed, and now the main team is sidelined?"
"What?!" I hissed.
"Something's going on," Anthony said, glancing up to catch my eyes. "I'm not sure what, but I'm pretty sure it stinks. But if Tanner, Jorge, and Isaac aren't working the arena..." He pulled the tape a little tighter. "This isn't going to be easy for you."
"Shit," I breathed, thinking back to the paper I'd been handed when I checked in. "I'm on Disco Breakout."
"Don't know the bulls," he admitted. "I mean, I know Without Ado, but only because of his body count."
"Disco Breakout tossed me more than twenty feet in my first event," I explained. "I rode him for eight, but that was with a good arm. Sounds like he's known to get a little excited once his rider's off."
"And the alternates aren't used to working together," Anthony said. "Girl, you be real fucking careful out there."
