Page 33 of Just for the Cameras
Maple confirmed it after calling me an ass twice yesterday before she made me wash fucking flamingo water bowls again. I swear she did that just to piss me off.
“Let’s get to the point.” Gretchen sets her drink on the table. “You two want to start a social media profile together?”
“Her idea.” I nod at Maple, who glares at me.
She clears her throat and turns to Gretchen with a smile. “Yes, it was. You see, the athlete I’ve been paired with dislikes the program he’s in, and therefore it’s made things rather difficult.” Gretchen flashes me a disappointed glare, but I shrug it off, because really, at this point, I don’t give two shits. “And I thought that maybe we could make the most of this plan by doing things a little differently than what was originally laid out.”
“So you don’t want him representing you at fundraising events and bringing awareness?”
“Oh no, that will still happen.”
I grumble under my breath while Maple continues, “But I was thinking that maybe it could be an even trade. Why not make the most of it by bringing more attention to both of our causes? We want to make the Foghorns seem more approachable and well-liked, and create more love for the flamingos, so why not do both simultaneously?” She takes a deep breath and says, “I thought we could make a social media account that can benefit both of us. It can show Graydon helping out at the zoo with little snippets here and there, and it can show me learning around the football field.”
Gretchen leans back in her chair, bringing her drink with her as she eyes Maple over the rim. “You want to learn about football?”
“I mean, not really. I couldn’t care less about the sport, but he couldn’t care less about flamingos, so I just thought it was an even trade.”
At least she’s honest.
Gretchen moves her jaw back and forth, mulling over the idea. When her eyes land on me, she says, “And you’re good with this?”
“If she’s going to torture me, might as well torture her.”
“Mature,” Maple says before sipping her drink.
“And who will be running the social media?”
“Me.” Maple raises her hand.
Disbelief in her expression, Gretchen runs her eyes over Maple. “You?”
“Yes.” She nods, not looking even the slightest bit confident. “I’m quite knowledgeable with the social media.”
“Withthesocial media?” Gretchen questions.
“Yes.” Maple gulps, a telltale sign that she’s lying.
“Let me see your accounts.”
Maple bristles and says, “That’s neither here nor there. I think we should have you approve the name of our joint account, and we can move ahead with the plan. Let’s be honest, the fact that we could get the big guyto agree on something is a miracle in and of itself. We don’t want to lose such an opportunity over semantics.”
Gretchen glances down at her watch, her lips pursed, and then, to my surprise, says, “Fine.”
“Fine as in we can do it?” Maple asks, looking far too excited.
“Yes, but don’t make me regret this. Anything posted must be mutually agreed upon and must show Graydon in a good light.”
“What about me?” Maple asks.
Gretchen waves her hand dismissively. “Your reputation doesn’t matter.”
Maple’s expression morphs into a deep scowl. “I beg your pardon, but I’d say my reputation does matter. I have a board of directors who’d be very unhappy with me if I showed up on social media looking like a deranged psycho bird lady.”
“Might want to cool it on the flamingo fan fiction then,” I say, taking a sip of my drink, only to have Maple whip her scowling gaze in my direction.
“I do not write flamingo fan fiction.”
“Could have fooled me with all the personality facts you were laying down the other day.” I raise a brow. “Martha Stewart thirst traps…”
