Page 29 of Just for the Cameras
“You…a football player?”
“I mean, I wouldn’t go out on the field, but you’re right, it’s only fair.If you have to learn about my love for flamingos, then I should learn about your love for football. An even trade. We can post about ourdays together on socials, create a following, build a love for you while people are hooked on watching me make a fool of myself attempting to trudge around a football field and bring awareness to the flamingos.”
From the slight glimmer in his eyes, I almost feel like I have a shot at a winning idea.
Do I want to do it? No.
Am I desperate enough to do it? Absolutely.
“So…I come here, do flamingo things, and then you’re going to come to my work, my training camps, and do football things?”
Training camp? Oof, never seen what happens there, but I can onlyimagine after being an avid watcher ofFriday Night Lightswhatkind of torture that could bring me. With someone as vindictiveas Graydon, I can see a lot of sore muscles in my future. But…I would do pretty much anything to make sure my flamingos are cared for and safe.
Chin held high, I look him in his dark eyes and say, “Yes, you help me here, and I will train for football with you.”
He mulls it over, his tongue pressing against the side of his cheek as he looks away. Is he really going to turn this down?
To me, it seems like a golden opportunity.
“Listen, you have to be here no matter what, so let’s make the most out of it,” I say.
He glances down at me. “Do you even know anything about social media?”
No.
I lived in Peru for many years and came back to a world where social media rules the universe, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn.
“Absolutely,” I say, lying right through my teeth. “Some might say that I’m a social media wizard. A czar. A savant of all things socials.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Maybe because you have trust issues and that’s something you need to deal with on your own?”
His eyes narrow, and I nearly wet myself.
“What would the account even be called?” he asks.
“Great question. And you know, I think we could be really clever, something that could combine both of our interests in a unique and punny way.”
He lifts a brow in question. “Like…?”
“Putting me on the spot, okay, well, let’s see…” I think about it for a second. “Um, maybe something like…Flamingo Formation.” His expression sours. “Yeah, not my best work. Um, what about…Clash of the Titans and the Flamingos?”
“Really?” His brow quirks up even higher.
“Don’t judge, this is hard.” I tap my chin. “What about Flamingo Hating Is a Personal Foul, but spell ‘fowl’ F-O-W-L.”
“That’s fucking terrible.”
“Fine, you give it a try.”
“Nope, not my idea.”
God, why is he the worst?
“Well, if you’re not going to try, then you’re not going to have a say in it.”
“If I don’t get final approval of the name, then I’m not participating,” he counters.
