1. Alice #2
“A what?” Ryder asks, at the same time my stomach drops.
“Of course, we already knew you were from Tampa,” she says, looking at Ryder.
“After the draft, we did a deep dive and were planning on highlighting you anyway, but when the new cheerleading roster hit after tryouts last month and we saw your name, Alice”—she turns to look at me—“we knew we had struck gold.”
Gold.
Oh, this is not going to be good, and my heart starts to race.
I try to keep my smile. After all, I’m a pro at fake presentation, but it wavers.
“I’m sorry, I’m not following,” Ryder says, leaning forward a little. “I haven’t even made the fifty-three-man roster yet.”
I can’t help but glance his way and see his cheeks have red splotches. I hate that I know they only do this when he’s flustered or irritated. I hate that after four years of us being apart, I still know how to read him.
Good. Be flustered, Ryder Monroe. You only have yourself to blame.
Gretchen pins him with a look of complete seriousness. “Work hard, Ryder, and we feel very confident that you will.”
That redness seeps down into his neck.
“This season, we’re going to highlight the two of you and your longtime friendship as one of our large brand campaigns.
We’re pitching the series as Hometown Heroes.
The two of you are inspirational not only to the youth football community but to cheer as well.
Alice, what you’re doing with Mighty Monarchs perfectly fits with the Tarpons team motto of ‘Victory starts in the heart.’”
At this, Ryder pushes his seat away from the table to put distance between all of us, and I’m certain my shock is etched on my face.
Shock at what she’s said about the brand campaign, but also shock that she knows about my nonprofit.
A streak of pride sweeps through that she’s compared our mission with that of the Tarpons, but at the same time, apprehension because I’m certain I won’t like what she says next.
Around the table, the members of the marketing team glance at each other.
I’m not sure what they thought our reaction would be, but I’m certain this isn’t it.
You would think that with all the research they claim they’ve done, they would have noticed our friendship abruptly ended at our graduation, based on the lack of social media documentation after high school.
Oh God.
That apprehension slips to slight panic.
Did the fluorescent lights in here just get brighter?
Is it hot in here?
My hands start to sweat again, and I move them off the armrests and onto my lap where I can wipe them.
“While we know the two of you are very busy, we’ve tentatively put together a schedule that tells you when and where we’ll need you both.
” She slides two folders across the table—one to me and one to him—and he instantly flips his open to look at the contents inside.
“First up is the photo shoot this weekend. After that, you’ll find the community events where you’ll be representing the Tampa Tarpons.
There are write-ups about each event and what we’ll expect from you.
Ryder, public appearances are part of your contract, but Alice, we’re really hoping you’ll be on board with the campaign.
We’ll be financially supplementing your time.
In addition, the Tarpons would love to be a Mighty Monarchs sponsor this year, as well as bringing them into a game late season for a halftime performance. ”
I gasp, and Ryder’s gaze cuts my way as his brows pull down. He looks confused, and I can only assume that’s because he doesn’t know about the Mighty Monarchs.
“By your reaction, I’m thinking this is a good thing?” Gretchen asks, while smiling, a hopeful expression loosening the muscles in her face.
“Yes,” I stammer out, sitting up a little straighter. “Thank you. The kids and their families will be so excited.”
“Great. After we finish today, Brian will be reaching out to you.” She waves a hand in his direction, and he smiles kindly at me. “You’ll meet with him to talk about the mission, how the Mighty Monarchs are impacting the community, and see if there are other opportunities for cross-promotion.”
Mighty Monarchs has my whole heart, a sponsorship for them is incredible.
Kelli and I have poured our blood, sweat, and literal tears into this program, and she’s going to die when I tell her what they’re offering.
All for a few appearances with Ryder. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for this, and if that means having to spend time with him, then so be it.
“Thank you,” I tell Brian, my eyes turning glassy and a true, genuine smile stretching over my face. “I very much look forward to it.”
Across the table, Ryder tenses.
Good. Let him be tense. Let him be miserable.
For another fifteen minutes, Gretchen reviews the events of the campaign. She assures us both that they won’t interfere with our already busy schedules. But after what they’ve just offered me, I don’t even care. Do I want to spend time with him? Absolutely not. But it will be worth it.
Nothing he can do or say will make me back out, change my mind, or look like a noncompliant member of this campaign. I’ve moved on, I’ve healed, and if I know one thing and only one thing, it’s that Ryder Monroe better stay out of my way.