Page 52 of Second Down Fake

“And cut you off from my video games before you breed a golden bird? No chance. And, considering the win, the coaches aren’t mad either.”

“What about Trent?”

“Screw Trent.”

“Hey, fuck you too.” Trent’s voice was tinny and faraway but pointed.

I laughed. “I didn’t mean to interrupt practice.”

“It’s fine. I need a distraction. We’re watching game film and tomorrow is my day off. You want to hang out?”

The invitation took me off guard and I held back an immediate yes, absolutely.

“I might have some free time tomorrow.”

“Some free time?”

“Alright, I don’t have jack tomorrow. Shockingly, Tuesday isn’t a big day for bars or tours.”

“What about home repairs?”

“Not tomorrow. I’m helping tile a shower on Thursday, though.”

“Good. Disc golf?”

“Yeah, that sounds fun.” I paused. “Side note, I woke up to a bunch of invitations to clubs and bars. Is it okay if I accept some of these? I only ask because I’m fairly sure they’re inviting me because of our picture and not because I’m new in town or the best ghost tour operator in Norwalk.”

“You don’t know that. You are the best ghost tour operator on the eastern seaboard. I’ve heard multiple people say so.”

I smiled. “Very true. The invitations probably have nothing to do with you then.”

“Probably not. Any of them for tomorrow? We could go out dancing after disc golf.”

“You dance?”

“I kill on the dance floor.”

“Wait, you’re going out? Can I come?” the faraway voice asked again.

“I’m going with Cassandra, not you,” Diego’s muffled voice replied.

“Cassie would want me to come, right, Cas?” Trent’s voice grew louder as he wrestled the phone from Diego.

“I’d love to see you, Trent.”

“Awesome,” Trent answered cheerfully. “Hey, Frankie! Want to go out dancing with Cassie tomorrow night?”

Diego came back over the line. “Seriously?”

“I didn’t invite them to disc golf.” I shouldn’t have invited them to the club, but something about getting under Diego’s skin was just too enticing. “And it’ll be fun.”

“You clearly haven’t gone out drinking with Trent before.” Diego sighed.

“Do you think I need a publicist?”

“What? Why would you need a publicist?”

“Well, you just said I’m the preeminent ghost tour operator in the United States and people have noticed. I got a message from someone who wants to represent me.”

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