Page 69 of Sweatpants & Sweet Tea

“Okay.” I still had no clue what she was going to ask.

“You have a strong following, and a few clips have gone viral, but it doesn’t look like you’re taking advantage of any of the opportunities or collabs of people and companies that have reached out. You don’t even have contact information.”

“What opportunities?”

She sat up a little straighter. “You do check your DMs, right?”

“No.”

She closed her eyes and took a breath. “You have legitimate brands in your comments that have DM’d you for possible sponsorships, not to mention other creators for collabs and managers.”

“I don’t really check that stuff. I know Weston has posted some videos, and I’ve tried to post a few things here and there, but?—”

“Harlan,” she cut me off, “you are leaving so much money on the table.”

“I’m not an influencer. I don’t know how to do all that social media stuff.”

“You don’t have to. That’s why you hire someone who can. Let me put you in contact with a few managers. Just take a few Zoom meetings. You’ve built an incredible brand, which means you could have merchandise as well as products. Jessica Bass started with dance fitness videos on YouTube and now has an entire line of protein powders, vitamins, and supplements. Cassey Ho started putting up Pilates videos and now has a Blogilates empire with Pop Pilates certifications, a clothing line, and fitness gear.” She took a breath. “But even if you don’t want to take Farm Strong to that level, you could just do sponsorships and brand deals.”

“You said I’m leaving a lot of money on the table. How much money are we talking?”

“Tens of thousands of dollars, maybe even a hundred thousand.”

“A year?”

“No, a month.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you have a huge following, and major brands of energy drinks and protein powders have reached out to you; you just haven’t gotten back to them. Let me set up some meetings for you with a few managers who I know are above board.”

“You don’t have to do that. I know you have enough on your plate.”

“No, I want to.”

“Okay,” I agreed, and a wide smile spread on her face. “Can I askyousomething?”

“Sure.”

“Are you dating Kale Butler?” I’m not sure why I asked. I told myself that I wasn’t going to, and that it was none of my business since we weren’t a real couple. But for some reason, I needed to know.

Her eyes widened slightly. “How did you?—”

“Dawson sent me a link to the TMZ article.”

“When?”

“Right after our date, actually.”

“Our date at the gazebo?” she questioned.

“Yeah.”

“But yesterday…you stayed at the hospital. All day.”

“I did.”

Her brows furrowed, and she shook her head. “Even though you thought I had a boyfriend and lied to you about it?”

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