Page 47 of Necessary Roughness

The show had gone swimmingly. Luke had been a perfect gentleman and—of course—it ended up being my most popular show ever.

We even set up video recording to launch a YouTube channel, and when Luke made his first appearance, the viewership was in the millions.

The next day I was offered a shiny new contract with a six-figure annual salary.

Life had changed in more ways than one.

No more struggling to keep up with bills, no more worrying about debt collectors calling my phone.

I was finally going to feel stable. For once.

Gazing over at Luke, I felt compelled to share my thoughts with him.

But before I could, the doorbell rang.

On the other side of the door was Leonard, cape and all.

Behind him… was something massive.

But I had absolutely no idea what it was since it was covered in gift wrap.

Leonard offered a cheery hello before he dragged the oversized gift down the hallway of our home.

As he struggled, Luke came over to assist.

“What onearthis this?” he asked.

Leonard simply snickered.

As they moved into the living room toward an eagerly anxious Claire, I exhaled a deep breath and took stock of my surroundings.

Luke’s appearance on my show had changed my career, and his appearance in my life had changed everything.

“I present to you,” Leonard started before ripping the paper away. “The Titans of Tension.”

Wrapping paper fell to the floor to reveal an oversized portrait of me and Luke, standing at least ten feet tall and eight feet wide.

The painting was a comically gigantic masterpiece, featuring vibrant colors that seemed to leap off the surface, capturing me and Luke in a playful, almost whimsical manner.

It depicted the two of us standing on the beach, arms draped around each other with huge grins on our faces. The painting was done in a surreal, almost caricatured style, emphasizing the underlying humor of our situation.

The frame itself was ornate and gaudy, adorned with shells and bits of beach paraphernalia, adding to its eccentricity.

My jaw hit the floor. Claire’s jaw hit the floor.

And she wasnotan easy person to surprise.

She began to say, “Mother of…” but I quickly cut her off.

“Leonard!” I exclaimed as everyone else stood around in silent horror. “It’s wonderful. We’ll treasure it.”

“Right!” Claire chimed in as she snapped a picture of it with her phone. “And who needs wallpaper when you have this? Honestly, just redecorate the whole house around it!”

I could see Luke shaking his head vehemently behind Leonard who couldn’t see him.

I grinned through clenched teeth. “I’m sure we’ll find the perfect place for it. Claire, please delete that picture you just took.”

Claire cackled. “This is what happens when you mix too much money with too little talent.”

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