Page 43 of Off Camera
“Ah. I see. Thanks for all the help.”
I sidestep out of the way and make a beeline for the refreshments table at the back of the room, away from the crowd.
“Duncan!” I hear called out, and I turn around. I see Leo Michaels, the marketing manager for the Cincinnati Renegades, one of our division rivals, waving at me. He pushes through people until he reaches the charcuterie boards and fruit plates. “Dude. Good to see you.”
“Hey, man.” We clasp hands and bump chests. “I didn’t know you’d be here. Thought you got promoted.”
“I did. We’re short-staffed right now, and I didn’t have much of a choice about coming. With our QB constantly in the media, I swear to god my workload has tripled this offseason,” he says.
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“A very good thing. Our investors are happy as shit, and so is my bank account. But it’s trash for my work-life balance. I’m up to my elbows in promotional campaigns and potential sponsorships. I didn’t know how hard creating slogans that combine football and pop music would be, and it keeps me up at night. I stare at the ceiling and try to figure out a word that rhymes withdazzle.”
I laugh. “That’s what happens when you go from a big fish in a small pond to a tiny fish in an ocean. When we won our first Super Bowl, I didn’t sleep for a week. I’m still lucky if I get five hours a night these days.”
“How’re your boys feeling about the preseason? Is everyone healthy? I saw Dallas got married. How was that?”
It was a blast. They’re all healthy so far, but we know how that’s going to go. The injury numbers are only going to increase if the league starts adding more games. I don’t know how Jett made it through eighteen weeks last season. His arm was toast by the playoffs. You all deserved the Super Bowl win.”
“Thanks for loaning the trophy to us,” Leo says. “I can’t believe you all signed Griffin Harrison. The guy’s a fucking legend. There’s no way you all don’t win the NFC.”
“I don’t know about that. The Thunderhawks snagging Malcolm Jeffries is really going to test us. This is the first season we’re playing them, and I’m going to lose my mind if I have to hear that song they use on social media all year.”
“Aw, come on.” Leo grins. “I love when they play the song. I’ll hear it in the tunnel after our own games and know they won. Our guys sing it, and sometimes I think our fans want us to lose just so they can see what video the Thunderhawks are going to use with the music on social media.”
I roll my eyes. “Not you too, Leo. The song literally just saysThunderhawksover and over. It’s not creative, and my goddaughter could come up with something better.”
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for good marketing.” He claps a hand on my shoulder. “What panels are you sitting in on? We should try to link up for dinner this weekend.”
“I’m doing all the social media ones, but I’ll probably pop into a marketing seminar so I can hear things from your side. Let me know when you’re free, and we can grab a bite.”
“Maybe tomorrow. I ran into a woman who’s speaking this weekend, and I’m going to see if I can find her later. I want to ask her out for a drink.”
I snort. “Bold of you to mix business and pleasure. We know how that ends.”
“I’d risk it all for her, man. She’s a smoke show.” Leo pulls out his phone and groans. “I need to take this. The guy I work with in advertising is up my ass about a new project.”
“Do you still have my number?”
“Yeah. I’ll holler at you later. Have fun in there.”
Leo waves and presses the phone to his ear, disappearing around a corner. I grab a bottle of water then make my way into the large conference room. I find a spot in the back, a chair on the aisle close to the door so I can make an escape, and kill time by catching up on the group text messages I’ve been dragged into.
Puck Daddy
Did you make it Vegas okay?
Daddy Dallas
You have to let us know if they announce anything cool, Reid. I heard a rumor about special uniforms we’ll wear on holidays.
Puck Daddy
Of course they give you special jerseys. You guys only play 17 games and have a damn bye week. Gotta keep the fans interested where they can. Fucking snoozefest.
Daddy Dallas
I’m sitting two feet away from you and you’re going to talk shit, Maverick?
