Page 52 of Rough
Oh. In case you were wondering… Pretty sure she wouldn’t cry at any of your funerals, which might be sooner rather than later. I’d watch your backs.
Chapter Twenty-One
Betsy
Digging my fingers into my eyes, I try to alleviate the headache that’s building quickly. It’s one of those pesky stress headaches, but if I don’t do something about it now, it’ll ramp up into a migraine.
“Explain it to me again.”
I crack one eye open just in time to see David Jensen’s warm smile. “It’s really not all that complicated. You’ve got this window of opportunity while you’re trending to get yourself out there. It’s all about engagement. These platforms want to keep users actively scrolling, so once they see someone gaining traction, options for getting paid open up for you. You’ll get bonuses for views, sponsors will offer contracts to advertise with you, and you can even sell products if you wanted to go that route.”
“See, that’s the thing. Ireallydon’t. But I’ve found myself in a bit of a bind and in need of some quick cash to recover my losses.”
I saw David hovering around the entrance to my driveway this morning, without Andy tagging along this time, and figured I could hear him out. At this point, I’m desperate to recoup mylosses. There’s no way I’m going to be able to pay the guys who showed up yesterday for more than a few days.
Opening up his laptop, he turns it toward me and starts clicking through different profiles. “If you look at these, they’re people I’ve worked with in the past. Most of them have a passion project. Do you know what those are?”
My hands fall to my worn kitchen table. It’s the one Pap made for my grandma right after they got married. “Uhh… no?”
Chuckling, he nods once, not trying to make me feel like an idiot for having no idea what he’s talking about. “A passion project is something that you feel is important to address. Whether it’s animal cruelty, feeding starving kids, or something else that you want to bring attention to. Having a platform to address the issues and getting people to rally behind you can create a lot of awareness when you’ve got this kind of following. Is there something you’ve found that’s important to you?”
I blink slowly, considering the possibilities. “What if what I’m passionate about isn’t as serious as something like getting food to starving kids? Which, by the way, I think italwaysimportant.”
“Honestly, it can be anything.” He flips his notebook open to a blank page and readies himself to take notes.
I fidget uncomfortably in my seat and look out the window. God, I have so much to do right now, but I don’t want to be rude and tell David he needs to leave. “I think it’s really important to educate teenagers in labor work. Show them what it takes to be self-sufficient and what an honest day’s work looks like. I keep my door open for any student who wants to come here, work up a sweat, and reward them with new skills and cash in their pocket. Education is obviously super important, but knowing how to work the land, grow food, raise cattle… that’s something that’s always going to be needed and there aren’t enough farmers to keep up with demand.”
Jotting down notes, he nods his head quickly as I explain everything. “This is great. So, maybe we can focus on some of your helpers around here. Do some videos of them working, obviously with their parents’ permission, and show some of the skills they’ve gained.” Setting his pen down, he leans forward. “I won’t lie and tell you we can make this work just by doing this. Part of the appeal you have is that you’re a beautiful young woman, and both menandwomen are intrigued by you. Sex sells. It really does, and I’d like to take advantage of that, but only as far as you’re comfortable with.”
My nose wrinkles at the thought of sexualizing myself for money. “What are we talking about here?”
“Well…” he trails off, fingers tapping on the table. “If we go with the basics, making sure you’ve got some cute outfits on while we’re taping is a start. Good angles, smiling or winking at the camera. A lot of it will depend on angles of the photos and videos as well as the music we combine with the clips.”
“I’m gonna stop you right there. That’s literally as far as I’d be comfortable going. I don’t wanna be a joke around here. I do have a business I’m runnin’, and contracts and partnerships with older gentlemen who might not feel comfortable if I’m out there flashing my tits for the camera.”
“I really think if we get the right kind of feel with film, it won’t take much to draw viewers to you. You’re unique and people are begging to see more of you. Plus, you’ll be showing people this can be a woman’s world, too.” Shutting his computer, he tilts his head and asks the big question that I’ve been mulling over. “The question I have for you is, do you want to actually do this? I can make you money. Well, I can makebothof us money, but I won’t harass you any longer if you’re truly not interested.”
My fingernail scrapes over a dent in the table as I consider his offer. He’s already shown me numbers of other ‘influencers’ he’s worked with, and theyareappealing. “I won’t lie and sayI’m not interested. But I don’t want to do it forever. I’d also like to take a look at your contract, maybe have my lawyer read over it before we go any further. What if we agree to six months and renegotiate at that point? Sort of a trial period. I want an out written into the contract as well.”
“Absolutely. I’ll email you the standard contract I’ve used with previous clients, and we can make adjustments. I’m staying at a hotel right now, but if we do this, I’ll look for a place to rent temporarily and stick around the area.” Standing up, David holds his hand out to me. “I really hope we get the opportunity to work together.”
“It’ll be somethin’. I’m gonna tell you now, though. I know you found me through Anderson Boyd. If we do this thing, he’ll have no part in it, you understand?”
David seems surprised, but he nods quickly. “Got it. If we do this, I work for you and no one else will play a part.”
“That woman working with my neighbor and his friends… I don’t want her involvement either. Not sure if you all have a secret public relations club, but I don’t trust her within a ten-mile radius. There will be no tag-teaming and joining forces.”
My reasons are truthful, but I keep the main reason to myself. I don’t want to be encouraged to be around the men who’ve put me in this position to begin with.
He scowls, standing up straighter. “I know who she is and would agree wholeheartedly with you. I’m not saying she’s bad at her job, but she and I have different values and goals. I want to do what’s best foryou. Any financial gain on my part is just a bonus. This kind of work is fun for me, but I don’t need the funds to survive. I do it to keep myself entertained and I like the challenge.”
A loud bang outside has us both turning our heads to look out the window. “The hell was that?” I voice out loud, not expecting an answer from David.
“I’ll leave you to check that out while I head back to my room. Look for my email this evening and take a few days to go over the legalities with your lawyer. Thank you for inviting me into your home and taking the time to listen.”
I follow him to the door, slipping my boots on just before we walk out the door. As soon as I see him off, I make my way toward the noise I heard, then come to a halt. Some of the boys who showed up yesterday are next to the horse corral, unloading a truck of hay bales I didn’t expect for another hour.
But that’s not what has me pulling up short. It’s Clyde, Wilder, and Remy working right alongside them. Fury boils inside of me as I watch them chat with the boys from school, smiling like they’ve all been friends for years.
