Page 21 of Never Say Never
What does she mean by that? Oh…
“Yes, more time with you. I’m not complaining. I can’t believe you agreed to do this.”
Her eyes crinkle the slightest bit. “I was cornered.”
“I’ve seen you play, that doesn’t happen often.”Damn, I’m corny as fuck today.
A small grin sneaks onto her face. “Not on the court, it doesn’t. But when it comes to my mom and media requests…”
“Ah, it’s like that?”
“No, not really. She’s great. I’m not big on the press side of the job.”
“Same.” I let out a big sigh.
“That bodes well for our interview,” she says archly.
“Oh, today is different for me. I’ll be your most enthusiastic subject.” I wink at her to punctuate my words.
She rolls her eyes in return, and then lets out a little laugh. “I’m sure.”
In my peripheral vision, I see Aiden watching the two of us chat, a quizzical look on his face. I did mention that I’d met her, but maybe he hadn’t really absorbed it then.
“Hi, everyone, I’m Farah, the editor of the magazine,” a blond woman says. She points to a thirty-something man with a shaved head. “This is Isaiah, he’s going to be our photographer today.”
“Hey, man,” I say to him, and he dips his chin in return.
“The interview part will come next, but first we want to take the pictures for the cover,” Farah continues.
“In our uniforms, right?” Avery asks. They’d given us a heads-up so we’d bring our gear.
“Yes. There are a couple of dressing rooms if you want to get changed.”
With that, we go our separate ways. They wanted me to wear pads, so I get fully suited up other than my helmet.
Once I’m done, I head back out into the open room, and Avery is already there, in her Surge jersey and shorts. She has heavier makeup on now, as you’d expect for a professional photo shoot.
She’s also pulled her hair up in the ponytail she wears for game days. I might know this from stalking her social media profiles the night after we met at the gym. But I’ll keep that to myself.
“Is this good enough?” she asks a woman who I think might be from the Surge staff.
“Yeah, the makeup looks great too.”
“Thanks, we’ve had enough family photo shoots over the years that I’ve picked up a few tricks.”
There’s a ball in Avery’s hand, and she’s twisting it in the air a few inches and then catching it.
Suddenly, Isaiah’s voice interrupts my observations.
“Okay, great. Rawley, you’re ready too. Can you both head to the green screen area over there?”
“Sure thing,” I respond, and we both walk to the spot he wants.
“Avery, you stand to the left of Rawley, and keep your ball. Rawley, here’s a football.”
Isaiah chucks it to me, and I catch it one handed.
Avery watches me with an eagle eye. “Showing off?”
