Page 10 of Off Limits
Shawny lowers her voice again. ‘Y’all know… the ones that say you can’t chew gum, you can’t wear sweatpants when you go out in public, you can’t drink, you can’t smoke, you most definitely cannot party…’
You can’t dance in a man’s lap for money, I think to myself.
‘At least there’s the no touching rule,’ Angel sighs as she signs her contract, and my stomach performs another somersault. For a split second, I thought I’d voiced my thoughts out loud. But it appears that, as CMC, members of the public can request a photograph, but they’re not allowed to touch any of us.
I reach for my pen and sign my name carefully. I look around, my heart beating fast. All the women in the room are smiling and congratulating one another in their uniforms. I do the same, and I hope they can’t see the fear in my eyes.
There is a ripple of applause. I fix my smile again. ‘Thank you, girls!’ Kathleen’s voice rings out. ‘Congratulations. Group photo time! Back out onto the field, please!’
We file out and Jewel grabs my arm. ‘Can you believe it? We’re official cheerleaders for the Mutineers!’
I squeal along with her, because why wouldn’t I? Yet deep down, I’m afraid. I’m scared that it could all unravel, and that I’ll get found out.
Outside on the field, we have group photographs taken. About halfway through, I see a woman emerge from the tunnel. Like Kathleen, she’s wearing a sharp suit, purple in color. I recognize her from the news, and because, like me, even if you don’t follow football, everybody in this city knows who owns the Mutineers: the Conway family. A ripple goes through the group as she comes closer into view. Samantha Conway is the chief brand officer for the Mutineers. It’s hard to tell her exact age due to the number of procedures she’s had, not that anybody would dare say that to her face.
Under the floodlights, when the photographs are over, she addresses us. Kathleen urges us to sit on the ground, and it feels a little like we’re second graders taking a seat on a mat in front of an elementary school teacher.
‘Girls,’ she says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I note her well-manicured nails and immaculate makeup. ‘To the rookies, a warm welcome to the Mutineers family. To the veterans, we’re so glad to have y’all back. You lookwonderful, and it is my absolute pleasure to have y’all represent our exceptional brand out here on the field. I cannot wait for the fans to come and see you perform on this turf for the first time as a new squad on Thursday night. We’re so very excited. Now, as some of y’all know, my son, Brody, is marrying his sweetheart Mary-Martha Adams at the Canyon Country Club a week from Saturday. As a way of thanking y’all for your hard work, we would be honored by your attendance.’
Another ripple goes through the group. Kathleen starts to applaud loudly. I note Harmony is swift to do the same, and so, kinda like little baby cubs, we all follow.
‘The dress code,’ Samantha continues, ‘isdemure. All dresses should fall below the knee, and absolutely no dress should be low cut. Now, I know y’all have worked hard today, so go change, go home, get your beauty sleep, and feel proud of yourselves for stepping into the Mutineers family.’
There is more applause, so I follow suit, and Kathleen and Samantha lapse into conversation while we get back on our feet.
‘Honored by your attendance,’ I hear Angel snort behind me under her breath. ‘What does that even mean anyway?’
‘It means, girl, you better haul ass to her son’s wedding ’cause you ain’t got no choice in the matter,’ Shawny adds. ‘Now you signed a contract, it’s our job torepresent, whether you like it or not.’
Angel gives a low laugh, and I pretend like I’m not listening. ‘Prolly inviting us ’cause they couldn’t get anyone else to go. Now we finally get to see the poor female who snagged Brody Conway for a husband.’
‘How about his mommapaysme a little more if she’s goin’ to make me attend her nepo-baby son’s wedding?’ Shawny muses, before I find Jewel is pulling me back toward our locker room.
‘You see?’ Jewel says after a moment, linking arms with me and walking me back across the field. She’s still buzzing from signing our contract, just like I should be. ‘Ain’t this just fantastic? Welcome to your new, improved life, Ren.’
Chapter Four
Serenity
‘You’re a little late tonight, sugar,’ Misty comments as I enter the dressing room at Surly’s, having changed back into my ordinary clothes.
‘I’m so sorry,’ I say, out of breath, going straight over to the hanging rail and pulling off my jacket. ‘I had to stay late to sign my contract and pose for group photos.’
‘Oooh, acontract, that sounds mighty important.’
I go over to my mirror and kick off my shoes, tonight’s outfit on a hanger looped over my fingers. I drop my shoulders. ‘There’s a clause that says I can’t bring the Mutineers brand into disrepute.’
Misty raises her brow. Tonight, she’s a blonde in black leather hot pants and long gloves. ‘Good lord, it’s just a football team. I’d argue half the players bring that brand into disrepute most nights of the week.’
‘Guess they hold us ladies to a different standard.’
Now she’s rolling her eyes. ‘Ain’t that always the way?’
Dancing on stage hits different tonight. The moves are the same, so is the crowd, but while normally I can ignore those eyes on me, I feel like, tonight, everybody knows. They know I’m the same girl, who on Thursday night, is gonna make her maiden performance as a law-abiding, rule-following, wholesome cheerleader on the sacred field at Danube Stadium for the opening game of the Mutineers pre-season. How did I possibly ever think I could get away with living this double life? Under the red lights, nerves cut through me, my palms sweaty against the pole as I cling to it.
After, I head straight to the office, wrenching ten and twenty-dollar bills from the rim of my boots.
‘You doin’ alright, Ren?’ Jaxon asks me once the door is closed.
