“It’s taking all my strength not to kiss you right now.”
I shake my head then get a couple shots of his grinning face. “I’m working.” I point my camera at Apollo. “Your friend and captain over there is paying me an extortionate amount of money to take pictures of all his friends. No kissing allowed.”
Raffi makes duck lips, so obviously I snap another picture. “Was that negotiated in the contract? No kissing the subjects of your photography?”
Despite knowing he lives for my eye rolls, I can’t help myself. He can be an idiot sometimes.
“If I say yes will you move out of the way so I can take Scott’s picture?”
“Maybe.”
“You know you already have headshots, right?” Theirexisting headshots aren’t bad. Some of them have a black eye or missing tooth, but from what I understand, that’s just the nature of the game.
And it’s not even the external injuries we need to be worried about.
Apollo shrugs. “We wanted to go in a different direction.”
Uh-huh. I bet that direction started with Raffi fucking Shaw asking his friend for a favor for the mother of his child.
“Can you stay and take some action shots of warm up? And come back for a game to get some game night shots?” Apollo is way more enthusiastic than I’d expect. Does hereallyenjoy getting his picture taken? Or is he simply creating opportunities for me to be in Raffi’s space.
From the twinkle in his eye, Apollo’s new name should be Cupid.
“What, no black tie event you want some candids taken at?” The sarcasm drips from my voice, but the team captain’s face lights up like I turned on a light switch.
“Oh. Maybe.”
My stomach swoops. “I was kidding.”
“Don’t joke about things with the de la Peñas, Firecracker. They host those kinds of parties all the time.”
“Been a while though.” Ares pipes up from wherever he’s been quietly lurking. Traitor. “We’re overdue.”
“Dad’s company does annual headshots too.” Artemis chimes in from behind Ares.
They’re all in fucking cahoots. Meddling pricks.
Beautiful meddling pricks. I won’t need to do much to these photos when I get them onto the computer.
This situation is escalating. I’m not going to turn down business, but this feels awfully like charity, and I’m going to have to make sure they’re not creating opportunities to give me money just for shits and giggles.
They at least need to see mywork first.
“She doesn’t look amused.” Ares is pretty observant. I’m guessing my resting bitch face is in full force right now.
“I don’t want charity.”
Apollo snorts. Artemis pulls out his phone and opens a browser to the very rudimentary website I threw together. “You need to improve your website, Tori. It doesn’t do what it should to showcase your talent. And you need more portfolio pictures loaded so people can see the work you do.”
“You’ve looked at my website?”
Apollo nods. “I know we have a reputation for being lavish, but we don’t throw away cash. If you were a shitty photographer, we wouldn’t hire you.”
“No matter who wants in your pants.” Ares grunts as Apollo elbows him in the gut. “Fuck. Ouch. It’s true though.” Ares rubs at his stomach.
“It is true. You have an eye for a good shot, and we have photography needs.” Artemis is so matter of fact.
“Plus, we like keeping it in the family if we can.” Apollo tips his head to Raffi.
