“Tar-Tar.” She says, suddenly serious. “Am I ugly?”
The question shocks me. “Ugly? What are you talking about, babes? You’re one of the most beautiful women I’veever seen. And I’m not saying that just because I love you. You’re tall and slender. You have a delicate, beautiful face. You move gracefully even when you aren’t dancing, and your smile lights up any room you’re in. Any man would be lucky to catch your attention.”
Rather than helping, my words have the opposite effect.
“Then why does Mack keep rejecting me? I offered him to be his fake girlfriend, and he said no. Tonight, I was pretty much twerking on his lap, and he stood up and asked me to stop. He wasn’t even hard.”
I stroke the hair at the nape of her neck, hoping to soothe her. “Maybe you aren’t his type. I know I’m not.”
“Not his type? He didn’t seem that hard to please. Since we got here, I’ve seen him hook up with anything with a pulse. From our teammates to a townie or two when we’ve been out. Blonds, brunettes, he doesn’t seem to mind. It must be something he doesn’t like about me.”
“Jo-Jo, I don’t think your looks are the problem. Mack told me before that he isn’t looking for a relationship after his breakup with Gen. That’s why he wouldn’t mess with anyone he has any kind of meaningful connection with. For example, Talia is Tucker’s sister, and he knows he’d get his ass kicked if he touched her with less than honorable intentions. And you’re my best friend. So he wouldn’t have a one-night stand with you for the same reason.”
She stifles a smile. “So you’re cockblocking me?”
“Yeah, blame it on me.”
A crease forms between her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “No, seriously, Taryn. I’m really bummed that he doesn’t like me. I think he and I would be perfect together. Is having a decent boyfriend too much to ask? I’m a relationship person. I miss having someone who’s my other half.”
“I know, Jo. But that’s why it’s better that Mack is doingthe right thing. He’s on the rebound just like you were for a while after Andy. He would break your heart. I know the right guy is out there for you, and you’ll meet him soon. Until then, I’m your other half, ok?”
We shift so that we’re spooning. Jodie wraps her arms around me from behind this time. “I know. I love you, Tar-Tar.”
I have no hesitation in saying it back. “I love you too, Jo-Jo.”
As sleep takes us under, I know that she isn’t only my best friend. She’s my safe place.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MEDIA TRAINING
COLSEN
Despite that ridiculous no fraternization clause in the cheerleaders’ contracts, there are going to be some events that will require the Cove Knights and the Shooting Stars’ joint participation.
That’s what Carole Sawyer is currently explaining to us.
I’m relieved that this time the reason we’re all in the auditorium isn’t a disciplinary problem.
“Many NHL teams are heavily involved with their communities,” Carole says, showing a photo of the Hartford Heroes during a Christmas toys charity run on the big screen behind her. “And our efforts to bring an expansion team to Star Cove will have a better chance of being successful if we could show that the Cove Knights are already ambassadors of the kind of community outreach that the Hockey League Commission loves to see. Of course, that will include the Shooting Stars. They’re going to be a vital part of the new team’s brand, and this year it’s their practice run, so to speak.”
Another series of photos appears behind the cheerleading team director. This time it’s a very well known NFLcheerleading team doing a blood drive at one of their local hospitals. Some of the football players are in the photos too; in some shots the players are donating blood themselves, while in other ones, they’re encouraging other donors. Several of the shots have players and cheerleaders posing with fans and with some of the hospital patients who have received blood as a lifesaving measure.
“For these types of events to have the desired impact,” Carole continues. “It’s essential that every player and every dancer in the room carefully curate their online presence and each interaction they have with fans on social media. We know that since the reality show began airing, many of you have seen your number of followers growing exponentially. And a lot of you have gotten their profiles verified with that blue tick next to your username. Even though most of you use your personal profiles, we would encourage you to look at your online presence in a different way. The first step is to be aware of the type of content you share. That now won’t just affect your own image but how both our teams are perceived.”
Carole shows another series of photos. “Let’s take a look at a few examples. Here are two photos of the Cove Knights interacting with fans while out in town. One of them is a great example of what we’d encourage you to share; the other is the type of content that we would prefer not to see on your social media.”
The first photo shows me signing the backs of two female fans’ jerseys at the event the mayor organized to celebrate our Frozen Four victory.
“This photo is wholesome,” Carole’s gaze meets mine. “Colsen looks friendly and approachable.”
Another photo appears behind Carole. This one was taken on a yacht and shows Vaughn Heston doing a bodyshot off a topless woman. The only thing the woman is wearing is a teeny blue bikini bottom that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination. The woman is holding her tits together and Vaughn’s face is lowered in the valley between them to drink the liquor pooled in the space. One of his big hands is splayed on the woman’s butt cheek.
A chorus of laughter, a few loud whistles, and hand clapping fill the room.
“That’s exactly the kind of reaction this sort of post receives.” Carole sounds displeased as she makes eye contact with many of the people in the auditorium. “And it isn’t the kind of image we want to encourage or project.”
Vaughn raises his hand.
