I pick up my phone and type a quick update to Ace while keeping my eyes on the monitor.
Eva: You seeing this?
Ace: Make him say the final line. Don't let him off the hook.
"We're bringing it home," I grin, completely enjoying the absolute authority of the control room. "Sam, ask him about the elite tier."
"To close things out, Aston," Sam says, her face a perfect mask of absolute journalistic gravitas, "coaches always talk about the 'X-factor'—that rare, innate athletic superiority that can't be taught. When you look at the film from both of your careers, if an organization could only draft one Griffith brother based purely on raw, unadulterated athletic dominance... who is the better athlete out of the two of you?"
The studio goes completely quiet. On monitor four, Aston’s jaw tightens completely. He stares directly into the camera lens, his blue eyes burning right through the feed. He knows. He absolutely knows his twin has coordinated this entire interview with me.
He lets out a long, slow breath, a dark, reluctant smirk finally breaking through his annoyed expression as he shakes his head.
"If you're asking for the absolute baseline of raw athleticism," Aston grumbles, leaning back in his chair and throwing his hands up in mock defeat, "it's Ace. He’s the better athlete. Are we done with the family history channel now, Sam?"
"Wrap it, Sam," I laugh into the headset, hitting the master kill switch on the studio feed.
I picked up my phone one last time, sending a single line to the true mastermind in Florida.
Eva: Mission accomplished.
Ace: You are a masterpiece, Eva. I'm logging off with a massive smile on my face.
I stand up, gathering my clipboard with a triumphant smile. "Excellent work, team," I tell Stan and the crew. "Now, if you'llexcuse me, I have a very large, very targeted defensive lineman to manage on the studio floor."
By the time I get to Aston, he’s smiling and laughing with Sam.
“I had to do it, Aston. It was just too good an opportunity to pass up,” she says, laughing.
“I get it. I’m sure my brother and my girl here had to work hard to convince you to join in on this,” he says, pulling me in as I get closer.
She smiles, leans in, and hugs him, then me. “I’ll see you two later. I have a hot date tonight.”
“Um, I want details later,” I call after her.
Instead of replying, she winks at me.
Aston pulls my attention away from Sam when he takes hold of my hands and wraps them around his neck.
“So, tell me, Honeybee. When did you and Ace come up with this grand plan?” He kisses the tip of my nose and wraps his arms around my waist, tugging me in closer.
“I can’t reveal all the details, but let’s just say it all came together quickly.” I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me.
“Uh-huh. And I’m guessing you got this all on tape?”
“I did. But he also got a live feed,” I say, smirking.
“Awesome.”
His phone buzzes in his pocket, and he pulls it out to see his brother’s name on the screen.
Ace: We’re even. Now go live your happily ever after. TMAG
“What?” Aston mumbles.
Aston: TMAG?
Ace: The Most Athletic Griffith
