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Eli:
Would you rather have one big sponsor or several smaller sponsors?
He deleted it without sending it.
“Eli. Great, you’re still here.”
His head snapped up and he forced a smile for the Trailblazers’ community engagement coordinator as she approached from his right. “Hey, Jen. How’s it going?”
“Can I borrow you this Friday?” she asked, skipping over pleasantries. She stopped in front of him and planted her hands on her hips. “I have a group of six grade-ten students coming in as part of the Future Goals program. They’ll get a tour of the facilities, shadow staff, and get to ask a bunch of questions. It’s meant to show them some possible sports-related career paths. Prinnie was supposed to be their guide for the day, but he had something come up.” Her smile was very no nonsense. “Can I count on you.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Sure,” he said, because even if it had been a question, he would’ve agreed. Because at least someone wanted him, but also—high schoolers were so curious. It was going to be awesome.
“And don’t forget the social media crew wants to film your away-game pre-game routine in New Jersey this Wednesday. And what do you think about giving fans a tour of your new place?”
“Oh, but it’s not quite furnished yet.”
He was expecting his new couch to be delivered later today though, so that was fun.
Jen waved a hand. “Whenever it is, then. We’ll send a crew and you can smile at the camera and tell viewers why you chose that painting or, I don’t know . . . you can demonstrate your workout routine, assuming you have a home gym. Sound good?”
“Uh . . .”
Smile at the camera. Sure, he could do that. He could film useless content until he was blue in the face.
But it was so ceaselessly boring.
The engagement team wanted him to engage with the fans, but what did this kind of content tell the viewers other than he was a pretty face who could film fluff?
Not to mention that he didn’t want to give strangers an inside look into his home. That was his private space.
“Is there something else I could do instead? I’d love to give a talk at a school or guest coach at our youth development clinics. Or be part of the sustainability committee. Ooh, hey! I’m taking a Sociology of Sport class. I could film a short reel about the research I’ve been doing for my final project.”
Jen clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s stick to the pre-game routine and house tour for now, okay? I’ll email you the details for Friday.”
And with that, she jogged down the hallway like she had another unsuspecting player or two to catch before he went home for the day.
Blowing out a breath, Eli’s shoulders sagged.
“Yo, Eli.”
Christ, now what?
“We’re grabbing lunch,” Deeley said from where he stood with Sandbaker and Matty Coates by the exit to the parking garage. “Want to join us?”
Eli did.
But he also didn’t. Because with a suddenness that surprised him, he needed to do something not related to hockey or his team for a couple of hours.
“Thanks, but I’ve got some reading to finish before my class tomorrow.” Truth, if not the whole truth. He pushed the door to the parking garage open and held it behind himself for his teammates. “Rain check?”
“Sure thing,” Deeley said. “Make sure you rest up before tonight’s game.”
“You too.”
Eli got into his car and went home.
