Page 27 of Everything's Better With You
“You’re right. It’ll be a distraction.” Les scowled at the PR guy.
Joe frowned. What could be so bad?
“I think we’re all going to have to get comfortable with distraction this fall at the very least. I don’t think a camera crew would be any more distracting than crews working on the felled trees or the construction workers repairing the gym and athletic center.”
Joe’s ears perked up. “Camera crews?”
Jacob grinned at Joe. “We’ve had a request to do a miniseries reality show on the attempts to rebuild the college. There are networks who are very interested in you and Coach Payton being hired, as well as some of the other more notable staff. Networks that would spend good money to obtain the rights to this phenomenal story.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Leslie said. “I told you we don’t need that kind of distraction. I have a brand-new team I’m going to be putting on the field and many of these kids have very little experience. They need all of their focus to be on the game.”
Joe, on the other hand, was intrigued by the idea. A reality show? It was definitely in his realm of experience. But then he also knew how much Leslie needed to be out of the spotlight to recuperate at times.
“How about a competition?” he asked with a shrug. “Each of the teams fundraising to rebuild the program as a whole. That could bring in larger donors once they see the kids are willing to take it upon themselves to work hard for what they want, and the team with the most funds raised gets bragging rights.”
Everyone looked from Joe to Barry and there was murmuring around the table.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Jacob said, a little more excited than was called for. “Cheerleaders vs Footballers, Soccer vs Softball, we could run it like a tournament bracket, get the student body involved, call in the local media—”
“Now, wait a minute,” Leslie said, and Joe was surprised by the frustration in his voice. “When are my players supposed to be fundraising? They have classes starting in a week and practice, which we’re already going to have to get creative with since we don’t have a field.”
Barry walked over and put a hand on Leslie’s shoulder. This was a whole other side of Les than Joe had ever seen. His always-look-on-the-bright-side attitude had become overcast this morning.
Leslie held up a hand.
“I’m sorry. I’m sure we can find a way. Everyone else is willing to do their part, so football will participate. And win.” He smiled and the other coaches laughed.
“Hold on a second,” Joe said, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. “What makes you think football will win?”
Whispers circulated all around the table.
Leslie’s eyebrows rose, and whatever overcast remained was gone. Back was the twinkle in his eye.
“Sheer numbers. And determination.”
Joe barked out a laugh. “I’m willing to bet thatcheerwill win.”
Leslie leaned forward and laced his fingers on the table in front of him. “How do you figure, Twi—Coach Judd?”
Joe pressed his lips together to keep from laughing at Leslie’s slip.Using his pet name for Joe in the middle of a meeting was sure to raise eyebrows.
“Cheerleaders are experts at fundraising. Unlike the rest of the sports programs, we’re used to having miniscule budgets and having to fight for every crumb necessary. Do you know that when I was a cheerleader here, there was no NAIA cheer competition? We had to raise money to fly to competitions sponsored by USA Cheer and United Dance Association, Varsity Sports… We had to buy our own competition uniforms, especially because there were none for the men and no budget for them. Marti and I even fought with NAIA to get them to recognize it as a championship sport. That didn’t happen until the 2016–17 school year. So yeah, I may not have a college coaching background, Coach Payton, but I know how to hustle. You can guarantee cheer can raise more money than your team despite the number of participants.”
Joe leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
Gauntlet thrown.
Mic drop.
Boom.
Electricity passed between him and Leslie, and he became aware of the fact that if anyone else in the room picked up on it, their secret correspondence all these years was about to be public.
“I love this idea,” Jacob said, clapping his hands together. “What do you say, Coach Payton? It seems to me Coach Judd has challenged your team. Do you accept.”
Leslie pressed a hand into the table. “You’ve got a deal, Coach. May the best team win.”
Heat rushed through Joe’s body and he shifted in his seat. Oh, this was going to be fun.
