Page 41 of Ripped & Shipped
Drake plays it up, even leaning around the front seat to hold a jalapeño popper out so I can take a bite while he feeds me. He’s being playful. Not as fun and harmless as Chris, for sure. But this is all for the ratings, and to give our followers something they want to see.
Chris. He has no business slipping into my mind right now.
Comments start streaming in as Drake pays Stan. I catch him sliding a fifty dollar bill into Stan’s hand too. That was unexpectedly sweet. Then I notice Andy filming the exchange. I hope Drake’s generosity isn’t merely for show. But that’s his business. After all, I’m here for the exposure, so I’m not one to talk.
I check my phone while we wait for the next Uber to arrive.
@allthatsazz:Ella Mae! New to your channel. Love the chemistry between you and Drake! Those wedges made me hungry. But when he fed you that popper! Talk about hot and spicy! Whew!
@Fab-U-lous_EllaMae: Glad to have you here! Hang around for life hacks, beauty tips, and lots of fun content. And yes! That popper was spicy! Drake’s super fun.
@beefitupfitnessdude: You’re letting too many men feed you, @Fab-U-lous_EllaMae. Let me feed you.
@EllasSoBella: Ella Mae should block you.
@beefitupfitnessdude: I’m not talking to you, @EllasSoBella. Let Ella Mae answer me. I’m only offering her the chance of a lifetime—to be with a man who will treat her so right. Check out my page. I take good care of myself. And I’d take good care of her too. Such good care.
@EllasSoBella: Cringe. I saw your page. You seem pretty into flexing. Good for you working out. Why don’t you find a girlfriend at the gym and leave EM alone?
@beefitupfitnessdude: Shouldn’t that be up to Ella Mae? Or are you jealous?
That guy,beef it up fitness dude, has been a bit forward lately. Maybe I’ll ask Meg what she thinks I should do. I don’t like blocking people when they’re showboating or throwing compliments my way if they aren’t hurting anyone. Lots of guys do this. It never amounts to anything. I just ignore him and answer other comments.
I keep reading my thread. Lots of people are speculating about whether there’s something going on between me and Drake. Just like last week had hashtags about Chris, now there are hashtags #DrellaMae and #DrakeAndEllaMae. It’s good press. I don’t confirm or deny. And there are a few “What happened to Mister Shoulders?” and “Where’s Chris?” comments in the mix. He sure was popular with my followers.
We hit three other restaurants in four hours, eating tacos, fried chicken, curly fries, shakes, and finally, hot dogs loaded with all the toppings, and a soft serve cone.
Thankfully, we pause for an hour between each stop.
When the last Uber driver parks next to Drake’s car to let us out, my hand is on my abdomen.
“I’ve got a food baby,” I tell my followers, with a crazy grin on my face. “I think I’m going into a food coma any minute.”
Drake chuckles from up front. He’s got a nice laugh. We got along pretty well as the day wore on. He got more comfortable with me and let down some of the façade. But he also got more touchy-feely, feeding me at each stop and saying things about my lips or asking his followers to rate me 1-10. I rolled with it all.
When I last looked, I have gained over fifteen thousand followers in four hours. There’s nothing like a collab with a super-influencer to boost someone like me. And I’m riding that high. Well, as much riding as I can do, when I really feel like someone needs to roll me out of this car.
“I’m heading home now, my sweet peeps. If you’re new here, check out my other content and come back tomorrow for my,What to do when you’ve overdone itpost. And remember to put the YOU in Fab-YOU-lous tonight!”
I hit the record button to end filming.
Drake looks back at me, slumped in the back seat, rubbing my belly like an old man in a white tank top and house slippers.
“You did great, Ella Mae! Just amazing. I haven’t had this much fun in a while. Tell me you’re coming to the bash in Cali.”
Andy looks over at me with a look of concern. Or maybe he’s just being shy again.
“I’ll think about it. Thanks again. Can I split the cost of the food with you?”
“No way. My treat. All these collabs are for my channel, so I foot the bill. You can consider this our first date. Next time I won’t make you eat so much, and it can just be the two of us.”
He looks over at the driver, Mildred, who’s quietly watching all of us like we’re the latest episode of Gossip Girl.
I sit still, trying to dissect what Drake just said. Did he just ask me on a date? Or was he joking?
“Welp, Mildred, this is where we part. Thanks for driving us around today. Here’s an extra fifty for your troubles.”
Andy’s not filming right now. Maybe Drake’s not as cheesy as he occasionally seemed today.
