Page 104 of Endurance
“If you and your brothers wear a mankini to start off the 5k, we’ve officially made our goal for the charity.”
My jaw drops. “You want me and my brothers to wear that thing and run a 5k?”
She nods. “It’s for agreatcause.”
“I’m out. This is ridiculous. I quit being a Harris.” Booker groans, pulling on the tight fabric beneath his sweats, awkwardly adjusting his package.
“I don’t even fit in mine,” Gareth says, tweaking his athletic shorts and pulling his T-shirt down over his head. “We need an addendum to this clause. We have to wear shorts or something.”
“Yeah, same problem here, bro,” Camden states, striding out from behind the makeshift changing room we created in the vacated media tent.
He’s not covering anything up. Literally. I wince at the sight of his nut sack spilling out the sides. At least he shaved I guess.
Okay, I’ll admit, this idea is ridiculous. But first of all, I would do just about anything for my wife. And second of all, when Belle told me the amount of money we could make with a viral YouTube video, I suddenly became a lot less embarrassed.
I pin my three brothers with a serious look. More serious than I feel, standing here in a pair of joggers with two neon straps over my shoulders that cover my nipples. “Look. I know this is crazy. I know that we’re going to look like a bunch of wankers out there. But we’re Harrises. We rise above it. We’re not too proud to do something a little outside the box. Those people are out there on the street with a lot less, and we would give the shirt off our backs to anyone who needed it and that’s what this represents.”
I snap the neon fabric on my chest and Gareth’s shoulders shake with silent laughter. Camden and Booker are less concealed in their blatant amusement.
I continue, “It’s a hundred thousand pounds with major potential for so much more.”
“But we could pay the difference,” Gareth states.
I sigh and shake my head. “It’s not just about the money. It’s about making a splash. Going big. This ridiculous idea will set up the charity for life. It’s going to go viral, and that will enable us to help even more people.”
“Or scare people away,” Booker grumbles.
“Not if we do it right. Not if we do it loud and proud as only Harrises can.”
Camden leans over to Gareth’s ear. “Is it just me or are you getting a Braveheart freedom speech vibe right now?”
“It’s for a great cause!” I roar. “Now let’s go out there, bro up, cup our nutty buddies, and do this!”
We cover up the rest of ourselves and make our way out of the tent to the makeshift stage where crowds of people are gathered to watch the start of the race. If I was nervous before, now I’m completely cool as a cucumber. There’s something kind of empowering about wearing this mankini. I might have to make this a thing.
My whole family is standing in front of the crowd of several hundred people. Hayden has Rocky in his arms; Indie and Vi are talking quietly to Dad; and Booker, Gareth, and Camden walk up to join them, looking awkward as fuck.
My eyes land on a bright red mane of hair, recognising the man immediately.
Frank.
He tips his head to me with a sneaky smirk, and I shake my own back at him. He might be the most brilliant pervert I’ve ever met.
I clear my throat to speak into the mic. “I don’t have a lot to say, but I do have some people I want to thank. First of all, thank you all for coming, either as athletes participating in the run, friends and family here to show support, or all of you who donated today. We’ve raised a lot of money and it makes me incredibly proud because I know it’s only the beginning.
“Shirt Off My Back started because a man helped me who didn’t have a shirt to spare. He literally had nothing but was willing to give me everything. And it made me realise that, as a professional athlete, I wasn’t giving enough. So I hope to make a big impact here today.”
I pause and exhale, anxiety spiraling inside of me over what I’m about to do. I look at my brothers, who look like they’re about ready to vomit or cry. I can relate. A nervous smile breaks across my face. “And to throw a wrench in the mix, my brothers and I have a little surprise for everyone to make today…extra memorable.”
I can see everyone looking around like they are expecting some big pop star to come running in to bring the house down or something. We’ll be bringing the house down all right.
Belle smiles bigger than I think I’ve ever seen, Vi frowns with confusion, and I swear I hear Frank’s cackle from somewhere in the distance.
“Let’s have a good race!” I shout and hop down off of the stage, heading straight for Belle. Her face is the picture of amazement as I grab her and plant a sloppy kiss on her lips. “Just remember, you asked for this.”
She giggles and looks me up and down. One would have thought she’d be disgusted by what I’m about to do, totally turned off by the strips of neon lycra peeking out beneath my clothes. But the fire I see in the dark pools of her eyes forces me to look away before I grow right out of this getup.
She stands on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear, “Is it completely mad that I’m turned on thinking about what you’re wearing under your clothes right now?”
