“You’ll just have to wait and see,” she sing-songs, adding a little skip to her stop as she turns around and leads me toward the booths.
I should be worried. Whenever she gets that tone, I usually end up embarrassing myself, but I’m no idiot. If she’s offering me quality time, I’ll take it—no questions asked. I’ll follow that woman anywhere, even if it’s right off a cliff. Hell, I’d probably thank her the entire way down.
Like usual, that beautiful, yet devilish woman has played me yet again. With all the people who’ve walked by as my face gets painted as they point their fingers and laugh, it’s clear Hollis chose wisely.
“Shhh,” she shushes a few laughing onlookers who’ve stopped to gawk. “It’s a surprise. He doesn’t know what it is,” she explains to the small group of boys and girls who’ve gathered in close.“What do you all think? Is he going to like it?”
They all answer at the same time, but the resounding answer seems to be no.
Perfect.
“Oh come on,” I play along. “It can’t be that bad…right?”
The kids exchange glances before bursting into another fit of giggles.
“Oh, it’s bad,” one of the older boys assures me.
I glance at Hollis, who casually shrugs in response.
It’d been her idea for each of us to pick the face paint for the other, and given the looks I’m getting, she’s clearly playing to win.
I’m not overly concerned, though. After everything I've done during my Honky Tonk career there isn’t much left that will actually embarrass me. Pretty sure I’m immune at this point. Plus, if all it takes is doing something idiotic to bring back the smile she’s currently wearing, then sign me up. Dignity is overrated anyway.
My only regret is I probably went a bit too easy on her. Then again, I like what I chose, and I’m definitely ready to see her reaction, because she's without a doubt going to have a good one.
“Alright. You’re all done,” the face painter says as she sets down her sponges and paint.
“Wonderful” I say, a sarcastic edge to my voice as I play it up for the small crowd watching. “I’m dying to see just how good I look.”
The truth is, I am curious, especially since this side of her is one of my favorites. I love seeing her relax as she jokes around with me, seeming to forget, at least for a while, that she’s supposed to have her walls up.
“How do we want to do this?” she asks. “Should we both hold up a mirror and look at the same time?”
I mull it over before I’m hit with a genius idea.
“Let’s do a video where we look at the camera at the same time. If anything, you can turn this into a whole bit where players and staff choose face paint for each other.”
“You know how much I hate being in front of the camera,” she hesitates as she bites the corner of her bottom lip. “But, it wouldbe sort of perfect,” she admits before letting out a loud, dramatic pout.
“Come on, it’ll be fun. Everyone is already loving it,” I say, nodding toward the eager faces waiting for our big reveal. “Plus, it’s obvious I’m the one who’s going to look like a fool, here. You look great. Truly.” I reach for her hand and give it an encouraging squeeze.
“Do it,” one kid starts chanting before the rest join in. “Do it! Do it! Do it!”
She covers her face with her hands, holding them out just enough not to mess with the paint on her cheeks.
“Fine. Video it is,” she gives in as our small group of onlookers cheer.
“Alright, let’s do this.” I rub my hands together and I move to stand next to her. “I need to see what everyone is laughing about.”
I move my cheek next to hers, and she lifts the phone as the crowd around us continues to grow in size and excitement.
“Alright, close your eyes, and on the count of three we open them at the same time,” she directs.
I nod and follow her instructions.
“One…Two…” she counts as the group joins in on the countdown. “Three!”
I open my eyes and instantly burst out laughing. There is a lot going on as the colors of green, purple, and pink explode across my face. It takes a moment to fully comprehend what I’m seeing, but my face has ultimately been made to mimic that of Razzle the snake, the Rattlers’ mascot. Then to finish it off, a crown is painted across my forehead.
