She wants the players to attend more public events to help build our team's reputation. While I understand where she’s coming from, charity events and galas are not for me. I hate wearing a suit. It’s bad enough we have to wear them for work. I don’t want to wear one in my free time. There’s also the fact that I hate small talk and chatting with people who are dull as hell, or only care about money.
Don’t get me wrong, I love money, and I have a lot of it, but it’s not everything in life.
“Marilyn.” Reid gives her his best good boy charm. “How’s our favorite PR manager?"
She lifts a brow. “Cut the crap, boys, you know the deal. Every member of the team is supposed to be attending public events. However, out of all our players, you two have gone to the least.”
“We went to that charity a month ago,” I point out.
“Yes. That was your one and only event. An event where you two hid in the back corner for most of the night, only speaking to each other.”
“We still went,” I grumble.
“You both need to put in more effort. That is why I’m sending you both to LA for a charity gala, one that the Scented Scorpions brand has donated to. You will attend and show your support. Talk and mingle with the heads of the charity and then report back to us.”
I’m about to tell her I’d rather wear Steven’s sweaty socks than go, when Reid slaps a hand over my mouth.
“We’d be happy to.” Reid smiles.
I shoot him a glare, tempted to lick his hand. Lies. We would not love to.Iwould not love to!
“Perfect. Tickets are already purchased. You have two hours to go home and pack before you need to be at the airport. The event is tomorrow, but by the looks of you two, I think a day's rest beforehand is needed.”
“Tomorrow?” My eyes bug out, mumbling against Reid’s hand.
“You got it,” Reid says.
Marilyn eyes us up for a moment before letting out a small huff. “Don’t disappoint me, boys!” she calls after while walking away, her heels clicking on the floor as she goes.
“What the hell, man?!” I growl at Reid. “I don’t want to spend my only days off, for like the next two weeks, going to some stuffy event.”
“It’s one event. It’s not going to kill us. We go, we talk, we do what we’re told, then we come back. If we put up a fight, then we’re only going to draw attention to ourselves for not being team players. And we are team players, so we suck it up.”
“I hate you,” I grumble.
“I hate you too.” He chuckles, ruffling my hair.
“If you weren’t my best friend, I’d abandon you at the airport and make you go alone.”
“And because you’re my best friend, you’re going to come with me and have a good time. We can still enjoy our time off. Only it will be in LA. I’ll ask if we can spend a few days there, extend our stay after the gala, and change our flights.”
“Fine. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to really enjoy Hollywood. I want to dress up incognito and play happy tourist."
“Whatever floats your boat, my man,” he chuckles. “Now, let’s go pack.”
Okay, so maybe it’s not going to be so bad. The room they booked for us is nice. It’s hard to be mad about a penthouse suite.
The flight was fine as well, and first class was a nice touch. With practice getting out at eight and the flight being around five hours, it’s well past midnight, and I’m still suffering from a hangover.
“Let’s get to bed. We can sleep in. Marilyn sent all the details over in an email. It’s not until seven, so we have most of the day to relax before we need to get ready.”
“Good. Sleeping in was what I was most looking forward to on our days off.” I throw myself backward on the plush bed. “I’m taking this room.” I groan as my body starts to sink into the memory foam mattress.
“Don’t go to sleep yet. You still have to get settled.”
“I am settled,” I mumble, eyes heavy with sleep already.
“Alright then, I'll hang up your suit, I guess.” He sighs.
