Fourth Down (Portland Pioneers 1)

“You’re famous,” I remind him. “Aren’t you used to this?”

“Yes, but most people just approach me, ask for an autograph and a picture and then go on their way. These people are staring.”

“Huh,” I say as I open the door to the stage.

“Whoa.” Julius walks past me and takes in the set. “This looks nothing like what we see on TV.”

“I know, it’s crazy.”

“Where do you stand?” he asks. His question gives me pause. Up until now, he’s never asked a single thing about my work. He’s only berated me and called me weather girl. I point to where I stand, and he looks confused.

“Wait, where’s your map?”

“In here.” I tap my temple and smile. I don’t explain anymore and ask him to follow me again. We leave the set and head back toward the office. I take him to meet my assistant Lisette, who does ask for his autograph, and they pose for many pictures. She even makes him pick her up. Julius does everything she asks and does it all with a smile.

“Do you have an office?” he asks.

“Not exactly. I have a dressing room, and when I need to use the computer or something, I go to the media room. It’s where most of us work when we’re not on air.”

“How come you’re not working today?”

“How do you know when I work?”

He shrugs and blushes slightly. “I may have looked you up the other night when I was tweeting you.”

“You were tweeting me?” This question displeases him. His smile disappears, and he looks confused.

“Well, I thought it was you. I guess I have the wrong handle.” Julius takes his phone out and shows his social media.

“No, that’s definitely mine, but sometimes Lisette will retweet things during my broadcast. She really manages most of my social media stuff.”

“Ah, so I was flirting with your assistant and not you?”

Now I’m the one blushing. “I’ll be sure to add the app to my phone.”

There’s an awkward pause between us—the “should I say something, or should he?” moment when neither of us knows what to do or how to act. I finally give in and look away from him before acting like I’ve come up with the most fantastic idea ever.

“Do you want to see my dressing room?”

Julius nods, and we head a few doors down from Lisette. Thankfully, we have a cleaning crew, so last night's dinner isn’t stinking up my room. “It’s not much, but it’s ten times what I had when I lived in North Dakota.” He walks around, touches the clothes on the rack, and then sits down on my sofa.

“Damn, this is comfortable. I’d probably fall asleep on this if we had couches in the locker room.”

“You do. I’ve seen them.”

Julius shakes his head and gives me a disgusting look. “Heed my words, never ever sit on anything in the locker room, ever. Footballers are gross. We walk around naked, take quick showers, and believe in superstitions.”

“Okay, well, I feel sick now.”

He pats the cushion next to him, and as much as I’d love to sit next there and get lost in his baby blue eyes, I can’t. I won’t put myself through unneeded agony. I opt for the chair at my vanity. It’s far enough away, and I won’t want to strangle him when his mood shifts.

“So, you have me at the station and gave me a tour. What is it that you want me to do for you?”

“This is a date, right? With no time limit?”

He nods.

“Well, first things first,” I say as I stand. “You need to sit here so I can put some make-up on you.”

“Haha, very funny.”

Except I’m not laughing.

I see nothing but fear written all over his face. “For what?” he asks.

“You’re going on air, Julius. You’re going to do the weather, weather boy.”

His mouth drops open, and I know I’ve beaten him at his little game.

Fourteen

Julius

“I . . . uh . . . there’s . . .” I don’t even know what I’m trying to say, but every word possible fails me. There has to be some mistake, right? I must’ve misheard Autumn because there is no way the station will allow someone who has no idea what they’re doing to go on air and report something as scientific as the weather. Then, it hits me. This is a joke because I made fun of Autumn’s job, and she’s trying to prove a point. I start to chuckle and nod. “I get it. I’m sorry for making fun of your job. What you do is very important.”

“Well, I’m certainly glad you have recognized that my job does require some skill, but you’re still going on air.”

“Wh-what? Why?” I stammer.

“Because it’s going to be a humbling experience for you,” she says. “And I think the viewers will love to see Julius Cunningham in a different light.”