Fourth Down (Portland Pioneers 1)

Her eyebrows raise as she smiles. “You’re going to stand here and face the prompter.”

“Where’s the map?”

“There isn’t one. Just read what the prompter says and point where you think you need to point.”

Autumn helps . . . more like forces me to stand in a specific spot. She steps away and gives me a thumbs up. This isn’t going to go well at all. There’s a voice in my earpiece, giving me a countdown. My heart starts beating rapidly, and my palms sweat. I’m beyond nervous. I’m anxious and feel like I’m going to crumble to the ground in a heaping pile of embarrassment.

“Shit,” I mutter.

“No swearing, please, Julius,” the voice in the earpiece says. Of course, I cuss again, and then there’s laughter. Great, they’re all mocking me. I’m told I’m on the air and instantly start reading from the screen.

“Hey Rose City, it’s me Julius Cunningham, wide receiver of your Portland Pioneers, and after the break, I’ll have today’s forecast and how the week is going to shape up for you.” Something sparks within as soon as I mention the Pioneers. I can do this. I may not be good at it, and I may not even get any of this right, but I’m going to make this fun and memorable and make sure Autumn knows I’m taking my new job seriously.

Now that I’m on stage, I can hear everything. You really have to pay attention or at least know what your cues are. Selena Rich welcomes everyone back from the commercial break, and then a countdown begins in my ear. I’m poised, ready, and my eyes are focused on the monitor.

“Hey, Pioneer fans. I know you’re excited about this week’s game, and let me tell you, I am as well. Right now, we have a small cold front moving in, which will bring us a couple of days of rain, but by Friday, it’ll be gone. You can expect clear skies on Sunday, but you’ll want to mow your lawn today because the rain will be back Sunday evening.” All while I’m standing, my arms are flailing about. I have no idea what the viewers see behind me, and I don’t care because over in the corner, Autumn stands there, laughing. And to see her laugh, to see her enjoy what I’m doing right now, is the best feeling I’ve felt in a long time.

Fifteen

Autumn

I thought Julius would embarrass himself. At least, that’s what I hoped would happen. I should’ve known his charismatic personality would shine through in a moment like this. I see the error of my ways. I shouldn’t have tried to humiliate him at all. I’m not that sort of person, and I feel terrible.

One of the producers tells Julius he can leave the set; he comes toward me. He’s beaming, and I can’t help but match his grin with one of my own. Julius reaches for me and pulls me into his arms. His very strong, warm, and comforting arms.

“This was the most amazing thing ever. Thank you so much,” he says quietly. Julius’s mouth is so close to my ear I swear I feel his lips press against my skin. I know I probably imagine this, but the fact that he still has me wrapped in his arms and hasn’t let go yet is sending my thoughts in a direction they should not head.

When he steps back, he keeps his hands on my arms, cupping my elbows. His response has caught me off guard. I expected him to tell me he hated being up there, that the lights made him sweat, or the teleprompter moved too fast for him. Or worse, that I made him look like a fool in front of his fans. The thing is, I’m excited he had so much fun. I want him to see my job as something that is serious but also entertaining. Many people think being on the news is stressful, but once the cameras stop rolling, it’s a laugh a minute around here. Most of the time, we have dance-offs during commercial breaks, or Aiden is standing off to the side making faces at Selena or Arthur because Aiden thinks it’s fun to try and make our composure crack.

“You were great up there. A natural. I think you’ve found your calling after retirement.”

Julius nods. “I take back everything I said about you being a weather girl.” He cringes at the sound of my nickname as he says it. “I was so wrong in making any assumptions about you or your job, and I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven.”

“Are you sure?” he asks.

“I am.” I motion for Julius to follow me. We are about to leave the sound stage when the crew comes up to us.

Marvin, my main cameraman, juts his hand out to shake Julius’s. “It was a pleasure filming you today,” he says.