"Jumpin Jack Flash," he said, smiling.
And just that easy, Jacks nerves dissipated. Hed forgotten that: he was The Flash. "Hey, Jay. " He waved at the crowd, who applauded wildly.
He followed Jay across the brightly lit stage. He was at the big wooden desk when he saw her. At the same time, he heard Jays voice.
". . . Thea wanted to stay. She says football is her second favorite sport. "
There was a whoop of approval from the audience.
Thea got up from her seat and walked toward him. Her thin, leggy body was barely covered by a strapless black top and a hot pink miniskirt. She wore almost no makeup; her wheat-blond hair looked as it if had been hacked with a Weed Eater. It was sexy as hell. In heels, she was as tall as he.
For a split second, he was sixteen years old again, a kid pinning Farrah Fawcett posters to his wall.
Thea grinned at the crowd. "Now, this is a good-looking man, am I wrong, ladies?"
He almost passed out, honest to God. The lights overhead felt interrogation-hot all of a sudden. He smelled her perfume, musky and sweet at the same time. He nodded and forced himself to turn away, afraid hed look at her too long.
He took his seat.
"So," Jay said, sitting behind his desk, "youve been stirring up the sports world a bit. "
"I was in the right place at the right time when the story broke. " Hed had to practice humility in the mirror. It didnt come naturally.
Jay grinned. "Ill bet its good to be back in the limelight. "
"It is. "
"What were the nonfootball years like?"
Every celebrity asked him that. Nothing scared a famous person more than the thought of a sudden plunge into obscurity. "Like trading in a Ferrari for a used Volvo. "
"Ouch," Jay said, and the audience laughed. "What made you do it? A lot of athletes are plenty pissed off. "
"Im a father," he said simply. "It could have been one of my daughters in that room with Drew Grayland. We need to go back to the days when good sportsmanship mattered, on and off the field. "
The audience erupted into applause again. A few "boos" rose above the noise.
The interview lasted another few minutes. Jay
was a genius at pulling a funny remark out of serious statement, while not making light of the subject.
Then, suddenly, it was over. The music started, the lights came up, and Jay stood. He clapped Jack on the back. "You were great. "
Jack felt like hed just led his team to a Super Bowl victory.
Thea walked over to Jay and kissed his cheek. "Thanks. " She lowered her voice, said something else. Jay laughed, then waved at Jack and left the stage.
Still smiling, Thea walked over to Jack. A slow smile curved her full, puffy lips. She was certain of her effect on men; took it for granted, hed say. "You were good," she purred, leaning closer.
"Thanks. "
"Would you like--"
Sally came up beside him. "You were great," she said breathlessly. To Thea, she said, "Im Sally. Jacks assistant. Its an honor to meet you. "
Thea looked at Sallys hand, placed possessively on Jacks forearm. "How lucky for you. Id better run. Ive got a premiere tonight. " When she smiled at Jack, he felt a rush of pure heat. "It was nice to meet you. I hope to see you again. "
"Uh, yeah. Me, too. "