Page 42 of Coach Sully
My mind is blank trying to think of names I like. The only names that come to mind are those of my coworkers. That’d be weird.
“My mom’s name was Bonnie. Maybe you could be Bo, for now at least.” I look down at my stomach. That name brings a whole new level of comfort to me, like mom is with me in some way. This baby really is mine, which means it’s also part of her. The notion warms my heart, enough for me to touch my belly, something I’ve been afraid to do until now. Pressing in, I feel the firm swollen bump. I do it again and smile.
“I promise I’ll have my shit together by the time you arrive. Or at least as together as it can be. Everything will be okay… We’re going to do this together. You and me, Bo.”
“How are you feeling?” Rachel asks. “Nervous?”
“No, I’m good,” I say. We’re using the local network’s studio to record the interview today. It’s a mix between the people I’m used to being around when we do the show and the network since they are running the control room.
“It’ll be just like the confessionals, except, you know, you already have your answers. Kendra said your responses were great, by the way.”
I’ll bet she did. They were basically the same as the “safety sentences” she gave me.
They usher me under the LEDs inside a room with a raised floor that begins halfway in. On the stage are two upholstered chairs and a step-and-repeat backdrop that includes thenetwork’s logo, Rogues’s logo, andScoring with Sully. Seeing my name on it is surreal.
Before long, Kendra walks in from hair and makeup and looks stunning. As usual. She takes the chair across from me.
Rachel gives Kendra a questioning look. “You good?” she asks.
Kendra smiles confidently. “I’m good.”
“Need any TUMS?”
Her nervous gaze meets mine for a split second. I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. What’s she hiding?
“Nope,” Kendra answers. “All set.”
We get a two-minute warning from somebody on the camera crew.
“Just like you rehearsed,” she says.
Wow, not even ahi.
“It’s nice to talk to you again. Been a while.”
She ignores the comment. Jesus, she won’t even speak to me outside of this stupid promo. Even now, every question and answer has been scripted and rehearsed. She’s taking this professionalism to a whole new level.
My eyes land on the backdrop again.Rogues.The word on the step and repeat plants a seed in my brain. I could take the show into my own hands. Fuck it, maybe if I look like a big enough dick they’ll decide somebody else should do this show. Like Whit. He’s single.
Vault Productions maintains a firm no-fraternization rule, but I feel like she’s slipping away every time I’m filmed with another woman. She needs a reminder of how good we are. When I see something I want, I do whatever it takes to get it. I’m stubborn… or perhaps I just don’t know when to quit.
“Thirty seconds!” one of the studio staff announces.
“You look nice today,” I say to her. She’s preoccupied with the question cards in her lap. I pretend she gave me acompliment back. “Thanks! Yeah, I did something different with my hair today.”
She looks up at me, lifting one eyebrow, and I flash her a smile.
“Countdown. Standby, camera one,” someone says off to the side.
They countdown and we’re live. She looks more nervous than I am, which is unusual for her. Kendra introduces us and summarizes what the new show will be about. Despite the tension coming from her, she has a big smile on her face. God, she’s good at faking it.
“So, what has been the most fun about filmingScoring with Sully?” she asks.
My answer was supposed to be:The dates. Definitely. I’ve met so many fantastic women, I have no doubt I’ll find somebody to spend the rest of my life with.
Does she really expect me to say that?
“Honestly, working with you has been really great. You’re a terrific producer and this show is something that’s normally out of my comfort zone. You’ve made every day we film much more enjoyable.”