Her office always smells like a mix between vanilla and something like hay. I can’t explain it. It’s feminine but also kind of like a barn, but not in a bad way. She glances up from her computer screen as I enter, a smile spreading on her face. “Hey, Grady. Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice.”
“Of course,” I mutter as I take a seat in the chair in front of her desk. “It’s always a pleasure coming down here.”
Hannah is older than me but not quite as old as Jade. She’s probably around twenty-four, if I had to guess. She was a senior when Benji and I were freshmen, and she’s always been nice to me. Getting to work under her has been fun. She’s easy to work with and someone I’d even consider a friend.
“I’ll jump right to it,” she says, clasping her hands together on top of her desk. “I’ve been so pleased with the work you’ve been doing for us. You killed it at the Grand Prix, you’re always willing to go the extra mile, and your talent is unmatched. I’ve been waiting for approval from my boss, but I finally got it this morning so…” A wide grin tugs on her lips, and she drums her hands against the desk making me chuckle. “What do you say about coming to work with us on a more full-time basis?”
My heart stutters. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely!”
“What would that look like?” I ask, my pulse kicking up.
“Well, for most of the year, it would look similar to what you’ve been doing. You’d handle the media for any events that take place here, any training that goes on that we could post to our socials, but a big part of the gig would be rodeo season.”
“Like, traveling?”
“Yup! So, you’d go where the crew goes. We’re looking for media of them competing, but also just behind-the-scenes type stuff. The fans seem to enjoy that type of content almost as much as the competing. It’s a big ask, since you’d be traveling several months out of the year, but I think you’d be a really great fit for the role.”
“I’m in,” I blurt out easily.
A grin spreads on her face and her brows lift. “You sure? You can take some time to think?—”
“I don’t need time to think,” I reply, cutting her off. “I’m one hundred percent in.”
Clapping her hands together, she says, “Great!”
We spend the next hour or so going over everything and filling out the paperwork. Once we’re finished, I leave, calling Benji, and letting him know I’m coming over. Benji lives close to the arena, so within five minutes, I’m parking my car again and climbing out. Per usual, his front door is unlocked so I walk right in like I own the place. He’s sitting on his couch watching TV, and when he hears me walk in, he glances over his shoulder, tipping his chin up at me.
“What’s up, man?”
“Hannah gave me a job!” I’m practically squealing with excitement as I plop down on the couch.
Benji’s eyes widen as he regards me. “No way! That’s fucking awesome, Grady.”
“I know, I’m so excited.” The smirk on my face has been a permanent fixture since I left Hannah’s office. My cheeks are starting to hurt.
“What will you be doing?” he asks. I explain everything Hannah and I went over while I was there, making sure not to leave a single detail out. “Damn,” he mutters when I finish. “How do you feel about traveling?”
“I think it’ll be so much fun. To get to visit different locations every week or so, it’ll be amazing. And it’s only for a few months out of the year.”
“Well, hell yeah.” Benji smiles. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. Me too.”
“How’s it going to work?” he asks. “Like, where will you stay? Do they put you up in hotels?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I’m just going to camp in my car. I’ve done it before, and it’s worked out fine. They offered to put me up in hotels at each stop, but it feels like a lot of shuffling of my equipment, and that’s just asking for something to get broken, so I’d rather not. My car will be fine.”
His eyes go wide. “What? That’s a terrible idea.”
“My backseat is huge. It will be fine.”
Benji snorts. “Right, whatever you say.”
We end up cracking open a couple of beers and putting on a movie. By the time it’s over, we’re both hungry, so Benji tosses a couple of burgers on the grill while I make us some fries in the air fryer. Grabbing my phone out of my pocket, I notice a text message waiting for me that came in like an hour ago.Oops.
Xander: We’re all going out to the bar tonight around 7. Wanna come?
