Page 80

Chapter Fourteen

TYLER BLINKED against the glare of the studio lights as the photographer snapped away. “That’s great, Tyler, eyes right. Lift the chin and… grin. Little more. Little bit more. That’s the deal. Eyes here,” the photographer said.

Three weeks after his triumphant return to the San Diego Swells, the media blitz was in full swing. Since the Vegas press avail, Tyler had emerged as the NFL’s darling, the comeback king, his resurrection from a career-ending cardiac injury fueling countless human-interest stories. The Swells were milking it for all it was worth.

“All right, Tyler, relax your mouth, eyes left. Shoulders relaxed. No… really relaxed,” the photographer called out as Tyler stood under the bright lights of the studio. The camera never stopped clicking. The photographer’s name was Pedro, and Tyler had shot several promo campaigns with him.

This morning’s photo shoot for Sports Illustrated was Tyler’s eleventh since returning to the Swells. He felt like a show pony trotting around, but he couldn’t deny the thrill of being back in the spotlight.

“Anna, can you get the shine on the arm?” Pedro’s wife did simple hair and makeup, which kept shoots faster and friendlier.

Anna patted Tyler’s arm with something and then smoothed his eyebrows with a quick thumb.

“That’s the one.” Pedro signaled to him. “Twist to me. A little further. Think of something good. Exhale! And… got it.”

This was his third photo shoot since Monday. He’d done Wheaties on Wednesday and some kind of sexy “jocks and socks” social media campaign for the San Diego Zoo, which involved lounging around outdoors wearing nothing but those two items—socks and a jock—with his bare ass toasting on a flat rock that overlooked a trio of bored giraffes.

At least today he got to keep his clothes on.

This kind of publicity stuff was glamorous and whatever, but to be honest Tyler would have paid ten thousand bucks to be running around the track at Hamilton Hugh right now, his arm bumping against the only person he needed.

As the camera clicked away, Tyler couldn’t help but think about Josh. He missed his calm presence, that reassuring voice in his ear. It was a stark contrast to the constant whirlwind of empty activity and attention he now faced daily.

For another forty minutes, Pedro kept him hopping and then let him go earlier than expected. “I think we got more than we need, actually. At least three options if they decide to give you the cover. But more than enough for insert and inset. You can get dressed whenever.”

Tyler exhaled and shook out the tension. Standing immobile for long stretches of time only made him conscious of the aches and twinges. “Thanks for today, man.”

He started walking toward the bathroom to change and noticed the big wall of battered books next to the kitchenette. “Pedro.” An idea struck him. “Weird question?”

“Might get a weird answer.” Pedro looked up from the screen on the camera. “Shoot.”

Tyler pushed his hands into his pockets and unleashed the smile that had kept him from ever paying a traffic ticket. “You read a lot.”

Pedro laughed and glanced at the packed shelves. “Guilty. My wife makes me store all my paperbacks here instead of home.”

“I’m working on a pro-literacy thing. Anti-censorship. You know. In my hometown.” He nodded.

“For the miracle man? Anything.” Pedro winked. “You’re the toast of the town.”

“Would you be up for doing some shots of me for my boyfriend’s charity?”

“Sounds serious. Congrats.”

Tyler blinked gratefully. “Amen. I’m trying to keep him out of the grinder as much as I can.”

“What kind of charity?”

Tyler grinned. “He’s trying to save the high school library in our hometown from a bunch of blowhards.”

“Anything.” Pedro snapped a picture of him and stared at the screen to check it. “I mean, you’re here. I don’t have anyone else till noon.” He snapped again, capturing Tyler against the wall of books. He glanced up and looked at the shelves. “This okay?”

“Perfect.”

Pedro spent another ten to twenty minutes getting shots. Tyler swapped his clothes out a couple times just for variety, but in the end they got a bunch of useful images. Even if Josh couldn’t use them, Tyler could have the press team send them to the media with info about the campaign.

As he left for good this time, Tyler turned to slap and shake Pedro’s hand. “You’re the man.”

“My pleasure, Fantana. Hey, if you’re interested…,” Pedro said behind him.