CHAPTER 19 LINCOLN

Sam and I meet Jolene and her camera operator, Dave, at O'Leary's for dinner on Sunday evening. They arrive first, so Dave is already set up and the camera is rolling when Sam and I walk in. It's a seedy little bar, but Jolene likes it and she's the one who's supposed to be showing me around town, so here we are. I wasn't sure if we were going to include Sam on this venture, but given the fact that these two are roommates and drama sells, Ellie thought it would be a good idea to include her.

I'm still torn on that one, but I'm not running this show.

Maybe I should be.

I'm not used to giving up the kind of control I'm giving, but that only tells me what Jolene and I have is worth it. We're doing this for us. We're doing this to show our families that we can, in fact, work together. And nobody will be shocked when we emerge on the other end of it as a couple.

At least…that's the hope. We'll see if that's what really goes down.

Since Dave's at the place with a camera, eyes are already on us when we saunter up to the table Jolene reserved for us.

"Oh, you brought Sam with," Jolene says as Dave hands us each a mic pack when we walk in. They're hot mics, and I see people with their phones poised in our direction, so I answer.

"Of course I did. And if you two could make up, that would really help this entire podcast."

Jolene sighs. "Fine. Sam, I'm sorry for what I said. I don't like fighting with you."

"I don't, either," Sam says. "I'm sorry, too."

"See? That was easy," I say. "Now that we're all on the same page, why don't you show us what this place has to offer?" I suggest to Jolene.

We explore the menu, and Dave takes off shortly after he films our reactions to the first few bites of food. While we waited, we discussed what we like about this place, and the conversation moved to football for a bit, too. Sam whined a bit about how I've been working so much lately and commented that it's nice to have a night out with me even if it is work related.

It's good enough footage to send to Rivera so he can start producing our first show.

I'm ready to see where it goes.

I drop Sam off without going inside again—mostly because Jolene goes from the restaurant to her parents' place to pick up her son, so there's no real reason for me to head in. I wonder if she's told them about the podcast.

I haven't told my parents about it yet, but I have a feeling I should before the first episode hits the air.

To that end, I call my father on my way home.

"Hello," he answers gruffly, as usual.

"Hey Pops. What's going on?" It's the same line I use every time.

"You called me," he says, giving the usual line back to me. "What's going on with you?"

"I wanted to let you know I'm going to be hosting a podcast. A local news channel had this idea and my publicist signed me up before I approved my co-host."

"Oh, Jesus," he mutters. "Please don't tell me—"

"Yeah. Jolene Bailey. The station thought it would be great press to get their female sports reporter on the pod with me."

"Sure, great for them. But what are you getting out of it?"

"It's a chance for me to connect with the community, according to my publicist." I say it a little flippantly, but the truth is I'm excited for the types of connections I can make through the podcast, and helping charities is just a huge added benefit.

"Might be time for new publicity, kid. In my day, we didn't worry about dumb shit like connecting with the community."

Yeah. That sounds pretty accurate for his day. But we're in my day now, and I want this.

"Times have changed, old man." I go for a light tone.

"I suppose so. Well, good luck with it. Anything else?"

"No. I just wanted you to hear it from me first," I admit.

"Okay. I've heard it. Thanks." An awkward moment of quiet passes between us, and just when I'm about to say my goodbyes, he adds, "Be careful there. I've said it a million times, Lincoln. But she's bad news. Starting up a podcast, you're opening yourself up to a lot more criticism."

"That's not how I see it," I protest. "I see it as a way to connect."

"Yeah, until you say something controversial or stick your foot in your mouth. Until someone paints you in a negative light. Did you think this through at all? Or did you just blindly agree to it?"

I guess maybe I didn't. But it's too late now. I've green-lighted the project, and I'm not backing out. Especially not when it could be my ticket to solidifying my public relationship with her.

"I thought it through. Thanks for the advice, but I'm all set. I just wanted you to hear it from me first. I need to go." I cut the call there. I don't need his shit. I'm old enough to handle my own actions.

Still, his words play in my mind. What if I fuck all this up?

Because now we're working together, and it's not just me. It's her career on the line, too.

And while a romance between us would certainly boost ratings, neither of us will be ready to admit to one anytime soon. We need to plant the seeds first. We need to show the world the types of things we can accomplish together.

The next time I see her is the next morning as we prepare for our press conference.

"Usually I'm on the other side of the stage," Jolene quips as Ellie preps us in a conference room ahead of the announcement of our new podcast.

"Have you mentioned the podcast to your family?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "Have you?"

"I told my dad about it last night," I admit.

Ellie's head swings over so both women are staring me down. To say I'm a bit intimidated might be the understatement of the century.

"And?" they say at the same time.

"And he thinks it's a bad idea. He thinks you're going to manipulate me or I'm going to say something stupid." I shrug.

"Well, he's probably right on at least one of those," Jolene says, and my heart stops for a second. "Not the manipulation part," she clarifies.

"And we can fix the something stupid part with damage control," Ellie says. "We'll cut anything that doesn't paint you in a good light. I promise."

"How can you promise that when Rivera's producing it?" Jolene asks.

Ellie grins. "Because the contract stated that I have editing rights before anything is published."

"God, you're the best," I say as I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, I am," she says, playfully brushing her shoulders as she stands. "I can't edit what you say in a press conference, so let's get out there and control our mouths, yes?"

"Yes ma'am," I say, and Jolene giggles as we make our way toward the press room.

Jack stands at the microphone as we wait backstage for the big introduction. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm thrilled to be here today to tell you about the launch of an exciting new podcast blending one of our own with an established member of this community. Coach and Correspondent: Aces Wild Vegas Style will be available for streaming anywhere you listen to your podcasts along with YouTube. Combining passions for football and Vegas, the co-hosts will contribute to the community with insightful football discussions as they explore all this city has to offer while raising money to benefit local charities. And now I present to you your new co-hosts, Coach Lincoln Nash and Aces Team Correspondent Jolene Bailey."

The small group gathered claps as we take the stage, and maybe I was expecting more fanfare, but it makes sense that we're not getting it.

After all, this does look a bit like I'm playing favorites in the media. To be fair, I am. Jolene is my favorite correspondent. I look out at the reporters in the room, and I can say with confidence that I wouldn't fuck a single one of them. But the woman on my right…I'd bed her again in a heartbeat.

And maybe I'll get to after the press conference.

Or not bed her, per se…but I can think of plenty of places we can do it in my office.

And now my dick is hard and I have to stand on this stage and answer questions.

This might be harder than I thought.

Both the dick and co-hosting this podcast with Jolene Bailey.