inviting him. They didn’t want to, but felt they had to as he has his hands in a lot of Extreme sport pots, with skateboarding his primary passion. The man was big time twenty years ago or so, and now judges for the X Games and hosts a competition of his own. He was also one of the judges for Shred Live. According to Beck and Griff, he’s got an ego the size of a small planet. Griff said something like, “I don’t plan on making any partnerships with the guy or asking for favors. It’s more about what he can do to Brazen if he’s not on our side, than what we can get from him. We just need to make sure he doesn’t have any reason to put us in the category of ‘okay to screw over.’”
I recognize him from Shred Live, but then I notice a woman beside him and when I realize who it is, I try not to show a reaction.
Camila Gonzales.
What is she doing here?
Donnie slides a hand around her waist and it clicks. Not only why she’s here tonight, but possibly why she seemed to get better scores than she deserved on the reality television show.
Donnie greets Beck like they’re old friends, but I’m wary. Beck’s tense beside me, and I haven’t figured out if it’s because of Camila, Donnie, or both.
Camila’s eyes are devouring Beck and she doesn’t seem to give two shits that I’m holding his hand or that she’s on another man’s arm. As Beck introduces me and the two talk about Beck’s new position with Brazen and how all that is going, I can’t help but return my eyes to scan Camila, while she continues checking out my boyfriend. It’s impossible to ignore that she’s downright stunning. The dress is a bit much with some side boobage and major cleavage, but there’s no denying she’s probably the most gorgeous woman in the room. Which makes me wonder, why is she with a man twenty years her senior? I guess some women like older men, and hey, I’m kind of one of them, though seven years versus twenty is a little different.
Camila finally acknowledges my presence and I brace myself for a snide comment. “Jordan, what competition do you have next? I heard we might be seeing you at your first X Games soon?”
The questions sound benign, and since I can’t detect anything nasty behind them, I answer. “So far just the X Games in November, but it might be good to get another competition in before that. How about you?”
Camila turns to Donnie. “Are there any spots left at Apexx?”
Apexx is in October, a flight away in Florida, but I’d be there in a second if I could get on the roster.
Donnie looks at me. “I might be able to make space for one more.” He pauses and turns his beady eyes on Beck. “If we get one more on the men’s roster, that is. What do you think, Beck? Last time we reached out you said you’d be too busy with Brazen and taking a little breather after your big tour and Southskate. But we’d love to have you.”
Beck’s eyes flash but he plays it cool. “You shouldn’t be negotiating for me in order to get Jordan on the roster. I’m actually surprised you haven’t reached out to her already. You know she placed second to Sarah Kase on vert at Southskate, and was right up there on street too.”
Donnie doesn’t look at me, preferring to talk to Beck about me instead as he responds, “She’s still an unknown. All the Shred Live ladies will be there, and they’ve got the world watching. Most of the Shred Live guys too, if you want another shot at showing them who’s on top.”
An unknown? Funny how that stings, when not so long ago I wished I could go back to being just that.
Sick of them talking about me like I’m not right here, I tell Donnie, “You know, it’s fine. We’re pretty busy this fall anyway. Beck, we still need to talk to Eileen before she gets swarmed.”
He takes my lead, and without another word, we sidestep around Camila and Donnie. I’m still uncertain if Camila was trying to be nice and make peace just now or not. Why was she going after Beck so hard on Shred Live if she’s with Donnie Guzman? Was she with him then? Was it all just a game for air time? I can’t