Everything's Better With You Teaser
It's SO CLOSE to release day I can taste it! I've been working on this book for over a year and a half, so I'm chomping at the bit!
Bust out your spirit fingers and meet Joe and Leslie:
Many times over the years, Les had asked that question regarding the incomparable Joe Judd. Even though Les had been the visiting hero that Spring Fling weekend fifteen years ago, Joe had been the star, and Les hadn’t been able to take his eyes off him. The dancer played a mean game of flag football, leaping over potential tackles as he ran at top speed down to the opposing team’s end zone, doing back flips in celebration. But later at the bar while folks danced and had too much to drink, he’d taken a seat next to the cocky kid white kid with the dark, brooding good looks, and then spent hours standing in the parking lot. Les had cornered him for conversation, but had refused to take advantage of the tipsy coed.
Joe hadn’t been intimidated by him at all.
No, what Joe had been intimidated by was the thought of getting involved with someone. No way, no how was he going to stop moving long enough to fall for a guy, not as long as he had breath in his lungs and feeling in his feet. He’d made that very clear. So for Leslie, it was a no-brainer. He wasn’t interested in a one-time thing, especially not with someone as incredible as Joe Judd.
But that was fifteen years ago. A lot had changed for both of them since then.
“I would have gotten you tickets, you know. If you ever wanted them.”
“Little old cheerleader Joey?” Joe raised his eyebrows at him and batted his eyes. “I didn’t think you’d even remember me…at first.”
“Yeah right. You know better. I saw every show of yours I could.”
Joe smirked. “You never asked me to get tickets for you.”
Les grinned. “I bought out a whole section at Madison Square Garden. I had to see you dance with JLo. When the team heard about the show, they all wanted in.” Les shrugged and smiled innocently. “What could I do?”
Joe raised an eyebrow. “You could have let me know you were going to be there. You’d only ever tell me after.”
Their eyes met for a long moment and then they broke off, laughing nervously. Leslie was pumped like he’d just scored a touchdown and he couldn’t wait to make the next play. His muscles twitched with their desire to do…something. Anything. Especially if it involved getting closer to Joe.
“It really is damn good to see you.”
“You too.”
Les held the door for Joe at the top of the stairs and he didn’t miss his wince when he climbed the last step.
“Stairs, man, am I right?” He chuckled, but Joe just scowled and brushed past him. The playfulness momentarily gone.
“Hey Caroline,” Les said, giving the secretary a big hug. “You remember Joe Judd.”
She blushed as Les set her back on her feet.
“Of course. It’s good to have you back, Mr. Judd. Mr. Payton will see you both now.”
“Darn right he’ll see me,” Les said as he strutted into the President’s office like he was on set at the NFL Postgame Show on network TV but dressed more like a drunken spectator tailgating before the big game.
“Brother Barry,” Les said. He trotted over to the president’s desk with his arms spread.
“Jesus, Leslie, you’ve got a wider wingspan than a pterodactyl.” Barry stood and accepted his brother’s bear hug. Barry was three years older than Les’s forty-five years and was about six inches shorter. He looked the part of the responsible older brother, always had.
Les put an arm around him and gestured to Joe. “Joe and I met up in the parking lot. Joe, you remember my brother Barry?”
Barry reached out to shake Joe’s hand. “I was teaching Economics, I believe, when you were a student here. Thank you for coming.”
Joe nodded. “Yes, sir. I had you for Macro.”
Barry grinned. “And of course we are in debt to you for pushing us to make the cheerleading program coed. We’ve won several national championships, and the squads have traveled to Europe and Japan to perform. All thanks to you.”
Joe took the praise with only the slightest hint of a blush.
“It helped me as well,” Joe said. “Dance Machine never would have been possible without my experience here.”
Barry nodded. “Which is why we’ve asked you to come.” He shot a glance in Les’s direction, which made Joe frown.
“We?”
“We-e-e,” Les said, trying to hide his excitement, “asked you to come because we have a proposition for you.”
Joe crossed an ankle over his knee and looked between Les and Barry.
“A proposition? I thought I was coming for Spring Fling.”
Les glanced at Barry and he leaned forward, lacing his fingers in front of him on the desk.
“You know I was recently made president here at Greenvale, Mr. Judd—”
“Joe, please.”
Barry nodded and continued. “I have a mandate from the board. They want to see some significant changes. Our enrollment has been declining the past five years, we’re losing qualified students and staff to the larger schools, but we firmly believe that the education we provide is top rate and a special experience for our students. We want to continue to offer unique programs as well as quality extracurricular activities. Which is where you come in.”
Joe’s eyebrows rose as he glanced between Les and Barry, but he didn’t speak.
Les had been standing next to Barry’s desk, but he took a seat in the chair next to Joe and turned it to face him. He didn’t want to seem like they were on the attack. What they were about to propose could send Joe running for the hills. No one knew that possibility more than Les. It was a huge departure from Joe’s current lifestyle, and Les knew from their brief encounter fifteen years ago that Joe was destined for greatness and a big life. But he had exactly what Greenvale needed, and wasn’t that advantageous for Les?
“What my brother is so eloquently trying to say is that we need your special skill set. We want to revamp the athletic program at Greenvale, make it possible to recruit the top athletes in our various sports programs, and put Greenvale College back on the winning track, financially as well as with our alumni. Participation and donations have been dwindling, attendance at our events have petered out. We need to make this an exciting place to be again.”
Joe chuckled. “I don’t mean to offend, but exciting is not exactly a word I would have ever used to describe Greenvale. Safe? Yes. Nurturing? Absolutely. Fun? Sometimes. But not exciting.”
This was going to be a hard sell. Les had known that, but he was determined. There was no better option for Greenvale, and no better way to make his plan work.
“All right, maybe I could have chosen a different word. But I’m going to whip this football program into shape and get the team into the playoffs year one. Year two and beyond, I plan to clinch the conference title at the very least. But it’s not just about football. In the past, Greenvale had champion soccer, volleyball, and softball teams…and of course, the Yellowjackets Cheer program. We want to bring that winning spirit back. And how could we even possibly consider rebuilding our championship sports programs without talking to you?”
Joe shrugged. “Sounds great. I’m glad you are including the cheerleaders in your plans.”
Barry cleared his throat. “Leslie has agreed to end his run at the network as an NFL talking head to coach the Jackets Football program and to help me recruit the best of the best coaches for the rest of the teams.”
Joe shifted in his chair, swapping one long leg for the other. “I’m happy to hear it.”
Les leaned closer to Joe. “Actually, Joe, we asked you here because we want you to join our coaching staff as well.”
Joe blinked. “I’m sorry, what? Want me for what? I’m not a coach.”
“You’ve been an instructor and a choreographer. You’ve coached contestants on your show. You’re a motivator.” Les wasn’t sure how much to divulge of his borderline unhealthy fixation on the man, which included having all twelve seasons of Dance Machine saved on his DVR. “You’re exactly what we need.”
No, that definitely didn’t sound like you were hitting on him.
“To be completely transparent,” Barry said, cutting in before Les made a total fool out of himself. He was always so damn awkward when it came to discussing, well, anything other than football. “Your accomplishments and reputation will give the program the credibility it’s been lacking in recent years. Recruitment is going to be key to the success of this endeavor and I’ll be honest and say that having Joe Judd join the faculty at Greenvale will go a long way in easing the board’s concerns about this gamble.”
Joe sat for a long time without speaking. An uncomfortably long time. Then he folded his arms over his chest and licked his lips. “I’m…flattered?” He let out a burst of nervous laughter. “Never in a million years would I have ever imagined my name would ease anyone’s concerns about anything. I mean, what exactly are we talking about?”
Barry held out his hands. “Carte blanche. Oversee the cheer program, foster its growth and improvement. There is significant interest in offering a dance program as part of our Fine Arts department, which we could see you spearheading. You certainly have the experience. Year one would be a building year, and classes would have to be approved by the board, of course.”
From what Les knew about Joe’s past—what he’d gleaned from watching countless interviews and reading anything in print he could get his hands on—Joe had been a ballet dancer as a child, had switched over to more contemporary disciplines when he was a teenager, and by the time he hit college he was primarily a hip-hop dancer. Then, after two years of attending workshops and auditions, he was chosen for Dance Machine’s debut season. The reality show put dancers through a grueling competition where they were challenged to develop their skills in multiple disciplines. Joe soared, coming in second behind a bubbly young woman who was a social media darling. Joe’s darker disposition turned some of the audience off…and then there were those in the show’s demographics who would never vote for an openly queer dancer no matter how much he danced circles around the competition. He took it all in stride and used the attention to launch his career. Nabbing Joe Judd to coach the cheer program and potentially found a dance program at Greenvale would be a huge win for Barry…and it would please Les to no end. He just didn’t know if it was possible to tie Joe Judd to one place for any length of time.
Leslie certainly hadn’t been able to tempt him with previous attempts.
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, obviously. I’m flattered you would even think of me for such an opportunity,” Joe said.
Les was impressed at the lengths Joe was going to come across professionally. Les knew from experience that Joe had a sharp temper and snarky sense of humor.
“But I’m not exactly collegiate leadership material.”
“And I am?” Les said, gesturing to himself. He knew it would make Joe laugh, and he succeeded.
“But you’re a proven commodity. I’m an unknown quantity.”
“Not true,” Barry said. “You’re an important part of the athletic history of this school and it makes perfect sense to offer you the position.”
Again with the blinking.
“I don’t know what to say,” Joe said, his voice not quite as strong. “I…wow.”
Barry held up a hand. “Think about it. Spend the weekend thinking about it. Les will tell you more about what the position entails, and then we can talk more about salary and benefits. Leslie will introduce you around and take you to your accommodations as well.” He stood from his desk and held out his hand, prompting Joe to pop up from his seat. Les moved a little slower as he got up and moved around next to his brother. “I’ve got a meeting with alumni donors and then I’m going to introduce the cheer squad for their exhibition. Thanks for coming this weekend, Joe. I hope you enjoy Spring Fling.”
Joe shook his hand. “Thanks for the invite. I always meant to come back.”
Les squeezed Barry’s shoulder and then turned to Joe. “You’re here now, that’s what counts. We’ll see if we can’t persuade you to join us over the weekend.” He was laying it on thick, but he couldn’t help himself. Joe Judd was here, in person, and Les was determined to convince him to stay. Well, to take the job.
“We’ll see you two in a bit.” Barry left them alone in the office.
Les’s cheeks hurt from smiling.
“What do you think?” he asked. “I know you’d be great.”
Joe planted his hands on his hips and the confused look on his face made Les crack up.
“Do you honestly see me as an educator? An upstanding citizen and a fucking role model? Oh my god, listen to my mouth, are you serious right now? How could anyone see me as an academic? I graduated from here with mediocre marks, and that’s being generous.”
He put a hand to his forehead and Les wanted nothing more than to say the right thing, but he knew better.
“Joe, you’re great at everything you do and you know it.”
He looked at Les funny and his shoulders dropped from up and around his ears. “Maybe you should be the cheer coach,” he finally said.
“You’re good at this.”
Are you ready for more? Pre Order Everything's Better Than You at a special low price!
https://books2read.com/u/4NgavY
Bust out your spirit fingers and meet Joe and Leslie:
Many times over the years, Les had asked that question regarding the incomparable Joe Judd. Even though Les had been the visiting hero that Spring Fling weekend fifteen years ago, Joe had been the star, and Les hadn’t been able to take his eyes off him. The dancer played a mean game of flag football, leaping over potential tackles as he ran at top speed down to the opposing team’s end zone, doing back flips in celebration. But later at the bar while folks danced and had too much to drink, he’d taken a seat next to the cocky kid white kid with the dark, brooding good looks, and then spent hours standing in the parking lot. Les had cornered him for conversation, but had refused to take advantage of the tipsy coed.
Joe hadn’t been intimidated by him at all.
No, what Joe had been intimidated by was the thought of getting involved with someone. No way, no how was he going to stop moving long enough to fall for a guy, not as long as he had breath in his lungs and feeling in his feet. He’d made that very clear. So for Leslie, it was a no-brainer. He wasn’t interested in a one-time thing, especially not with someone as incredible as Joe Judd.
But that was fifteen years ago. A lot had changed for both of them since then.
“I would have gotten you tickets, you know. If you ever wanted them.”
“Little old cheerleader Joey?” Joe raised his eyebrows at him and batted his eyes. “I didn’t think you’d even remember me…at first.”
“Yeah right. You know better. I saw every show of yours I could.”
Joe smirked. “You never asked me to get tickets for you.”
Les grinned. “I bought out a whole section at Madison Square Garden. I had to see you dance with JLo. When the team heard about the show, they all wanted in.” Les shrugged and smiled innocently. “What could I do?”
Joe raised an eyebrow. “You could have let me know you were going to be there. You’d only ever tell me after.”
Their eyes met for a long moment and then they broke off, laughing nervously. Leslie was pumped like he’d just scored a touchdown and he couldn’t wait to make the next play. His muscles twitched with their desire to do…something. Anything. Especially if it involved getting closer to Joe.
“It really is damn good to see you.”
“You too.”
Les held the door for Joe at the top of the stairs and he didn’t miss his wince when he climbed the last step.
“Stairs, man, am I right?” He chuckled, but Joe just scowled and brushed past him. The playfulness momentarily gone.
“Hey Caroline,” Les said, giving the secretary a big hug. “You remember Joe Judd.”
She blushed as Les set her back on her feet.
“Of course. It’s good to have you back, Mr. Judd. Mr. Payton will see you both now.”
“Darn right he’ll see me,” Les said as he strutted into the President’s office like he was on set at the NFL Postgame Show on network TV but dressed more like a drunken spectator tailgating before the big game.
“Brother Barry,” Les said. He trotted over to the president’s desk with his arms spread.
“Jesus, Leslie, you’ve got a wider wingspan than a pterodactyl.” Barry stood and accepted his brother’s bear hug. Barry was three years older than Les’s forty-five years and was about six inches shorter. He looked the part of the responsible older brother, always had.
Les put an arm around him and gestured to Joe. “Joe and I met up in the parking lot. Joe, you remember my brother Barry?”
Barry reached out to shake Joe’s hand. “I was teaching Economics, I believe, when you were a student here. Thank you for coming.”
Joe nodded. “Yes, sir. I had you for Macro.”
Barry grinned. “And of course we are in debt to you for pushing us to make the cheerleading program coed. We’ve won several national championships, and the squads have traveled to Europe and Japan to perform. All thanks to you.”
Joe took the praise with only the slightest hint of a blush.
“It helped me as well,” Joe said. “Dance Machine never would have been possible without my experience here.”
Barry nodded. “Which is why we’ve asked you to come.” He shot a glance in Les’s direction, which made Joe frown.
“We?”
“We-e-e,” Les said, trying to hide his excitement, “asked you to come because we have a proposition for you.”
Joe crossed an ankle over his knee and looked between Les and Barry.
“A proposition? I thought I was coming for Spring Fling.”
Les glanced at Barry and he leaned forward, lacing his fingers in front of him on the desk.
“You know I was recently made president here at Greenvale, Mr. Judd—”
“Joe, please.”
Barry nodded and continued. “I have a mandate from the board. They want to see some significant changes. Our enrollment has been declining the past five years, we’re losing qualified students and staff to the larger schools, but we firmly believe that the education we provide is top rate and a special experience for our students. We want to continue to offer unique programs as well as quality extracurricular activities. Which is where you come in.”
Joe’s eyebrows rose as he glanced between Les and Barry, but he didn’t speak.
Les had been standing next to Barry’s desk, but he took a seat in the chair next to Joe and turned it to face him. He didn’t want to seem like they were on the attack. What they were about to propose could send Joe running for the hills. No one knew that possibility more than Les. It was a huge departure from Joe’s current lifestyle, and Les knew from their brief encounter fifteen years ago that Joe was destined for greatness and a big life. But he had exactly what Greenvale needed, and wasn’t that advantageous for Les?
“What my brother is so eloquently trying to say is that we need your special skill set. We want to revamp the athletic program at Greenvale, make it possible to recruit the top athletes in our various sports programs, and put Greenvale College back on the winning track, financially as well as with our alumni. Participation and donations have been dwindling, attendance at our events have petered out. We need to make this an exciting place to be again.”
Joe chuckled. “I don’t mean to offend, but exciting is not exactly a word I would have ever used to describe Greenvale. Safe? Yes. Nurturing? Absolutely. Fun? Sometimes. But not exciting.”
This was going to be a hard sell. Les had known that, but he was determined. There was no better option for Greenvale, and no better way to make his plan work.
“All right, maybe I could have chosen a different word. But I’m going to whip this football program into shape and get the team into the playoffs year one. Year two and beyond, I plan to clinch the conference title at the very least. But it’s not just about football. In the past, Greenvale had champion soccer, volleyball, and softball teams…and of course, the Yellowjackets Cheer program. We want to bring that winning spirit back. And how could we even possibly consider rebuilding our championship sports programs without talking to you?”
Joe shrugged. “Sounds great. I’m glad you are including the cheerleaders in your plans.”
Barry cleared his throat. “Leslie has agreed to end his run at the network as an NFL talking head to coach the Jackets Football program and to help me recruit the best of the best coaches for the rest of the teams.”
Joe shifted in his chair, swapping one long leg for the other. “I’m happy to hear it.”
Les leaned closer to Joe. “Actually, Joe, we asked you here because we want you to join our coaching staff as well.”
Joe blinked. “I’m sorry, what? Want me for what? I’m not a coach.”
“You’ve been an instructor and a choreographer. You’ve coached contestants on your show. You’re a motivator.” Les wasn’t sure how much to divulge of his borderline unhealthy fixation on the man, which included having all twelve seasons of Dance Machine saved on his DVR. “You’re exactly what we need.”
No, that definitely didn’t sound like you were hitting on him.
“To be completely transparent,” Barry said, cutting in before Les made a total fool out of himself. He was always so damn awkward when it came to discussing, well, anything other than football. “Your accomplishments and reputation will give the program the credibility it’s been lacking in recent years. Recruitment is going to be key to the success of this endeavor and I’ll be honest and say that having Joe Judd join the faculty at Greenvale will go a long way in easing the board’s concerns about this gamble.”
Joe sat for a long time without speaking. An uncomfortably long time. Then he folded his arms over his chest and licked his lips. “I’m…flattered?” He let out a burst of nervous laughter. “Never in a million years would I have ever imagined my name would ease anyone’s concerns about anything. I mean, what exactly are we talking about?”
Barry held out his hands. “Carte blanche. Oversee the cheer program, foster its growth and improvement. There is significant interest in offering a dance program as part of our Fine Arts department, which we could see you spearheading. You certainly have the experience. Year one would be a building year, and classes would have to be approved by the board, of course.”
From what Les knew about Joe’s past—what he’d gleaned from watching countless interviews and reading anything in print he could get his hands on—Joe had been a ballet dancer as a child, had switched over to more contemporary disciplines when he was a teenager, and by the time he hit college he was primarily a hip-hop dancer. Then, after two years of attending workshops and auditions, he was chosen for Dance Machine’s debut season. The reality show put dancers through a grueling competition where they were challenged to develop their skills in multiple disciplines. Joe soared, coming in second behind a bubbly young woman who was a social media darling. Joe’s darker disposition turned some of the audience off…and then there were those in the show’s demographics who would never vote for an openly queer dancer no matter how much he danced circles around the competition. He took it all in stride and used the attention to launch his career. Nabbing Joe Judd to coach the cheer program and potentially found a dance program at Greenvale would be a huge win for Barry…and it would please Les to no end. He just didn’t know if it was possible to tie Joe Judd to one place for any length of time.
Leslie certainly hadn’t been able to tempt him with previous attempts.
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you, obviously. I’m flattered you would even think of me for such an opportunity,” Joe said.
Les was impressed at the lengths Joe was going to come across professionally. Les knew from experience that Joe had a sharp temper and snarky sense of humor.
“But I’m not exactly collegiate leadership material.”
“And I am?” Les said, gesturing to himself. He knew it would make Joe laugh, and he succeeded.
“But you’re a proven commodity. I’m an unknown quantity.”
“Not true,” Barry said. “You’re an important part of the athletic history of this school and it makes perfect sense to offer you the position.”
Again with the blinking.
“I don’t know what to say,” Joe said, his voice not quite as strong. “I…wow.”
Barry held up a hand. “Think about it. Spend the weekend thinking about it. Les will tell you more about what the position entails, and then we can talk more about salary and benefits. Leslie will introduce you around and take you to your accommodations as well.” He stood from his desk and held out his hand, prompting Joe to pop up from his seat. Les moved a little slower as he got up and moved around next to his brother. “I’ve got a meeting with alumni donors and then I’m going to introduce the cheer squad for their exhibition. Thanks for coming this weekend, Joe. I hope you enjoy Spring Fling.”
Joe shook his hand. “Thanks for the invite. I always meant to come back.”
Les squeezed Barry’s shoulder and then turned to Joe. “You’re here now, that’s what counts. We’ll see if we can’t persuade you to join us over the weekend.” He was laying it on thick, but he couldn’t help himself. Joe Judd was here, in person, and Les was determined to convince him to stay. Well, to take the job.
“We’ll see you two in a bit.” Barry left them alone in the office.
Les’s cheeks hurt from smiling.
“What do you think?” he asked. “I know you’d be great.”
Joe planted his hands on his hips and the confused look on his face made Les crack up.
“Do you honestly see me as an educator? An upstanding citizen and a fucking role model? Oh my god, listen to my mouth, are you serious right now? How could anyone see me as an academic? I graduated from here with mediocre marks, and that’s being generous.”
He put a hand to his forehead and Les wanted nothing more than to say the right thing, but he knew better.
“Joe, you’re great at everything you do and you know it.”
He looked at Les funny and his shoulders dropped from up and around his ears. “Maybe you should be the cheer coach,” he finally said.
“You’re good at this.”
Are you ready for more? Pre Order Everything's Better Than You at a special low price!
https://books2read.com/u/4NgavY
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