It's Always You!

Meetings

It's been a few hours since Tyler had left with the boys to take some photos for Instagram. They are nothing is not committed and passionate about their social media careers.
Which in turn meant leaving me to not only entertain myself but to run out of excuses that prevented me from doing work or tour prep stuff. Which is now working against me, causing me nothing but stress as I watch the calendar on my phone. Screaming at me with the annoying count down to tour - how do we only have two weeks before we have to leave to head to the circuit.

Looking over to the clock on the wall in front of me I note that the time is 10:15am. Meaning I've only been working for 2 hours. 2 hours of designing...intense is an understatement for the amount of thinking and creativity it's taken to finish the group uniform and my custom merch. Sighing I look back down to my laptop. Checking my calendar, clicking on the remaining meeting invites for the day.

One thirty minute zoom call with my manager and one sixty minute call with Skateboarders Weekly. Which will probably over run as I see we have a new temp member joining our team. Fingers crossed he's not bad.

The call with my management team will be easy. The planned agenda for the first meeting is :
1) What can my management team do to help aid and assist me whilst I am out on tour.
2) What can they do to help the boys whilst they are working to support and protect me on tour.
3) Is any additional equipment required during the circuit.
As for my meeting with Skateboarders Weekly I'm not 100% sure what they are going to ask me. I've been working hard with Dom and the team to take photos and videos for my social accounts as agreed within my contract. Not to mention I've been working behind the scenes to help design my own range of skate wear and boards which we will be releasing just as the tour starts. As I mentioned earlier I've finally been able to finish of those designs.

Not to mention the fact that I live in a house full of guys, who are always full of energy. Who don't understand the different between an inside voice and an outside voice. Don't get me wrong I love living here and being with Tyler all the time and aunt Mel but sometimes I guess I wish I had some more girl time. You know, silence and time for myself without being shouted for by one of the boys.
   For instance, on Monday I was in a call with my manager talking about the final designs for my new board when Bryan and Chris decided it was the perfect time to barge into my bedroom shouting at the top of their lungs about Tyler and I and how he's changed since being with me. Thankfully I didn't get into any trouble but it pissed me off and Mel ripped into them both about being disrespectful and a pain in the ass. It also meant that they delayed the sign off for my new board design as I wasn't able to hear the design changes from my team. Obviously they both  apologised to me but it was still annoying.
   Not to forget that what they'd said about Tyler and I's relationship has been a constant niggle in the back of my mind. I know it came from a place of love and protection for their brother but it still hurt me. I don't want Tyler to change for anyone especially me but what can I do to stop it. It's not like either of us are changing intentionally. Doesn't that stuff happen when your in a happy relationship?

Shaking my head I pick up my flask and drink my ice water as I wait for my meeting to start. Unlocking my phone and sending a quick text to Tyler.

Bubba ❤️

Thanks for taking
the boys out today.

No problem baby.
I know you needed
some peace and quiet.

Hope your having fun.

Maybe not as much fun as
this we had this morning 😏

I should hope not!
(Delivered)

Smiling I lock my phone and switch it over to silent just as my team join the meeting. My heart still fluttering from how selfless and kind my man is. Isn't it lush how he persuaded the boys to go out today to take photos just so I'd have the house to myself to complete meetings and other work in silence. I know that the boys had all planned to go out tomorrow to take photos so I know it wasn't an easy thing to do, persuading the boys. Clearing my head I bring my attention back to the meeting. Listening and responding to the questions I'm being asked.

*****

I'm currently in a video call with SkateboardersWeekly listening to them talk about the conference from the other day and what my plans are for tricks during the event. But also trying my best to keep an open mind to the new 'potential' recruit for my team, Benji.

Benji 'So Alyssa, have you given thoughts as to which jumps and tricks you'd like to perform during the tour?' He asks his bright green eyes locked on mine as he nibbles on the cap of his pen. Why does that action bother me so much today?

Right, it's been decided. Im not a fan of Benji. Don't ask me why because I'm not entirely sure. He's not done anything unprofessional or said anything major to piss me off and yet my gut is screaming at me. Warning me that this guy isn't all that he seems and I shouldn't trust him. That he's not here to help me, my team or Skateboarders Weekly. And to trust him would be a terrible decision.

Alyssa 'Yeah. I have a lot of tricks planned. It's all going to be dependant on who's competing. Who I'm up against during tryouts, level or the judges for the circuit, temperature etc' I guess from the frown on his face he's not all that impressed with my answer and probably feels like he deserves better from me but if he'd read my binder. That I spent over ten hours consolidating then he'd know all of this.
  So why should I spend more time going into the fine details when it's already been provided? If he actually cares about his job and being a part of this team then he would have read the flipping binder. These calls we have are time sensitive for both sides so I don't want to waste important minutes talking about details that have already been covered. Especially when we are up against the clock.

Kaitlyn 'Sorry Aly, I'm sure it gets annoying for you being asked these questions especially when you provided a binder for all the new members of the team to read and gain a better knowledge of you as a skater and person.' She speaks, her voice soft like caramel soothing my annoyance. The smile on her face is so warming and comforting that I can't help smiling back at her.

I watch in amusement as she switches from a smile to a scowl when she turns her attention to Benji. Trying to show her own frustrations with him. Kaitlyn is a gem, she's been on my team from the start.  From the very first time I'd signed with Skateboarders Weekly, around two or so years ago I knew Kaitlyn was someone I wanted and needed on my team. She has only been with the company a few weeks at the time and was only an intern but I instantly knew we'd get along and always have my back. Which is rare to find in most corporate companies. Working off my gut instinct I made it a fundamental condition within my contract that she would always been on my team. I know that before I said this was a new deal I'd been offered with Skateboarders Weekly but I lied. The truth is that my contract with them was never terminated it was merely put on hold whilst I attended school. The agreement we had in place was I'd finish up school and then come back to them to go on one final tour. The only problem with that was I kinda lost myself until I came out here to LA. I guess we all have these moments at one point in our life where we loose ourselves to find ourselves again. Blinking a couple of times I clear my head and look at the screen again, paying attention to Kaitlyn and Benji again.

Alyssa 'It's fine Kaitlyn. I understand it's hard to train newbies on elite accounts.' I tease.

Benji 'Hello, you realise I am right here!' He pouts as he looks deadpan down his camera.

Alyssa 'Oh we know.' I say my smile slipping as I look at him.

Banji 'Anyway, Can you confirm the total number on your team, for me?'

Alyssa 'Yep so we have Tyler Schrage, Bryan Williams, Dom Scirrotto, Chris Williams & potentially Tristan Blane.'

Benji 'And Tyler is your boyfriend correct?'

Alyssa 'Yep'

Kaitlyn 'If you flick to page 8 of the binder Benji you'll see their names and job titles. Tyler might be Aly's boyfriend but he will also be her 'Lead Security' detail' she replied her poker face slipping.

Benji 'Understood.'

Kaitlyn 'Right so the big questions we need to get answered before we finish the calls.....' she speaks as she takes over from Benji in the meeting. Asking all the questions I'd expected and making me feel calm again.

Thirty minutes later we finish up the call and I switch off my laptop for the day. Pushing away from the desk I stand up stretching my arms before pushing the chair back. Smiling I rush over to Tyler's bed, flopping down face first into the comforter. Closing my eyes for a moment, maybe I'll just have a little nap before I change and go for a swim. Today has just been one of those heavy work days and a rest is definitely what the doctor ordered.