“Now you’re just disrespecting my childhood.”
“Are we done?” Prince’s brow lifts in annoyance.
“Actually, I was hoping to ask a favor.”
Prince’s face softens, because as rough as he acts, he has a heart. “What’s up?”
“I’m not sure when, but I’ll need to spend some time away from the bus, and if that happens, I don’t want Carl to replace me. I’ve already got Slay onboard to take over some of those days, and I thought I’d offer you the chance to take a few because you let me go on in your place.”
He regards me with curiosity for a long moment, finally saying, “Just tell me the days and I’ll do what I can.”
“Thanks, man—” I start to say, but Carl’s booming voice takes over the backstage area.
“Get your game faces on. The crowd is rowdy tonight, so keep alert!”
Bianca, the disheveled blonde from the other day, mills around the backstage area, looking like she’s just been kicked. I wish there were a way I could ask her how she knows Samantha, but that could start a domino effect that could piss Samantha off.
I fire off a message to my sister, asking for her resume. She quickly sends it over, and after the show, I forward it to Samantha, feeling satisfied that I am finally able to help my girl.
FOURTEEN
Samantha
HiringToxic’s sister is a risk.
It is the absolute stupidest thing I could do, considering how he and I are now entwined in each other’s lives.
And yet, I’m holding my phone with her number already entered, willing myself to hit the green phone icon.
On paper, she’s perfect. Sure, she doesn’t have experience with celebrities, but I’m not looking for a shark. I’m looking for someone with a general knowledge of PR who can do day-to-day tasks I have no time for.
Maria’s previous PR work with a bank is the perfect experience for the position, and although I was worried about her termination, when I asked for clarification on the inciting incident through text, I was pleased with her response: a big-name man threw a big-time fit.
It’s a common situation in PR, and if I had been her boss, she’d still have a job, because it’s not every day a woman can clearly, calmly, and respectfully explain to a man of his stature that he’s wrong.
She’ll be perfect for my clientele.
I press CONNECT and hope the conversation goes smoothly.
“Hello?” comes a woman’s voice on the second ring.
“Maria? It’s me, Samantha. Joe forwarded me your resume and we’ve been playing text-tag all morning.”
“You just got my resume last night and it’s not even noon.”
I chuckle into the phone. “I’m a one-deep operation, so I move at lightning speed, and if you agree to work for me, I’d expect you to as well.”
“Fear not. I’m literally attached to my phone.”
“Was your job at the bank your only experience with PR?”
“No, actually. As kids, I had to cover for my brother, and that took a lot of smooth talking.”
I smirk at the mention of Toxic. “It’s not often that siblings stick up for each other to their parents.”
“Oh, I’m not talking about my mom. He used to get picked on all the time, and I had to put those bullies in their place. I was younger, but had a meaner roar.”
Surprised, I say, “I can’t imagine any man thinking it’s a good idea to step to Toxic.”
