Quarterback celeb Ash was repped by Elliott, whom I sometimes stepped in to help when he was too busy. I’d forgotten that was the place he’d taken upresidence.
“Oh, that’s right. Still seems an odd name for a place. Fever fucking Falls? Do they all have the flu? Is this where the first smallpox outbreakwas?”
Carter enjoyed my sarcasm before adding, “Obviously, I haven’t researched the history of the town. Would you like me to do that, or do you want the scoop I got from Leslie over atWME?”
“Leslie Manning? Is she his agent? Does she know we’re interested? Don’t make us sounddesperate!”
“Calm the fuck down, Dax. If you would listen for five seconds instead of running your mouth, I’d give you all the dirt. She’s not representing him. She’s talked to everyone. Hacksmore wasn’t kidding. This guy’s turned down talk shows, radio interviews, blogs…everything. Keeps telling people he’s not interested in any ofthat.”
“Yeah, and Chip and Joanna told everyone they weren’t interested in doing another TV series, but when the check’s written for the right amount, no one says no. Ever. And you heard Hacksmore. They will pay out the ass for an endorsement deal with thisguy.”
Cynical, maybe. Realistic,definitely.
“As far as Leslie knows,” Carter went on, “he’s either playing an amazing game of hard to get, or he’s not interested in the whole Internet-celebritything.”
I laughed. “Not interested? Oh, this guy’s in way over his head. Get me his numberand—”
“Evidently, he changed his number. Leslie says no one can get in touch withhim.”
“Clever fuck. Then get me his address and a flight toAtlanta.”
“You’re gonna go to Fever Falls,Georgia?”
“Why are you giving me that look? Yes, I’m going to personally secure one of the biggest marketing campaigns this country has ever seen. I’m going to nail this guy before he fucking signs on with Freyda Inc. or grabs a million-dollar deal with Johnson & Johnson or Ford…because I didn’t get here by sitting on my ass all day.” I made sure to glance Carter over as he continued sitting in that goddamn chair like aslackass.
He raised his hands in surrender. “Gotcha, powertop. Just calm your ass down and let Carter handle everything. Pack your bags because you’ll be on a flight to Atlanta in a couple of hours. First class, ofcourse.”
“You still have that arrogant expression all over yourface.”
“I just think it’s funny how cocky you still are about this. Leslie Manning doesn’t give up easily, and if she says she’s hitting a brick wall, then I have to think this is going to be trickier than yourealize.”
“I’m a little more impressive than Leslie Manning. Give me my props. Watch and learn why I’m the boss. I’ll have a signed contract with this guy in the next forty-eight hours, and we’ll be on our way to making history with the most highly anticipated brand of theyear.”
“Sure,Jan.”
“‘Sure, Jan’?What?”
Carter groaned. “You haven’t seen the gif?” When I shook my head, he continued, “Clearly, I know why I’m in charge of all our social-media publicity. It’s fromThe Brady Bunch Movie.Jan Brady keeps telling all these big, ridiculous lies, and Marcia just rolls her eyes and says ‘Sure,Jan.’”
“Are you saying I’m telling a big, ridiculouslie?”
He cocked a brow. “I should know whether or not it is in a few days,right?”
“Just gives me more motivation to ace this.” Plenty of people had doubted me in my life. Skepticism didn’t faze me. I could always prove themwrong.
“Go get ’em,Dax!”
I started out of the office. Lots of shit to take care of, but then a thought hit me, and I slipped back in, opening my mouth, feeling a littlesilly.
“You need his name?” Carter asked, a coy smile across hisface.
“You’re enjoying stealing my thunder, aren’tyou?”
“I take pride in watching you suffer from time to time. Nice to delight in those rare moments when you have to be somewhathumble.”
“Name?” I asked, because as much as he might have liked it, I sure as fuckdidn’t.
“JaceKruse.”
