“Yup. And that includes your wife,” he adds.
Irritated now, I work my jaw to the side. “I’m not disagreeing, but we need to be more proactive about this. Launch a full PR campaign. Don’t forget, I busted my ass to help us rebrand when this all went down originally. I brought in a pile of diverse new talent and promoted DRM’s commitment to inclusivity, and I had press releases go out every time we signed somebody new—”
“What’s your point?” Stefan asks, tapping his foot impatiently.
I stand up and start pacing. It helps me think. “The point, dear brother, is that the public is only as aware of our moves as wemake them. Smiling in public isn’t going to be enough. We’re gonna have paparazzi in front of the building every day, hungry for dirt on us, as bad as it was after the arrest. We need to get granular. Let’s talk specifics.”
Stefan is nodding. “Okay. So how do we increase our publicity? Charity events, visiting the local fire and police stations to make donations? This is where I need your help.”
“I’ve got ideas,” I tell him. “We need a media blitz.”
We discuss contributing funds to women’s shelters, food banks, maybe offering incentives to our models if they’re interested in serving meals at soup kitchens. Then I suggest getting Emzee to hold a one-day photography workshop for high school students and having our company name engraved on some local park benches through the Chicago Parks Foundation’s donation program. Stefan is amenable to all of my suggestions.
“But,” he tells me, “this isn’t just about the company. We also need to remind people that we’re valiantly trying to rebuild our own lives, with the loving support of our friends and family. So I think you and Brooklyn should do something a little radical, a little more flashy. Something to make the media warm up to you more as a couple.”
“Like what?” I ask. “We’re already married. I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”
He grins. “What about skydiving for cancer, or helping with the construction of the new animal shelter on the East Side by pounding some nails?”
We talk some more. I’m open to his ideas, but my hesitation about performing my marriage with Brooklyn for the public must show, because Stefan lets out an irritated sigh.
“Take this seriously, Luka, please.”
“I am.” I stand, hands in my pockets, ready to face off with my brother if I need to. I’m no stranger to having to constantly defend myself against his onslaught of criticism.
“Every single suggestion involving Brooklyn made your face twist up the way it did when you ate brussel sprouts as a kid,” he points out.
Shit.
“Look, for what it’s worth, Tori and I didn’t have the easiest start to our marriage either. We were good at hiding it, but in private, we were miserable. It took me a while to realize that we were both making mistakes, but I was the one holding a grudge.”
Boom. It’s like I’m made of glass. “Thanks for the unsolicited marriage advice, bro.”
“I haven’t given you any yet,bro, but I’m going to,” he says sharply.
We stare at each other again. Admittedly, I am curious about what he has to say. I’ve wanted to talk to someone, but I don’t dare let what Brooklyn did leak or it will create a piggyback scandal that my family doesn’t need right now. Or ever.
“Look, any marriage is a series of ups and downs and learning experiences, and sometimes that means fights or misunderstandings. But you get through it. Together.”
“What if you can’t?” I ask, letting my walls slip down a fraction of an inch.
“You can. Always. And I’ll tell you something else: my own arrangement with Tori started working a hell of a lot better once I let her in. Regardless of what’s going on with you two, shutting Brooklyn out is only going to make her act out. You don’t want that.”
The thing is, I did let her in…and she kicked my heart with a four-inch stiletto.
“Thanks,” I tell him breezily. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
His eyes flash and I tense, expecting I’m about to be informed that I’m doing something whether I want to or not.
“Listen. You can close off your heart, if that’s how you want to play it, but just remember: no one can see that. We’ve just gone more public than ever before, so you have no room to make mistakes out in the open. Understand?”
“Perfectly,” I say, gritting my teeth.
I’ll play my part with Brooklyn for the media, and I’ll play it well.
But that doesn’t mean I have to forgive her.
Brooklyn
