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“Carsen, honey . . . are you sure about this? Of all of us, this mostly impacts you. I’ll happily pay the money and we won’t have to do this. Everything can stay just as is. Say the word, and I’ll make that happen.”
Carsen looks thoughtful for a moment, and I’m glad she’s taking this seriously because this really is going to impact her life in a major way.
“I know, Dad. It’ll be okay. You can’t let this guy bully us around though. It’s not right. But maybe being the daughter of the world’s best country music star won’t be so bad. Maybe you can even take me to school every once in a while?”
There’s a knock on the door and a production assistant pokes her head in, looking slightly bored by all of this, as if changing people’s lives is just part of her normal Monday. Then again, I guess it is. “Time, everyone. Follow me, please. We’ll get you over to set.”
Walking across the TV studio, it’s interesting to watch the quiet chaos going on behind the cameras while the two hosts gab on about the latest political scandal getting headlines. We reach the ‘on deck’ spot, and Keith reaches out, holding my hand on one side and Carsen’s on the other. Sarah places a stabilizing hand on his shoulder.
I can feel him take a deep, fortifying breath, knowing he’s about to go to war . . . against Donnie, against the paparazzi, against his own secrets. “Hey.”
“Huh?” he asks, looking over. I give his hand a squeeze and a small smile.
“You’re not doing this alone. We’ve got your back.”
Keith nods and gives my hand a squeeze back. “Thanks. I love you.”
The show kicks to commercial, and a flurry of activity erupts. Keith is herded over to a couch in the middle of a set made up to look like one of those ‘in-your-house’ style living rooms. A quick sound check makes a tech adjust Keith’s microphone, and the host comes over, shaking hands with Keith before sitting down and assuming her perfectly trained chair pose that looks ridiculously uncomfortable.
“Ten seconds!” a producer calls, and Keith gives us a thumbs-up, but I can see him forcing his emotions in check and prepping mentally for what he’s about to say.
“Three . . . two . . . one!”
The overly perky morning host immediately starts up, grinning nearly orgasmically. “Welcome back to Good Morning! We have a special surprise guest for you, an exclusive you’ll only see here on KTSR-TV this morning. I have to tell you, this was a surprise for me too. When I got the call from my friend, I said she had to be pulling my leg . . . but I’ve known her for years, so I was able to convince my producers to give this a shot. You see, we don’t even know why this guest is visiting today, it’s all top-secret, hush-hush. But I can tell you he’s one of my favorites, so forgive any fan-girling I might do in the next five minutes.”
I think the host’s actually telling the truth and is a fan. The professional side of me knows that definitely works in our favor, although the personal side of me will want to rip her extensions out if she starts eye-fucking my man.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I watch as she gestures to the side. “Please welcome one of the hottest country music artists today . . . Keith Perkins!”
There’s a bit of silence, and I guess that in the production booth, they’re mixing in a few clips of Keith performing as the host starts up again. “Breaking onto the charts five years ago with his first big hit, Gonna Do It The Country Way, Keith Perkins has, over the past three records, consistently been one of the top ten artists in country today. With enough party to draw in new listeners and enough roots to have even old-schoolers impressed, Keith’s star just keeps rising. Keith, welcome.”
The host reaches over and shakes Keith’s hand for the cameras, eyes starry as she looks at Keith, and I have to giggle a little bit. I’m pretty sure that’s what I look like too, but I’m the lucky girl going home with him tonight. Not her, so she can suck it.
“So, Keith, we’re thrilled to have you with us this morning. According to what I was told yesterday, you have some type of announcement you’d like to make? Are we talking your usual summer tour already? If so, put me down for two VIP tickets!”
“I’ll remember that when tickets go on sale,” Keith says on stage, “but unfortunately, tour info isn’t why I’m here this morning.”
“Okay, what brought you here this morning then?”
“Well, if you’re a fan, you know I’m pretty quiet about my personal life. I always have been, just keeping that line between my professional life and my day-to-day stuff, you know? And recently, there were reports speculating that I may have a woman in my life.”
