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Even from here, I can see the host’s eyes light up, and you can virtually see her salivating for the story even though she must be reading between the lines since Carsen’s already made up and in the wings just off camera behind Keith.
“Are you saying there is someone in your life? You’re gonna break some hearts if that’s the case!”
Keith nods, his smile widening before dimming by half. “Well, yes . . . but there’s more to it. You see, when that story broke, I did have a young woman in my life, but not the way everyone thought. I’m not much for dating. It’s kind of hard to do when you’re . . . a single father.”
The host plays it well. She can’t have been that stupid to not see the similarity between Keith and Carsen, but to anyone at home, you’d think she’d just been kicked in the gut she’s so shocked. Her mouth gapes open and closed a few times like a fish before she speaks. “A father? Oh, my.”
Keith nods, his voice gaining strength as he gets into his tale. “You see, for a long time, my daughter, Carsen, and I have been a team, along with my sister, who’s the biggest help ever. Carsen has been my number-one priority, and part of that responsibility was keeping her safe. I felt that the best way to do that was to keep her out of the public eye. She’s a twelve-year-old girl. She deserves to have a normal childhood, and that’s what I’ve worked damn hard to give her.”
The host nods supportively, her eyes cutting to Carsen as I see a production assistant tap Carsen on the elbow. “So your daughter, Carsen. Is that the young lady I see off-set here? Carsen, would you like to join us?”
Keith nods, turning to look at us, and Carsen bravely walks to Keith, sitting down next to him on the couch as the host looks on with a smile.
“Wow, so very nice to meet you, Carsen! It must be awesome to have the one and only Keith Perkins as your dad.”
Carsen smiles, looking at Keith and taking his hand. “I guess. To me, he’s just Dad though. He makes me do my homework, clean up my room, all that stuff.”
The host laughs, turning her attention to Keith. “So, you’ve kept Carsen a secret for all these years. What’s changed now?”
Keith smiles, but it’s bittersweet. “Well, after that article came out, my record label got the brilliant idea that I should do a series of interviews so a reporter could write an all-access story about me. Maybe you’ve seen them?”
The host nods, totally engrossed in every word of Keith’s story. “Of course I have. Actually, I have printed copies of them backstage in my dressing room. Maybe you can sign them later?”
Keith chuckles. “Sure. I’d be happy to do that for you. So, the interviews were going well, but the real news wasn’t what was in the articles. It was the reporter, Elise Warner. During the process of the interviews, I fell in love with her, and she fell in love with me. We’ve been dating for a little while now. Carsen and she get along well, and we’re just trying to find our way.”
For the first time, the host looks genuinely shocked, and she looks over at me, her eyes a mix of go, girl! and I hate you, bitch! She looks back at Keith, her grin still mostly professional but at the same time, she’s eating this news scoop right up. “Wow! A daughter and a new love interest! Can Elise come out too?”
I squeeze Sarah’s hand, wishing I could take her with me, but we’d decided that it’d be best for her to stay off-camera. It’s not her style, and besides, it’s good for at least one of us to stay unrecognizable.
With a shiver of nerves, I head over to sit beside Carsen. Keith stands up and gives me a hug, which eases my nerves a little bit. And when we all sit down, he stretches a long arm out along the couch back, marking us both as his.
“Welcome, Elise! I must admit, I’m a bit jealous and I imagine there must be thousands . . . I take that back, millions of women with shattered dreams right now. Tell us, how’d you claim this one?” She smiles as she points at Keith with a thumb.
She laughs a bit, but as far as I’m concerned, she’s right. Keith doesn’t give me a chance, though, leaning forward and shaking his head. “I’m the one who needed to claim her. Elise is a great woman, and I’m lucky she puts up with my grumpy ass.”
Carsen giggles and looks over. “Dad, you can’t say ass on TV!”
We all laugh a little, and the host jumps in. “Don’t worry, we’re on a ten-second delay. So . . . wow! What an announcement! We appreciate your sharing with our viewers this morning. What prompted you to come forward and not stay mum like usual?”
