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“Forty-five minutes to be exact.”
“It damn sure wasn’tten.” I rolled my eyes. “So, perhaps I was trying to teach you a much-needed lesson about time, Mrs. Carter. It waits for no one.”
“Okay,look.” Madeline stepped between us, her voice firm. “I need you two to focus. This interview will be watched live by at least seven million people, and then it’ll be broadcast as a rerun to millions more, and available for everyone via streaming after that. So, drop this petty shit and please, pretty please just pretend like we’re in rehearsal for the next half hour. Then you pick up the pettiness right after. Deal?”
“Deal,” we spoke in unison.
“Perfect!” She opened the door, and we clasped hands before heading to the white sofa on the soundstage.
The studio audience clapped and cheered when they saw us, and I spotted several “I love you, Travis!” “Congratulations!” and “You’re Still Undefeated to Me” signs.
“Hello Carters!” The interviewer, Catherine Bailey, gushed as we took our seats. “It’s such a pleasure to have you here in California with us today.”
“The pleasure is ours, Miss Bailey,” Tatiana said. “My husband has been looking forward to this interview ever since you invited us.”
I nodded and forced a smile. This woman was supposedly the “queen of talk shows,” but I’d always felt like something was off, and I’d rejected every single interview request for years.
“Good to hear,” Miss Bailey said. “Quick thing, though. I know we agreed on some pre-approved questions, but I hope you won’t mind me throwing in a few personal and juicy ones of my own.”
“Wewillmind.” I was still smiling, despite my tone. “That was the number one condition of you getting our first newlywed couple interview.”
“So, are you saying that you’ll leave the set in the middle of my questioning?” She arched an eyebrow. “On live television?”
“I’m kindly asking you to stick to the script that we agreed on.”
“Well, since you’re the one who is trying to get the public to see his so-called softer side, let’s see how calm you are under some fun pressure.” She smiled and snapped her fingers.
“Going live in three…” someone behind the set whispered. “Two…one…”
“Good morning, ladies of American Chat! I’m your host, Catherine Bailey. Today we’re here with Travis Carter, who is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time, and his wife, former world champion figure skater, Tatiana Brave!”
The studio audience applauded as my blood simmered.
“Although Travis is here to tell us more about a new charity he’s starting, along with giving us insight into his Humble City Fitness empire, I want us to get a bit more personal. ThisisL.A.’s top women’s show after all, right?”
Per our sessions with the body language expert, Tatiana slipped her hand in mine, temporarily distracting me from this blindsided betrayal.
“What was Mr. Carter like on the honeymoon, Mrs. Carter?” Miss Bailey smiled. “No photos have leaked and my book club is dying to know.”
A few scattered “Me too!” and squeals sounded from the audience.
“He was very attentive and sweet,” Tatiana said. “He treated me to a lot of sightseeing.”
“Now, you know that’s not what we’re looking for this morning.” She leaned forward, her smile widening. “We want to know if he’s as aggressive in the sheets as he is in the octagon.”
What in the hell…
“I hate to disappoint you.” Tatiana put on a smile as the audience squealed again. “I’m not the type to kiss and tell.”
“Of course,” she said, turning to me. “Given your reputation for playing the field, Mr. Carter, I’m sure I’m not the only woman here who was shocked to find out that you were settling down and getting married. Can you tell us what it was about Miss Tatiana that caught your eye?”
“Miss Bailey…” I took a small breath, holding back my rage at another unapproved question that had no rehearsed answer.
The room became silent, on edge for a response, but all I could do was look over at Ralph in the front row.
Reputation repair or not, this type of interview wasn’t worth my time, so I shot him the look. The “Come up with an excuse and get me out of this ASAP” wink.
He started walking toward a producer, but Miss Bailey sensed the silent cue.
