Page 38 of Wild King
He grunts like the very thought of that displeases him. “She always hurries them. Says she doesn’t want our neighbors to see the dogs shit. She bought the damn things, but from the moment she brought them home, I’ve been the one responsible for them.”
“And you love every minute of it, so don’t try to tell me any differently.”
He laughs at the truth. “I do. It’s the oddest thing. I’ve never liked kids or dogs, but those two light up my day. I go downstairs first thing in the morning barely awake, but then I see their sweet little faces as they scamper around waiting for me to give them breakfast, and it’s like I’m the happiest version of myself. Strange, huh?”
“It’s who you are, Curtis.”
He may be sweet with those dogs, but he’s too sharp to think I simply called to shoot the breeze about his vacation and the puppies. “So, what’s this I hear about you representing Kellen King?”
Nothing like diving into the deep end head first.
“Everyone deserves to have someone working to show the world they’re a good person, Curtis. One mistake does not a lifetime make.”
“I think Nixon said that. Or maybe it was Benedict Arnold,” he jokes.
“Seriously, the guy made one mistake. He’s not the worst person in the world. I’m just trying to show that he’s done some good things in his life. Nothing more.”
That’s a lie, but in my line of work, it’s expected.
“I hear what you’re saying, but damn, that interview was a nightmare. I know you weren’t working with him when he did that.”
Again, someone mentions that interview. I swear that gets talked about more than the actual mistake Kellen made with that woman.
“Of course not! You know I wouldn’t send a client into a situation like that. You know how I work. Lay low and make people forget the bad while your PR team shows the world the other side of you.”
Curtis laughs again. “Which is what I assume this call is about?”
“I’ve got some smaller outlets running stories, but none of the bigger ones like your organization will do it yet. What do you say to being in the vanguard, Curtis?”
“You know I love you, Salem, but the guy is radioactive right now. I will say this. I’ve heard a few people talking about it, and whatever you’re doing is working. He’s still a son of a bitch, but even women are wondering if this didn’t go from a simple mistake to a witch hunt in less than five seconds flat.”
Well, that’s good to hear. I hadn’t expected the public furor to die down this soon. Good. Now if I can just get the positive out there for everyone to hear and read, I know Kellen King will be forgotten, replaced by the next celebrity who screws up on Instagram or the next sports star who’s caught on a hot mic saying something inappropriate.
“Whatever mistakes he’s made, he has a past full of honorable achievements, Curtis. I know it’s popular in the news business to run with the most salacious and the most negative stories, but I don’t think viewers want that anymore. Give them something positive. Let them see someone fall and then get back up again.”
“You sound like you admire him. I figured of all the people I know, you’d be front and center with the torch and pitchfork.”
Why do men keep saying that? Yes, I’m a feminist, but that doesn’t mean I think all men should be tarred and feathered.
“I have a job to do. All I’m saying is whatever he may or may not have done, he’s not a monster. I just want the public to have a chance to see that.”
Curtis hums, which I know means he’s thinking up some idea. I’m open to pretty much anything, as long as it doesn’t hurt Kellen’s already battered reputation.
“What if I can get him an interview? Would he be willing?”
I shudder at the thought of another interview. Kellen isn’t anywhere close to being able to talk about what happened with any sort of detachment. However, I know I can’t dismiss it out of hand either.
“At the moment, he’s spending time with family, but maybe in the future. But I won’t let him get sliced and diced like he did in that last one.”
Laughing, Curtis lets out a whistle. “I have to tell you even I cringed when she went after him. He didn’t stand a chance, Salem.”
I can’t admit I haven’t watched it yet, but Ever did and gave me the CliffsNotes on the massacre. Not that I need to see Kellen act like a petulant bastard or a surly child. That’s all I’ve gotten to see of him since I took this job.
“It was social suicide. You know I wouldn’t let any client do that to themselves. I fix things.”
“Okay, let me see what I can arrange. Are you open to anything? I need to know before I pitch this to my producers.”
My stomach does a flip at the word anything. I’m not sure how Kellen will handle the work involved in rehabilitating his life since he doesn’t think he did anything wrong. I can’t shut down Curtis now, though. If he’s willing to see what he can do, I need to be willing to agree to whatever he can offer.