Series: Fever Falls Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Carter eyed me suspiciously. “You sure this doesn’t have to do with that slightly competitive streak of yours?” I picked up his sarcasm from the overdramatic way he exaggerated slightly.
“You expect me to pretend I’m not going after this to shove it up Freyda Inc.’s asses? You know how this business works, Carter. One day you’re in, one day you’re out…until you fight your way back in again. I’m here because I can see marketing gold, and this Hacksmore account will get us back to the top.”
“And we know how you love the top.”
I ignored his innuendo and went on. “If I had to get on my knees and suck Hacksmore’s dick, I would. But no, all I have to do is hire a random firefighter in some small bumpkin-town place—”
“Fever Falls.”
“What?”
“That’s where he’s from. While you were busy playing Faye Dunaway’s character in Network, I was doing my due diligence on this guy…in no small part because of those abs…goddammit, those are hot.”
He showed me his phone, revealing the Hottie Firefighter image he’d pulled up.
“I love his abs, but I love the deets more right now. This Fever Falls sounds familiar…”
“It’s a city in Georgia. Ash Carmichael’s stomping ground.”
Quarterback celeb Ash was repped by Elliott, whom I sometimes stepped in to help when he was too busy. I’d forgotten that was the place he’d taken up residence.
“Oh, that’s right. Still seems an odd name for a place. Fever fucking Falls? Do they all have the flu? Is this where the first smallpox outbreak was?”
Carter enjoyed my sarcasm before adding, “Obviously, I haven’t researched the history of the town. Would you like me to do that, or do you want the scoop I got from Leslie over at WME?”
“Leslie Manning? Is she his agent? Does she know we’re interested? Don’t make us sound desperate!”
“Calm the fuck down, Dax. If you would listen for five seconds instead of running your mouth, I’d give you all the dirt. She’s not representing him. She’s talked to everyone. Hacksmore wasn’t kidding. This guy’s turned down talk shows, radio interviews, blogs…everything. Keeps telling people he’s not interested in any of that.”
“Yeah, and Chip and Joanna told everyone they weren’t interested in doing another TV series, but when the check’s written for the right amount, no one says no. Ever. And you heard Hacksmore. They will pay out the ass for an endorsement deal with this guy.”
Cynical, maybe. Realistic, definitely.
“As far as Leslie knows,” Carter went on, “he’s either playing an amazing game of hard to get, or he’s not interested in the whole Internet-celebrity thing.”
I laughed. “Not interested? Oh, this guy’s in way over his head. Get me his number and—”
“Evidently, he changed his number. Leslie says no one can get in touch with him.”
“Clever fuck. Then get me his address and a flight to Atlanta.”
“You’re gonna go to Fever Falls, Georgia?”
“Why are you giving me that look? Yes, I’m going to personally secure one of the biggest marketing campaigns this country has ever seen. I’m going to nail this guy before he fucking signs on with Freyda Inc. or grabs a million-dollar deal with Johnson & Johnson or Ford…because I didn’t get here by sitting on my ass all day.” I made sure to glance Carter over as he continued sitting in that goddamn chair like a slackass.
He raised his hands in surrender. “Gotcha, powertop. Just calm your ass down and let Carter handle everything. Pack your bags because you’ll be on a flight to Atlanta in a couple of hours. First class, of course.”
“You still have that arrogant expression all over your face.”
“I just think it’s funny how cocky you still are about this. Leslie Manning doesn’t give up easily, and if she says she’s hitting a brick wall, then I have to think this is going to be trickier than you realize.”
“I’m a little more impressive than Leslie Manning. Give me my props. Watch and learn why I’m the boss. I’ll have a signed contract with this guy in the next forty-eight hours, and we’ll be on our way to making history with the most highly anticipated brand of the year.”
“Sure, Jan.”
“‘Sure, Jan’? What?”
Carter groaned. “You haven’t seen the gif?” When I shook my head, he continued, “Clearly, I know why I’m in charge of all our social-media publicity. It’s from The Brady Bunch Movie. Jan Brady keeps telling all these big, ridiculous lies, and Marcia just rolls her eyes and says ‘Sure, Jan.’”
“Are you saying I’m telling a big, ridiculous lie?”
He cocked a brow. “I should know whether or not it is in a few days, right?”
“Just gives me more motivation to ace this.” Plenty of people had doubted me in my life. Skepticism didn’t faze me. I could always prove them wrong.
“Go get ’em, Dax!”
I started out of the office. Lots of shit to take care of, but then a thought hit me, and I slipped back in, opening my mouth, feeling a little silly.