Dirty Laundry

by Lauren Landish

  “That wasn’t a coincidence. She followed Elise there and Elise didn’t know it. Hell, she followed us all, and none of us caught her. She had pictures of us all.” I huff, fuming as I remember the stack of photos.

  Sarah snorts, shaking her head. “So you’re mad at Elise because she should’ve recognized something you didn’t even notice. How many times has she been followed before? What about you?”

  I rub across my head, the calluses on my hands scratching on the smooth skin up there. “I know! I fucked up. I know that, and I spent most of the night divided between wanting to tear this Donnie asshole’s head off and wanting to tear my own off for hurting Elise. What am I going to do?”

  Sarah studies me for a moment, then comes over, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You’re going to man up, like you always do. Call her, have her come over, and the three of us are going to figure out what to do . . . together. That’s what family does, Keith. We’ll stick together, through the good times and the fucking bad times.”

  I nod, knowing she’s right, and I grab my phone, dialing Elise’s number. It rings and rings, my hand drumming on the countertop in frustration as my mind runs in a hundred different exhaustion-and-caffeine-fueled directions before switching over to her voicemail. “Hey, this is Elise. Leave me a message or send me a text. Check ya later!”

  “Uh, hey, Elise,” I say, clearing my throat before I can continue. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. Can you call me back, please? We need to figure this out . . . and I need you.”

  I hang up, looking at Sarah, knowing my face shows my disappointment, my anger, and my sadness. She pats my shoulder again before giving me a little side hug. “She’ll call back. She loves you, brother.”

  The reassurance feels empty even as it gives me a little whisper of useless hope. “But what if—”

  Before I can finish my sentence, the doorbell rings. Sarah and I look at each other, and she gives me a nod. “I’ll get it in case it’s reporters.”

  There’s a brief silence as she walks to the door, but when it opens, she laughs before calling out. “Hey, Keith? It is a reporter, but I think you’ll want to see this one.”

  My heart speeds up and my jaw drops as Elise walks into the kitchen. She looks stressed, dark smudges under her eyes and her skin pale. Honestly, it looks like she had just as rough of a night as I did, and I know I look like hell too.

  Still, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life as I get up, crossing the kitchen to stand in front of her, wanting to embrace her but knowing there’s something I need to do first. But I have to touch her, reassure myself that she’s really here and not some insomnia-induced hallucination. Holding her upper arms gently, I wait for her to look up at me, needing her to see the truth in my words as I speak. “Elise, I’m so fucking sorry. I was scared and mad and I took it out on you. I shouldn’t have. I love you.”

  I lift my head to look her in the eyes, and she’s smiling a little, but it’s tremulous and her eyes are a little sad. “I know, Keith. I’m sorry too. For starting this whole mess. If I hadn’t put you on Donnie’s radar, you wouldn’t be in this situation now.”

  “We,” I correct her, reaching out and taking her hands.

  “Huh?” she asks, looking confused.

  For the first time in what feels like a year but has only been less than twenty-four hours, a smile that isn’t one of bitterness comes to my face. “We are in this situation. You, me, Sarah, and Carsen. You’ve made a place in this family, and I want to work with you to figure out what to do. This affects us all.”

  Elise stutters, a single tear rolling down her cheek as I gather her in, and she hugs me hard before stepping back. Wiping at her face, she takes a big breath and I can see her putting her emotions away, at least for now, and getting down to business. “Okay, good. Good, because I’ve got a plan and it’ll work. But you’re going to hate it. Can we sit down?”

  I nod, gesturing to the living room, and we all sit down. I make sure to guide Elise to my side on the couch, needing to be in contact with her. Sarah sits across from us in one of her favorite easy chairs, leaning forward, her eyes darting between the two of us. “Judging by appearances, you two look like you got about thirty minutes of sleep last night . . . combined.”

  “Actually, I got about an hour,” Elise admits. “But it sorta sucked. I was too busy trying to think and working some angles. I wanted to come over here to talk about it with you . . . but I wanted a full plan in place before I did. I was just worried you’d say no outright if I didn’t have a full plan.”

  “Why do I feel like I’m repeating myself?” Sarah asks the sky, then sighs. “Start at the beginning, omit nothing.”

  Elise starts, telling us about visiting her friend at a strip club. “You told your friend about us? At a strip club?” I ask incredulously. “But . . . why?”

  “Maggie’s one of the smartest people I know,” Elise replies. “I edited things and didn’t say a thing about Carsen, and Maggie’s someone who will respect that. And she gave me the idea that we’ve got to get out in front of this.”

  “What do you mean?” Sarah asks. “Get in front of it how?”

  “Right now, Donnie’s power lies in one thing only,” Elise explains. “He thinks you’re only going to consider one of two options. Let it blow up in your face and maybe try and deny . . . or pay up. But there’s a third option.”

  “What?” I ask, even though I see Sarah’s face dawning in realization. “Okay, guys, little words, haven’t slept.”

  “We go public first,” Sarah says, nodding. “Then we’re in control.”

  Elise nods. “Keith, Carsen’s going to become public knowledge one way or another. I don’t trust Donnie not to take the money and then publish anyway. He’s got zero fucks to give and nothing to lose. Hell, he’ll come out way ahead that way and I’m sure that’s his idea already. But if you go first, get out there and tell the story, then Donnie’s going to have nothing. And you get to control the narrative.”

  “But . . .” I answer, taking a deep breath, trying to get my brain to line the fuck up and think straight. “It means going public.”

  “And we do it the right way . . . talking about Donnie’s blackmail attempt,” Elise explains. “Don’t you see? This isn’t just about you and Carsen. He’s done this before and he’ll do it again. You have a chance to control your narrative, but you also have a chance to control Donnie’s narrative too. Let everyone know what a sleazeball he is, blackmailing and threatening people to create tabloid gossip headlines for cash. Get in front of both stories. It’s the only way.”

  I shake my head, feeling desperate as my whole world seems to be turning to quicksand that’s slipping through my fingers before sucking me down to my doom. “No. That defeats the whole purpose. The only thing I care about is keeping Carsen’s life how she’s used to. I’ll just pay the money and pray that he keeps his word about not publishing the story. He’s gotta have at least a little honor among thieves. If he’s done this before and breaks his word now, nobody’ll trust him in the future when he pulls the same shit, don’t you see? It’s the only scenario where she has any chance at being left alone.”

  Suddenly, Carsen steps in from the hallway, where she’s obviously been eavesdropping. Part of me wonders for how long, and I’m too exhausted to be upset. “No, Dad. This guy’s a bully, and the only way to stop him from hurting other people is if we stop him. Just tell people about me. That’s what he’s holding over your head? Who cares if people know you’re my dad? I’m proud of being your daughter and I don’t care if everyone knows.”

  If only it were that easy. “Carsen, you don’t understand, baby. If everyone knows you’re my daughter, it’ll change your whole life. You might have to get security, change schools, always be on the watch, and never know who your real friends are. It’ll change everything.”

  “I know, Dad. I understand, really, I do,” Carsen says, coming over and sitting on the other side of me and Elise. “But, i
t’s the right thing to do. Don’t let a bully win. You’re stronger than he is, and I’ll be okay with whatever we have to do.”

  I’m torn. Carsen looks so certain, sitting next to me so tall and proud. I know she’s strong, but she’s still just a little girl and I wanted her to make this decision when she was a little older. I look at Sarah and Elise, and they’re both nodding, agreeing with Carsen.

  “Keith, she’s right. It’s the right thing to do. And you said we’re a family, so we can do this together, support each other through whatever this storm brings,” Elise says.

  I look at Carsen, searching her eyes. Keeping her a secret has been my main focus for so long, and that’s coming to an end, apparently. I’m terrified. Most of my instincts are telling me to just grab her up and go hide, leave music and everything behind. But she’s right, I’m stronger than that.

  And I don’t want to leave.

  I want to have a life with my daughter, my woman, and my sister, this crazy family unit we’ve created where we all fit together somehow, bringing happiness and growth and love into each of our lives in a way I never expected.

  “Okay, I’ll do it,” I reply, leaning forward and putting my face in my hands, exhausted and knowing I can’t wait. “Elise, set it up.”

  I thought she’d be happy, but she knows what this is costing me. Not in terms of money like Donnie wants, but it’s costing me all the same in my peace of mind, which is going to be sorely lacking for a long time, I suspect.

  Elise’s eyes are somber, serious as she reaches into her purse and pulls out her phone, dialing quickly. “Maggie, it’s a go,” she says simply when the line’s picked up. “Work your magic.”

  I hug Carsen to me tightly, hating that her world is about to change but knowing it’s the only way.

  Donnie needs to be stopped, and I can do that.

  Chapter 25

  Elise

  Sitting in the ‘green room,’ waiting as the makeup people do last-minute adjustments to Carsen’s wardrobe and makeup next door, I’m struck by last-second indecision. “Keith, are you sure about this? I mean, I know it’s my idea, but it’s your decision. Nothing has been done that we can’t undo. We can stop this train if you’re uncertain.”

  Keith glances out the door at Carsen, who looks like she’s having the time of her life as a makeup artist and hair stylist give her the full celeb treatment, then he shakes his head. Crossing the room, he grabs my waist, pulling me to him. “No, I’m not sure, but this is what we’re doing. My manager agreed with the plan too. And though you’re right, as much as I wish I could turn back time and not have to disrupt Carsen’s life, that would mean not having you. And this, us . . . I’ve got to believe it’ll be worth it in the end.”

  I bite my lip, trying to stop the words I’ve already said so many times from spilling out again, but I can’t help it. I might be forced to say it another ten thousand times, but I mean each one. “I really am sorry, Keith. I never meant for any of this to happen. I can’t believe Donnie is such an asshole, and if I could take it all back, I would. Except for you, of course.”

  Keith’s hands move down to cup my ass in a firm grip that gets my attention, and I’m glad the green room is only us for the moment. “Stop apologizing. I think we’ve both apologized enough. We haven’t done anything wrong. It’s Donnie and he’s forced my hand. He expected me to roll over and give in, but he’s threatening my family, and I’m more of a bite than bark kind of guy.”

  I feel a warmth spread throughout my body and my nipples tighten in my sensible, professional bra that I’m wearing. “I’ve noticed that . . . the biting, that is. I happen to like it sometimes. Although your bark is pretty loud too.”

  I’m intentionally trying to lighten the mood, even if I am starting to get massively turned on. But Keith needs this. He’s been a growling beast of a reluctant man all morning. But I love him for it because I know it comes from a good place. He loves Carsen, and he wants the best for her. This is just one of those situations where the best path forward isn’t the one he planned. But he’s still doing it, and that’s why I love him.

  “I just hope the hosts go easy on us,” he says, raising his hands enough that he’s not quite making me want to dry hump his leg in the middle of a TV studio but still making his point. “You know, with Carsen and everything.”

  “Really, Keith. I know this is the exact opposite of what you’ve wanted for Carsen, but I think it’ll be for the best,” I reassure him, running my hands over his broad chest. He looks handsome in his button-down shirt. “You won’t have this constant threat hanging over your head. I just hope the fallout isn’t too bad.”

  “It’ll be whatever it is, and we’ll handle it,” Keith says, gaining confidence. “I promise.”

  Sarah and Carsen come in from make-up, and Carsen looks like she’s actually having fun. She’s not too made up, which I know Keith was worried about.

  “Wow. So this is a green room?” Carsen asks, coming over and grabbing a bottle of water. “I thought it’d be green, but the walls are just blah wallpaper. And they said there’d be cookies!”

  Her nerves are obvious, even if she is pretty awed by the whole production of a morning television show. Keith walks over and kneels down in front of her.

  “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 f
an-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.”

  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.