Page 7 of Roughing It

OverIt: Naw, she’s still a fox. With a personality like that, she’d have to be.

GeekGuad: Someone should drop her spoiled ass in the middle of nowhere,Naked and Afraidstyle. I’d tune in to that train wreck.

Maybe it’s the lingering effects of the alcohol or the adrenaline from the drama on the dance floor, but these random comments spark an idea. One that will get me away from this place while affording me guaranteed content. It’s perfect.

For the first time in days, a real smile pulls at my lips. I can’t wait to spring this on my manager.

“Dammit, Kirk! This is a great idea!” I spring up, my chair falling over with my sudden rise.

Kirk raises his slim shoulders. “Blakely, it’s a fantastic idea,but also dangerous. An unknown guide, the wilderness. Maybe we should pitch this idea to Ryan?”

I squeak at the sound of my ex’s name. “Ryan? Are you shitting me right now, Kirk? No way. One, he’d never be willing to leave town for a month. Two, he’s never lived anywhere besides Austin. Three, he’s a douche canoe.”

Kirk fights off a grin. “I’m not sure your third reason is valid to the discussion. And to your second point, despite how you grew up?—”

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

Holding his hands out placatingly, Kirk motions me to sit. “Calm down. I’m not saying no.”

At my glare, he stops talking. “It’s my idea, and it makes more sense for me to go! Besides…” I inhale slowly and flip personalities, pushing down my anger to draw on my social media darling voice, the voice I perfected as I becameBlakely Bradshaw, social media influencer extraordinaire. “The buzz will be amazing; I’m the ultimate city girl. The draw of me spending a month roughing it in the country practically writes itself. Documenting my experiences—hiking, communing with nature, shooting a bow, or whatever you do in the wilderness.” I play dumb and wave my hand as I continue, not giving Kirk a chance to stop me before I’ve said my full share. “People love a fish out of water story, and there’s no cuter fish than me. Admit it. I’m right.”

Anxious pangs flutter in my stomach when Kirk doesn’t respond right away. His sharp brown eyes take on a far-off look. The one that means he’s running through potential liabilities, pros, and cons. He’s the best at his job; there’s no question about it. He’s taken his roster of social media clientele to entirely new levels in the few years he’s managed us, picking up several musicians and artists along the way. Internationalinvestors are knocking at the door, looking to buy into his management firm and expand it.

“Blakely, we can make this work, and it’s a fantastic idea. But, and don’t take this the wrong way, look at yourself.” Kirk grabs me and walks me down the hall to one of the many full-length mirrors mounted around KJ Media Management headquarters.

I wink at my reflection, my face fully made up, my nails recently manicured, my blonde hair perfectly styled. Then it hits me—Kirk’s point. Can I make it thirty days without all this?

Straightening, I meet his gaze in the reflection. I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge, and I’m not about to now. I drop theBlakely Bradshawshield and let Kirk see me—the real me.

“I need the break away from,” the words are thick in my throat, “my lonely apartment. Away from having to be on all the time.”

He gently squeezes my bruised arm. Concern floods his features at my flinch. “BB, what happened?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle. Honestly.” I slip off my cardigan and show him the light bruises on my skin. Before he can say anything, I cover the marks. “Last night, some kid at Folklore didn’t get it when I told him I wasn’t interested. Coupled with Mia’s reaction and some feelings I’ve been fighting for a while now, I… I need this, Kirk.”

Desperate for a change in subject I flash a bright smile, thankful when Kirk lets me play pretend. “Plus, I’m no fool. I didn’t make it this far without knowing a good shtick when I see one. This is a career-changing move.”

I face my manager and friend, shoulders back, head high. “People will tune in just to watch me fail—I won’t,” I say with a toss of my hair, “but it’ll draw tons of fans and haters alike.”

“Fine. Fine. I’ll take care of the arrangements. I’ll ensure you have Wi-Fi at the cabin to upload stills and large recorded videos. Depending on where you end up for this, the unlimited data on your phone will hopefully work for live spots.”

Kirk paces around me as he works through the logistics of the things I wouldn’t have considered. “A week should be plenty of time to find a guide, get your things in order, buy gear, map out a few stock posts, and reach out to sponsors. We’ll need transportation—flights possibly—and a car service to drive us; that way, I can at least see you off before leaving you alone for a month.”

In a teasing tone, Kirk adds, “You’ll have electricity and indoor plumbing, but the idea is to see you in the country. The untamed wild. Maybe leave the beauty queen look and designer threads at home?”

Tapping my chin, I hum. I’ll have to really streamline my morning routine.

“So, assuming I can find someone willing to agree to this, what’s their plus?”

“It’s a ton of free publicity for their business, plus a month with me in a cabin. Who wouldn’t want that?” My stomach rolls when I think of College Boy’s grabby hands.

As if reading my mind, Kirk bumps my shoulder. “Yes, you’re right, of course. But I mean it, Blakely. If you’re doing this, I expect daily lives, stills, and check-ins, if for no other reason than to make sure you don’t get chopped into pieces during a livestream. God, can you imagine the press?”

In a deadpan voice, I say, “Yeah, my getting turned into a wind chime would devastate your bottom line.” Kirk blanches at me. “What? You missed that episode ofCriminal Minds? All kidding aside, if you don’t want me to get killed, don’t pick a weirdo!” I can’t help but smile. I trust Kirk to thoroughly vet whoever he picks. He’d never send me into any sort of danger.

Kirk rubs his forehead. “If you weren’t so damn good?—”

“We both know you’re going to give in. Stop fighting it.”

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