Page 29 of Naughty Nelle

“Holy shit!”

“Holy shit is right. We’re going to beef up our marketing and merchandising efforts. There’s a Kurt Kussler movie in the works as well as a series of books, and Megatoys approached us about developing a line of Kurt Kussler action figures. Who knows, a Kurt Kussler animated series could be next. My wife Jennifer, who’s a guru when it comes to kids’ programming, thinks that’s a great idea.”

“Wow!” I lift my Coke bottle to my lips and take a long sip while he tells me I have a hefty profit participation in all ancillary merchandising. I make a mental note to share this information with my business manager Scott. Feeling comfortable with Blake, I change the subject. Maybe he can offer me some insight into my personal life. “Do you know my fiancée Katrina Moore?”

Blake’s blue eyes darken. He pinches his lips and then responds curtly, “Yeah. What about her?”

“Do you know we’re getting married live on TV? It’s a ratings stunt for her reality show.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Brandon.”

“Getting married live on TV?”

“No, getting married to Katrina.”

I’m taken aback, but before I can ask him what he means by that, he apologizes.

“You know what, man. Forget I ever said that. It was totally out of line. I wish you and Katrina much happiness, and if we’re invited, Jen and I will try to attend.”

I ponder his interesting choice of the word “try.” Wouldn’t most people say, “love to attend” or “would be honored to attend?” Maybe, I’m reading too much into it. I mean, they’re a super busy power couple and probably have tons of equally important overlapping events. I let it go. But not soon enough.

“Well, there you are!” That voice. I recognize it immediately and so does Blake. His face goes ashen. I look to the right, and there she is striding toward us in her six-inch stilettos and a thigh-high pencil skirt. Katrina! With her bouncing hair, pearly white smile, and long-legged gait, she exudes sex and confidence. Every eye is on her.

“What are you doing here?” asks Blake before I can. His raging eyes narrow and his fists ball so tightly his knuckles turn white.

“I thought I’d stop by and say hello to the two of you.”

“How did you know I was here?” I ask as she slinks into the vacant chair next to mine.

“You shouldn’t be so careless, darling. You left your schedule at the pool.”

Before I can reply, Blake jumps in. He’s still glowering at her. “How the hell did you get on the lot?”

She tuts. “Blake, darling, does Mommy have to wash your mouth out with soap?”

Blake is clearly seething. His lips flatten into a thin, angry line.

“How did you?” I repeat. Security at the gated entrance is extremely tight. It doesn’t matter who you are.

“Easy peasy, as Blake would say. Money talks, people walk.”

She must have bribed the security guard. I bet Blake is going to fire his sorry ass.

My eyes fix on her as she bats her cat-green eyes at him. “It’s been a long time, Blakey, hasn’t it?”

Blake inhales and on the loud exhale, he says icily, “So, Kat, you’re a big star now.”

Blakey? Kat?Do they know each other intimately? Former fuck buddies? This is not the time to ask. I keep my big mouth shut.

Katrina sneers. “I would have been a bigger star if you’d picked up my show instead of that rinky-dink cable network.”

“It wasn’t a good fit.”

“I’m sure it was a better fit than your wife’s skanky little pussy.”

Blake’s cheeks flare and I can feel my own reddening. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“Jesus, put a lid on it, Katrina. What’s wrong with you?”

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