Page 6 of Stone Promises

“You’re a private investigator, right?” she asks.

“That’s right.”

“That must be a very exciting job.”

“It can be at times, but mostly it’s boring as hell. Sitting around waiting for people. Blending into the background. Asking questions. Averting crises.”

Kendra laughs. “Sounds a lot like what I do.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Your job is boring as hell?”

“Uh . . . no.” She looks embarrassed. “God, no. I love my job, Thad. And you are anything but boring.”

“I was only kidding, Kendra.” I turn to Ethan. “Don’t let her fool you, she hardly sits around. She must be one of the hardest-working publicists in the business.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Ethan says to her. “And you’re doing a great job. My brother’s image is almost squeaky clean as of late.”

I wad up my disposable makeup bib and throw it at him. “That’s because Iamsqueaky clean, you pain in the ass.”

“Well, thank God for that, brother. It was a long road, but we’re all proud of you.”

I brush off his compliment. I don’t deserve it. If it weren’t for all the trouble I caused, there wouldn’t have been a long road to travel. I brought shitloads of shame and embarrassment down on my family. Some days I still don’t understand why they didn’t disown me.

“Kendra, my brother tells me you are enamored with my son,” Ethan says.

“Oh my gosh, yes,” she says, her eyes brightening. “What’s not to love? He is absolutely adorable.”

“Well then you must come meet him in the flesh,” he says. “How about dinner tonight? My wife, Charlie has become a fabulous cook and we’d love to have you.”

“I’d be honored, Ethan. Thank you,” Kendra says, looking particularly pleased. She glances at her watch and turns to me. “Thad, we’d better get started on prepping you for the interviews.”

“I hate media junkets,” I mumble under my breath.

“That may be so,” she says. “But it’s media junkets that sell tickets.”

I roll my eyes at her. I know it’s necessary. But it’s always the same dance, different city. We get ushered from room to room in some hotel, spending fifteen minutes at each location before getting whisked off to the next only to answer the exact same questions for a different interviewer.

She shoves a piece of paper at me. “Here are the list of questions you may be asked. They are pretty much the standard fare. Although I’m sure some will ask about the latest picture of you and Courtney, so be prepared for that.”

“You mean, don’t confirm or deny it,” I say with a long face.

“Thad, you know I don’t always agree with Paul and the studio. But you have to admit,Defcon Onedoes get a lot more hype when fans think you and Courtney are together.”

“Fine,” I say, getting up out of the hairdresser’s chair. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

~ ~ ~

Kendra and I arrive at Ethan’s penthouse, exhausted from hours of interviews. Against my better judgment, my manager, Paul, talked me into doing an impromptu photo shoot with Courtney at the hotel. Well, talked me into is an understatement. More like threatened me with life and limb. I suspect he had it planned all along but made it look like it was the brain child of the very popular magazine photographer who justhappenedto be at the hotel when we were.

Needless to say, Paul didn’t get an invitation to tonight’s dinner. The less time I have to spend with him, the better. He’s been great for my career, but he has the personality of a pet fucking rock and the heart of a serial killer. And the funny part is, he’s an upgrade from the previous manager I had. I’ve come to understand talent managers are all assholes and part of being in the business is putting up with them.

Which is why I consider myself lucky as hell to have Kendra as my publicist. For the most part, she takes my side when it comes to arguing with Paul. And it’s refreshing to have someone in my court for a change. I can see that she doesn’t take very well to Courtney either, and I suspect it bothers her to no end to have to tell me to go along with the rumors for the sake of box office bankability.

My cousin, Jarod, answers Ethan’s door. “Hey, cuz,” he says, pulling me in for a hug.

“Jarod, I’m glad you could make it. Sorry you had to miss the premiere last night.” I step aside, allowing Kendra to pass before I shut the door. “This is my publicist, Kendra Riggs.”

“Hi, Kendra,” he says, shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

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