Beauty and the Billionaire

Kev shoved me through the group and across the lobby. "Have you lost your mind?"

"I didn't say anything crazy. I told them the truth," I said.

"Alienating your fan base the night before the title fight is no way to do business," Kev said.

"Neither is lying about who I am and making people believe I am somebody totally different," I said.

"Last time I checked, you had a short temper, loved to fight, and had an insatiable appetite for tequila and women. Oh, what a terrible double life you have been forced to live!" Kev said.

"So that's all I'm supposed to be?"

Kev wrapped an arm around my neck. "Now, I'm not saying that. I get that you want to be your best self. Hell, I'm trying to do the same thing. But I'm not going to be my best self if I throw away my entire network. People know me one way and it’s going to take time for them to realize I'm more."

"Sandi's doing that to you? Making you want to be your best self?" I asked.

"Yes. And admit it or not, Kya is doing that for you. So what if she thinks she's supposed to choose the Polo shirt wearing golfer. All you have to do is make sure it’s you she wants. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the whole opposites attract has been working for you two so far, so why destroy your image now?" Kev asked.

"What's so important about my image?" I asked. "It’s your job to manage that. I'm not playing it up for the cameras anymore. My job is the fight and that's the one thing I'm going to do."

"Fine, fine. If you want to take a backseat to handling your publicity, then you should have invited Sienna to the party tonight. You could have been on autopilot the entire time and she would have hyped you to the cameras all night."

"Yeah, but that's not real," I said. "I thought the new you would be into a marketing campaign of authenticity."

"The new me, yes. But I'm stuck as the old me until the title fight because it’s the old me that has promoted the hell out of the old you. See what I'm saying?" Kev asked.

"Yes, fine. No big changes until I've won the title," I agreed.

"Yes, thank you! Man, Sienna's producer was just talking about the same thing this morning. He was all mad because she wanted to try to change her image, go in a new direction."

I sat down at the bar. I had to laugh when the bartender automatically delivered a tequila shot. "What new image is she trying out?"

"She's gone to hit on the golfers from the tournament," Kev said. "Told her producer she looked great in pastels and sunshine. She's going to try out the whole country club scene. Maybe Kya inspired her."

"Oh, God, please don't say it."

"What?" Kev asked. "That Sienna has set her sights on Jackson McRay? What can I say, the man is like a living breathing Ken doll and everyone wants to play house with him. Or doctor. I don't know. Even Sandi says he's handsome. You heard her."

"I am sick of hearing about Jackson McRay. There's something off about him. Nothing a good punch to the jaw wouldn't cure," I said. I slammed the shot and stood up.

Kev jum

ped off his bar stool. "Whoa, wait, what's happening? That's just good old fashioned jealousy talking. And everyone knows that jealousy is the number one way to get into trouble. Didn't you just say you wanted to clean up your act?"

"And, you told me not to," I said. "So, how about I go have a conversation with Mr. McRay? Where's the golf luncheon?"

"I have no idea," Kev said. He looked over my shoulder.

"Liar. Get a cab. We're going."

Kev fidgeted the entire cab ride to the Wynn Hotel and Casino. When we got out, he tried his best to distract me.

"I hear they have a helluva pool here. How about some drinks and good scenery?"

"No."

"There's a shop here that makes custom cologne. Eau d' Marital Arts Fighter? Might be a good thing to try. Maybe you want a product line."

"No."