Uncovering Austin

By Johanna Riley

To land a promotion, Bethany Wilson will take on the tough jobs, including public relations for Nashville's elusive chart topper, Austin Grant--or rather, his new talent competition show. If anyone can turn his sour grapes outlook into fine wine, it's her. Austin Grant is an expert at dealing with and deflecting media hounds, especially the daughter of a journalistic shark. Bethany's charm and resourcefulness soften his heart, but when he sees her interviewing the small child of a contestant, history rears its head and reminds him the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Can Bethany break through the walls of the tough as nails cowboy and prove she's not the rotten apple? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Johanna Riley
• Release date: Jan 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393080312

Book preview

Chapter One

"C an you believe they are doing another singing competition?"

Bethany Wilson glanced up from her desk and the crinkled paper that’d floated down and had landed with a soft swish on her notepad.

Her coworker and friend, Charmaine Russell, stepped back and lounged against a nearby file cabinet. Outside the door to Bethany’s office, the entertainment section bullpen for Whole Soul Media’s publishing division, Soul Design, buzzed with daily grind activity—phones ringing, conversations all around, fingers clacking on keyboards. Close the door, please. Bethany picked up the release and sat back in her ergonomic mesh chair.

According to JT Media’s press release, Charmaine stated, after closing the door, they’re holding auditions to find the next talent to compete for an award of two hundred thousand dollars and a record deal guaranteed for two albums. Didn’t Southern Company Records and Sunset Productions’ last attempt at a show bomb in ratings and the winner get caught using drugs?

With a roll of her eyes, Bethany nodded then scanned the paper. It seemed like every time she turned on the television a new talent competition sprang up.

"Next Big Nashville Season 1 is set to tape in Wellington Theater, she said out loud. There will be an introductory audition to pare down contestants to a manageable twenty to film. Then only those would have clips from the initial audition appear in the televised series. Those twenty get to perform twice before three of country music’s elite—Austin Grant, Harley Powers, and Bailey Carpenter, all music legends. Then she noticed the bottom paragraph. ‘Public relations firm, Soul Images, under the parent company Whole Soul Media, Incorporated umbrella are proud to be part of the new and exciting project.’ Huh. Wonder why we weren’t informed of this before now."

A notification for an instant chat message showed up on Bethany’s computer screen.

Wilson, get in my office pronto!

She frowned. Why would the CEO be summoning her? Darrell wants to see me.

I’ve heard rumors something’s going on with Doug. Maybe Darrell needs your input. Or maybe you’re finally being told about the show. Charmaine shook her head. "Still can’t believe there’s going to be one. Then again, there won’t be a shortage of contestants, previous bad show or not. Those competitions get thousands of applicants—some who can sing and others who can’t. Hopefully, there’ll only be those who can by the time it hits television."

Bethany shrugged. I can’t imagine putting through people who can’t perform. Then again, we know that sometimes TV talent staff encourages the taping of less than talented contestants as a way to draw the audience in for the groan factor. Which I personally find appalling.

Her computer dinged again. Another message popped up on her screen. Now, Wilson!

Darrell? Charmaine asked, and at Bethany’s nod added, That’s my cue to leave.

Once Charmaine opened the door and stepped out, Bethany pushed back from her desk, grabbed her notepad and pen, and made the trek down the drab hallway to the CEO’s office. She’d always hated going to the principal’s office, and while Darrell wasn’t a principal the idea was the same.

She distracted her nerves by mulling over the new competition. She’d met all three judges over the course of her fifteen-year career as a journalist, public relations rep, and now public relations manager of the entertainment department of Soul Images. Her functions in the company had afforded her access to Nashville’s legends and up-and-comers. She had to admit she found Austin Grant the whole package—talented, charming, hot, and hoped she’d be told she’d have a chance to work with the singer. Bethany peered through the side glass window. Darrell Mason’s eyebrows drew together as he stared at something on his computer monitor. She knocked lightly on the window and, at his wave, walked in.

You wanted to see me?

Darrell crossed his arms over his large chest. Ms. Wilson, I don’t know if you noticed but several articles have gone out with less than savory content. I can’t have one person’s gross negligence destroy everything we’ve worked so hard for.

This isn’t about something I wrote. Of that she was certain.

Of course not.

That was a relief, but still didn’t answer why he’d summoned her to his office.

I wanted you to know Doug Spencer has been fired. I can’t overlook his poor judgements in allowing defamation and abusive comments to go to print.

I understand that. Though she was surprised Doug was gone, she’d noticed that since the Editor in chief had been in the job, the quality of media released had been less than stellar. She was surprised the company hadn’t been sued for defamation.

The position of editor in chief is open. For a while now I’ve been thinking of eliminating the EIC position and shifting the function into the role of Vice President of Entertainment Marketing. And I believe you could fill that post.

Vice president? Me? She’d always envisioned herself as editor in chief as her next career move from manager, approving and vetting articles before they were released. Assigning stories to journalists who best fit the subject. To think she’d skip several ladder rungs over editor in chief to vice president was thrilling. Her insides did jumping jacks with excitement, though she schooled her features into measured calm.

Of course, Darrell continued, before I can give the promotion, I need to see a little more from you in terms of leadership.

How hard could that be?

"So, I’m assigning you full control for Next Big Nashville. You have had a manager title and direct reports, but I want to see how you handle a team in the field."

Up close and personal with Austin Grant? The one country artist she’d met—briefly—but hadn’t been able to interview in her career. Her heart swooned for a fangirl moment. The new talent competition? I just read the press release on the show.

Perfect. You and your hand-picked team of representatives will cover press for the entire show. You’ll work directly with Soul Design. No going through an EIC or me for direction and information. Our main focus will be the contestants and judges. He pointed a chubby broad-tipped finger. Your job is to show me you can lead and mold these other reps. You have full autonomy, but I would like occassional updates.

Soul Images handled public relations while Soul Design facilitiated publishing and social media. Sounded easy enough. How long is the assignment?

Here’s everything you need to know. He handed her a manila folder. Agenda, schedule, location, team, cast, etcetera.

She took the folder and stood. Looked like she had a bunch of reading and research to do. Challenge accepted!

If you need support for anything, you have my number.

She nodded. Yeah, she had his number, but if she was going to prove herself as a leader she couldn’t run to Darrell with every problem. Thank you for the opportunity.

Bethany returned to her desk and spent the next few hours poring over all the provided material and creating dossierres for every judge and contestant. The top people in her department consisted of Charmaine Russell, her best friend and a great journalist; Terry McGuire, a sweet ginger-haired guy with an unassuming smile that immediately put his subjects at ease; Jonah Biggins, a tall, lanky guy with sharp whit; and Nicholas Branch, a headstrong reporter who had a tendency to be a bit cutthroat.

She called a meeting and joined the small group in the conference room.

"As you now know, Soul Images has been contracted for the new talent show Next Big Nashville, and we get to handle all the press while working in tandem with the social media division. Bethany handed out the intro packets to each team member. You have all the information you need to know about cast and crew. Assignments are listed on the first page. You are each responsible for one judge, or producer-slash-host in the case of Jason Turner, and several contestants. Your job is to keep them out of trouble, deliver press that boosts their image and talent, assist social media with the info to keep everyone’s brands on point, and send articles to me for review for publication."

Nick dropped his packet on the table with an audible thwack. This is a big job. I should do the article review and postings. Afterall, I’ve got a master’s degree in journalism. My talents should be utilized more fully.

She surveyed the group. While some people may think covering a talent show was a joke, she knew this assignment was a big deal. Everyone on the team—not just her—could be promoted. The pay jump from associate rep to senior rep was substantial. If you believe you are better served on other projects, you are free to leave. She sat in the cushioned chair at the head of the table and crossed one leg over the other.

Nick frowned but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Bethany didn’t know how long his quiet side would last, but it was up to him to prove he wanted his job.

All right. Study your assignments. We’re expected at the Wellington Theater tomorrow. We have a full, long schedule for the next few weeks, including a trip to the Smokies.

Terry raised his hand to interrupt. Are we expected to give up our Christmas holiday for this assignment?

She shook her head. Taping begins tomorrow, October 25, and goes through to the first week of November. Episodes will air each Wednesday and Thursday starting next week. As stated in your schedule, we’ll be on location for the duration of the show—whether at the theater or an offsite shoot such as the Christmas show. She looked each member in the eye, gauging their reaction. Charmaine would go along with no argument, of that Bethany was sure. Terry and Jonah had a spark in their eye, and she took it to mean they were excited for the task. Nick was the only one who appeared hesitant.

Who decides the winner? Jonah asked.

Good question. It’s not us, she teased and smiled. The team chuckled in response. Seriously, the top twenty were pre-selected by the production team and industry professionals. Each show will be taped in front of a live audience. The audience will vote and their scores will be added to the judges’. The contestants with the highest combined score will move on to the next phase.

We’re going to be on set for a long time, Nick grumbled.

Any one of you are allowed to decline the assignment. If that’s your choice, tell me now so I can get a replacement.

No one took her up on the offer to walk away.

Great. See you tomorrow morning at Wellington at eight a.m. The meeting adjourned.

Charmaine followed Bethany to her desk. This is going to be fun. And you get to follow Austin Grant around.

Bethany hesitated then looked at her friend. What?

You listed everyone in our packets except Austin. So I deducted you chose to take on the Austin assignment yourself. You’ve talked about interviewing him for ages.

She shook her head. He’s a subject, someone to write about and study but that’s where the interest stops. He hasn’t been one of my subjects in quite some time. And besides, there is no danger of him falling in love with me, so I won’t have to spend my whole assignment fighting him off. I’ve got too many curves for his taste. Bethany was very comfortable in her full-figured skin, but she also accepted that some people—especially in their industry—thought being thin was the only acceptable look.

Charmaine’s eyebrow rose, and she patted Bethany on the shoulder. You keep telling yourself that.

And she would. Sure, Austin Grant was good-looking, tall, witty and charming. But she had no other interest beyond writing about him. She had had opportunities before to get involved with the celebrities she wrote about, but she had never fallen into that temptation. Not only was it a conflict of interest, it was also not an ideal dating situation. She knew how hard it was to live in the spotlight, courtesy of a cutthroat journalist mother. She watched how her mother and father—Mom’s cameraman—hounded, stalked, and harassed celebrities over the years before finally turning their career sights on foreign correspondence.

She rubbed her eyes, remembering being a small child in the back of the van watching her parents at work. Her mother had almost ruined her career when her cutthroat method had her holding a child—a boy maybe a few years older than Bethany—against his will just to get information on his celebrity parents. Over the years as Bethany went through school, her mom had insisted on being her mentor. Though, all she’d accomplished was teaching Bethany what not to do as a reporter. Bethany didn’t want to compromise her ethics and integrity just to get a story. Children were off limits.

Bethany, Nick said sticking his head into her office. I need to talk with you.

She rolled her head to clear the tension in her neck. What can I do for you, Mr. Branch?

I was hoping I could get a bigger role on the project.

There are no bigger roles. As I mentioned, if you’re unhappy with the assignment, you’re welcome to decline.

He dropped to the chair on the other side of her desk. Look, I’m not going to pretend to have a spotless history. I have done some things I’m not proud of. But you know better than most what it’s like to be shadowed by previous mistakes, even when they aren’t yours.

Again, she thought of her mother. I do.

All I want is a chance to prove I am a leader.

I understand that desire. She shifted in her chair. Unfortunately, there isn’t another leadership position for this assignment. She held up her hand to stop him from interrupting. However, you can use this opportunity to showcase your leadership skills by being an example to the rest of the team. Jump in where needed, take the initiative on completing tasks.

He scowled but she ignored the intimidation tactic. If you’re successful on this project, you will be in prime position for the next leadership opportunity. Your path depends totally on you.

Nick sighed and stood. See you tomorrow.

Once he left, she closed her eyes. She prayed she wasn’t making a mistake by bringing him on board.

Pushing him out of her mind, she focused on the assignment. What she needed was a game plan. She would be in charge of not only keeping her team and the cast in line, but also keeping an eye on the social media aspect.

Bethany reached out to the social media tech. She gave specifics to set up the accounts needed for the show, then had them build a blog page with the provided show logo and picture of the host Jason Turner. As a side bar, she asked them to add a picture of each judge with a link to their personal webpages.

For the past few years, she’d seen Austin at various awards shows and charity events, even covered a few of his concerts. Though, until now, she’d never interacted with him. He’d proven impossible to interview, very picky about which journalists he’d talk to—and most of those were on-air talkshow hosts.

Hopefully he would cooperate with the team over the course of the show taping. Was she excited about being assigned to him? Her gaze rested on his picture. Denim blue eyes twinkled, sensuous mouth bracketed by deep dimples, framed with a five o’clock shadow. Definitely a handsome guy. But there was more to him than good looks. His foundation promoted several charity events, including sending foster kids to camp throughout the years so siblings could spend time together they didn’t otherwise get while being in separate homes. He also funded an organziation that rescued and rehabilitated abused pets and helped them find forever homes. Who couldn’t help admire a man who looked after children and animals? Yeah, she could admit she was excited. The question was, how would Austin react?

AUSTIN GRANT FLIPPED through the