Behind the curve.
Because she’d let herself get involved.
Because she’d let Murphy close. Because she’d believed, stupidly, that if they were careful, if they were quiet, they could keep it contained.
The press had gotten there first. And in doing so, they’d dragged Murphy and the organization into something ugly.
The knock came again, sharper this time.
Before Hillary could respond, Sasha stood. “I’ll bring him in.”
Panic flared hot and fast in Hillary’s chest.
“I’m not ready,” she said, too late.
Murphy stepped through the doorway anyway.
His usual brightness was dimmed, like someone had turned the volume down on him. He looked tired. Not just physically, but emotionally. His eyes flicked between them, searching.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “I got pulled out of the weight room and told to come here.”
Sasha gestured to the chair. “Have a seat.”
Murphy did, hands braced on his knees, posture open in a way that made Hillary’s chest ache. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d just existed in public while hurting.
And now he was paying for it.
“They’re spinning a story,” Sasha said, sliding the phone toward him. “Based on photos and vibes.”
Murphy scrolled, his brow furrowing. “This is ridiculous. I didn’t do anything.”
“I know,” Sasha said gently.
“This was from the night when Sven was a jerk about Natalie. Everything is fine, it was just a shit show . . . now they are saying I have a drug problem!?"
“Murphy, no one will believe this. Everyone knows this site is tabloid clickbait trash.”
His gaze lifted to Hillary.
She couldn’t meet it.
“What do I do?” he asked. Not defensive. Not angry. Just lost.
The question landed like a blow.
Because listening to her—following her rules, her caution, her insistence on distance—was exactly how they’d ended up here.
She was good at her job.
Always in control of the narrative.
Until now.
Hillary pressed her nails into her palms beneath the desk, grounding herself. “For now, we do nothing,” she said, keeping her voice professional even as something inside her cracked. “We don’t confirm or deny. We let the initial wave burn itself out.”
“Or we could lean into a more family-friendly persona. More stand-up guy, less . . . abs.” Sasha said.
Hillary shook her head. “No, but that is an option we will pull out if it doesn’t die down on its own.”
