I can see the deep lines in his face, grey hairs on histemples. He’s been like a second father to me, and he worries about me like one.
I certainly haven’t given him an easy time.He’s probably already been on the phone for hours with my lawyers, and a whole team of people trying desperately to simultaneously get to the bottom of this and scrub the internet clean of it.
“I didn’tstick itanywhere, Dan,” I snap, my fury rising to the surface at the irony of this bullshit accusation. “She was piss drunk after a party, falling all over the place, completely incoherent. A few guys were looking her up and down as if she was prey, and her boyfriendwas nowhere to be found. I loaded her and her friends into the car and took her back to her hotel room. I never went inside. You can ask my driver.He took me straight home.”
Dan squints at me, assessing my explanation and judging its believability. He lets out an exasperated sigh, as if accepting my answer. Still, I feel the need to defend myself further.
“I promise you, Dan,” I say. “I never went in that room.”
“I believe you,” he sighs. “You’re a fuck up in a lot of ways, Jett, but not like this.”
I nod at Dan, my mouth in a tight line, but when I glance around the room, Brooke and Jason have their eyes fixed on my cowhide rug.
“Why are your faces like that?” I ask, unsure if I want to know the answer. My gut is already roiling.
“As you know, Chase Montgomery has strong values,” Jason starts, and I nod along.
I knew this about the Nuclear CEO. I was surprised he wanted to sponsor me in the first place, since my reputation long preceded this turn of events. I’ve toned it downsince I’ve been back at training, and since I signed with them.
They made sure to include an ironclad morality clause in my contract, legally forcing me to be on my best behaviour. I balked at it, and just about tore the contract in half, until Dan reminded me that there wasn’t any other sponsor willing to sign me after my devastating ACL tear last season.
They’re my last shot to go to the World Cup, so I’m not about to fuck it up.
“He did not take this news well. He said it was a poor reflection on his brand. He’s in a tough position.”
“I’ve already been bombarded with calls from other athletes sharing concerns of favouritism,” Brooke adds.
Fuck.
“Okay well, they’re being whiny babies about it. I’m the favourite for a lot of reasons. I’m a superior athlete, for one,” I argue. “What am I supposed to do about that?”
“We’re working on a statement you’ll need to release,” Brooke starts, but she’s cut off by Dan, holding his hand up.
“Jett, I don’t know if you understand what’s happening,” he says.
I study his stern expression.
“Nuclear isn’t sure if they want to back you for Worlds,” Jason finishes.
I recoil. They aren’tsureif they can back me for Worlds? They threw me a party with a goddamned DJ. I’m their top athlete. I’mthetop athlete. Besides last year when I was out, I won more competitions and earned more than their entire roster. Including their snowboarders.
It’s been a year of working my ass off in physioto get back to this point. And now they suddenly aren’tsureabout me?
“Because of the stupid morality clause?” I ask, my tone turning snappier and snarkier by the second. A defensive wall forms around me. “I’ve told you my side, that this was all a misunderstanding.”
“I get it, man,” Jason answers. “Look, your reputation is not great. We all know there’s a constant stream of women coming in and out of this place.”
That is objectively not true as of a few months ago. Apart from last night, this place has been a virtual monastery.
“It’s not a good look for Nuclear,” he adds.
Jason turns away, and I can tell that he’s squirming in his tight-fitting suit.
“Okay, so what do you want me to do?” I sound desperate. I stretch a hand up and lean on it against the window, taking a large gulp of my beer. “I’ll do whatever you want me to at this point, but I need to go to Worlds this year. That’ll be the end of my career. Nuclear pays for everything.Everything.Including both of you.” I gesture towards Brooke and Jason.
I may be wealthy, but even I can’t afford everything it will take to get me to the World Cup. The training, the equipment, paying my entire team. Not to mention the fact that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation doesn’t allow unsponsored athletes at the event. I need this sponsorship. I’ll only have myself to blame if I lose it.
“We’ll release the statement, and go from there,” Brooke says.
