I look to Jason, because ultimately there’s nothing to do if Chase has already made up his mind.
“You make Nuclear a fuck ton of money, even Chase knows that,” Jason admits. “Clean up your reputation, set the record straight, and you might have a shot at this thing.”
“Okay,” I concede.
Dan places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. He’s gotten me out of some rough situations in the past, but even I know that this might be beyond his scope.
“And in the meantime?”
Dan considers for a moment, and I glance at Brooke. She’s the PR expert here.
“Lay low,” she instructs. “Don’t make any public appearances until your next competition. The media is going to go feral over this. In fact, maybe it’s best that you aren’t in Banff at all right now. Find somewhere to hide out until we sort this out or it all blows over. Can you go back to Heartwood?”
“I can figure something out.” Something that isn’t spending the busiest time of the ski season in my sleepy little hometown.
“Just figure it out quickly, okay? The internet is blowing up with this,” Brooke warns. “And stay out of the comment section. If we do end up getting Nuclear back on board, we don’t need all the hate comments getting in your head.”
“There arehatecomments?” I groan. The comment section is always a little like playing Russian roulette, but usually they’re commenting on my ego, on my form, or—in recent months—whether I’m going to make a comeback after my injury. Though I wouldn’t ever call it outrighthate.
“You’re not very popular right now,” Dan admits. “Delete your apps. Only pick up the phone if it’s one of us or an immediate family member. Okay?”
Brooke and Jason get up and make to leave.
“Got it.”
“I mean it, Jett. We’re in crisis mode right now. No funny business. Enjoy the holidays with your family, and whatever you do, keep a low profile.”
“I hear you, Dan.”
“And go take a fuckin’ shower. You reek of booze.”
Once I’m showered,I get changed into my sweats and head back to the kitchen. The house is almost too quiet now that my whole team has left. And I’m left alone with my thoughts.
My body is more relaxed now, but my mind is still racing, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
Opening the fridge, I groan when I realize I’ve drank the last few bottles of beer and there’s none left. But I’m nothing if not a determined fucker, so I throw on my coat and head outside into the cold to walk to the bar down the street.
To hell with “keep a low profile.”
There’s no way anyone could spin a photo of me sulking alone at a bar, anyway. Maybe it’ll earn me some pity.
The place is busy when I step inside, but I spot an empty seat at the bar top and order myself a pint as I sit down.
I take the first few sips of the cool, amber liquid, and I’m finally able to process everything that happened today. And honestly? Fuck whoever took that picture and posted itwithout knowing the whole story. Fuck the world for believing everything they see on the internet.
But most of all, fuck me for not considering that my reputation might catch up to me one day. That even my most well-intentioned actions are now coloured by the way people perceive me. I take another numbing sip of my beer at the thought.
The bar is filling up even more now, and patrons crowd behind me to put their orders in with the bartender. I used to love crowded bars, I lived for a good party, a wild night out. Now, though, all I can think about is whether people have noticed me, and if they know about the scandal.
Maybe Dan and Brooke are right. Maybe it’s best if I hideout in Heartwood for a while.
I think about where I would even stay. I used to spend summers with my brother, Hudson. However, since Wren came back to town and moved into his apartment, I don’t tend to crash there anymore. I don’t want to intrude.
Mason and Ally have their hands full with their toddler and my neice, Hazel, they don’t need another full grown child to look after. But I could always ask Grady. He has a guest suite in his basement. I was planning on making a quick visit over Christmas, so he might be okay with me staying for a couple weeks longer.
I chug the last few sips of beer and slide the glass across the counter before pulling out my phone and finding my brother’s contact.
Any room at the inn? I need somewhere to stay for a bit.
