“That’s what I’m thinking. But I can’t be sure. Dave sent me the name of the person who tipped him off and I sent them a text, asking for more information.” His eyes meet mine. “I’m not worried about Huxley and Lottie. I’m worried about Kelsey.”
“Well, it’s fucking fake. I didn’t send anything out. The proof is in my email.”
Just then, Breaker’s phone beeps with a message. He pulls his phone from his pocket and opens the text message. He turns the screen toward me and asks, “Then what the fuck is this?”
I bring the phone closer to me and read the email.
Hey ladieeees,
Sending a big old cock of an email because, you know... I have a big cock, so this email has to match.
Here’s the thing. Hux is getting married to Lulu Lemon and they told me I need a plus-one. Looking for a willing candidate to escort me down the aisle.
All expenses paid. Promises of pleasure.
If interested, hit me up.
I wear condoms still.
K. Bye.
JP
“Fuck,” I say. “I don’t remember sending this. It’s not in my email. I don’t fucking understand.”
Breaker points to the top of the screen. “It’s not your work email... it’s your personal.”
At that moment, I feel all the color drain from my face as I realize he’s right. I never check my personal email, ever. I shove Breaker’s phone at him and open my personal email. I sift through promotional newsletters until I see several responses to my email.
McKayla.
Kenzie.
Hattie.
With every reply, it feels like a nail in my coffin as I try to figure out how to fucking deal with this.
I squeeze my hand over my forehead and say, “Fuck, this isn’t good. Do you know anything about the article?”
“All I know is this email is in it, it mentions the wedding, and, uh...” He winces.
“What?” I ask, a ball of twisted, tortured anxiety forming in my stomach.
“Uh, it talks about Kelsey and her business, and alludes to the girls using any means necessary to be successful, including hooking up with the Cane brothers.”
“Fuck,” I yell as I pace the office. “FUCK!” Hands on my hips, I say, “We need to kill it, man. We need to kill that fucking article.”
“I’ve already contacted Karla, and she’s working on it, but I don’t know, JP. I don’t know if we can fix this.”
“We have to fucking fix this. Do you realize how damaging that assumption would be for Kelsey? She’ll be fucking humiliated. Not to mention, that email is damning.” My lungs seem to stop working as I attempt to catch my breath. “I’ll... I’ll fucking lose her. I’ll lose everything.” I look at Breaker, pleading. “Please, dude, please help me. Throw whatever kind of cash we need to throw at it. It just needs to be dead.”
“I’ll work on it. Let me call Karla again and see what I can do.”
He starts to walk by me, but I grip his arm and say, “I love her, Breaker. I fucking love her so much, and this will destroy us. I can feel it. Please help me.”
“I will. Just hang here for a second. Let me see what I can do.”
* * *
