Page 112 of The Lodge

Nothing in me wants to ruin the career I’ve worked so hard for—but at the same time, if the rumorsdomanage to blow over somehow, could I live with myself for being the one to officially betray Tyler’s secrets to the world?

Maybe it won’t ever have to come to that.

There’s always a chance Sebastian will change his mind. Maybe, in time, I can convince him.

If someone else writes this book, I’ll have no control. No control over what’s said, how it’s said. Didn’t Ijusttell my sister not to run when things get hard? Didn’t I just tell Tyler the same thing?

Nothing in me wants to do hard things, but I can do them.

I can if I have to.

“Okay,” I finally say. “You’re right—it’s your book. Your story.”

My best option right now is to convince Sebastian to wait to confirm the Jett rumors rather than selling out to Gloss or whoever else is vying for an interview. If Tyler’s determined to make himself disappear again, the least I can do is buy him some time—as soon as this snowstorm ends and the roads clear up, the paparazzi will multiply like cockroaches.

“If I were you,” I go on, “I wouldn’t cash in today. You’d make more money in the long run with book royalties, I think—andyou’d get the credit for telling the world exactly what happened to Jett Beckett. People will be dying to read about that.”

I hold my breath, wait while he considers it. His pop star–perfect face creases between the eyebrows (and nowhere else).

If I know Sebastian—and I’m pretty sure I do at this point—appealing to his ego should work.

“Good call,” he says, nodding. “I can see that. You think you can work it in?”

Unfortunately, I can already tell the Jett Beckett reveal is the missing piece that will make the entire book come together. Sebastian’sstory started with his rivalry with Jett—and then his life drastically changed course when Jett disappeared and the band fell apart—and now that Jett’s resurfaced as Tyler, Sebastian can finally get closure, finally has the context he needs to process his own life story.

As much as I hate to admit it, their stories really are inextricable.

“Yeah,” I say. “I can.” After a beat, I add, “Don’t tell Maribel yet, though? Let’s wait until the draft is done—less risk of anything leaking that way.”

He stands, straightening his worryingly tight pants.

“Sounds like a plan,” he says. “Should we get to work?”

WJKS News Update: A Moment with Sebastian Green

Trevor Jones, News Anchor, on location at Black Maple Lodge

TJ:Welcome back, everyone! We’re still on location at Black Maple Lodge, where it’s been quite the eventful day. We’ve just run into someone who’s featured prominently in today’s main conversation online and here at the resort—Sebastian Green! Sebastian, thank you for your time. Have you seen the photo that’s going around?

SG:I’ve posed for lots of photos today, Trev—you’re gonna have to be more specific! [wink to the camera]

TJ:[laughs] Here, let me show you.Thisone.

SG:Oh, hey, great photo. Shout-out to whoever sent me these pants.

TJ:Care to comment on who exactly you’re with in this photo?

SG:That’s River Wu. We were bandmates back in the day—his family owns this resort.

TJ:And the other guy?

SG:[pauses, leans in to study the photo, shrugs] Couldn’t tell you. Pretty sure he works here.

TJ:People are saying that’s Jett Beckett, another of your former bandmates. You really don’t know him?

SG:I’ve only been here since last night. I don’t know every person at this resort.

TJ:But when you met this guy, did you think he looked familiar? Like Jett?

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