Page 96 of Back in Black

“Tell me everything, but we have to make it fast. I’m running late as it is.”

Millie’s eyes darkened. “So you had plenty of time to spend with Brett, but now that we’re on the cusp of breaking a huge story, you’re suddenly in a rush?”

Knowing her delay had hurt Millie, Audrey tried not to take offense at her comments. “I told you. I forgot my purse in the living room and I didn’t hear the phone ringing.”

In mild rebuke, Millie said, “But this morning wedidconnect, and still you kept me waiting.”

Guilt washed over Audrey. “I know, and I’m sorry. It’s just that—”

Suddenly Millie launched off the couch to stand. “Time is wasting. If I don’t break the story, someone else will. They don’t have the same details that I have, but it’d still dilute the impact.”

Uneasy, Audrey asked, “What details do you have?”

“I know that Gillian Noode jumped into bed with Drew Black almost overnight. I know that she’s been staying over at his house, probably screwing him in every room there.” She shook her head. “She’s obviously a slut. Even last night, when that poor photographer was killed, she stayed with him when any decent woman would have had the common courtesy to show some grief.”

Audrey hated this particular attitude from Millie. She’d never seen it before, so she wasn’t quite sure how to handle things. “Why do we even have to mention the publicist? I’m not sure I see the importance she plays in all of this.”

Tucking in her chin, her expression disbelieving, Millie stared. “You don’t see the importance?” She sat down with Audrey again. She even reached for her hands. “This isn’t like you, Audrey. What’s wrong? Is there some reason you don’t want me to do the story? Because if that’s it, you know I care too much about you to do anything to hurt you.”

Now that was more like the Millie she knew and loved. “I guess I’m . . . starting to look at things a little differently, that’s all.”

Her smile teasing, Millie asked, “Brett Bullman, right? I know you spent the night with him.” She leaned in. “How’d that go? I want details!”

Audrey grinned. “He’s . . . well, he’s pretty wonderful.” Her happiness bloomed. “I’m really falling for him.”

“I knew it!” Millie pulled her in for a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you. But . . .” She held Millie away. “Now that I know Brett, I realize that I’ve been wrong about some things.”

“Namely that all fighters are not the same, right?” Millie shrugged. “I get that. Brett is an exception—a really nice guy who just happens to fight. But what does that have to do with Drew Black and his whore?”

Audrey winced. “Could we stop calling her that? We don’t know what she’s thinking or feeling. She could be in love with Mr. Black.”

Millie laughed. “Yeah, right, and that’d make her an idiot and a slut.”

“Millie,” Audrey chided.

Still chuckling, Millie held up her hands. “Sorry. I guess I just can’t imagine any woman falling for his bullshit.”

Even though the coarse language was unlike Millie, Audrey didn’t want to express disapproval at her friend. Actually, she didn’t have time for disapproval. She glanced at her watch and groaned. She’d called in to work and told them she’d be late, but not this late.

“Isn’t it enough that the SBC has made it clear that they, too, find Drew Black lacking? They’re trying to clean up his blackened image, and he has to be humiliated, right? That should be the focus. I’d like to see you post the facts without involving Ms. Noode.”

Millie studied her. “I can kill that part of the story, no problem. But tell me why the about-face? Did Brett somehow change your mind?”

Audrey hoped it wasn’t an about-face. She’d never been the type of person who condoned slandering others. But saying so now would seem like an insult toward Millie and would make her feel like a hypocrite. Truthfully, until Brett had made the point, she hadn’t really thought how it might impact the publicist to be the focus of such negativity.

Like Millie, she’d lumped together all those associated with the SBC. And now, thanks to Brett, she wasn’t even sure the SBC was the bad influence she’d once thought. She really wished she had more time to ponder everything. But things were happening now, and she couldn’t very well ask Millie to pass up on everything.

If anyone could handle ugly truths, it’d be Drew Black.

“Brett and I talked about it, yes.”

“Aha. I thought so.” Millie slanted her a knowing look. “I suppose he’d rather you champion the sport, rather than expose it.”

“Actually, Brett hasn’t said anything about me exposing the sport. In his mind, there’s nothing negative to expose. But he does object to us putting the publicist in the spotlight.”

“Why? Does he know her?”

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