Page 69 of Down & Dirty

“Just landed.”

“Alone?”

I stole a quick glance at Sky, seeing her smile at the clerk like old friends. “Why do you ask?”

“Because the Cory I know would have ensured that little photo op at the movie premiere was only the first of many.”

My smile fell. I hadn’t arranged any press in Maine. But that wasn’t what stung. “You know I don’t do that shit here.”

I’d never brought any of Cass’s girls home. Maine wasmyplace. It had never been compromised by photographers and reporters, and that was how I wanted to keep it. The last thing I needed was someone sniffing around the locals. Most would tell an outside reporter to fuck off, but not everyone. And I didn’t want to think about what would get dredged up by the ones who didn’t.

“But you’re in repair mode, Cor. These are extraordinary times, calling for extraordinary measures.”

I turned my back to where Sky was waiting for me beside the counter. “You make it sound like we haven’t already been doing the work. Bruce told me, the reps are happy.”

“By the looks of those pics the reps aren’t the only ones who are happy.” I could hear her smile.

I rolled my eyes. “What’s this about? You don’t normally call to wish me a happy turkey day.”

“Well. I wanted to give you an update.”

“On what?” Out of the two of us, I thought I’d be the one with the update to give. But I hadn’t even told Bruce yet about marrying Sky. Until she was ready, I’d keep it under wraps.

“Nicki.”

My stomach dropped. I hadn’t thought about Nicki in weeks. And now, hearing her name, I felt like shit about that. It hadn’t been my intention to stop all communication with her. But this thing with Skylar had taken off so fast...

“What’s up?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

“We know who leaked the tapes.”

“You mean the sex tapes she’d made and kept hidden from you, and me, and everyone else who could have been fucked by their release?”

I wasn’t mad she’d done them, but that was the kind of disclosure we’d legally agreed to before I tied my public image to hers. She’d gambled with both our careers, and now that I was far enough away from it, I wasn’t as forgiving of being left in the dark about that risk.

“I know. She was wrong to lie about it. I don’t disagree with you there.”

“Then why are you still helping her?”

“For the same reason I always do; she’s human and she fucked up. But no one deserves what she got.”

“So who leaked them?”

“Her ex. Before you. The guy had seen one of the residuals checks she’d gotten and when she broke things off, he dug around until he found out it was a distribution company specializing in amateur porn. Put it together, and dropped a dime to a tabloid.”

“Fucking hell,” I exhaled, scraping my hand through my hair. “What a fucking asshole.”

“Yep.”

“Are you helping her get back on her feet?”

Cass laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Trying. But people seem to really want to hold this one against her.”

“Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do,” I said, before rushing to add, “that won’t undo my own recovery efforts.” It wasn’t just me in this now. My moves would impact Sky and I’d never let her be tarnished by this.

“You got it. At this point I think you’re better off steering clear. But I’ll tell her you said something nice. Might make her feel better.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Sky was leaning against the wall, watching people as they filed through the exit. She looked so peaceful, so unbothered. I’d wondered whether or not she was nervous to be here, but if she was, it didn’t show.

---