Page 121 of The Hookup Situation
“It’s not a?—”
“Whatever. Listen, the TMZ story about your fence-jumping escape is working to your advantage. But I do have something to tell you.”
I sit up, not knowing what’s being said. I promised myself I wouldn’t check and would just wait until Asher told me pertinent information. Ignoring the media is easy; it’s something I’ve been doing since I stopped playing hockey and began working at the firm.
“What?”
“Hockey’s Bad Boy and Barista’s Great Escape. Very romantic. Comments are supportive. But there is a blind item that was posted.”
“Asher—”
“I’m just saying, the narrative has shifted. You’re not the playboy ex-hockey star who will stick his dick in anyone anymore. You’re the protective billionaire, trying to live a private life, who’s protecting his small-town girlfriend from media harassment. The blind item says the barista is the woman you’ve had a crush on for the past year.”
“What?” I ask.
The phone stays silent for seconds.
“Who did you tell about Julie last year?”
I stare out the window, noticing the leaves changing on the mountain. “No one.”
“Think about it, Nick. You had to have told someone that you’d met her when you visited Cozy Creek. I need to figure out who’s posting these blind items.”
“Zane and Autumn knew,” I say, then hesitate. “And Dyson.”
The silence draws on.
“If it’s our older brother who’s feeding this beast, I’llneverforgive him.”
“Asher,” I whisper, “don’t do this. Let it be.”
“I’m going to find out who the fuck it is,” he says between gritted teeth.
“What will it solve?” I ask.
“I’ll know who continues to sell us out. Think about everything that’s been posted about Easton, Weston, me, Brody, and you. It’s not a coincidence. It’s someone in our inner circle.”
“Who cares what’s posted? Maybe they’re helping? Every single person you mentioned has found their person, Ash. It’s nothing but harmless matchmaking.”
“Harmless?” I can tell he’s upset. “Love has blinded you. I’ll solve this mystery if it’s the last thing I do. With or without your help.”
“Asher.”
He groans, and I can imagine him sitting at his desk in New York, staring out his office window toward Billie’s office since their buildings face each other. I smile, thinking about them.
“Oh, and LadyLux wants an exclusive.”
“Not happening,” I mutter.
LadyLux is an anonymous pop culture blogger who posts about many people in my circle. She writes for LuxLeaks and is always fair and balanced.
“She’s a good resource, and she’ll tell the truth. Think about it.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care. I don’t want a bigger spotlight.”
“It will stop many of the rumors that aren’t being addressed. Take care of them before the snowball becomes an avalanche,” he tells me.
“Nope.”
