Page 116 of Slap Shot Scandal
All the late nights and stressful moments, the press releases and creative spins roll through my mind. The people I’ve helped, the careers I’ve saved.
I’ve come too far to let some drunk asshole derail me. This isn’t how I’m going to go out.
I won’t give up now. Can’t give up now.
Wiping away running mascara and tears, I take a long, deep breath of the salt air.
I can do this.
Regaining my composure, I march back into the hotel lobby and grab my sister’s arm.
“How’d that go?” She’s half-jogging to keep pace with me.
“Terrible, as always. I have a job to do, though. Can’t worry about Dad right now.”
Two minutes later, we’re back in the room. Piper heads straight for the shower, and I crash into the desk chair.
It’s going to be a long night.
Firing up my laptop, I start crafting a holding statement while simultaneously speed-dialing Prince. I’m positive he’s already heard about the incident, but I still need to call.
“Harbor—tell me you have a handle on this thing.” Prince answers before there’s even a ring on my end.
I blow out a breath. Desperately wanting to say yes and reassure him, but knowing that’s a lie.
“Working on it, sir. Have you seen the video?”
“Fuck, there’s video?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Probably multiple. We need legal involved ASAP.”
“I’m on it. Messaging now.”
There’s tapping in the background as Prince writes to the legal team.
“There’s something you should know, sir.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“I’m in the video.”
“What?”
“It’s not what it looked like, sir. Unfortunately, Beau, the Rusty Anchor owner, was drunk and being inappropriate. With me. Bennett saw and reacted.”
“Tori told me he flew off the handle. Someone called the police.”
“He was protecting me, sir.”
“Great. So now one of my superstar wingers is most likely facing assault charges. Fucking terrific.” He huffs out a loud, aggravated breath. “We just cleaned up the last mess and now this?”
“I know, sir. And I’m very sorry. About all of it.” I hesitate, try to get control over my shaky voice. “I’m drafting a statement. It’s…PR-world accurate.”
“We don’t need PR-world accurate. We need real-world accurate. Clean it up. Now.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, force myself not to react.
“Chad from legal will be in touch. He’ll want to review the statement and brief you before you talk to anyone—press, police, sponsors. Anyone.”
