Page 20 of The Brat and the Bodyguard

Karl grunts with amusement.

“You’re perfect the way you are, Ains, and I love the Irish lilt to your voice. Especially when you’re screaming my name in bed. It’s fucking music to my ears.”

I giggle, about to reply with a sassy retort, but then my phone rings and I see it’s my modeling agency. Speak of the devil!

“Hey Nancy,” I greet in a rush while pressing the cell to my ear. “How are you? I was just about to call you to discuss –”

My manager interrupts. “I’m so sorry, Ainsley, but Bone Talent can’t represent you anymore.”

I gasp, my jaw dropping.

“Is it because I haven’t been getting booked? But that makes no sense because Iwantto get more jobs, and I need Bone’s help landing them. It’s my portfolio, isn’t it? The photos are dated, and I know I’ve put on a bit of weight lately—”

“No, it’s not that,” Nancy says in a frigid voice.

I pause, stumped.

“Then what is it?”

Nancy’s silent for a moment, but then she speaks.

“Unfortunately, the management team at Bone Talent has made an executive decision to drop you after your Super Bowl stunt. I’m sorry, but diversity, equity, and inclusion remain important to us, and your decision to spread hate is contrary to our founding principles.”

What? Where is this accusation coming from?

“Nancy,” I say in a shaking voice. “I’m on my couch right now. I’mnotat the Super Bowl, and I have no idea what stunt you’re referring to. What are you talking about?”

Her voice is clipped.

“Don’t try to pretend like you don’t know, Ainsley. Justin West purchased a Superbowl ad which led to a website selling sweatshirts emblazoned with a swastika on them. Obviously, a swastika is anti-semitic and we don’t condone that behavior. Hate as no place at Bone.”

“Yes, obviously,” I say in a trembling voice. “But what does this have to do withme? Justin and I broke up months ago. You know that.”

Nancy’s voice is clipped.

“We did our diligence. The ad was purchased using an LLC jointly owned by Justin and yourself, Ainsley.Youare responsible for the ad, andyouare a perpetrator of hate and intolerance. Bone Management simply can’t continue to work with you, and as a result, we’re severing all ties. Your profile has already come off our website, and we’ll forward any remaining royalties outstanding to you this week. Goodbye, Ainsley. We don’t tolerate bigotry and hate, and I hope you find a better way to live in this world too.”

With that, she hangs up and I’m left gape-mouthed, holding my phone.

“What happened?” Karl demands, his handsome features concerned. “Are you okay?”

I blink, still trying to process.

“My agency just dropped me,” I say in a shaky voice.

“But why?” Karl asks, his expression confused. “Is it because you haven’t been getting many call-backs?”

“No, not that,” I whisper, flicking on the TV again. The football game returns, with no mention of Justin’s hate-filled commercial, so I flick it off. Then, I pick up my phone and surf to the Prowler website. Sure enough, the only item for sale is a white sweatshirt emblazoned with a black swastika, and my jaw falls open when I see it.

“Oh my god!” I cry out, the phone dropping as my hand trembles. “She was right!”

“What is it?” Karl asks, picking up my phone. “What is this? Why are you looking at Nazi memorabilia?”

I shake my head, tears prickling my eyes.

“No, that’s the Prowler site. You know, Justin West’s clothing brand, except he’s selling Nazi paraphernalia now!”

Karl’s features immediately take on a look of disgust.

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