Page 114 of Hot Lap
Unlucky for Junior, because I'm a quick study.
I nod. “So I stay above the fray. Let the truth speak.”
“Exactly.” Gudrun nods. “Play it clean.”
Maria tops off her wine. “We time the release right and let Coy and the PR team do the rest. Petra might even back-channel support. She fuckinghateshim.”
“I got that impression.”
“Oh, she’s one of us.” Lina smirks. “Just in fireproofs.”
The whole table laughs.
Gudrun folds her napkin on the table. “He underestimated you. They all did.”
“Not anymore. They want a show? Fine. I'll give ’em one. But this time, I'm writing the script.”
Lina lifts her glass. “To women who fight with brains, boots, and backup.”
We toast.
Damn, am I glad these formidable ladies are on my side. I sure as fuck wouldn’t want them as my enemies.
When I return to the room I’m sharing with Reece, every inch of me has been plucked, scrubbed, massaged, exfoliated, and painted. I’m a walking shampoo commercial, skin glowing,cuticles perfect. Except beneath the polish and despite the exhaustion, my brain won’t shut the fuck up.
I pull on one of Reece’s oversized t-shirts and set about running a bath for him in the ridiculously bougie marble tub. Epsom salts. Lavender oil. Low lighting. He deserves this.
The door clicks open just as I’m lighting the last candle.
He walks in looking like the day used him hard and didn’t apologize. I guess there were a lot of sponsors needing hand holding. The poor beautiful, tired bastard.
“Damn.” He takes in the steam and the glow. “Did I die and get upgraded?”
“Get in, Pritchard. You look like hell.”
He raises a brow. “Romantic.”
“You’re lucky I like you tired and cranky.” I tug at his sleeve and steer him toward the bathroom. “Clothes off. In the tub. Doctor’s orders.”
He doesn’t argue.
I perch on the closed toilet lid as he settles into the water with a groan that’s practically pornographic. His eyes close. Shoulders relax. He sinks deeper.
After a beat, I say, “The girls have been busy.”
He opens one eye. “Busy how?”
“Team WAG has entered the group chat. We’re working on a plan to clear my name and take down Junior’s edited bullshit in the process.”
That gets his full attention, and he sits forward, water sloshing around his knees. “Yeah?”
“We’re digging for unedited footage from the sponsor party. Maria’s working her contacts. Lina’s helping me play it smart PR-wise, and Gudrun’s terrifying in the best way.”
He chuckles. “You just described my dream Avengers lineup.”
“There’s more.” I chew my bottom lip. “I told them about Vegas. About what Junior did to me at the Oyster.”
Reece’s smile fades. “You should’ve led with that, honeybee. The bouncer saw everything. Eddie, right?”
