Page 104 of Full Split
“Full reinstatement of Niles Pruitt and Weston Lincoln’s public standing on Team USA’s website, media packages, and future sponsorship materials. An official public statement supporting Mr. Pruitt, issued within twenty-four hours, denouncing the articles as unverified, biased, and malicious. A third-party investigation into Peter Trenton’s past conduct with both the USAG and the athletes under his influence. An internal review of media protocol concerning LGBTQ+ athletes, with a focus on transgender education, including training for all USAG staff, including the board, public relations team, and coaching staff. And finally, a signed contract guaranteeing no retaliation against Mr. Pruitt, Mr. Lincoln, or any member of the team who continues to support them publicly or privately. You will also find at the end of the document signed statements from all but three of your current athletes, stating their support and intentions to stand behind their teammate.”
She gives them a moment to consider the document, then continues. “We are willing to work with your legal team on the phrasing and timing of these efforts, but we will not negotiate on the existence of these terms. They are the bare minimum we will accept.”
“And if we don’t agree?” Someone from the legal teams asks, though I can’t tell if they’re genuinely curious or just going through the motions.
“Then you’ll find yourself facing significantly more negative public attention, on top of a discrimination and defamation lawsuit. The perception of your organization will show you on the wrong side of a story that is already changing,” Mik says. “And I promise I will make it my personal goal to make sure everyone sees that clearly.”
Ms. Worth nods once. “We hope you’ll make the right choice. My card is attached. I’ll expect to hear from you shortly.”
With that, she stands, and the rest of us follow suit. Not another word is muttered as we file out of the office, out of the building, and down to the coffee shop we initially met up in this morning. Only then does everyone take a breath, relax their shoulders, and look around at each other. Every single one of them, including Niles, has a broad grin on their face.
I look to the lawyer and Mik, who are standing next to each other. “I cannot begin to thank you both for what you’ve done for my son and Niles.” I look around at the USAG national team members that came out to show support. “And you all…”
My eyes grow teary. “You have no idea how much this means. Not just to me. Not just to them. But to the world. Because things are going to change for the better, and it starts with what happened here today.”
CHAPTER 29
NILES
Thankfully, USAG doesn’t waste time. Before we’re through with a celebratory lunch, Millie’s phone rings.
Everyone at the table goes silent, and she picks up.
“This is Millie Worth,” she says as she answers. She pauses to listen to the person on the line, her face serious. After just a few beats, her lips turn up on one side, and she winks at me. “That’s good to hear. Please send me the itinerary, and we’ll be there.”
She hangs up and looks at us, everyone holding their breath in anticipation. My heart is beating so hard, I’m fairly certain it’s shaking the table.
“USAG accepts our terms. Not only that, but they’re ready to move forward. Since we’re all here in town, they suggested a press conference tomorrow.”
The table breaks out in excited chatter.
“Tomorrow?” I say nervously.
We’d had a conversation about schedules and what she could accept on our behalf, but none of us expected it to happen quite this fast. It’s a really good sign that not only was our case air-tight, but that USAG would rather stand behind me than wait any longer. It would have been better if they’d supported me from the beginning, but I’ll take the win, however small.
“You’re ready,” she says. “We’ve already gone over your statement points, and you’re a strong speaker, Niles. I have every faith the press conference will go well. And you won’t be alone. You’ll have Weston, Wyatt, and Sid up there with you. Plus all of us who are able to attend will be in the room watching.”
Mik nods in agreement. “You better believe I won’t hesitate to shut down any inappropriate questions. Just think of me as your unofficial PR manager.”
“Care to make that official?” I laugh.
Wyatt reaches over and slips his hand into mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You’ve got this,” he says out loud. “I’m here with you.”
When I look up again, I catch Mik’s eye. He gives me a small smile, then goes back to talking with Weston about an article he’s writing about the parallels between misogyny in sports and the vendetta against transgender women in athletics.
Wyatt let me know that he came clean to Mik about our relationship during their meeting. He trusts Mik, but also he felt that Mik should know if he’s going to go out of his way to defend us. Surprisingly, Mik didn’t seem to care. He said it was none of anyone’s business. Aside from the allegations of harassment, none of our personal lives belong in the news unless we choose to put it out there. Ms. Worth said the same thing when we told her. It was important she knew so she could help defend us properly, but it wasn’t a problem..
After lunch, Weston heads off with Cody and Brandon to pick up some essentials since they hadn’t planned on staying overnight. Wyatt worked out a couple extra rooms in the hotel we’re staying at, and the hotel concierge offered to take our suits to be dry-cleaned overnight. Rina apparently never leaves home without a toothbrush and back-up outfit, but she only lives a few hours away and has her car here. She takes Shane and Vickie to the airport because they can’t stay, but they work out a way to share a live stream of the conference so they can add their voices of support in real time while it’s happening. They’re contacting our teammates to let them know what’s happening so everyone can join in to show unity amongst the team. Most of it, anyway.
Millie Worth and Mik head back over to the USAG headquarters to discuss logistics and crowd control for questioning. They want to get a better idea of how large this conference is intended to be and have a hand in the setup so there aren’t any surprises.
Which leaves Sid with me and Wyatt to go over my press statement. We use a small conference room in the hotel that’s not being used. I go over the statement Millie helped me write a few times, then Wyatt and Sid go back and forth asking me different questions I might expect to hear tomorrow.
“You and Weston seem close. Is there any truth to the rumors about the two of you being together?” Sid asks.
“I’m pretty sure Mik and Ms. Worth are going to make sure the press knows those types of questions are not allowed,” Wyatt says.
“Not everyone will follow the rules. It is best to be prepared.”
