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The second:Archer Carrington, guilty of conduct unbecoming of the president of the Elysium
The third—and probably the most damning:I know what you did with my son, fucker. You’re done.
Thatwas from Preston’s father.
I had to respond, of course. There was no way I could avoid it. But when I spotted several missed calls from Serena and Preston, I knew where my priorities lay.
I’d already dealt with one angry mob this morning. I’d need more than a coffee to deal with the hypocritical and judgmental opinions of the Upper East Side. It wasn’t as if being president of the Elysium had been a dream job. In all honesty, it took up way too much time, and caused added stress to every day of my life. So if they wanted me gone, no skin off my nose. I’d been doing them a favor by giving them access to my many connections.
It wasn’t as if they could fire me as a member. That was a lifetime gig, no matter whose son I was sleeping with.
I shot off a text to Serena letting her know I was okay and asking how she was doing, and the message I got back made my heart race.
LOVEBUG:
I’m fine. You know me. I LIVE for the drama. But Preston… You need to call him.
I headed down the hall, needing to get back to the office, and called Preston’s number. A second later, he answered, his greeting low, like he wasn’t alone.
“Preston?” The December air was frigid as I stepped out into the courtyard of Astor.
“Yeah, hi, I’m here. One sec.”
A rustling sound told me he was moving somewhere that he could talk, and when I reached my driver and he opened the door for me, Preston’s voice was back in my ear.
“Okay, I’m here.”
“How are you?” It was a stupid question, but one I had to ask, as I slid in the back seat of my car. The warm air was a welcome relief to the distinct chill that had surrounded me all morning.
“I’ve had better Mondays. What about you?” Preston’s voice was quiet but not at all distant, and that was what I’d been most worried about. I hadn’t known what to expect from him after this very loud and public outing.
“I’ve had better myself.”
“Oh God, so you’ve heard, then.”
“Heard?” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I just got let go from Astor’s school board.”
“Theyfiredyou?” Preston’s outrage was appreciated, but I’d already accepted my fate. “Archer, this is not okay. I won’t let them do that. Not because of me.”
“Hold on a second. It’s not because of you that they fired me. I was there in that moment with you and take full responsibility for my actions.”
“But you did nothing wrong?—”
“And neither did you, and that’s what I want to talk about, not me,” I said. Preston fell quiet. “I saw the photo.”
“You did?”
“I did. It was pretty damning, especially to you.”
“They don’t know what’s really going on.”
“I know that. But do you?”
“Of course I do, but…”
“But what?” I asked.
“I didn’t expect this level of hate. Jesus.” He let out a breath, and I could imagine him running an agitated hand through his hair. “Serena tells me it’ll all blow over the second the next pieceof gossip drops. But right now, everyone thinks I slept with herdad.”
