Joan, Jayson ok’ed this fucking shoot because it was good for my career and now he is playing games. Piper thought to himself.
Jayson had seen something beneath the surface. Like he had noticed the same thing the photographer had. The same thing the room had felt. The same thing Piper hadn’t been able to stop. The phone buzzed again. Piper ignored it. Three options: ignore it meant avoidance. Reply meant weakness. Call meant compliance.
Piper called. Three rings. “Piper,” Jayson answered.
“You like the underwear campaign? This is on you if you have an issue.”
Joan, let’s keep it together. He can’t find out what happened in the bathroom. I can’t fathom what kind of punishment he will have planned for me.
“Relax, the photographs were professionally shot. Nothing in them was inappropriate,” Jayson replied.
“Of course not, sorry I came in so hot,” Piper replied.
Jayson’s tone stayed pleasant. “I’m not concerned about the photographs.”
“Then what are you concerned about?”
A small pause. “The way you looked at him.”
Oh here we go.
Piper’s hands gripped the wheel tighter, nails digging into the leather. “You’re reading things that aren’t there.”
“Am I?” Traffic slowed again. Piper tapped the brake, then accelerated smoothly.
“I’ve protected your career for years, paid you millions for your obedience,” Jayson continued calmly. “I’ve protected it from things that would’ve ended lesser players before the draft was over, I don’t do that without paying attention, Piper.”
“Nothing happened,” Piper said.
“I believe you. I simply want to make sure nothing does,” Jayson said. “You understand the terms of what we built together.”
Piper stared at the freeway ahead. “I understand.”
“Good.”
The conversation should have ended there. It didn’t.
“The campaign is extraordinary,” Jayson added. “The team outdid themselves. Enjoy the launch party tomorrow night.”
Piper’s teeth started to grind in place as the pit in his stomach grew larger.
“Piper one more thing…are you ready for this kind of attention?” Jayson said as Piper’s anxiety hit a ten.
“I can handle it, Jayson. Talk to you later.”
The line went dead. Piper drove another ten minutes before he realized he’d missed his exit.
***
His Beverly Hills mansion was dark when he arrived. The sky was glowing orange with pollution. Piper dropped his keys on the counter and stood in the kitchen without turning on the lights. He loosened his shoulders, poured water, and leaned against the counter. His phone buzzed on the marble.Unknown number.He stared at it. Then answered.
“What are you doing?”
Piper closed his eyes briefly. “Noah.”
“Yeah.”
Silence stretched across the room.
