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“Actually, I got about an hour,” Elise admits. “But it sorta sucked. I was too busy trying to think and working some angles. I wanted to come over here to talk about it with you . . . but I wanted a full plan in place before I did. I was just worried you’d say no outright if I didn’t have a full plan.”
“Why do I feel like I’m repeating myself?” Sarah asks the sky, then sighs. “Start at the beginning, omit nothing.”
Elise starts, telling us about visiting her friend at a strip club. “You told your friend about us? At a strip club?” I ask incredulously. “But . . . why?”
“Maggie’s one of the smartest people I know,” Elise replies. “I edited things and didn’t say a thing about Carsen, and Maggie’s someone who will respect that. And she gave me the idea that we’ve got to get out in front of this.”
“What do you mean?” Sarah asks. “Get in front of it how?”
“Right now, Donnie’s power lies in one thing only,” Elise explains. “He thinks you’re only going to consider one of two options. Let it blow up in your face and maybe try and deny . . . or pay up. But there’s a third option.”
“What?” I ask, even though I see Sarah’s face dawning in realization. “Okay, guys, little words, haven’t slept.”
“We go public first,” Sarah says, nodding. “Then we’re in control.”
Elise nods. “Keith, Carsen’s going to become public knowledge one way or another. I don’t trust Donnie not to take the money and then publish anyway. He’s got zero fucks to give and nothing to lose. Hell, he’ll come out way ahead that way and I’m sure that’s his idea already. But if you go first, get out there and tell the story, then Donnie’s going to have nothing. And you get to control the narrative.”
“But . . .” I answer, taking a deep breath, trying to get my brain to line the fuck up and think straight. “It means going public.”
“And we do it the right way . . . talking about Donnie’s blackmail attempt,” Elise explains. “Don’t you see? This isn’t just about you and Carsen. He’s done this before and he’ll do it again. You have a chance to control your narrative, but you also have a chance to control Donnie’s narrative too. Let everyone know what a sleazeball he is, blackmailing and threatening people to create tabloid gossip headlines for cash. Get in front of both stories. It’s the only way.”
I shake my head, feeling desperate as my whole world seems to be turning to quicksand that’s slipping through my fingers before sucking me down to my doom. “No. That defeats the whole purpose. The only thing I care about is keeping Carsen’s life how she’s used to. I’ll just pay the money and pray that he keeps his word about not publishing the story. He’s gotta have at least a little honor among thieves. If he’s done this before and breaks his word now, nobody’ll trust him in the future when he pulls the same shit, don’t you see? It’s the only scenario where she has any chance at being left alone.”
Suddenly, Carsen steps in from the hallway, where she’s obviously been eavesdropping. Part of me wonders for how long, and I’m too exhausted to be upset. “No, Dad. This guy’s a bully, and the only way to stop him from hurting other people is if we stop him. Just tell people about me. That’s what he’s holding over your head? Who cares if people know you’re my dad? I’m proud of being your daughter and I don’t care if everyone knows.”
If only it were that easy. “Carsen, you don’t understand, baby. If everyone knows you’re my daughter, it’ll change your whole life. You might have to get security, change schools, always be on the watch, and never know who your real friends are. It’ll change everything.”
“I know, Dad. I understand, really, I do,” Carsen says, coming over and sitting on the other side of me and Elise. “But, it’s the right thing to do. Don’t let a bully win. You’re stronger than he is, and I’ll be okay with whatever we have to do.”
I’m torn. Carsen looks so certain, sitting next to me so tall and proud. I know she’s strong, but she’s still just a little girl and I wanted her to make this decision when she was a little older. I look at Sarah and Elise, and they’re both nodding, agreeing with Carsen.
“Keith, she’s right. It’s the right thing to do. And you said we’re a family, so we can do this together, support each other through whatever this storm brings,” Elise says.
I look at Carsen, searching her eyes. Keeping her a secret has been my main focus for so long, and that’s coming to an end, apparently. I’m terrified. Most of my instincts are telling me to just grab her up and go hide, leave music and everything behind. But she’s right, I’m stronger than that.
