AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“In three hours,” Gray continues quietly, “this has received almost thirty thousand responses, ranging from incredulity to outlandish conspiracy theories about Russia secretly owning the World Anti-Doping Association.”
I fumble through the pages, trying to read a thousand things at once.
“What’s the proof?” Victor asks, voice stretched so tight it’s about to snap.
I jump when Werner explodes. “Nothing! In all of that bullshit, there’s not an ounce of proof. They’re a bunch of freaks wanking off in socks in their mothers’ basements.”
“The original poster has not released any public proof,” Gray inserts in a more measured tone of voice. “However, at least five mainstream news outlets have picked up this story. Now tens of thousands of forum users are coordinating an effort to unearth and examine every piece of information associated with Victor’s life in the hopes that they’ll be the one to uncover some kind of vast conspiracy.”
“I don’t know who the fuck’s still interested in you,” Werner growls. There’s confusion in his voice, like he can’t fathom how someone could remember Victor’s existence when he had no problem forgetting all about his son.
Gray perches on the edge of the desk, massaging the bridge of his nose. “As far as we can tell, the photographer from your first day in Naples leaked a photo of Victor speaking to Katrina and Rachel Garrel. Speculation that Victor was planning to rejoin his old team and make a comeback has sparked a lot of attention.”
“How dare you speak to those girls without telling me?” Werner snaps at Victor. “This is your fault.”
Bristling, I get up and step between Victor and the two men. “Hold on. Did he dope or didn’t he?” Everyone’s staring at me, faces blank and impossible to read, and I feel like the room is shrinking around me. “If he did, then there’s no evidence to the contrary. And if he didn’t, why wouldn’t you want that to come out?”
A hand clamps on my arm, twisting me around until I’m staring down at the cold fury in Victor's eyes, his clenched jaw. “Sit down and shut up,” he hisses.
“I—”
“Shut thefuckup.” He shakes me a little. “This is not your concern.”
I yank my arm away, the back of my neck burning, and focus on straightening my rumpled shirt.
Gray clears his throat. “Victor’s original dope test was valid, and there shouldn’t be any proof indicating otherwise.However, the temperature of public opinion can change very quickly, and we have decided to temporarily suspend work on the comeVa advertising campaign. We don’t want our stock impacted.” He raises his eyebrow at me. “Satisfied?”
Fuck, no.
“In the next day or two we will decide whether or not to indefinitely postpone the campaign, in which case, Ethan, we will be sending you home early while Victor stays here with us.”
“Jesus Christ.” Victor grabs the papers from me and throws them on the desk, where they scatter like a flock of birds. “Why the hell doesn’t everyone just leave me alone?” He storms out, slamming the door.
I glance awkwardly between the two men. “I—”
Everything’s going to be ok.
How do you know?
I’ll make it so.
But I can’t find the words to fix this.
“Get out of here,” Werner snaps.
“Until we have a plan, neither you nor Victor should leave the hotel. I’d also suggest beginning to pack your things.” Gray gestures dismissively. “We’ll be in touch.”
In the hall, I draw a shaky breath. The more I think about how tight my chest feels, the more constricted it gets until I have to crouch down and put my head between my knees.
I told him I’d protect him.
And within five minutes, I failed.
I’m as useless at saving him as I am at saving Mom. And I’ve broken just as many promises.
Victor
He finds me at the pool.
