Chapter 6 #2
“I went home and didn’t leave. Officers knocked on my door the following morning. I went with them without protest. I won’t lie and say I didn’t think something like that would happen. I saw the phones people had out at the club. There was no denying what I did.”
“And did you tell them what prompted your actions?”
“I told them enough.”
“That’s a no.”
“I promised I wouldn’t say anything without her permission and I never go back on my promises.” I drop my chin to my chest. “It didn’t matter anyway. The blonde headed ball of fury came crashing in and told them everything to save my arse.”
“So she spoke up? They know everything?”
I nod. “She didn’t have to, but yeah, she did.
With the full story, they realized they had a bigger case on their hands than the original charges led them to believe.
I was notified yesterday that they brought the other man in.
As of right now, while they continue their investigation into him, the charges against me are put on hold in a sense. ”
“Why isn’t any of that included in the press then?”
“You said it yourself. They chase after the big story. What’s bigger than a professional athlete being arrested for assault?”
“Uh, maybe said athlete being the savior instead of the villain? Haven’t you ever read a romance novel?” Jace chimes in and we both look at him with flat expressions. He raises his hands in surrender and I turn back to Mitch.
“Besides that, with the investigation still ongoing, the details are confidential. But I made it clear with them that even after this is all over with, what happened to her won’t be public knowledge. She’s been through enough and doesn’t need to have anything out there forever reminding her of it.”
He leans back in his chair and runs a hand through his hair. “This is quite the mess you’ve found yourself in lad.”
“I’d do it again if it meant she was safe. Every. Single. Time.”
His face softens with a sense of respect. He leans forward again, bracing his arms on the tabletop. “I’m not going to lie and tell you that shite isn’t about to come down hard. Because it is. You’re in your final contracted year with us and this isn’t going to win you any favors for a renewal.”
Jace shoots forward in his seat. “Wait. Even though—”
“I understand.” I cut him off.
“Between us, you did the right thing. I would have done the same if I were in your shoes.”
“Bet your arse,” Jace mutters, nodding in approval with our boss.
“But the horrible truth is that this is still bad press. We can’t have drivers—the faces who are supposed to live and promote the values of this team—getting wrapped up in things like this. Ever.”
“So what are my options then? Or are they wanting to go ahead and void the rest of—”
“No. You’ll still drive for us this season, but Lawson, you’re on incredibly thin ice as it is and this might just be the final crack that sends it all into the deep end.”
Jace’s head jerks back. “How is he already on thin ice?”
Mitch gives me a look and I groan. Here we go.
“Well, first off, the press is terrified of you. No one wants to interview you because they either get no content or by the off chance they do get you to speak, it’s unusable from—”
“His colorful language,” Jace chirps.
I glare at him. “Not helping.”
Mitch clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. “Well, while the press may fear you, it apparently makes certain fans adore you.”
“What does that even mean?”
Jace chuckles. “He’s talking about the ladies. I don’t blame them, mate. You’re like the poster child of a ‘bad boy’ book boyfriend.”
I roll my eyes. “Isn’t that a good thing then? That the fans like me?”
“Well, yes and no? While they love the bad boy attitude, as Jace so eloquently put it, they’re hungry for more of you.”
“So you want me to play into the bad boy image? I’m confused. Aren’t we trying to avoid looking bad?”
“No. What I’m trying to say is, the fans don’t really know you. They know you as this quiet, guarded—”
“Shadow daddy,” Jace whispers.
“But they want to know more about you. Let’s face it, your presence on social media is shite. There’s nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing personal on there. Your entire feed is fulfilling your partnership deals, and even that is at the minimum.”
“I hate social media. Why the hell do I have to share a picture of what I had for breakfast that morning and why it made me feel like I could take on the world or some shite?”
“Because that’s what the fans and the people who fund your paychecks, might I add, love to see. They want to see more of who you are outside of racing and partnerships with whatever fucking watch you’re wearing that week.”
“So what do you want me to do, Mitch?”
“Right now, I’m going to go and talk with the board about all of this, but I want you to start thinking of ways to improve your image. Because, Lawson… I really want you to keep driving for me after this year.” The sincerity in his voice chips at my armor. “And maybe if this girl—”
“No. I’m not going to have her subject to whatever the hell this is about to become.”
“Okay. I understand and respect your decision.”
I nod and he reaches for the article, crushing it in his palm. “I’m not saying this all has to change overnight, okay? Just small things here and there, whatever helps make you look less like a machine, and more like the man we know you really are.”
How am I supposed to do that if I don’t even really know who I am outside of racing?