Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
COLSON
Fuuuck.
I thumbed through the first couple of tags, cautiously tapping a few to see exactly what we were facing.
Just as I’d suspected, our name was being ripped apart.
Media outlets had picked up the Gordons’ story and added their own clickbait spin.
Beneath their posts were hundreds of comments, each one shredding us.
Influencers were gaining just as much momentum, their videos getting shared thousands of times, their messages clear—the Westons were thieves.
Unless someone lived under a rock, where news and media couldn’t reach them, or in the middle of the Pacific, where there was no service, by the end of today, they would have heard the accusation made against our company.
I couldn’t take it anymore. We had worked way too fucking hard for this to happen.
I closed out of the app and toggled to my messages. The family group chat was at the top. But instead of opening it, I went solely to Eden.
Me
I looked at Instagram. I lasted about a minute before I had to close it. Eden, this is fucking bad. I thought it was going to be horrific, but it’s worse.
Eden
I know. I should be hearing back from Troy, Jenner, and our publicist within the next hour. Then we can at least release a statement.
Me
Will it help?
Eden
It can’t make things worse.
Me
Are you sure about that? Is it only going to fuel the fire?
Eden
I’d like to believe that saying something is better than saying nothing. Our silence will only draw speculation, and I don’t want that either.
Me
Are we defending ourselves, or are we apologizing?
Eden
We’re sharing our side of the story in an appropriate way.
Me
They’re not going to believe us.
Eden
Maybe not, but it’s worth trying. We have an extremely loyal following. I believe we owe them some answers. What side they take is up to them.
Me
I want the press release to go out to our entire email network. Every subscriber. Every channel. I want everyone and their great-aunt to see this.
Eden
You know I’m on it.
My fingers hovered above the screen, my heart fucking pounding. If I asked this question, would that make it feel even more real? Would the answer—if Eden even knew it—make the situation feel more hopeless? I took a deep breath.
Me
Are we going to bounce back from this? Will we be able to recover from a hit this hard?
Eden
We’ve lost about 10% of our reservations nationwide.
I anticipate that number to increase over the next week.
But like with everything, it’s going to be a hot topic for several days—possibly more.
Then the next big story will happen, and that will overshadow us.
Some even say, all publicity is good publicity.
Is it a good idea to take a pause on the expansion of Horned?
Maybe. The ramifications of this could be layered. We won’t know until more time passes.
Me
When the Gordons open Horned 2 or whatever the fuck they’re going to call it, we’ll be in the same situation all over, dragged right through the mud again. Regardless of what we say, the Gordons are going to continuously spin this to look like they’re the victim.
Eden
Of course they will.
But don’t worry, my brain is reeling. I will come up with something to help us—I have some ideas already. Ideas aside from the press release.
Me
Eden, do you need me there? Tell me the truth. I’m on my way to the marina. I can have the driver turn around and take me to the airport. I’ll fly home commercial without even a second thought.
Eden
I don’t need you yet. I’ve got this.
Me
I also know you’re not one to ever ask for help when you do need someone at your side.
Eden
In this case—and only in this case—I promise I will.
I stared at her last message for several more seconds.
As I was slipping my phone into my pocket, the SUV stopped in front of Hayden’s office building.
I didn’t wait for the driver to get out.
I opened my own door and went into the lobby, waving at the receptionist to signal I knew my way to Hayden’s office and didn’t need the escort.
I didn’t know how the hell I was going to relax enough to hear Hayden’s pitch on the two boats we were viewing, to attempt to enjoy the sea trials when my mind was back at home.
The sooner I got this over with, the sooner I could call my family and get an update.
I rounded the corner and saw the door to his office was open, and I took the remaining few steps, walking right in without noticing who was sitting at the desk.
It didn’t even click until I heard, “Colson … hi,” in a voice that wasn’t Hayden’s.
I shook my head, trying to move the thoughts away, and take in what was in front of me.
My teeth instantly ground, a pain shooting through my head as I realized it wasn’t Hayden in this office.
It was Sophie.
She was sitting in his chair with her hands on the desktop, wearing the same outfit she’d gone running in, with the exception of a zipped-up sweatshirt. There was a softness in her eyes, a gentleness in her lips.
What the fuck is she doing here?
“I thought it would be best if I came straight to you.” She took a breath. “Can we talk?”