He brought it back out and set it in front of me. "You're my brother, Hunter, and I love you, but you have got to get your shit together. I don’t understand what your problem is when it comes to women, but you need to do something about it. At the very least, you need to fix this thing with Natalie. And by fix, I don't mean fucking again. I would prefer that you fix this problem, make amends with her, and then stay the hell away from her. Because clearly you're not good enough for her." He turned and strode out of the house leaving me sitting alone hungover on my couch.
His words were tough and hurtful, and I wanted to lash out at him, but deep down I knew he was right. Hadn’t Natalie told me how damaging this situation could be to her career when the first bit of gossip came out? But when I saw that magazine article, everything that was rational flew out of my head and all I could think about was years ago when I was made a laughing stock at the expense of a woman.
Ryan was right that I needed to get my shit together. I managed to get up and get into the shower. An hour later, I walked into Strong Incorporated, and called my brothers, along with Kellie and Andi into the conference room. The way they glared at me from around the table, I know that they are on Ryan's side in this controversy. But hopefully they would help me put it right.
I tossed the magazine on the table. "We need to do something about this article. It's completely unfair to Natalie. We need to find a way to make sure that people know that she is a talented artist."
"So, it's true?" Carter asked as he looked at the magazine.
“It's not exactly true,” I said.
"What part isn't true?" Noah asked. "Because it's pretty clear the part about you and her sleeping together is true. "
I stood at the end of the table with my head down as my brothers and Andi and Kellie looked at me with disappointment. I felt shame, but also, I was beginning to feel clearer. Like the clouds were dissipating and I had a better view of the situation and what needed to be done.
"That part is true but it's not the whole truth. Until I can talk to Natalie, though, I can’t talk to you about it."
Kellie's brow arched, like she was suspicious of me. "If you hurt my sister again —"
I shook my head. "I'm not going to hurt her, at least not on purpose. I’m going to make amends. Somehow."
"Did she interview for this?" Carter asked, as he read the article.
"Yes, but she says that none of the stuff in there is what they talked about."
"I can talk with the legal team and see if we might have something that we can do there," Carter said.
"And I'll contact the PR people to see if maybe we can put something out that offsets this article,” Ryan said.
“It’s important tha
t the solution doesn’t make things worse for her,” I said remembering what I was told the last time.
Ryan nodded. “I think if we are able to find an outlet that is more reputable that will highlight her talent, it will make the other one look like a gossip rag and not an art magazine.”
After the asswhooping he’d given me that morning, I was appreciative of his support. “Thank you.”
"That is a nice picture she’s sketched of you," Noah said looking at the magazine over Carter’s shoulder. “Worse comes to worse, she can put it on eBay and maybe make a couple of bucks."
I looked at Noah, wanting him to tell him to shut the fuck up, but until I cleaned my mess up, I figured I was going to have to put up with him.
"I'm taking the rest of the day off, but you can talk to Gavin about the European campaign if you need information on it," I told Ryan.
He gave me a nod. Having said all that I had to say, I exited the conference room. I let out a breath with some relief at getting that done. But I knew that the next step was going to be harder. In fact, it was probably going to be the hardest thing I'd ever done, and at the same time the most important thing I'd ever done as well.
But first, I had to take care of a couple of tasks.
26
Natalie
Kellie and Andi offered to stay with me after they dropped me off from our girls night out, but I didn't want them to watch me in my misery, so I sent them home and went to bed. The next morning, I woke feeling like I'd been run over by a truck, but I couldn't be sure if that was from a hangover or heart ache and anger at what happened with Hunter.
I managed to get out of bed and into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I didn't like what I saw. I was a hot mess, and it wasn't just because of my bleary eyes, dark circles, and bedhead hair. My eyes held a dullness to them as if someone had blown the light out of them. Another little flicker of anger ignited in me at that, but not enough to propel me out into the world. No, I would need to wallow for a little while longer.
I made my way out to the living room where I saw my makeshift studio in the corner. For a moment I looked at it, waiting for inspiration to strike, but there was nothing. I went to the kitchen and brewed myself a cup of coffee. With my steaming hot cup of joe in hand, I went back to the living room and again looked over at my studio. The paint and canvases sat there teasing and taunting me. Unable to bear it, I put my mug down on the table and went to the closet for a sheet. I pushed all my art materials together in the corner and covered it all, cursing Hunter Strong for killing my passion and stealing my dream.
When a knock came on my door, I knew it wouldn't be Hunter, and figured it was probably Kellie checking on me.