Bast shot Erik a look. “I know that. I’ve already told everyone it was an accident.”
“Sure you did,” Foreman said soothingly. “And you did a nice caveman impression in that presser and after, making it clear how you feel about her.”
“I was just defending her because no one else would.”
Dex pointed. “Exactly. But now it looks like Pepper’s taking charge of the story in her own way. Good for her.”
Bast checked the comments on the TikTok account, which was called Mascot Mania.
Fucking hilarious!
Sammy the Shark munching on Tipton. Classic.
Mascot Powerrrrr!
Yeah, Kershaw nailed bumbling Durand to a T.
He smiled to himself. Pepper had said the mascots had her back; now it looked like they’d banded together to defend one of their own. Was this her idea? Because if it was, he was so damn proud of her. For the last year, she’d let the media dictate how she should run her life. Now she was using it to change the story and get them on her side.
It might work. Judging by the comments, people were getting a kick out of the mascots and the players making fun of themselves. Combined with the official statement, it could only help people see the Bast Durand debacle in a different light.
Neither would it hurt to weigh in on the issue and show his support.
He hearted the bumbling Durand comment, then added one of his own, with a note because this was on Reid’s account.
Hey Kershaw, stop stealing my jokes! (- Bast D.)
Let’s see if that made a difference.
Pepper picked up the phone.
“Hey, dickhead.”
“Hey—wait a second. Is this my sister with the potty mouth? The TikTok superstar?”
“Sure is. How can I help?”
“You haven’t answered any of my calls.”
“I haven’t been in the mood.”
Connor exhaled. “Saw your video thing. It was funny.”
“You think?”
“Yeah, I do think. Can’t believe you were able to get all those mascots and players involved. You could’ve asked me.”
She sighed. “Really, Connor? You’ve been a complete jerk to me since I broke up with Kent. I understand that he’s your friend, but I can’t believe you took his side.”
“That’s not—okay, maybe I haven’t been as understanding. I don’t know what happened.”
“It shouldn’t matter!” She dug her nails into her palm, seeking calm. “I told you that things didn’t work out between us. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes things should remain private, and it’s no one’s business. But you decided that wasn’t enough for you. Because it’s just Pepper being Pepper. Well, you know what, Connor? I don’t care what you think.”
“Aw, Pepperoni …”
“I hate that nickname.” She hung up on him.
She was tired of letting him run roughshod over her. He was supposed to be there for her, not act as though she was an inconvenience. No more.
He texted:
Sorry. Can we try again?
She called him back. “This should be good.”
“What do you need me to do?”
She scoffed. “Uh, how about stop being a jerk and be a bit nicer to me?”
“When am I not nice to you?”
“The sharing of memes and gifs with your hockey bros?”
He thought on that a second. “Like Durand? He showed you that?”
“No, but he told me. And look, it doesn’t matter. I’d just like you to stop treating me like your idiotic younger sister. Even when I’m acting like your idiotic younger sister.”
“Okay. I can be less of a dick.”
“Can’t wait.”
He chuckled. “Don’t hold your breath. But before I turn over this new leaf, I need to ask you a few questions. You and Durand in that cabin—”
“Lakeside cottage.”
“What happened?”
“It’s none of your business, Connor. The last time I let you interfere in my love life, I ended up engaged to Kent.”
She could hear her brother’s discomfort, and she had to say she was enjoying it.
“You said ‘love life’. So that means that you and Durand are a thing?”
“We’re not doing this. You’re not allowed to have an opinion.”
As usual, her brother wasn’t listening. “I mean, he’s a good dude and he stood up for you at that presser. So I guess I approve.”
Bast Durand, her knight in hockey pads. It still gave her a warm feeling, even though it was mixed with regret that they were in this weird space.
Text buddies. Hooray.
“Your approval is neither wanted nor needed. Button it, Connor.”
“What? But you’re my sister.”
“Button. It.”
He laughed. “What’ll we talk about then?”
“Mom and Dad. Like always.”
A couple of minutes later, she hung up. Telling these men in her life how she felt was so empowering. Why had she waited so long to take control?
And what would happen if she took it a step further … and told the one man she cared about the most what was on her mind.
Could she possibly be brave enough for that?
35
The Empty Net was about as busy as it could get after a Rebels win, which was to say it was heaving. Bast put his head around the door, saw Dex O’Malley standing on a table—of course—then felt the buzz of his phone.
He headed outside again. “Kit? What’s up?”
“I’ve heard from the Sun-Times’ lawyers. There won’t be any lawsuit. I’ve got that in writing.”
Bast’s heart lifted. Perhaps it had been weighing on him more than he’d cared to admit. “Any idea what brought about the change of heart?”
“My understanding is that someone in the Rebels org promised exclusive access to an interview for Deacon.”
An alarm went off in his brain. “Someone?”
“Seems Deacon was happy to get media access to Pepper Calhoun in exchange for agreeing to drop any charges against you. Have you seen those videos she made with the mascots? Maybe she needs representation.”
Was he hearing this right? There was no good reason for Pepper to talk to the press, not after all the shit they’d put her through. But if she was worried about Deacon coming after him, maybe she’d put all that aside and give the prick an interview.
To save Bast’s ass.
Since the Rebels’ press statement and the TikTok mascot campaign, Bast had wondered if she might be ready to hear what he had to say. Now learning that she might have intervened on his behalf to get Deacon off his back sent a burst of joy barreling through his veins. She had his back just like he had hers, and that was about the best news he’d heard all week.
“Thanks for being in my corner,” he said to Kit. “I know it can’t have been easy for you to agree—”
Kit coughed.
“—or pretend to agree with my stance here.”
“I love that you have principles even if it shoots you in the foot. You’re a good guy, Bast. Talk soon.”