Page 49 of Full Split (Forbidden Goals #8)

The president doesn’t answer, only purses her lips.

From what Rina, Shane, and the others have told us, the media were more concerned why Niles and Weston weren’t there than they were about asking questions relating to the competition.

To the point where the public relations director had to step in and tell the journalists they were to keep their questions relevant to the competition and athletes present or the press meeting would be finished.

“Could you also then please explain the most recent filming of promotional material, in which Mr. Pruitt and Mr. Weston were also not present?”

One of the legal reps leans forward. “Ms. Worth, you must understand that our silence was not intended as judgment, but public relations is a complicated balance. Sometimes diplomacy demands neutrality until the facts are clear.”

Mik lets out a quiet snort beside me and leans forward slightly.

“If I may?” he asks quietly, voice calm but cutting.

Ms. Worth doesn’t even glance at him, just tilts her head and nods curtly. Permission granted.

Mik leans his forearms on the table and folds his hands. “As a public relations expert myself, I can assure you that you’d come out looking a hell of a lot better by standing behind your athlete, rather than bowing to a smear campaign orchestrated by a known liar, rule breaker, and predator.”

The PR man shifts. “I’m assuming you are referring to Peter Trenton?”

“I am.”

“And you’re suggesting this campaign can be traced back to him?”

Mik raises an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting that your internal investigations haven’t figured this out? Because most of the public already has.”

Ms. Worth cuts in. She slides a document folder across the table.

“Here’s the proof that our team has dug up in a matter of days.

Mr. Trenton didn’t seem to think it necessary to cover his paper trail.

It seems that, while Mr. Trenton has made some arguably disastrously stupid decisions, he assumed correctly that the USAG and the powers that be wouldn’t look too far into it and would instead place the blame on the most marginalized member of their team. ”

Several members of the USAG team start talking at once, but Ms. Worth continues, talking over the lot of them as if they don’t exist. “We have emails, financial trails, anonymized submissions linked to Peter’s phone.

Multiple outlets are involved, especially as the story grows and becomes more sensationalized, but the origin is clear. ”

The board members exchange glances, but no one outright denies it.

“We are in no way suggesting that we believe Mr. Trenton over Mr. Pruitt,” one of the older board members says carefully. “But perception matters. The media frenzy has drawn significant public attention. Sponsors are watching closely. Our job is to protect the organization.”

“Then maybe you should protect it by doing the other part of your jobs and supporting your athletes. Because what you’re actually doing is causing more damage, not only to the reputation of an innocent athlete under your care, but to your organization as a whole,” Mik says scathingly.

“Right now, the perception is that you’re allowing baseless claims to undermine your integrity.

You look weak and cowardly. And you’ll only look worse when the truth comes out. ”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, sir. It’s a fact. And a promise.”

The silence is heavy. Mik lets it hang, then leans back in his chair like he’s getting comfortable.

“I’m not here with an agenda to blackmail, extort, or ruin anyone’s day,” he says.

“I am here to shine a spotlight. It’s my job to cover LGBTQ+ athletes in mainstream sports.

But I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit back while one of the most promising gymnasts this organization has ever seen is vilified for existing. ”

Mik lifts his hands slightly. “I’ve seen this story before.

Different names, same ending. But this time, with the hate and bigotry being poured down from the White House, you bet your ass I’m going to make damn sure it ends differently.

He doesn’t deserve this, and you know it.

The reason you’re remaining silent is because you’re ashamed of yourself, and nothing more. ”

No one speaks for several long moments. Even our lawyer pauses to let it breathe.

Then she clears her throat, and the air shifts again.

“Now, let’s discuss the terms of our agreement,” she says, calmly laying a stack of stapled documents on the table, which the USAG team passes amongst themselves. “Here is what we expect.”

She begins to list our terms.

“Full reinstatement of Niles Pruitt and Weston Lincoln’s public standing on Team USA’s website, media packages, and future sponsorship materials.

An official public statement supporting Mr. Pruitt, issued within twenty-four hours, denouncing the articles as unverified, biased, and malicious.

A third-party investigation into Peter Trenton’s past conduct with both the USAG and the athletes under his influence.

An internal review of media protocol concerning LGBTQ+ athletes, with a focus on transgender education, including training for all USAG staff, including the board, public relations team, and coaching staff.

And finally, a signed contract guaranteeing no retaliation against Mr. Pruitt, Mr. Lincoln, or any member of the team who continues to support them publicly or privately.

You will also find at the end of the document signed statements from all but three of your current athletes, stating their support and intentions to stand behind their teammate. ”

She gives them a moment to consider the document, then continues. “We are willing to work with your legal team on the phrasing and timing of these efforts, but we will not negotiate on the existence of these terms. They are the bare minimum we will accept.”

“And if we don’t agree?” Someone from the legal teams asks, though I can’t tell if they’re genuinely curious or just going through the motions.

“Then you’ll find yourself facing significantly more negative public attention, on top of a discrimination and defamation lawsuit.

The perception of your organization will show you on the wrong side of a story that is already changing,” Mik says.

“And I promise I will make it my personal goal to make sure everyone sees that clearly.”

Ms. Worth nods once. “We hope you’ll make the right choice. My card is attached. I’ll expect to hear from you shortly.”

With that, she stands, and the rest of us follow suit.

Not another word is muttered as we file out of the office, out of the building, and down to the coffee shop we initially met up in this morning.

Only then does everyone take a breath, relax their shoulders, and look around at each other.

Every single one of them, including Niles, has a broad grin on their face.

I look to the lawyer and Mik, who are standing next to each other. “I cannot begin to thank you both for what you’ve done for my son and Niles.” I look around at the USAG national team members that came out to show support. “And you all…”

My eyes grow teary. “You have no idea how much this means. Not just to me. Not just to them. But to the world. Because things are going to change for the better, and it starts with what happened here today.”