Page 91 of Full Split

No no no…

There are people everywhere, talking about Niles like he’s nothing more than a walking scandal. Like he’s something dirty and shameful to whisper about to your friends behind your hand, and apparently to reporters.

I scroll down to see photos. Blurry pictures of him in a club, dancing.

Pictures of him and Weston laughing together. Pictures of him and me. The same ones from the other article, plus more. Some are from the BBQ when I’m following him into the house. In the parking lot, right when he kissed my cheek. It was innocent and chaste, but in this context they might as well have footage from the hot tub. Thank fuck there isn’t that, at least.

There’s even one from the other day when I put my jacket around his shoulders. He was right to push me away.

This is bad. So bad. I feel cold, and like the walls of the arena are closing in. All the sounds from the people around us sound like we’re in a tunnel.

The article twists everything. Spins every image into something sordid. There’s even a quote from someone claiming they wererejected because Niles was “in love with his best friend’s dad.” I shove the phone back into Mik’s hand.

“This is bullshit.”

“I know.”

“I— Most of it isn’t even?—”

“I know.”

I can’t find the words.

Mik looks at me steadily. “The problem is that they’ve spun it well enough that some of it feels like it could be true. There’s just enough reality mixed in with the garbage to make people listen.”

I feel like I’m going to throw up. “What happens now?”

“I’m hearing rumors that USAG might open an investigation.”

I shake my head. “No. No, they can’t?—”

“It’s already spreading.”

I look down at my hands. They’re shaking. I need to make this stop. This can’t happen. Not now. Not when we’ve just gotten over a huge obstacle and have finally started moving forward again.

Mik’s voice drops. “I don’t need to tell you who’s behind this.”

“Peter.”

He nods. “He’s all over the press, playing the victim. Claiming Niles harassed him during competitions and even in the bathroom. He’s saying USAG knows everything and covered it up so they have a ringer.”

“He what!?” My voice booms so loud, even the crowd quiets to look over at the commotion. I lower my voice. “He’s literally repeating the things he did to Niles at Classic and Nationals. Incidents Niles didn’t report because he didn’t want to draw more attention to himself.”

I press my hands over my face. I can’t think. I can’t breathe.

What are we going to do?

Somewhere in the distance, I hear the start of the competition.

Niles is up there, about to put everything on the line to bring home gold for Team USA. While the world tries, yet again, to kick him down.

CHAPTER 25

NILES

It’s been a weird morning.

But none of it matters. Not now.