Page 38 of The Hookup Situation (Billionaire Situation #5)

“I’m not done. Do you know what’s trending right now? Hockey Playboy’s Latest Victim . There’s a whole thread on Reddit analyzing how long until you dump Julie. They’re all trying to figure out the first day you two got together.

“And that’s not even the best part,” Asher continues. “One of your ex-girlfriends—Virginia? Vanessa? Whatever her name is—well, she just did an interview, talking about your toxic cycle. Love bomb for thirty days, make everything seem great and perfect, then ghost.”

My stomach drops.

“Vanessa was stalking me. I had to get a restraining order!” Nick explodes .

“Doesn’t matter. The story’s out there now, and they’ve officially dug into all the people you’ve dated in the past five years and put them in chronological order. This headline: Exes Confirm Nick Banks’s Romantic Countdown to Ghosting .” Asher pauses. “Now admit I’m right.”

“You’re right,” he says, but his voice is neutral.

“Did you hear about the hometown hero trying to save his ex from the big bad wolf?”

Nick’s jaw clenches so hard that I swear I hear his teeth grinding.

“Oh, it gets soooo much worse,” Asher snaps. “Someone leaked your location at Riverside. Sold the information to the highest bidder. That’s why you have a parade following you.”

“How do you know all this?” Nick asks.

“Because, unlike you, I don’t ignore problems, hoping they’ll go away. I have people monitoring this shit. Yes, even you. This is a PR nightmare,” he says. “You’re worse than our bitchiest clients. Diva.”

This makes Nick laugh.

“Think about the interview with LadyLux.” Asher is direct.

“Look—”

“And get a restraining order against Craig. Document everything .” He pauses. “How’s Julie handling this?”

Everyone looks at me.

“I’m fine,” I say.

“No, you’re not. Even I can tell when you’re lying.” Asher can detect bullshit through the phone. “I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. My brother should have listened to me.”

“Your brother was trying to live his life for once,” Zane finally says to defend Nick.

“By ignoring the problem? Very effective, Alexander. Even you know that’s not logical, and you don’t do this shit for a living.” Asher scoffs. “Nick, it’s a shit show at the office. So, thank you. Thank you so much. Every day, I have to push my way through a horde of people, hoping it’s you. ”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t ask for any of this.”

“This is beyond normal paparazzi stuff. You’ve become a sensation, which is what I was concerned about. People are obsessed with both of you, and it’s dangerous.” Asher’s voice turns serious. “Be careful. This has escalated over the past three days, just as I feared. Do the interview.”

Nick looks at me but doesn’t confirm. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good. And, Nick? Next time I tell you to get ahead of something, listen.”

“Love you too, asshole.”

“Julie …” Asher says.

“Yeah?”

“Welcome to the family circus. Sorry that it’s like this.”

He hangs up before I can respond.

I lean back on the couch and close my eyes, trying to understand how any of this happened.

My phone vibrates and pulls me away from my mental spiral.

Craig

Crazy about all those photographers. If you need somewhere safe to stay, I’m here.

I show everyone the text.

“What the hell?” Zane mutters.

“I should have known he wouldn’t leave you alone.” Nick’s pacing now. “The way he grabbed your arm at the coffee shop, him showing up randomly?—”

Zane scrolls through messages. “How long has this been going on?”

“Since he returned to Cozy Creek.”

Nick leans over and reads all the text messages Craig has sent.

Craig

Hope you’re getting the rest you deserve.

Craig

Beautiful weather in the mountains today.

Craig

I went to the coffee shop today. Was hoping to see you.

Craig

Can we please talk about this?

Craig

You said you’d always love me and that we were meant to be together. We will be together, Jules, baby.

“Wow,” Nick breathes out.

“This has been going on since he saw me at the coffee shop.” My hands are shaking.

“I’m going to find him and make him pay.” Nick moves toward the door.

I follow him. “No. Please?—”

“This ends now.”

Zane stands and places his hand on Nick’s shoulder. “No. Your emotions are running high. This is a trap, one he has been setting up for weeks.”

“He’s right,” Autumn offers. “This is exactly what Craig wants. You’re a good person, Nick. Don’t let him make you do something out of character, okay?”

I grab his hand and lead him back to the couch. “He wants you to be violent. He needs to be the victim and prove you’re the bad person. Don’t give him what he wants. For me. Please.”

“Okay.” Nick presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “You’re right. We need to document everything and file a police report. We handle this the right way.”

I squeeze his hand. “Thank you.”

“Save everything,” Nick tells me. “It’s all evidence. ”

“It’s harassment and emotional manipulation,” Zane adds. “I can call the chief of police. He’s friends with my dad.”

Nick shakes his head. “We go the proper routes so it can’t be twisted. But I should’ve handled him a week ago.”

“How?” Zane asks. “Beat the shit out of him? That’s exactly what he wants. Hockey Player Attacks Local Hero, Craig Downing .”

“Local hero?” I ask.

“That’s how he’s positioned himself with the media,” Zane explains. “He’s good at this.”

Autumn nods. “Many believe he’s the hometown boy who lost his girl to the rich playboy outsider. Half the town feels sorry for him.”

My phone rings, and I glance down and see it’s my mom. I immediately answer.

“Julie, honey, are you safe? I just talked with Blaire.”

“I’m at Autumn’s.”

“Sierra told me Craig came back to the shop this morning, asking when you’d be back. They didn’t tell him anything, but he seemed to know already.” She pauses. “Sweetie, be careful. He’s not himself lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s been telling people Nick is using you, that he’ll leave you broken when he goes back to New York. That he’s just trying to protect you from a monster.”

“Nick isn’t a monster. Craig’s lying. He has no idea wha?—”

“I know, honey. Nick is a fine young man.” She sighs. “But please keep me updated, okay? I’m worried about you.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I end the call and place my face in my hands.

Nick places his arm around. “It’s going to be okay.”

“You promise?” I ask, meeting his eyes.

“Yes.” He gives me a small smile, and with everything I am, I want to believe him.