But the reporter cuts me off, moving as fast and sharp as a rabid raccoon. "I think I speak for the entire room when I say that we're all laser focused on your investors, Mr. Carlton, which is something you should consider turning your attention to. There is no room on Wall Street for lewd and incestuous back-door dealings."
"Let me stop you right there and—" Sloane tries to say, but he is cut off.
"It's outrageous!" another reporter barks. "How can you stand up there and justify your actions? There are photographs."
Sloane looks over at me and we lock gazes. I can see the realization on both of our faces. We have come together and joined forces; we now know that we are a unit, not just Sloane and I, but Natalie too—all three of us. We are all tied together, forever, no matter how good or bad the outcome may be.
But it's too fucking late.
The media is out for blood and Sloane and I are standing here on this stage, two bleeding and wounded men. Each question from the reporters feels like a bullet piercing our flesh. Each dig makes us bleed a little more as we stumble and try to survive it. But the more we bleed, the stronger the crowd becomes.
I look over at Sloane once more. All of the animosity I once harbored—the competitive fierceness I had against him—is now gone. Standing next to me is my best friend. I give him a smile, but it's a weak one; it's bittersweet. It's just my luck to realize who my best friend is moments before we are about to die.
I'm about to motion to Sloane for us to exit the stage. I'm about to say that we gave a valiant effort, but it's time we leave. We aren't going to win this.
But I don't.
Because I’m interrupted.
"Excuse me," a voice calls out and I turn to the very edge of the crowd.
The gaggle of reporters, now used to the drama unfolding before them turns around, their cameras ready for what new fresh twist they’ll be receiving.
"If you’re going to go after my boys and spank them around, you’re going to have to do it over my dead body," she says.
My eyes don’t leave her.
Natalie Vanderhill.
Looking every bit the strong, sexual woman who says fuck you to the world.
I couldn’t love her more. And I take glance at Sloane. He’s thinking the same damn thing.
"After all," she says as she walks up towards the podium. "Only I get to spank them and that’s during sex."
Whatever we were trying to do, Natalie has just changed the rules.
This is going to be fun.
Natalie
The entire crowd stops talking or it looks like even thinking. They turn to me.
I swear, it's like a single organism or something.
I gulp.
"After all," I say as I walk toward the podium. "Only I get to spank them and that’s during sex."
Where the hell did that come from?
What am I even doing here?
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea?
I can't do this. Can I?
Wait, what am I talking about.