Page 60 of Hard Count
Piper took his time. Tank stood and walked over, stopping just inside his space. “Can’t two guys go piss at the same fucking time, Jesus Christ.”
“I’m going to say something,” Tank said.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
Piper kept his eyes on his hands.
“You don’t look at people like that,” Tank said.
“The photographer gave direction,” Piper said finally.
“Going into the bathroom, was that directed?”
Piper did not answer him.
Tank nodded. “You can see where it stops.”
Piper looked up and watched it without looking away. He figured Taylor Love, the creative director, had decided to film his own fantasy. He’d deal with him later.
“Practice in twenty.”
Tank held still. “That’s what you’ve got.”
“That’s what matters. This is all a distraction.”
“No,” Tank said. “Piper this is blowing up.”
“Stay off social.”
Piper walked past him. Practice was supposed to narrow everything, but it didn’t, and his throws showed the strain of it all.
***
By the time he got home, the commercial had spread beyond containment.
He stood in the kitchen. His phone buzzed.
Vivienne: We are handling the brand. Don’t speak to anyone, including teammates. Do not post. We were promised final cut and they will fucking pay for this.
Then Noah.
You good with this?
Piper looked at the message, then typed.
Vivienne says they’re building a case.
The reply came fast.
That’s not what I asked.
Piper leaned against the counter.Let’s keep the story simple.
Noah’s response was immediate. The story is simple. Two guys went to the bathroom to fucking piss.
Piper stared at the screen, knowing full well there was no pissing that occurred.
