Ashes

Chapter 57

So Jolene wanted to play rough. Bryce headed home and turned on his notebook. He hadn't been in the house ten minutes when Maverick called his cell. Bryce didn't answer, letting the message go to voicemail.

"Bryce? Maverick. I need to see you in my office immediately."

Heh. He ought to know that if I'm not at my phone it's unlikely I'll appear immediately.

Sounded like Maverick had heard about Jo's tweets. Not surprising. She'd been a busy little vixen. After she'd made the rounds on the talk show circuit, she'd spent the rest of the day chatting online with women who'd been sexually harassed.

Bryce hadn't logged into his Twitter account in years but he logged in now, cleared his notifications and posted a link to the video page on his own website. He tagged the tweet #metoo, #ashes, #welovejolene and #brycegate, then drove his Jeep to the office.

I suspect I won't be using the limo anymore. Pity.  Okay, the limo was tacky, but he loved that car. And what a great way to pick up girls. Le Sigh.

Once in the building he knocked on LuAnne's desk as he went by, and she offered to clean out his office.

"Trying to get rid of me, darlin'?" he asked with a grin.

"No, you oaf. But Mav's on the warpath after that #metoo business. I wouldn't be surprised if he fired you. But I know you wouldn't do any such thing. There are few men as respectful to women as you."

"You know me well. Yeah, I could use some boxes if you got 'em."

He didn't wait for LuAnne to announce him; simply entered Mav's office.

"Bryce!" Maverick dug through his desk drawers for the bottle of whiskey he kept there. "Where the hell have you been?"

"Visiting Ashanté. She seems to be doing well, though I'll check again tomorrow."

Maverick slammed the drawer shut and opened the next, where he found the bottle but no glass. He drank straight from the bottle, then gestured for Bryce to take a seat in the chair before the desk. "You've seen the news?"

"Why? Is there something new? The last I heard, Jo was giving new meaning to #metoo. As in I love one night stands. Yeah, me too!  Heh."

"How can you joke about this? You've given the label a black eye. Country music's supposed to represent the best of America. I hate to do this, I mean, I really hate  to do this, knowing you have the goods on Jennifer. But I've got no choice. I'm sorry, Bryce, but I have to give you the sack."

"Heh. I've had too many people in the sack lately, Mav. Like Jo."

Maverick's eyes popped, and then he laughed. "Idiot. Have a drink with me before you go. I'll find some glasses."

"Thanks, Mav, but that's okay. Just give me a generous severance check and we'll call it even."

Maverick nodded, and took a swig. "Watch your back, Bryce. Jo's vicious. This could get plenty ugly in the next few days."

"It already has, but I'm prepared for further escalation. Thanks, Maverick. For everything. This has been a great place to work."

He saluted as he left, and Mav tipped his bottle in response. While Bryce cleaned out his desk and bookcase down the hall, Maverick turned on the TV in his own office. The entertainment news network was breaking the latest wrinkle in the Ashes scandal, #blueroom.