Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
At eleven, it’s not just Chase in his office, but Maddox, too. I guess I should be grateful that I don’t have to disgrace myself in front of all four Stanton brothers, but two are bad enough.
“Have a seat.” Chase’s tone is softer today. He probably doesn’t like having to fire people, no matter how much they deserve it. Maddox gives me a gentle smile, which I appreciate. They’re good people, which makes me feel even more ashamed of my behavior.
I let out a deep breath and sit up straight, bracing myself for the bad news.
“Thanks for coming in, Brittany. I’m sorry about yesterday.”
I’d been looking down at a random spot on his desk, but my eyes jerk up to meet his.
“I did more research after we talked yesterday, and I found out that the incident that took place during the tour wasn’t your fault, and I understand why it might have been difficult for you to say anything yesterday, but I want you to know this is a safe space.”
Again, my mouth drops open, and I try to use it to say something, but Chase continues on.
“Harassment isn’t an easy topic, and it’s my understanding that women who do speak out are often ignored, not taken seriously, or even punished for things that aren’t their fault, but I want to assure you that will never happen here. And you can also be assured that you’ll never have to go on tour with those men again, or encounter them in any way.”
I’m still trying to catch up. “Harassment? What are you talking about?” I feel like I’ve stepped into the wrong meeting, and the meeting where I’m supposed to be getting fired is happening in some alternate dimension.
“We know it was the men’s fault,” Maddox says.
I knew it was possible the men might get in trouble, too, but as the tour manager, I was sure I’d bear the brunt of the responsibility. I was the one on their laps, after all. I was the initiator, that time and the first time. I was the person in the position of power, as it were.
“They owned up to everything when I talked to them yesterday,” Chase says, “and they were all fired immediately.” He looks like he expects me to be pleased at this news.
“Wait a minute. Owned up to it? And why are you calling it harassment?”
“Yes, they confessed to everything, and we’re so sorry that this happened to you,” Chase says. “I knew the guys were cocky, but I thought they were decent men. We screen all of our employees thoroughly, but apparently, you can’t know everything.”
“Are you interested in pressing charges against them?” Maddox asks.
I press up out of my chair, even though my head is swimming. “I can’t make sense of anything you’re saying. They are decent men, all of them. What exactly did they tell you?”
“It’s okay, Brittany. I know it’s difficult.” Maddox is trying to soothe me, but I’m getting more upset by the second.
“All four of them admitted that they forced themselves on you.” Chase’s tone is low, as though he wishes he didn’t have to say what he’s saying. “We know they forced you to kiss them, and that they kept coming onto you, even though you kept shutting them down. As for the incident in the dressing room, we know they grabbed you and forced themselves on you.” He shudders at the last part, like it’s almost too horrible to mention.
“That’s not what happened! Not at all.”
Chase goes white. “Was it worse than that? I thought it was just touching, which is bad enough. Did they hurt you?”
I shake my head so hard it hurts. “No, it wasn’t anything like that! I came on to them. I initiated things, and what that venue manager saw was completely my fault, my responsibility. I’m the tour manager, and I was the one who was out of line.”
Chase’s eyes are wide as he slumps back in his chair.
“You need to give all four of them their jobs back,” I say. “It was entirely my fault.”
Both Chase and Maddox look confused and skeptical. Their eyes gradually narrow as they look at me, an understanding dawning on them that tells me the conversation is about to get even more uncomfortable.
“If it’s your fault,” Chase says, “why do you think the men took the blame?”
“Every single one of them admitted their wrongdoings,” Maddox says.
I shrug as I look blankly around the room. “I don’t know. Some misguided sense of chivalry?”
The two men are quiet for another unbearably long stretch, and they’re watching me the entire time, thinking. Finally, Chase says, “It’s none of my business, except it unfortunately is, since it took place during the club tour —”
I interrupt. “Again, I’m so sorry about what happened, and I understand that you need to fire me.”