Page 69 of Axe-Rated Lumberjack

“Where did this come from? Have you talked to Bridget yet?”

“My brother sent it. Apparently, he found it on Folio’s social media this morning, and now he’s wondering why I didn’t tell him I’d become some kind of audiobook celebrity.” Hudson lowered the phone, his expression tight with anger. “I haven’t called Folio yet. I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out how the hell this happened.”

“We need to call them immediately. Bridget will want to know, and Oliver needs to find out who authorized it. This is exactly what your contract was supposed to prevent.”

Hudson looked down at the phone, then back at me.

“That’s what I thought too. Which is why I’m having a hard time understanding how something like this could happen without somebody giving them the idea.”

I felt the first uneasy stirrings of apprehension.

“What do you mean?”

He rubbed a hand across his forehead before answering.

“Yesterday, Folio offered us that big narration deal. The one with the interviews and appearances and all the publicity. You were pretty excited about it, Peyton. You talked about how much it could mean for your career, and I told them I didn’t want any part of the public promotion.”

“I know. I was sitting right beside you. I heard everything you said.”

“Then how the hell did my name and picture end up on their account?”

“I don’t know, Hudson. But I’m sure Bridget can find out.”

He shook his head.

“Peyton, you were the one who brought me into this whole thing. You knew exactly how I felt about my privacy. I made it clear from the beginning.”

I stared at him.

“I know you did. That’s why I’m so upset about this. You had every right to expect Folio to honor the agreement.”

He looked at the phone again, and when he spoke, his voice was quieter.

“Did you say anything to Bridget after yesterday’s call? Anything about me reconsidering the publicity part if the offer was good enough?”

For a moment, I couldn’t find an answer.

Not because I didn’t know what to say, but because I couldn’t quite believe what he’d asked.

“No, Hudson. I didn’t tell her anything of the sort. I haven’t spoken to Bridget or Oliver since yesterday’s call, and I certainly haven’t given anyone permission to use your photograph.”

He ran a hand through his hair.

“It’s awfully convenient timing. They offer us a big public narration deal, and the very next morning my face is all over their account.”

I felt as though the floor had shifted beneath me.

“Convenient?”

“You were thrilled about that offer, Peyton. You told me you’ve been waiting for an opportunity like it for years. I’m trying to figure out whether somebody at Folio got the impression I’d be willing to go along with the promotional campaign.”

“Yes, because it matters to me. But that doesn’t mean I’d betray your trust to get it.” I stepped closer, trying to make him understand. “You told Oliver exactly what you were comfortable with, and I respected that. Why would I go behind your back and tell him something different?”

Hudson looked away.

For the first time since I’d met him, his silence didn’t feel comfortable.

“Hudson, I had nothing to do with that post. I didn’t send anyone your photograph, I didn’t ask anyone to use your name, and I didn’t even know they were preparing publicity material. Whatever happened, it happened without my knowledge.”