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“Well,” he started, clapping his hands.
Maggie’s chair groaned as she jumped at the sound.
No one else seemed to notice.
“I think we can all agree that this has now become significantly bigger than local radio. Yesterday’s stream numbers broke every record this station has ever had. This is now a national story. It’s on the news. So I guess what I’m saying is: congratulations! You’ve created the most important event in current media.”
Despite myself, my gaze tracked across the table, expecting Maggie to be sitting straighter, to have her chin up and a smile plastered on her face as she got recognition for her plan.
But that wasn’t what I saw.
She was even more slumped. Like she was trying to disappear into the chair completely.
“I know this is…” Mr. Lane paused, fingers dancing in the air, “complicated for you. Unfortunately, it’s also excellent radio. Linus?” he asked.
Next to me, the shifter liaison reached for a remote and pointed it at the TV behind Mr. Lane.
The screen lit with screenshots from various social media platforms and news networks.
ON-AIR FEUD REVEALED
YOU CAN SEE THE MOMENT HE REALIZES IT’S HER. DEVASTATING!
DID WE ALL FALL FOR A SCAM MADE UP BY THE RADIO STATION?
There were dozens and dozens of them. Some invested, some angry. All of them appeared to have many likes and comments.
Next to me, Linus clicked the button, scrolling through articles, blog posts, and tons of short-form videos.
I’d been avoiding any footage of the event. But I couldn’t look away fast enough. And I saw myself. On that stage. Headphones on. Realizing the betrayal.
I looked… well, I looked as broken as I felt.
Across from me, a strange, choked, almost whimpering sound moved through Maggie.
Or had I imagined it?
No one else seemed to notice.
“You two are trending above our senator cheating scandal and a celebrity baby announcement. Which, frankly, is impressive.”
“Mr. Lane—” I started. Because I knew where he was going. And it was not in a direction I was going to like.
He held up a hand. “Let me finish. Because I have spent days now talking to news stations, advertisers, lawyers, investigators, paranormal therapists, bloggers, and one woman in Wisconsin who claimed your last show made her have to go back on antidepressants. Which perhaps isn’t the best thing, but merch requests are through the roof. And I just got a call from a documentary film crew who wants to do a mini-series on the station and you two.”
Maggie said nothing.
I decided to hold my firm No for the end of his spiel.
“Legally speaking, ethically speaking, and from a basic human-resources—”
“Being-resources,” Linus cut in.
“Right. From a being-resources perspective, I am required to tell you both that if this has become damaging to your mental health, we must end the show immediately.” He paused. “That would, of course, be catastrophic.”
Still, Maggie had said nothing.
Her hand was no longer gripping the arm of her chair but was pushing her cuticles violently back up her nail beds. Even from across the table, I smelled the metallic tang as she broke the skin.
