Induction Day: Book Two in the Butterman Travel Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

Remember that. Fall is number three in the country now, number eleven worldwide. Own it. The past is the past.”
    “A press release, Val? Come on. Last thing I need is looking ignorant while some reporter puts me on the spot. What’s going on?” Tristan’s former playfulness has now vanished, his shoulders tense.
    Val takes a deep, thoughtful breath. “The video of you crushing the microdrone went viral. All the gossip forums are crawling with speculation of violent streaks linked to heliox withdrawals.” She pauses. “They’re linking it to your friend’s time travel agency, saying the two of you are meddling with time, and that it’s the only reason for your success.”
    Tristan is silent. Not just a don’t-know-what-to-say silence, but a calm-before-the-storm silence. Makes my throat constrict.
    “Unflattering pictures have flooded the webs,” Val continues, a softer tone to her voice. “Old pictures of you I’ve never seen before. The offer to buy them is most likely irresistible to any and every freelancer with a microdrone. People you didn’t even realize had taken your picture back then are coming out of the woodwork to make a quick buck. But, Tristan, that’s not you anymore, you have to come to terms with that, darling. We’re taking this to the next level, nipping it in the bud. Once the public sees you like I’m seeing you right now, they’re going to forget all this mud-slinging. Trust me.”
    “What about Butterman Travel?” Tristan asks.
    I clasp my hands together, equally mystified as I am afraid. Afraid for my family’s livelihood and baffled Tristan put concern for it , before himself.
    Val offers a weak smile. “At present, it’s not good. It’s up to them, but if you want my advice, it’s in their best interest to make an official statement, do their own press release. I can help them arrange it if you’d like.”
    “Yes, I’d like.” Tristan frowns. “I won’t have any blame placed on them. Understood? It’s unacceptable.”
    “I’ll contact them immediately,” Val says. “Be ready at your screen by 930AM local. Do not be late whatever you do. Very important they see your attention to punctuality. WNN will contact you directly and stream the live call. No room for bloopers today, you understand that, don’t you, darling? Have answers and explanations ready. Nothing specific. Try not to bring up Butterman Travel unless directly asked, answer only for yourself. The Buttermans should take care of their own damage control, I’ll see to it they understand.”
    “Got it. Thanks, Val.” Tristan gives her a nod, shuts down the call, his back still to me. “I’m sorry, Bianca. It’s my fault.”
    I let out a shaky sigh and move in just behind him. “It sucks. But it’s not your fault.”
    I’d try to comfort him more, but truth is, I’m a little freaked out right now. What will my parents say? They tried convincing me that coming here by myself was a bad idea. I countered with the classic legal-adult-at-eighteen retort. It was all I had.
    “Maybe news hasn’t reached my parents yet,” I say, but more for my own assurance than Tristan’s. “I should be the one to break it to them.”
    Fat chance. Mom listens to news reports every morning with her coffee. If this scandal has gone viral, WNN is bound to mention it, especially if they’ve got an exclusive with Tristan in a few hours.
    “Val’s a wiz with damage control,” Tristan tells me. “Best there is, that’s why she’s my agent. She’ll tell your parents exactly what to say.”
    “What about me? Shouldn’t I be there, though? All this is my fault. I’ve gotta call them.” I check the clock at the bottom right of the holo-screen. “It’s middle of the night in Alaska right now.”
    “So wake them up. They’ll wanna hear it from you.”
    I want to see just how bad the damage is first. Moving in to the holo-screen, I open a browser, enter Web-Celeb Talk in the search engine and peruse the home