Chapter Twenty: Owen

Dad loomed over me with one of my new baseball bats. I'd begged him for one of the fancy aluminum ones all the other kids used at games, but he said I was only good enough for a wooden one. He'd prefer it if I used a stick.

Coach Rudicell saw I hadn't come to practice with the type required by the school. I lied the first few times and told him I'd forgotten, but then, in my locker, I found a brand-new bat waiting for me. It had been my favorite colors too—blue and green.

Coach didn't have to say anything. I knew it had come from him.

"My own fucking kid can't even appreciate all the hard work I put in. You've gotta go and beg your coach for a new fancy bat? You suck his cock to get this, boy?"

"Dad, no. I didn't do anything. I swear." At fourteen, I was catching up to my dad in size, but he was still larger, especially in the darkened room where I cowered like a five-year-old against my headboard.

"Don't lie to me, boy. I bet you told that old man that I refused to buy it for ya, huh? I bet you told him how horrible of a father I am. Well, you know what? I'm gonna show you how horrible I can really be."

The first smack of the bat landed on my thigh. The next, my ribs. Then everything went black just as I heard my mother scream my name.

"Owen. Owen." My name was a distant cry melded with an earthquake-force shake. "Owen, please. It's Aspen. Please wake up."

Aspen? My Aspen?

I gasped for air as I pulled myself from the despair and blackness of my dream. No amount of medicine prescribed by the team doctor could rid me of the memories that plagued me when I least expected it. But since being back in Ashfield and sharing a bed with Aspen these last couple of months, I'd been dream-free.

Until today. And I knew exactly why. I was headed back to California on the first flight out of Nashville.

"Sorry, cricket," I groaned as I reached an arm around her stiff body.

"Are you okay? You scared me. I kept hearing you scream ‘no' over and over again." Her lithe body was shaking, and I hated that I caused any sort of fear in her. These were demons I needed to battle. She didn't need to play a part.

"I'm fine. I promise. Just a dream I have every now and then. Go back to sleep, cricket. It's the middle of the night."

My little minx nodded and curled her body against mine. I waited as her breaths evened out before shutting my own eyes.

***

"Do you have everything?" Aspen asked for the tenth time as she loaded my bags into the back of her SUV that she thanked me for no less than four times a day. Sometimes, she used words. Other times, she used her mouth around my cock. I didn't have a preference on whichever way she wanted to show her gratitude.

"I do. Thank you for letting my mom tag along." I invited my mom to the airport to send me off, and she arrived with both excitement and sadness. It was in the way she hugged and the way she asked if I was going to be home for Thanksgiving.

Last week, we'd gone together to watch my childhood home be demolished. I thought the process would affect me more than it did. I found myself sad for the good parts of my childhood being lost, but Aspen reminded me that all those good memories were still here. The place didn't hold them; I did.

My mom had a harder time watching the house crumble to the ground. I wrapped a soothing arm around her shoulders as she cried. We never talked about it, but I wondered if maybe some of those tears were happy one. She was finally ridding herself of that last lingering piece of my father. I'd never ask her though. Just like me, she had her own demons.

After the demolition, Aspen and I went on one final public date in town. We made sure to have Jenna and my friend Chris post it all over their socials when a group of us went to play paintball. An entire outdoor facility had been created since I graduated high school, and I was eager to play. So was Aspen. It was clear she had a lot of aggression to let out, because the woman was lethal with the paintball gun.

We hoped Vanessa got the final message when I posted on my not-frequently-used social media pages. It was a picture of Aspen and me sharing a kiss while covered in various colors of paint from the game, goggles pushed up to rest on top of our heads. I'd finally taken the leap and blocked her number, consequences be damned. So, if she was trying to reach out to me, she was going to have to go through my agent.

"You're going to be late," Beverly called out from the open window of the back seat.

"Mom, we still have four hours before my flight takes off. I have plenty of time."

Mom harrumphed before ducking back inside the running car.

At the Easterly Sunday dinner, I handed Andrew the keys to the McClaren to use while I was gone. It was the first dinner since Nash's return home, and I would be lying if I said he looked good. The man looked like he'd been to hell and back. I guess, in a sense, he had. But he'd been in good spirits and made me promise to take him for a ride in the exotic car the next time I was in town.

Whenever that would be. Until then, I kept my rental lease open with Rory and asked Alex to stop by periodically to make sure the place was in order. It was on her way to her cake shop.

She had finally started coming around to the thought of me and Aspen being an item, though it was clear she didn't fully trust me yet. I had a feeling trust didn't come easily for her. Either way, she made the best damn desserts, and I planned on ordering her pistachio cake at least once a week while I was gone.

"You're staring off into space again," Aspen said with a not-so-gentle tap on my shoulder.

"Sorry. Just going through a mental checklist," I lied.

"Not sure why. You can buy whatever you need when you arrive in LA."

Stepping forward, I wrapped both my arms around her waist. "Yeah, but I can't buy a cricket, sooo… there is that."

"True. But you could get one tattooed on you somewhere."

"Not the same," I mumbled as I brushed my lips against hers. As I pulled back, she checked her watch for the third time since we stepped out in the driveway. "Everything all right?"

"Yeah, sorry. I have the wood for the fences on your property arriving today. I'm just anxious to get it started."

With a quick peck on her nose, I added, "It's your property, baby. Remember that."

"All right, Casanova, let's get you on the road." Her voice wobbled on the last word, and I knew my leaving was affecting her as much as it was me. I'd tried to pull every favor I could to extend my stay, but my contracts with the team and marketing were iron clad. When they wanted me to do something, I was required to be there if I wanted to keep playing for the salary I earned.

It was too bad that contracts didn't change when your dreams for the future did.

***

California was exactly like I'd left it. Warm, sunny, and lonely. While I loved the people I met since I started playing for the Coyotes, the city of stars was one of the most isolated places I'd ever visited.

A waiting town car ushered me from the airport to my house, then over to the main offices of the Coyotes. I'd only had enough time to change into one of my tailor-made suits before I was expected to show my face in front of the general manager and the team owners. Per my coach, they both wanted to congratulate me on my previous season.

The minute I threw on the bespoke suit, I missed the jeans and flannels I'd been wearing around Sunny Brook Farms. I'd done my best to help Aspen around the farm—something I found myself enjoying—as she tried to fill her dad's shoes. But I could see the work was already taking a toll on her. The weight of the farm and fulfilling her family's legacy was all on her. I couldn't fathom why no one else seemed to notice the strain she was under. Most of all, her mother and brother.

But I knew it wasn't my place to speak up. All I could do during that time, and now, was support her and her decision.

On the plane, I thought about how Aspen wanted to travel but had never even been on a flight. My chest ached thinking about all her sacrifices that seemed to go overlooked.

"Welcome back," my coach said as he waited for me in the lobby of the massive building.

"Thanks."

"How'd the work go with that therapist? Your arm up to speed?"

"Kelsey did a great job. Seriously. I feel better than when I started last season."

"Good to hear, kid," he said with a jovial slap on my back. "Now, it's the head honchos up in that room," he added as we boarded the elevator. "I know you've been down this route a few times, but remember, they're in it for the current and potential sponsorships."

Yeah, I remembered my first meeting when I was twenty and nearly shit my pants while I was speaking with the general manager. He was the one who signed my paychecks, after all. At that time, I didn't know I still held the power to say no. Now, I knew better, although they could overrule me at any time. It was why I tried to stay on my best behavior.

As Coach and I stepped out of the elevator and into the conference area, I had a sudden fear that the Vanessa issue was causing trouble for me and the team. Sports players relied on more than their stats to draw in new fans. We were also celebrities in our own right and had a certain image to portray. The leaked footage of my ex's cheating scandals during our relationship could tarnish the appearance I tried to keep up.

As I stepped inside one of the glass-walled rooms, I analyzed the faces of the GM and team owners. They smiled, but it was forced as they congratulated me on a great season. The corners of their eyes didn't wrinkle in the same way they had in the past.

Just as we collectively sat down, the public relations director, Rebecca, stepped into the room with a stack of papers and a laptop. Quietly and efficiently, she plugged in the device, and an image popped up on the projection screen.

I immediately recognized the woman in the picture. Vanessa, wearing one of her slinky red dresses, was standing outside the training area dressed to the nines. The next image showed one of our newest recruits stepping over to her and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

She may have been done with me, finally, but she was trying to sink her claws into another unsuspecting male.

"Mr. Ramsey, do you know the woman in these photographs?" the general manager asked, and I replied truthfully and explained we hadn't been together since the non-wedding.

"It seems she's been causing a problem with our players."

"Well, she's signed with Venture Models. You could let them know how she's behaving. Her job means everything to her."

"But you"re serious about her not being a problem?"

"Not for me. She's history."

The slideshow flickered to another image, and I felt the tips of my ears redden as a shot of me with Aspen appeared. It was one of our afternoon dates at The Purple Goat, and I kissed her outside under the awning as it poured all around us. The rain had come from all different directions, and we were soaked just by stepping outside.

"And her?" he asked, tilting his head as I smiled.

"She's… everything."

"And will she be a problem like the last?"

"Not at all."

One of the team owners chose that moment to chime in and ask where the new woman was and why she wasn't with me.

Chuckling, I leaned back in my chair, at ease for the first time since I walked into the room.

"Her family owns a farm in my hometown. Aspen is slated to take it over once her dad officially retires."

"Farmer? That's some hard work there."

Another owner in the room added, "Is she going to be a distraction at all?"

"No, sir. She's been in my life since I was six years old."

The man nodded and flipped through the stack of papers resting on the table in front of him.

"Aspen?" Rebecca asked, and I confirmed her name. "That's the tattoo. On your arm, I mean. It's an aspen tree."

"Yeah. How'd you know that?" I questioned as I rubbed the area.

"I grew up in Alaska and recognized it." She shrugged and clicked a few keys on her laptop. "From a PR perspective, I don't think she'll be an issue either. People love a childhood-friends-to-lovers romance."

"Oh, we were definitely not friends growing up. We practically hated each other."

"Really?" Rebecca asked, the screen switching to another picture of me and Aspen standing in line at Chuck's grocery store. She was leaning against me, her back to my chest, and I had my arms wrapped around her shoulders with her favorite candy bar dangling from my hand.

"It's the truth. Ask anyone from our town. It took six weeks of us dating before they stopped running in the opposite direction whenever they saw us together."

All conversations in the room halted as the group looked at me with wide, wary eyes.

"There was an incident in the chemistry lab in high school. I'll leave it at that." I chuckled.

The PR director paused with her mouth agape, before she continued, "Well, we'll spin it as a Hallmark-esque romance then. Either way, when the public learns more about your new girl, they're going to go a little nuts, since your last relationship ended with you being stood up at the altar."

"I wasn't stood up. She was just late to the nuptials, and I happened to stumble upon what had her running behind," I replied diplomatically. "Is my personal life really that interesting?"

"For most sports players, no." I narrowed my eyes and waited for Rebecca to resume her point. "But you've been listed as one of the World's Most Eligible Bachelors and the World's Sexiest Men multiple times. The public is interested. Believe me."

Turning back toward the screen, she shows a bar graph that illustrates searches of my name against other players in internet browsers. I surpassed everyone on the team and only fell short behind some of the most famous players in recent years. I'd never realized how well-known I'd become.

"Oh."

"So, when the public asks about your new relationship, we'll have something prepared. We should probably consider a soft-launch of sorts. Maybe a charity event." Rebecca went on and on about ways to spin the coupling to help with team recognition and boost the overall public view.

"Rebecca," I chimed in. "I hate to burst your bubble, but Aspen won't be attending any of those things. She works seven days a week, for at least fourteen hours a day. Her life is busy all the time."

"So, how do you expect to make the relationship work?" she asked, but my coach immediately interrupted and asked about the sponsorships that required my attention. Since they had been the reason I needed to return to LA early.

But through the rest of the two-hour meeting, in which they droned on about team and individual sponsorships and promotions, things that didn't require my attention, I couldn't help but think about when I'd get a chance to see Aspen again. Outside of daily calls, I had no idea. I was even scheduled to be present for parades around the holidays, leaving me little opportunity to travel home.

And it wasn't only Aspen I wanted to devote time to. My mom and I were finally patching up our relationship. I didn't want to put a strain on that so soon.

As the meeting came to a close, I pulled Coach Hampton and Rebecca aside.

"Thanks for the meeting, and I look forward to helping the team in any way I can, but moving forward, please limit my sponsorships, charity work, and promotional events to five or less during the off season," I said professionally, but to my own ears, I sounded like a whiny child.

I was surprised when Coach smirked and nodded. Rebecca, on the other hand, wrinkled her nose.

"I thought you said the girl wouldn't be an issue."

"It's not the girl, Rebecca. It's called downtime for a reason. I need time to train and prepare for the next season as well as rest. And on top of that, I just started making amends with my mother. I'd like to be able to visit with her when I'm not playing."

"Well, I…. You're our most popular player, Owen. The fans expect—"

"The fans expect to see me play and play well. I can't do that if I'm exhausted when the season starts. You have plenty of good-looking up-and-coming players. I'm certain any of them could fill those spots just as good as I could. I'm not asking you to move things around this year. I've made the commitment. But please keep it in mind when the season starts."

With little argument, she nodded and scooted down the hall. Suddenly, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. Tom Sung, the general manager and hall-of-famer, stood at the doorway looking pleased.

"Glad to see you making your life a priority, Owen. This game can be a brutal one with long seasons. Family should always come first."

"Thanks, Mr. Sung."

"Now, what do you say to a midday drink? After sitting in that meeting for the last two hours, I can't feel my ass any longer."

Chuckling, I agreed, as did Coach Hampton. I knew better than to decline the chance to talk ball with a player immortalized in the MLB Hall of Fame. Even if he could sign me away at a moment"s notice. I liked to think we had a good relationship. He's the one who took a chance on me when I was just a little asshole in college.

A few nights later, I was lying in my newly delivered bed watching John Wick for the umpteenth time. I'd spent the majority of the week purchasing all new furniture for the house. Vanessa had decorated it from top to bottom when she moved in, all in her glamorous style. I didn't have a need for a pink velvet couch or a fur rug under my bed.

There was also a lingering scent of her perfume that had always made my nose tingle with an incoming sneeze. It was now gone thanks to a diffuser of miracle-working essential oils. I hired an interior designer that Marc knew, and she helped me make my house feel more like a home. Before Vanessa, I filled the space with everything needed for a bachelor pad. Lots of leather and metal. But the new space reminded me of Aspen's and Rory's homes. A little mix of mid-century and a bit eclectic. Sure, it probably came off a bit feminine, but it felt like being back in Ashfield.

Beside me, my phone buzzed, and I glanced over to find Aspen calling. We'd made it a routine to speak every night, even when she was exhausted or I was in the middle of training. We both made the time. That had been our agreement.

Pressing the Answer button, I saw her face pop up on the screen. She was on a video chat, so I immediately turned on my camera.

"Hey, cricket."

"Hey," she said warmly. Aspen was outside, somewhere among trees. Her backdrop was filled with yellows, greens, and oranges. The fall in Ashfield was one of those things I missed most when I moved away.

"Where are you?" I asked. I couldn't quite determine the location, but I knew it was somewhere high in the mountains. She panned out the camera and flipped it around. Aspen sat on a rock ledge overlooking the town. It reminded me of those postcards people pick up of picturesque getaways.

"Wow, that's a view," I said when she turned the camera and herself so that it showed both her and the view over the ledge.

"It's my favorite spot. I come here when I need a breathe, you know?"

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Not much is happening on the farm today. Mr. Frener is moving his cattle onto the new fields. Andrew is overlooking it."

"Ah, so you get some time away. That's good, cricket."

"Andrew has been helping out more, and we're looking at hiring some people. I'm just not sure how I feel about it."

We'd spoken on this a few times since I left. Aspen didn't think it was right for someone else to run the family farm. I kept trying to convince her she could still oversee Sunny Brook Farms but could hire others to manage the property.

"I know. But I don't think it'll hurt to hear him out."

Off in the distance, I heard a popping sound, and Aspen held up a soda into view as she took a sip.

"What did you get into this morning?" Sometimes I forgot we had a two-hour time difference. It was midafternoon where she was and early lunchtime here.

"I had a call with my agent and Vanessa's."

"Oh, really? What about?" Aspen asked eagerly.

"She has agreed to stay away from me and all Coyotes players. Essentially, the general manager enacted a client restraining order of sorts. We wouldn't use her agency for any models, whether for promotions, advertising, or things like that, so long as she was linked with one of the players."

"Is that even legal?"

"No idea, but it worked. Last I heard, Venture Models was only keeping her on, because she tends to land exclusive runway shows and editorials."

"Well, I'm glad you're rid of her."

Chuckling, I replied, "I'm sure you are."

"What happened between her and her best friend?"

"Not sure. I don't really care, to be honest. Her agent let it slip that she was looking for apartments in New York, so hopefully we'll never run into her here."

"We?"

"Well, I was kind of hoping I could get you out to a game or two once your dad is back on his feet. How is he doing, by the way?"

Aspen's giggle sounded like it echoed across the mountain range and valley. "Same as yesterday and the day before that."

The alarm on my phone sounded, and I knew my call was going to be cut short.

"Hey, cricket, I have to go hop in the shower. I'm due to take some pictures for a sports drink this afternoon."

"Ooo, in your underwear?"

"No." I laughed. "At least I don't think so. They usually like us in our uniforms."

"Fine. But if you do have to get half naked, please have someone send me pictures."

"You got it, babe. And don't worry—everything will all work out. I love you."

She sighed in the same way she did when she'd snuggle up against me in bed right before falling asleep. "I love you too."