1. Chapter 1

Maybe I could be a porn star?

As I stand outside the airport, I contemplate my career choice options as I wait for my ride, which is now twenty minutes late.

No, STD's scare me.

Maybe I could be a model? But I like to eat, and my ass is way too big.

At this point, I would do just about anything to get me out of this hellish situation I am in. Standing outside an airport, alone after a long flight, and waiting on a ride that seems to have gotten lost.

Huffing, I check my phone again, but just as it was moments ago, I still have no messages or missed calls.

When I was forced to move to Sunnyvale and start my sophomore year of college at Sunnyvale University, I was less than excited.

To be honest, I was pissed.

Floored.

And I may or may not have had a few tantrums while packing up my life in Miami to be moved to a small university town where my dad works.

Well, he is the coach of the Sunnyvale Hawks hockey team.

Me: Dad, you did tell me you were sending a car to pick me up, right?

I sent a quick text to my dad, whom I hadn't seen in over a year. When my mom and stepdad told me that I had to leave Miami, my dad agreed to help me in Sunnyvale, but on his terms.

Apparently, that's how my life always played it. Always on everyone else's terms.

When my parents divorced, I had to leave my home in Seattle and move to Miami. At first, it sucked because I didn't know anyone, but the nightlife and parties quickly pulled me in. I found myself falling in love with traveling around the world, hanging out with celebrities, and not having a care in the world.

My dad finally texted me back, and I let out a heavy breath and stomped my foot.

Dad: Yes, of course. I apologize. I forgot to tell the driver the time. They are on their way now.

Rolling my eyes, I pull my hair up into a high ponytail. Of course, he forgot. My dad only had one thing on his mind: hockey.

Sitting on my large suitcase, I settled in for at least another thirty-minute wait.

Me: Fine. Maybe this was a bad idea.

Dad: Don't be dramatic. We will talk when you get to my office.

Dramatic?

He hasn't seen me be dramatic yet.

I was an adult who was being dragged across the country to leave my school, friends, and home all because of…

My stomach drops as I think about the why. Sure, I had let my partying get out of hand, but no one seemed to care until I showed up in the tabloids. Drunken photos of me with a few celebrities and social media influencers emerged, and suddenly, my mom cared about what I did.

Everything was fine until one drunken night turned into a night in jail and a large retribution that I had to pay back to a fashion designer whose diamond-covered dress I destroyed one night after a fashion show. I hadn't meant to let my life get out of control, but I just couldn't resist myself. A few drinks turned into a dozen, and before I knew it, I was in the pool at a Miami mansion. The designer was suing my parents for damages to the dress, and my wild night was displayed all over social media.

Apparently, my antics could destroy my family"s careers. My mother, who was a large event planner for celebrities in Miami, had given me an ultimatum. Either clean up my act or she would kick me out, stop paying my rent and tuition, and cut off my credit cards. My stepdad, who was a high-powered attorney to a large Miami basketball team, was sick of my ‘childish' ways as he had put it. They paid my fees and then decided to ship me off.

Maybe if either of them had cared to pay any attention to me, I wouldn't have found my happiness in nightclubs…

Shaking my head, I refused to think about that.

I was in the South of France when I got the call from my mom that all my belongings were being shipped to Sunnyvale and that I wouldn't be able to come back to my home in Miami. I didn't bother to argue or beg. That just wasn't in my nature. Instead, I called my dad and found out that he had booked me a flight to Sunnydale. That was two days ago, and I still hadn't talked to my mom.

Cars honked in the pick-up lane as a plane taking off overhead rumbled the ground. The air here in California was hot but not humid like Miami. I guess that was one plus to this shitty situation.

Finally, a black sedan pulled over with a sign in the window that read: Ashlynn Towers.

I jumped off my luggage and scrambled over to the car. The driver, an older man with graying hair, moved around the car and reached for my luggage. I offered him a smile as I took my purse and settled into the back of the car.

When I heard the trunk close, the driver returned to the driver's seat. "Miss, your father instructed me to take you to his office. We should arrive there in about fifteen minutes."

"Thank you," I offered, as I placed my Air Pods in my ears and got ready for the ride.

The drive from the LAX airport to the small coastal town of Sunnyvale was scenic and almost serene. As angry as I was about this move, I did have to admit that the place was beautiful. Not that I would ever admit that to my parents.

When I saw the Hawks arena come into view, I took out my Air Pods and sat up straighter in my seat. My stomach sank as we drove closer. I despised the sport of hockey, and whenever I saw an arena or hockey stick, I would cringe.

"You a hockey fan?" the driver asks, his dark eyes meeting mine in the rear-view mirror.

"Not really," I sigh.

The driver seems to sense my unease because he doesn't push the topic. He stops and helps me out of the vehicle in front of the arena. Taking a deep breath, I make my way inside, suitcase in tow. I followed the hallway toward the offices and found the texts my dad had sent with directions on how to find the wing and office.

It doesn't take me too long to find the offices. As I approach the office, I see a large window overlooking the rink. I can see the team practicing below and my dad yelling drills. Stepping closer to the glass, I watch his eyes light up each time the players do something he instructs. My stomach drops at the sight of his happiness. I can't ever remember a time when my dad ever looked that happy with me. He's yelling out drills, and I can hear his voice echoing throughout the arena. He glances up, and his smile fades. We lock eyes, and I offer a slight wave before I keep walking. I move toward his office and sit in one of the worn leather chairs facing his unruly desk. While I wait, I glance around the space. Trophies, plaques, and framed newspaper articles line every surface of this place. All his pride, joy, and accomplishments stared back at me. There isn't a trace of me anywhere here, and as much as I hate to admit it, it stings. I'm lost in my own world when he finally enters the office.

"Ashlynn," his gruff voice knocks me out of my thoughts.

"Hey, Dad," I say, as I watch him move over to his desk.

Neither one of us attempts a hug. We never really had a great relationship, so it's only fitting that he's sitting in his chair, staring back at me like I'm a stranger.

"Your hair is darker," he notes.

"I added highlights, and the sun helped," I say, tugging on my own mahogany red hair.

We sit in an awkward silence for what feels like forever before he finally speaks again.

"So, I talked to your mom," he begins. I scoff, and he narrows his eyes at me but ignores my interruption. My parents hadn't talked in years, well, not until they had to figure out what to do with me. "I managed to get you signed up for classes next semester and your own dorm room on campus. I pulled a lot of string, so please –"

"I haven't been here ten minutes, and already you are asking me not to screw up," I cut him off.

He sighs and rubs his temple, a move he always does when I am about to frustrate him. "Ashlynn, can you just appreciate the gesture? Your mother and stepfather allowed you to roam all over the world and have too much freedom. If you could have controlled yourself, you wouldn't be here now. I've got you into a great school and a nice place to live. It is up to you to figure out what you want to be in life," he finishes with a huff.

My plan was to become a socialite and marry a billionaire with a killer yacht. However, now that I'm thrown into some small college town, I doubt that is going to happen anytime soon. My anger builds as I realize all of the fun I was having is over. I'm stuck here with a dad who doesn't want me. I literally have nothing left to lose. I'm at the lowest point in my life right now.

"Got it," I snapped.

Reaching across the desk, Dad hands me a key. "This is the key to your dorm. The directions to campus and your new dorm have been sent to your email. You will also find an email from your new academic advisor and a course schedule. You have two weeks before the new semester begins. I need to get back to my players. I've got some things to handle before our game tonight," he states flatly.

I know that tone. He's got a player to yell at, and he's done with me. I accept the key and stand to leave.

"One last thing, Ashlynn." He stops me in my place. I turn to face my father. "This is your last chance before you are on your own," he warns.

"I get it," I grumble.

I don't bother responding as I turn and head right out of his office.