27. Ash

CHAPTER 27

ASH

I 'm back at home within the hour. It got way too overwhelming at the club. Lucky for me, a bunch of Hollywood types showed up and the boys got distracted. I managed to slip out unnoticed.

I plonk onto the couch and scroll through my phone. Finding Kayla's name, I hover over it. I want to talk to her. I want to tell her what idiots my teammates are being. I know she would laugh at them suggesting I was hooking up with Jack.

I've thought about showing up at the ranch and begging for her forgiveness. I always stop myself, though, because it won't change our situation. My life is here and hers is on the ranch. It would just cause issues with Jack and nothing good would come from it.

My phone rings, and my heart leaps. For a moment I think it's Kayla. My face drops. It's Coach. Why would he be calling at this hour?

"Hey, Coach. You call me by accident?" I'm hoping it was an accident.

"No. Natalie just called me, busting my balls over a picture of you. We told you to stay out of trouble?"

I sigh. "I've been staying out of trouble."

"That's not what Natalie is saying. There's a picture of you hitting the tabloids next week. Natalie can't stop it. She's sending it to you so you can prepare."

My phone beeps, and I check it. My heart freezes, but not because it's anything bad. It's a picture of Kayla and me line-dancing. I'm dipping her, and she's laughing. You can see we're not the only ones doing this move, either. It actually looks very wholesome. It could be an ad for the town.

I put my phone back to my ear. "Seriously? How is that bad? I went line-dancing in a small town. It's the most clean-cut thing I've ever done in my life."

He scoffs. "Look, all I know is Natalie is riding my ass because we wanted to keep you out of the media completely. It's dropping in next week's issues, and it'll be about you escaping to a small town but still being a playboy."

I'm ready to defend myself, but he continues. "I'll see what I can do, but the PR team aren't happy. At this point I don't know if the higher-ups are going to let you play next season."

My blood boils. "Seriously? Over a picture that could be a damn Hallmark movie poster? How is it my fault that the media are trying to spin it into something sinister? It was line dancing at a country festival. It wasn't a festival with music and drugs, but rides and games and a hay-bale maze for God's sake."

He sighs. "I get it, but it's out of my hands. Get some sleep and we'll deal with it later."

The phone goes dead.

I throw my phone across the room. Are they serious? I can't believe they're twisting something so innocent. It's in no way scandalous.

They're really pushing me to my breaking point. I've done everything they've said. I literally went to the middle of nowhere and missed the end of the season.

I walk over and grab my phone. I look at the photo and my heart aches. I miss Kayla. There's no denying I miss her.

I don't want her to get any backlash. The media and the public can be brutal. The thought of them turning Kayla into something she's not makes me feel sick.

I wonder if I should warn her. She'll have to explain it to Jack. Although, it's just a photo. It doesn't confirm anything except that we danced.

If we were a couple, it'd be the type of photo you'd get framed and put on the wall. It'd be the one you whip out for an anniversary post. My heart sinks. We'll never get to do those things. It's a painful reminder that I'm stuck here.

I sit down on the couch and set my feet on the coffee table, accidentally kicking off a bunch of mail I've been avoiding. I bend down to pick it up and see an envelope addressed to A-list . That's strange. Why would Jack send me a letter? He could just call or text. He has always preferred more old-fashioned methods of doing things, though. He still writes lists on a pad of paper instead of using his notes app on his phone.

I open the letter and see that it's an invitation for an open day at the ranch. They're fundraising for new ranch equipment and the cabins. It doesn't go into too much detail but enough that you get the gist.

Kayla didn't say anything about them struggling. I think back to a few of the comments Jack made about them finding things hard, but I didn't think he meant financially. I thought he just meant the workload.

I wish there was something I could do to help. I want to help, but I don't know if Kayla would like that. I wonder if there's a way to donate anonymously.

I stare at the invitation. It could be a good opportunity to make things right with Kayla. I don't know if it'll help or hinder the situation, but it's worth a shot.

Thinking back over the past few weeks, I realize just how shit I've been feeling. How hollow everything has felt since I've come home. How I'm still in trouble with Coach. It's all a bit too much.

I think the universe is sending me a sign — or at least Jack is.

I feel a rush of excitement as I think about seeing Kayla again and being back at the ranch. I start to pack my bags, and for the first time since I've been back, I'm smiling.