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Chapter 11 : Too Late
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 12 : If The Boot Fits
*Asher*Ophelia texts me a few days later. She wanted to handle our plans for the date. “I’m not letting you wine and dine me; that’s not who I am,” she had said to me on the phone. “If we’re going on a date, I’m making the plans.”I have no issue with this. The fact she’s giving me a chance is all I’d wanted. Our game against the Chefs was a beatdown. We were on our game. Mark and I couldn’t help but scream in celebration after the fourth quarter ended. 35-3 was our final score. So, two games down, and the rest of the season to go.As I’m traveling back to Nashville from Arkansas, I talk on the phone to AJ, whose team also won this week. “How is it you end up in a situation in which ghost-singing is involved?” he inquires. I turn on my blinker, almost to Ophelia’s place. “You ask the question, but I still don’t have an answer. But I’ve got to record her voice sometime, and you have to hear her.”“All I’m hearing is you just landed yourself in a Cinderella story,” my brother te
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 13 : Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover
*Ophelia*“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, closing my front door. “You don’t have anything better to do than scare the shit out of me?”My little sister, Carolanne, stands next to Skylar, both of them with confused and surprised expressions on their faces. “What?” I ask, not understanding the silence.“I’m sorry, are you supposed to be my sister?” Carolanne asks.“What?” I repeat.“Cause my sister wouldn’t be caught talking to the quarterback of the freaking Ozarks!” She sasses back. “I cannot believe you didn’t tell me you were hanging out with Asher!” Skylar squeals. “Wait, why were you hanging out with him?”I shrug. “He asked me out.”“He WHAT?” Skylar screams. Carolanne’s mouth just falls open. The two women look like they’re going to cry or explode.I wave an arm in front of them. “Hello? Breathe!”Fanning her face, Skylar talks first. “Oh my God, oh my God! Please, tell me everything. All the details. Like, how did you guys end up going on a date when he j
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 14 : Some Kind of Wonderful
*Asher*I know the text I’ve just sent sounds incredibly cheesy, but I wait for her response to appear under my message bubble. Ophelia has been so open to getting to know who I am, not who the media says I am. I want her to trust me.Then, the beep comes, and her message appears. “Round 2 it is. Though I don’t know how you’ll ever top Betty’s Banging BBQ!”“I’ll think of something.”I send the text before lying back on the bed.I chuckle as I look back at the few texts we’ve sent since I asked her out and got her number. We’ve mostly stuck to what our first date would be and when it would happen. But now, with an indeterminable amount of time between tonight and our next outing, I’m unsure what to say.I want to tell her that I haven’t dated a “normal” woman in a long time. I want to open up about more than just the family legacy and my desire to be the best at what I do.But most importantly, I want to show her anything and everything her heart dreams of.Excited by my revela
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 15 : Revenge
*Ophelia*Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I get to work, ready to serve the people their food. I brought my guitar to busk later tonight. I’m better at piano, but a guitar is a bit easier to lug around when in town.When I enter Touchdown Tavern, however, my manager stands there, arms crossed and a glare on his face.“Hey George, what’s up?” I question cautiously. “What’s up is that you’re fired.”My entire body reels back at the sudden news. “What? What the hell?”That’s when I notice the person on my manager’s arm. Camila.“I’ve gotten complaints from patrons. Customers saying you’ve been harsh, you’ve made dozens of mistakes with meals, and you’re on your phone on the job. What do you take me for, Miss Lane?” He’s still gruff and angry, and I feel my throat closing up.“George, I swear, none of that’s true,” I find myself saying.“Then why am I getting customers telling me the opposite?”I glance at Camila for a moment, who has a massive smile spread across her face. ‘Cus
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 16 : Tell Me If You Wanna Go Home
*Asher*I don’t waste any time. Little Rock, here we come! I arrange to pick up Ophelia two days later when I don’t have football practice to distract me for a few days. I feel my leg shaking as I sit in the car, driving us to the hangar. I’m starting to second-guess if this is a good idea. But after being so confident while speaking to Ophelia, how am I supposed to be open and honest about this?I force myself to breathe, trying not to alert her to the nerves coursing through my body. This is a good idea. I want her to know the REAL me. I don’t want the tabloids to be the only truth out there for her to discover. Besides, if she knew me on the day we met as Asher Slater, there’s no doubt she must know something about my past.“Are you okay?” Her voice hits me like an air freshener, sweet and beautiful but unexpected. Am I able to be honest with her?I give her a somewhat fake smile, but I shake my head in response. “It’s nothing.”It’s not nothing. Something is nagging at me,
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 17 : Outsider
*Ophelia*Still jittery from the excitement of the private jet, we touch down in Asher’s town an hour after we popped the champagne. I was too nervous to drink more than just a few small sips. The bottle looks insanely expensive and probably is. But I don’t want to be inebriated when I meet everyone.But nothing will prepare me when it comes to seeing Asher’s home. My mouth falls open, and I gawk at the mansion in front of my eyes. At least three stories tall, surrounded by an open green yard, complete with practice dummies and a gigantic pool. Holy shit.We enter the house, and I’m baffled. “You neglected to tell me you live in a mansion.”Asher shrugs but nods up the stairs. “Second floor, third door on the left. You can head up there and get yourself situated and I’ll bring your bag up?”I nod to Asher, picking up my stuff and following behind me.I take my time getting ready, enjoying my bath, and shaving my legs. As I sit in my dress, the sheer blue and floral pattern surr
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 18 : All I Want
*Ophelia*Still reeling from dinner and overhearing Asher’s conversation with his brother, I stay silent on the drive home. Asher doesn’t seem to grasp what’s happening here, but he might be in his own world. I just keep replaying the meal in my mind, seeing Maria’s eyes shooting lasers at me.I’d tried to ignore her, listening to conversations bounce around the table. But in the end, any questions I’d been asked were difficult to answer. I didn’t want to anger Asher’s mom. So, my answers were short.We pull into the drive at Asher’s, and I immediately get out of the car and walk back to where we drove.“Ophelia?” Asher calls. “What are you doing?”I’m not even sure.“I need a walk. Clear my head, you know?”“Want me to come with you?”“No!” I say all too fast. “No, I honestly just want to be alone for a little while. I’ll be right back.”His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t fight me on it. So, I turn back and continue down the drive.I don’t know what to do. I mean, I thought com
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 19 : Goodness Gracious
*Ophelia*Asher’s hands move down to my hips, squeezing them tight as he moves us to the couch and lays me down on the cushions. He never breaks the kiss, his lips exploring mine like he’s found the answer he’s been desperately searching for. He breaks away to move to my neck. I moan softly while his lips trail down my throat, sucking soft marks into my skin that have me almost bucking up into him like a horny teenager.I’ve never felt like this for anyone before. He’s driving me wild from his touch alone, sending fiery shivers down my spine.I gasp when one of his hands sneaks under my shirt, caressing my belly until he slowly drags it up to the edge of my bra. He teases me with his soft touches, running his finger along the wire before moving it to circle where my nipple is.It rubs against the inside cup of my bra uncomfortably, causing me to arch my back and press my body up against his. I need more friction, some kind of relief that it feels like only Asher can give me.He
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The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 60 : Superbloom
*Ophelia*The screaming patrons of the concert hall cause the backstage area to rumble under my feet. That, mixed with my nerves, has me quivering. All my work has brought me to this moment. But I can’t help the ache in my heart not having Asher here but know there’s no time to wallow. Tomorrow is the championship game, and the team can’t go anywhere, even if they want to.I take in a deep breath, shuddering as it exits my lungs. I shake out my hands next and start pacing back and forth.“You okay, Ophelia?” Daphne appears by my side, her phone in hand as always. She’s dressed in a t-shirt with my name printed across it and a pair of jeans, with a blazer thrown on over the ensemble.She reminds me of Carolanne, and I’ve dubbed her my older sister. She’s been so attentive, helpful, and even kind to me. I’ve cherished her advice and compassion, so I know I can share my anxieties.“I’m nervous as hell, Daph. I don’t need to be. I’ve been rehearsing for months and know nothing impedes
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 59 : Anti-Hero
*Asher*“Oh, that’s nothing.” Ophelia declares this so nonchalantly that I hesitate a moment. My phone is blowing up with notifications that have tagged us both. But these aren’t standard messages people are sending. There are threats, violent thoughts, and desires. I don’t normally interact with my social media accounts. This, though, is much different.“No,” I slowly start. “Nothing is someone just saying they don’t like you. These messages aren’t nothing, Ophelia.”“It’s been happening for months, Asher. I’ve just turned off all my social media notifications.”I rear back like I’ve been stabbed. “MONTHS?!”She nods, shrugging like she’s just misremembered something that isn’t important. “Yeah, I just figure people hate me because I’m dragging your image down or something? I didn’t tell anyone, though. You have enough stress on your plate; I didn’t want to add this, too.”I can’t help but laugh at her wanting to protect me. Hasn’t she realized I’d do anything for her? “My love,
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 58 : The Grudge
*Ophelia*“Ophelia! ‘Lose It All’ is number three on the charts this week!” My new manager, Daphne McKenna, calls through the studio, excitedly running up to me. She shows me her phone, and I pull the headphones from my head to around my neck.“Holy shit!” I squeal, jumping up and down in my seat. “This is insane!”“They love you, Ophelia!” David says, coming in with a bottle of champagne. “And we’re immensely proud of you.”The interns and other workers enter the studio, handing David a towel to open the bottle without risking the equipment.“Thank you, guys, really. David, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without your support. Daphne, thank you for taking on my baggage load in such a short time. I’m so happy to have you here with us. And thank you to everyone else for all your hard work and dedication. But thank you for believing in me.”The bottle goes POP! as everyone cheers, pouring alcohol into paper cups and cheering about the room.It finally feels like I’ve e
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 57 : Missing Piece
*Asher*November comes and goes, and we’re staring down the barrel of Christmas and the New Year. Celebrating Thanksgiving with Ophelia in attendance was some of the most fun I’ve had in years. Per tradition, the Slater family plays football out in the yard while the turkey cooks. It’s nothing more than a friendly, silly time where no score is kept, and no one plays by the official rules.Ophelia initially wasn’t interested. “I like to watch sports, not play them,” she’d teased. But then, Payton and Renee asked to join in, and her entire attitude changed. “Alright, fine! If your nieces are gonna play, then count me in.” It had been a few months since she met the girls, and neither remembered my girlfriend. But it soon didn’t matter because they were busy trying to run the ball down the yard.AJ even came in to pick up Renee, carrying her past everyone so that she could score. Adorably, she tried to spike the ball with both hands, but the ball just flopped to the ground.The entire
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 56 : Out Of Your Mind
*Ophelia*I can feel Asher’s body tense, his muscles becoming predominant at the initial glance of the stocky man. As usual, his suit is too tight around his body, and as an added bonus, he’s sweating his ass off, wiping at his forehead with a handkerchief like it’s still the 1950s.“Well, well, well. Look who’s come crawling back.” Peters's voice comes out like a slithering snake. It fits perfectly with his conniving ways, and I cringe at the sound. What a bastard.“Alvin?” I inquire, taking a step forward.“Miss Lane. Have you come to your senses? Finally realized that I’ve been right all along?” It’s like he believes he is invincible in this setting, but I’m about to drop the bomb on him. I can’t wait to see his expression. I look up at Asher, who returns the glance. He raises a single eyebrow but doesn’t release the tension. I think he’s even clenching his jaw.I turn back to the pathetic excuse for a man. “You’re fired. You’re no longer my manager. If you want to address an
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 55 : Bad Reputation
*Ophelia*“Please, tell me what happened, and don’t leave anything out.”Maria connected us with a friend who specializes in contract law. She just so happens to have a location in Los Angeles, so a few days after his game, we fly out to meet with her. Asher and I sit in her office now, staring across her desk as she asks me to recount everything that’s happened with Alvin Peters since the moment I met him at the restaurant in Nashville.Emily Faith, the lawyer, has her hair wrapped in a bun on top of her head. She could be mistaken for my mother; the color is identical. She wears a grey pantsuit with a pink-collar shirt and has a steaming cup of hot coffee on her desk. She’d offered some to the two of us, but I’ve been too jittery this morning to accept anything. Instead, we were brought two cups of water. I hold mine tight in my grasp as I force myself to breathe. Emily’s hands are folded on the table, and she looks from Asher to me. I do as she asks.“I felt…funny after taki
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 54 : Love Goes On
*Ophelia*Asher’s parents take us all to dinner to celebrate the win of another game. It’s significantly more fun than any of the time I spent in L.A., and I think their son telling his girlfriend he’s in love with her put everyone in a much better mood after Courtney. We go to an upscale Italian place, but we are not properly dressed. Usually, this would make me nervous because I feel as though I’d stick out. But in truth, I don’t notice if people watch over us. I’m bursting with love and happiness for my person; being with his family is like a dream come true.Frank orders a bottle of champagne for the four of us, holding his glass up once we’ve all been given ours. “To my family and Asher's big win.”We clink glasses, taking sips together. I watch Asher’s face, wondering if he picked up on his father’s words and their meaning. I don’t think he was referring to football, at least.We order pizza and pasta, and the restaurant's vibe is inviting. The Slaters know the owner well,
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 53 : Because I Liked a Boy
*Ophelia*I can hear Asher before I see him. Courtney’s standing before him all done up, but her face is scrunched up in rage, red blotches on her cheeks and down her neck. “How dare you talk to me this way! Who the hell do you think you are?”“I don’t care who you think I am. I’m in love with Ophelia, and nothing you can say will change how I feel!”I stop in my tracks, Asher’s parents both running into me. I can’t help it. Did he just say that? Did I hear him right?“You…” I stammer out, my hand shooting up to my mouth in disbelief. Asher Slater, the quarterback, is in love? With me?My heart picks up speed, the thumping going through every inch of my body as I process the words. Asher and Courtney both jump at my single word, the two making eye contact with the three of us mere feet away. The reactions each have are vastly different. While Courtney continues to blow steam from her ears, Asher’s face relaxes, and his brown eyes tell me the truth.He loves me. In Love. With me.
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 52 : Could Have Been Me
*Asher*My teammates hoist me into the air as they begin to celebrate in the endzone. Holy shit, thank God we won. I almost blacked out while running that last thirty yards. All my brain could say to me was, “Don’t fuck this up.”“That’s our fucking quarterback!” Mark cheers, lifting his helmet in the air and spinning his arm around. “Asher Slater is a force to be RECKONED with!”My best friend seems to be drunk on the win, but I won’t spoil this for him. The guys all worked their asses off to get this win today. I’m still shocked by our win, but I scan the crowd before us, made up of teammates, reporters, coaches, and other football personnel. I look up at the family box that I know Ophelia’s in with my parents. I’d noticed when sitting on the bench in between my time on the field that the cameras continued showing off the three of them, enjoying the game and laughing together. Ophelia looked mortified a few times she appeared on screen, and all I wanted to do was tell her it w
