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Chapter 24 : The Chain
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 25 : I'm Not Okay
*Asher*As predicted, I struggle with sleeping even on the ground. Turning constantly, my mind taunting me through the night with horrid nightmares I awake from in a panic. It’s stressful and triggering.Our argument when Ophelia came home is what dances through each dream, but Courtney’s image morphs with Ophelia as my body and mind try to agree on who’s said what in the past. Sweat encases my back, and my head starts to grow heavy and pained.I sit up, leaning forward as I put my head in my hands, a wash of different emotions pushing and pulling me.This cannot happen again. I hate myself for this, but if there’s any hope for me to sleep, something’s got to give.I crawl into Ophelia’s bed, which stirs her. “Asher?” she murmurs, eyes half open as she looks at me. “What time is it?”“Late,” I respond. “Sorry. Couldn’t sleep.”“What’s wrong?” She asks, rubbing at her eyes. “Nothing,” I lie, just wanting to sleep. “Go back to sleep, okay?”Ophelia sits up more, clearly sti
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 26 : Cool Kids
*Ophelia*My head is killing me.That’s the first thought that I have when I start coming to. God, what the hell is this headache?I slowly peel my eyes open, looking around my room for any sort of clues. But there’s nothing. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. There’s one thing that does stand out, and it’s the lack of Asher anywhere to be found.I sit up, noticing my underwear is wet, the room smells suspiciously of sex, and memories of Asher and I making love return to me. However, I also remember Asher yelling at me when I got home last night.I close my eyes again, trying to put the pieces back together.All I can remember from that is wanting him. But even that memory is far away, like on another goddamn planet.Fuck that. I open my eyes, annoyed that this is how my day is starting, but there’s nothing I’m going to do. Asher’s gone, and my life doesn’t revolve around him.I see the water bottle and aspirin on the nightstand, figuring I must have left it for myself for the
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 27 Trying Too Hard
*Ophelia*Even with the looming possibility of moving to L.A. still ever-persistent in my head, I manage to put myself out there and get another waitress job at a diner not far off from my usual busking spot. In fact, it’s on my street; Broadway Diner Nashville has been around longer than Mama has. I’ve only been once or twice, but thankfully, I’ve got enough experience being a waitress that at the end of the interview, the manager, Harriet, offers me the job on the spot.“Come on in tomorrow at three. We’ll get you trained up, though all we’ll really need to do is show you around,” Harriet tells me with a gentle smile. She’s the first person I feel has looked at me with any mountain of kindness in days.I’m delighted to have another waitress gig to help with bills. I told Harriet this is only supposed to be part-time and that my main job has me busy, too. Translation: I don’t know when the hell Mac Daddy will ever call me and say I have one meeting or another.Since signing with
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 28 Hello Heartache
*Ophelia*I’ve been running myself rampant for days at this point. With everything going on, the last thing I’ve had to think about is my sanity. It’s only been a few days since the paparazzi followed me, and my heart rate still isn’t returning to normal. The anxiety and the stress are keeping me from being able to write songs or sleep well.Being in the spotlight was supposed to feel like a beautiful glow of light. I’d always imagined the idea of being someone who felt like a warm hug. Instead, it’s as if dark clouds hang above my head, reminding me of every little slip or fear I may have.I’ve been able to handle everything so far. But with Mama still in the hospital and Asher’s lack of responses, the stress continues to grow.I’m in the corner of the kitchen where the servers congregate and leave their belongings. I came back here to grab a hair tie and drink some more water. I’m so thirsty from the amount of talking I’ve been doing, and I just need to take a two-minute break.
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 29 Where Do We Go From Here?
*Ophelia*I wake up to my phone going off repeatedly. Each ding that plays doesn’t have time to fade out before several other notifications go off. What the hell is going on? Who needs to get ahold of me this badly?I rub the sleep from my eyes and grab the phone, unlocking it to see my social media accounts blowing up.As my vision begins to clear, I see awful comments coming up about me. From several accounts, I see hate, lies, and full-fledged threats emerging.I quickly scan the lines of text before me.“She looks like a cheap hooker.”“Her voice reminds me of a screeching monster.”“Flat-chested bitch.”“No talent, don’t understand what people see in her.”“The ugliest person I’ve ever seen.”“She’s definitely after the Slater’s money. Someone please tell Asher to kick her ass!”“Someone should shut her up.”“I’ve been thinking about how I’d kill you.”“Someone call SVU because we’re about to have a crime on our hands.”“Camila deserved better than you, whore.”I
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 30 Crushed
*Asher*Is this real right now? Or does the universe enjoy fucking with me at any expense? Here I am, trying to figure out what to do with Ophelia, and these fucking pictures show up on my phone to tell a completely different story.I know I can’t lose it right now, but I also know that Ophelia continues to spin her web of lies and manipulate me with what is and isn’t the truth.“Ophelia,” I ask, doing my best to remain as calm as I can muster. “What am I looking at? What’s been going on with you two?”“Seriously?” she asks. “You know the answer. Nothing has ever been going on with Jake. He’s a friend. It’s nothing you need to worry about, Asher.”My blood burns inside me, my heart pounding harder and faster while trying to put the pieces together. This was the guy she was playing with on the street. She and the guy ran off together when I started asking her questions.So then, why not tell me the truth?I had hoped there could be a way to work everything through with Ophelia. B
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 31 Nevermind
*Ophelia*I am such a hothead. Sometimes, I forget just how different our worlds are and the various ways we’re relied on. He just made me so ANGRY. Asher has expectations he has to live up to, but saying what he did? It hurt me. And I wanted him to hurt, too.But the phone call, while explosive, also revealed my heart still isn’t over Asher. It’s so nonsensical to be into a guy who clearly doesn’t want to continue this relationship, but I’ve learned that when it comes to Asher, my heart never makes any rational sense.Jake has never been an option. I see him as a musician and a person, but I’ve never looked at him and imagined a future. He’s a great and talented person, but no romantic feelings have blossomed in the few years I’ve known him. Why doesn’t Asher believe me?It’s always been important to me to be upfront and candid with other individuals. Even when we were essentially strangers, I told Asher about my mom, something I don’t trust others to know. Camila was the except
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 32 Messy
*Asher*I haven’t heard from Ophelia in days. I want to allow her time to cool off and talk to me when she’s ready. But here I am, struggling to get through every day while she’s gone.Mark’s been trying to talk with me since that first day in the changing room, but nothing has come of it. I don’t want to deal with this without talking to Ophelia. Mark is my best friend, but he doesn’t get it. He’s never understood the pressure, even if he claims to.My sleep has been essentially non-existent, making focusing on the game impossible. Coach continues to scream at my mistakes and attitude. I give him nothing back—no words, no thoughts, no insults. “Slater, if you don’t figure out your bullshit by Sunday’s game, we’re going to have a real problem!” he barks in the locker room. The other players stay silent, too, but I watch them exchange worried glances.I only nod to Coach, not wanting to dig myself into a deeper shit hole. But what does everyone expect from me? I’m a human being, a
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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
