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Chapter 60 : Superbloom
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The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 1 : Angel
*Ophelia*"Miss Lane!" a voice bellows.I don’t stop to check over my shoulder at the stout man with a wiry mustache pursuing me. "Don't you dare run!" he snaps, the threat hanging heavy in the air. His companion is close behind him as they follow me through the busy bar. They are after me for my debt, and these particular collectors are a nasty breed…I finally find my way to the restroom hallway. As I glanced over my shoulder again, I pushed the door open without checking the gender on the door. Inside, a man stands at the urinal, his mind focused on the task at hand. But his concentration shatters as I burst through the door, and with a frantic gesture, I implored him to keep silent."Get out," he hisses, his voice a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.“Please,” I beg quietly. “I need help!” "No, you shouldn’t even be in here," he declares, his tone firm as he turns away from me, determined to wash his hands of the situation.Before I can respond, voices sound from out
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 2 : Voices Carry
*Ophelia*I stretch myself out on my stool backstage, sighing deeply. My back cracks into place, and I lean forward, sighing. I’m glad I convinced the bartenders to leave me a stool. My feet have been killing me all day from work.I look towards the clock across the way, signaling the end of the set—another performance, another crowd that will never know me. I can’t help but sneak a peek between the gap in the curtains at Camila Monroe, taking in the applause and bows. She blows kisses and winks to those in the crowd.I let out a quiet huff of air, watching her. It must be a dream, having all the people in a room stop everything they’re doing and face you, knowing you are talented beyond a doubt.I can imagine the warmth of the spotlight shining down on me like the sun. The conversation would pause when they heard my name announced, and their hearts would stop at the sound of my voice. It’s my dream. But I know better. Those cheers, the applause, the fans she’s collected? No matt
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 3 : Enemy
*Ophelia*The steady beeping from the heart monitor has become a white noise. My hand has grown numb while holding onto my mom’s, cold to the touch. She’s been breathing gradually, as usual—just a small sigh of air exiting her mouth. She sleeps more than she’s awake these days. Dark circles protrude under her closed eyes, indicating her exhaustion.Susan Lane, my mother, is the strongest woman I’ve ever met. When Dad died, she took over the family farm, and no single complaint left her lips. How can that fierce, independent, diligent woman be the same one I watch lie in this hospital bed? I sniff, wiping away the tears that I’ve let fall down my cheeks. It’s hard trying to convince myself that everything will be okay. Even when Mom’s the one smiling up at me, touches my cheek, and tells me she’s a fighter, it doesn’t hurt any less.“Hey, girl,” there’s a knock at the door behind me, and I look up to see Skylar Leigh, my best friend and roommate. She offers me a kind smile and take
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 4 : Traitor
*Asher*I can’t help but stare at the young woman as she walks away from me. I’m usually not taken with many people’s beauty. It’s a habit I’ve clung to for many years after past relationships tore me down. However, those deep blue eyes and her dimples are impossible to miss. I don’t know the last time I saw someone with genuine dimples, which is wild.A plate clatters somewhere in the tavern, and my mind returns to its original thought. Is this woman not at all impressed with the accolades we’ve accomplished? We’ve won four championships since I joined the team. I’m a three-time MVP. I’m a famous and adored quarterback.That’s astounding to me. I don’t always like girls who gawk when I’m nearby. But not even being an Ozarks fan? That, to me, is amusing, and a smile slips onto my face. She may tease and call us nemeses, but that doesn’t automatically make us real enemies.My thoughts are interrupted as the door to the entrance of the building swings open. In the doorway stands a be
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 5 : That's What Friends Are For
*Ophelia*After dropping some plates in the kitchen sink, I grab a towel to wipe my hands, growling at what I saw once again. Fuck! Every time my brain wanders for a second, I see Camila entering the tavern. And then hearing the quarterback talk about how much he loves her voice?“What the hell was that?” I hear from the entrance to the kitchen. Skylar storms in, grabbing me by my wrist. “Are you absolutely insane?”I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”Skylar waves her arms emphatically in the air. “Um? Hello? The sexy football quarterback that's sitting out there? Asher Slater?! The one that just asked you out?”“What about him?” I question, pulling my wrist back from her grasp. “He's sexy as fuck! Every woman in the world with half a brain can see what a catch Asher is. And he was talking to you, smiling at you! I saw him, you can't hide that, O.”I shrug. I can't tell Skylar the truth. So instead, I end up mumbling, “He's just some playboy jock.”“Do I need to rem
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 6 : Not What it Seems
*Asher*As promised, Camila Monroe is wearing her gorgeous red dress as she stands outside the restaurant. The steakhouse, oddly named Big Steaks, has a neon red light surrounding each letter above the door.“There he is,” Camila croons as she makes eye contact. “My my, Mr. Slater, you clean up nice.”I didn’t know what to wear and didn’t have anything elegant with me. Mark, with no interest in shopping, went to the arcade next to the mall. I rushed in, and without going overboard, I decided a nice jacket would suffice. Paired with a white T-shirt and jeans I’d already brought with me, I added a new pair of dress shoes.It’s rare that I find myself nervous in front of someone so talented. But I break into a large grin, looking forward to my date with Camila and giving myself a break from my annoying memories of Courtney.My mouth is still dry, so Camila huffs out a quiet laugh. “Seems like someone’s a bit smitten.”Instead of answering, I open the door to Big Steaks, and Camila n
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 7 : Lose It All
*Ophelia*I keep pushing Jake down the street until we’re out of Asher’s sight. Sighing, I bend over to catch my breath, my heart screaming inside my chest from the close call we just encountered.“What the fuck was all that?” Jake asks, breaking the silence between us. “Why did you just lie to the dude?”I look up. “The ‘dude’ in question is a person in the spotlight, Jake. He doesn’t need to know my personal business.”“But you could tell me,” he challenges. “You just stood there and sang in front of me, and then all of a sudden, you shut down and start lying about your voice? Like, what’s to lie about?”I feel myself cracking, but I try to stand my ground. “You wouldn’t understand, Jake. It’s no big deal.”He turns and looks back to where we came from. “Is he harassing you?” He returns his gaze to me. “Did he touch you?”“What?” I nearly shout. “How the hell did you jump to that as a conclusion?”“Because you just ran away from him and lied about singing, when none of that a
The Pop Star and the Playboy Quarterback Chapter 8 : Hard to Explain
*Asher*I pull into Country Corner just after nine at night. I’m exhausted, but I knew I couldn’t pass this up. A few days ago after returning home, I got a text from Camila. She invited me to come to the honky-tonk, and she had a special surprise for me.She told me to come back today after practice. I’ve got a game in a few days, so I can’t stay long this time, but I can’t miss out on hearing her sing. Something about Camila hasn’t sat right with me in days, and I haven’t been honest with anyone about it, including Mark. I know it’s got something to do with her not wanting to sing on our date, but that’s all I’ve got.I step out of my truck and wipe my forehead. I haven’t stopped sweating, even when practice ended hours ago. But I had no time to do more than rinse off in the showers after practice, before changing and jumping on the highway. Mark had teased me the past few days, asking me how things had been with Camila. I changed the subject, asking how the rest of his mini vac
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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
