Page 86 of Stick Play

Theo snorts out a laugh. “All this time, Mountain told us he wasn’t banging numerous chicks at the same time and that Liza was simply spreading false rumors.” He pumps his fists together, as Tuck’s chair scrapes the floor as he pushes to his feet. “Who knew his ex was telling the truth all this time and there were a lot of girls climbing on Mountain. Babe, you should be with a guy like me. I’d never do that to you, and I don’t mind Ash’s seconds. Liza and I were good together for a while.”

Maria pales, and Tuck throws some bills on the table before stepping around me and picking Theo up by his collar. “I’m sorry, Gina. I’ll take him out of here.”

“Hey, if you don’t believe Ash has been using you, go check his hashtags,” Theo shouts before Tuck throws him out the door, and follows behind him.

I swallow the lump punching into my throat as Maria’s dark eyes widen. She sets the coffee pot down and blinks rapidly. “Are people saying that?”

My God, this poor woman has been through so much. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. From what I understand, Theo is just a troublemaker.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Maria. Anyone who knows Ash, knows the truth and those are the only people who matter.”

That might be the case, but what about his Coach? What will he think if he hears about this? He wasn’t too happy with him after Liza posted all that trash. How will he see this, and did he really tell Ash to clean up his act?

Wait, is that why Ash is with me? Why he hasn’t been out with any bunnies?

My breaths comes a little faster as I try to console Maria, and needing a moment alone, I pick up the untouched coffee mugs and carry them to the kitchen. I drop them into the sink, and hurry to my small office in the back. I pull my phone out, and my heart is in my throat as I pull up insta and type in, #AshWheeler.

The first post I see is from Liza, telling the world how she’s not surprised Ash was using me to clean up his reputation. I read a few more posts, and when the room starts closing in on me, I shut down the app and try to wrap my brain around all this.

Just then my phone rings, and it’s Ash. Did Tuck call him, fill him in on what just happened? As I stare at it, I think about the first time I ever met Ash, to our sweet lovemaking last night. Voicemail kicks in, and then a second later, my phone starts ringing again. Working to control my breathing, I slide my finger across the screen.

“Ash,” I murmur quietly.

“Gina, listen?—”

I cut him off. “Is it true?

“Gina—”

“It’s a yes or no answer, Ash. Did your coach tell you to be seen out with me? He liked the idea of us because it was good for your reputation and the team’s image?”

A long minute of silence, which tells me everything I need to know and then, “Yes, but…” His voice falls off, like he’s trying to figure out what he’s supposed to say next.

“So, just to clarify, it is true. Your coach wanted you to spend time with me, because it was good for your image, and for the team’s?”

“Yes, Gina, but it’s not…it’s just not what you think. You know me. You know that’s not what we’re about.”

“Why didn’t you tell me then?”

“I don’t know. I guess, maybe I didn’t want you to know.”

“Because…you didn’t want me to think I was being manipulated.”

“Gina, please.”

“You shouldn’t have kept that a secret, Ash,” I say quietly.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

I take a fast moment to think about what Theo said, what I read on social media and what Ash just admitted to me, and then I decide right here and now, that yes, I am definitely going to be out of town this weekend. “Listen, I forgot to tell you. Zoe and I are going to be flying to California this weekend.”

“What?” His voice is full of shock. “Why?”

I turn on the tap, and put my hand under the water. Once my palm is cold, I press it to my flushed cheeks. “I have some things I need to take care of.”

“Gina, what’s going on? What kind of things?”

Since I don’t really want him to know what I’m up to, and what I’m up to scares me a whole lot, I hedge. “Oh um, well…it’s just…ah, some personal things that involve my late grandparents.” Not really a lie.

“Can I call you when I’m on the road?”

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