Page 26 of All Too Well
“Lachlan, who is this beautiful girl?” Everett asks, already knowing the answer to that one.
“Well, since you already know considering I was talking to you when she showed up, this is Ainsley MacKinley. She’s a reporter, and everything we say is probably on the record.”
She flashes them the most innocent smile. “It’s not, but it’s probably best to tell me when you don’t want me to be in journalist mode.” Ainsley shakes his hand. “I’m actually here to write about Lachlan and his life here in Ember Falls since his Heisman Trophy win. A sort of ‘Where do athletes go once they’ve walked away from the sport they loved?’”
“All four of us have similar stories.”
“You do?” she asks, glancing at me with a smile.
Great. Now she’s going to rope them into this too.
“Yeah, Killian, Miles, and I were all draft prospects,” Everett explains.
“Thisisa happy coincidence. I would love to interview you guys too. It would help with not only Lachlan’s side, but a fresh perspective as well.”
He looks to me and then back at her. “I see. I’d be happy to talk to you about my story.”
“I look forward to it.”
Everett calls Killian and Miles over. They all say hello, and Ainsley introduces herself. She immediately tells them her goal, and they agree.
Seems I’m the only one who is reluctant.
“Is this practice or warm up for a game?” she asks.
“Practice. We have a game in two weeks. You should come!” Everett says with a shit-eating grin.
“I’d love to.” Her beautiful brown eyes find mine. “If that’s okay with you?”
“Of course it is.”
“Great. I’ll let you all get back to your practice. I’m just going to watch and take some notes,” she explains.
“I’ll walk you over.”
Her brows knit. “Because crossing the field is dangerous?”
“With Killian throwing, yes,” I joke, but also it’s not really a joke.
She waves and the guys do the same before I place my hand on her lower back and lead her away. When we’re out of earshot, she clears her throat. “Do you have a reason why you don’t want me to write this about you?”
I glance down at her. “Other than the fact that it’s stupid, no?”
“Not because of ... Rose’s mother?”
I shake my head. “Claire and I are fine. She signed over her rights to Rose years ago, and there have been no issues.”
Rose’s mother and I were a drunken mistake that led to the best gift I’ve ever gotten—my daughter. Claire never wanted kids. She’s a dancer and tours all over the world.
However, about six months after Rose was born, she started to question whether that was the right decision, and I’d prepared myself for a custody battle that never came. Claire got a gig with one of the top singers in the world, and we haven’t heard from her since.
“Even though her tour is done now?”
“How do you know that?”
Ainsley’s eyes widen for a second. “I may or may not keep tabs on her.”
“Why?”
