Page 7 of All Too Well
Instead, I think about the Admiral’s advice to always be the consummate professional. No one likes a complainer, as he says.
“I understand that, but it’s not for lack of trying. How about Aiden and I both write the story, and you can choose the better version?”
He shakes his head. “Absolutely not. I need an array of options for circulation, and I can’t sacrifice two writers on one story.”
It’s not like my stories are worth a damn, but now that my two ideas were shot down, I’m going to need to come up with something that isn’t ... ChapStick versus lipstick or some other crap.
Tori speaks up. “Ainsley can take my story, Mr. Krispen.”
Oh, hell no. I’m sure it’s terrible if she’s offering it to me. I share a pointed look with my best friend, Caroline.
“I’m sure you don’t want to do that, Tori.”
She shakes her head. “I truly don’t mind. I have several options that were approved already.”
Of course she does.
“Which one, Tori?”
“Well, I know that Ainsley is working so hard to really diversify her portfolio. I think the story I could part with is about theHeisman Trophy winner who became a fireman and saved a little girl in that small town.”
Seriously, I will die.
Because that Heisman Trophy–winning fireman is none other than Lachlan West.
For the last two weeks his face has been plastered on the news for his heroic rescue. I’ve done my best not to drool at the television—and failed.
Four years and zero contact since that disastrous kiss and you’d think my heart would be immune, but no, it’s worse.
“I don’t think that would be a story I’d be good at,” I say with a shake of my head.
Aiden speaks next. “He was amazing. I thought he’d go in the first round of the draft.”
Mr. Krispen nods slowly. “I remember him. When his team played in the national championship, I thought for sure he’d go into the draft.”
“Isn’t he from your hometown, Ainsley?” Tori asks.
“Hmm?” I try to play stupid.
“He’s from Virginia Beach. I swear I saw your name in the yearbook when I was doing my research.”
I shrug, not saying a word.
“I still can’t believe he gave it all up,” Aiden adds in. “I wonder why.”
Under my breath I whisper, “I know why.”
For the first time Mr. Krispen hears something I say. Of course it’s when I don’t want him to. “You know him, Ainsley?”
I have two choices: I can lie and be caught, or I can just fess up and find a way out of any possibility of writing this story.
“I do. I mean, I know of him.”
Caroline’s eyes narrow, and I pray she keeps her big mouth shut.
I didn’t have to worry about that because Tori’s big mouth speaks first. “Really? I saw in there that your brother was next to him in, like, every picture.”
I sigh. “Yes, I know. My brother is friends with him.”
