Page 138 of Playing for Keeps
“I wish you all the best,” she says, and then the line goes dead.
I lower the phone, staring at the blank screen. Another blow. I can’t help but feel like this is only the start.
“Everything all right?” Ash asks as I walk back into the living room.
“I just lost a client,” I say quietly, the weight of it pressing down on me. “They don’t want to be tied to the kind of image the media’s painting of me.”
Her eyes widen in disbelief. “But they know it’s all lies, right?”
I shrug, sinking onto the edge of the sofa. “Doesn’t matter. I told you it wouldn’t.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, Ivy.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
When my phone rings again, I exhale in quiet relief. It’s my personal one this time, not work. I glance at the screen and seeMomflashing across the display. I answer quickly, bringing it to my ear.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, forcing my voice to sound lighter than I feel.
“Ivy, you’re on the news. What’s going on? Are you okay?”
She sounds panicked, and my chest tightens.
“The news? As in TV?”
“Yes! The local station has this entertainment bit, and you and Wyatt were all over it. None of it’s true… right?”
I sigh. “No. It’s all lies.” My voice catches, and Ash silently reaches for my hand.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Mom says gently. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“Not really.”
“Is Wyatt with you?”
“He had to go to training.”
“So, you’re alone?”
“No, Ash drove up this morning. She’s here.”
There’s a pause. “Hold on, honey. Someone’s at the door.”
The phone’s cordless, and while I can’t hear everything, I catch my name… and Wyatt’s. Then Mom’s voice turns firm. “No, we’re not interested. Please leave.”
I hear the front door close, and she returns to the phone.
“Mom, who was that?”
She sighs. “Reporters. A whole group of them.”
“What?” My voice drops in disbelief. “Is Dad home?”
“No, he’s out playing golf.”
A loud knock echoes faintly through the phone.
“Is someone knocking again?”
