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“We know now,” I beam with happiness. “So now what?”
“We show the whole world what we’re about.” His grin is infectious, spreading all over me like a warm security blanket.
How can this man be so beautiful? And mine... finally.
“And how do we do that?” I tease him with a smile.
He grabs his cell from his pocket and holds it up in the air, positioning it before he plants the softest kiss on my lips. I don’t break free, not even when the camera clicks. When the cold air touches my face and he pulls away, a smirk plays on his devious lips.
The cell is turned around so I can see the photo and in the space of seconds, he’s uploaded it.
It’s us.
Me and him.
Logan Carrington and Emerson Chase, with the caption beneath the photo saying #Love.
We head back to the house holding hands, laughing about the time Ash got stomach cramps from drinking a can of beer he stole from Dad’s man-cave fridge when he was twelve, and ran home with a shit stain on the back of his jeans.
Mom and Dad are sitting in the living room, curled up by the fireplace reading books. The two of them are polar opposites—Mom’s reading a romance novel titled Bastard and Dad’s reading about the most celebrated sporting heroes of all time. They still manage to bond over their love for reading, snuggled into each other’s side on the big cream sofa with pillows surrounding them.
Tayla is lying on her stomach across the shaggy brown rug, no surprise, on her cell with her headphones on. She’s grinning at the screen, typing quickly then taking a selfie with George.
I swear that dog’s a traitor.
Logan places his arm around me as we sit on the sofa adjacent to my parents. Part of me wants to giggle like a teenager bringing her boyfriend home for the first time despite him practically living here. I knock into his ribs on purpose, goading some sort of reaction from him. He kisses the top of my head as I curl into his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“Family meeting,” Dad commands, placing his book down.
“It’s weird without Ash,” I say.
Tayla removes her headphones and rings Ash, placing him on video call. “Now we’re all
here.”
“Hey.” I wave over the phone cautiously, reminding myself we haven’t spoken in weeks.
“Is that your new boyfriend?” he questions, deadpan. “Looks like a dick.”
Logan laughs as Mom interrupts, “Ashley Christopher Chase… behave.”
“We all know the truth now. Have you talked about how it will work? Emmy is in LA and Logan is contracted to England,” Tayla asks, keeping her tone neutral to avoid interrogating us.
“Actually, I’ve requested to pull out of the show. Dad’s right. I enjoy business and my heart isn’t in acting anymore. I’m sure another opportunity will present itself.”
“About Logan...” Dad announces. “I have news for you and Ash but I wanted to wait until we were all together.”
We all wait on edge, Dad taking longer than usual to reveal his news.
“The US team has picked both of you up on one condition...” he trails off to clear his throat. “You have to win this premiership. Royal Kings will negotiate your contract on those terms.”
Logan’s face beams with enthusiasm. “Are you kidding me? Because that’s great. A chance to represent our country in the World Cup trials. Shit! Ash, did you hear that?”
“Uh, yeah.” He seems less enthused, distracted by someone beside him.
“Bro, c’mon. We’ve been waiting on this for like… forever.”
“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his neck nervously. “I just kinda like England. Emmy, don’t be mad, please.”
