“I’ll call you later.” I don’t take my eyes away from Ainsley’s.
“Bye,” he sounds miffed.
I hang up the phone. “Coffee?” I ask.
“Yes,” she nods slowly, her eyes narrowed.
I fix her coffee, adding cream, and hand it to her. “Thanks,” she says as she sits on one of my stools. “Now, tell me what’s going on.” Her hands wrap around the mug as she keeps her gaze on me.
I exhale loudly and brace myself on the counter. “Our relationship is out in the open. That was Harris, my manager. Apparently, there are photos of us together at the lodge yesterday. The media has spun every story possible and published it.” My hand abuses my hair.
Ainsley is quiet, drinking her coffee. When she places the mug on the counter, she reaches her hand out.
“What?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Give me your phone, please.” I close my eyes and hand her the device. She begins typing, her eyes scanning the screen. I haven’t seen any of the articles, so I wait for her assessment, shoulders tense.
“Huh.” She keeps reading, and I’m barely able to hold onto the bit of patience I have. Her eyes lift to mine. “This isn’t good.” Her lips pinch together as she turns the phone for me to read the screen.
I skim the article, nostrils flaring. Knox Bentley has moved on already. Not only did he ruin his marriage with Amelia Stanford by cheating on her with Reese Stone, but now he’s cozying up with a blonde that gives us serious Amelia vibes. Maybe he regrets his divorce and is using this mystery woman as an Amelia placeholder. We can conclude that this woman is the cause for our favorite music couple to head to Splitsville. What do you think about Knox’s mystery woman?
“This is bullshit,” I growl. At the same time, my Google alert pops up in my notifications. I click on the link and read. “Fuck,” I scream.
“What?” She sits taller, leaning forward with wide eyes.
“They found out who you are and published your name. I’m so sorry, Ainsley.” I walk around the counter and hold her hands. “I didn’t think this would be so bad.” I shake my head.
“Hey.” She reaches up to touch my face. “This isn’t your fault. We knew it was bound to happen. Sure, we didn’t expect so much made-up crap, but people are assholes and drama sells.”
“I hate it,” I say through my clenched teeth.
“It’s not fun, that’s for sure. What do you want to do?” She tilts my head down so she can look into my eyes. “This is your image.”
I shake my head. “It’s ours. Yours is just as important as mine. You may not be famous, yet, but you also have an image and are just as important as I am in all of this. I don’t want this to ruin your life.”
“Knox, being with you will never ruin my life.” Her words are soft, gentle. “I don’t want you to have to go through more hurt than you already have. It’s not fair to you that people are dicks.”
I chuckle dryly. “I don’t deserve you,” I shake my head.
“Hey,” her brows come together, and she frowns. “That’s not true. You deserve to be happy, and I’m just lucky that I make you happy,” she winks.
“You’re incredible.” I cup the side of her face, and she leans into it, sighing.
“If you want to take some time apart, at least in public, I’ll be okay with that.”
“No,” I shoot out before she can finish that sentence. “That’s not an option. People will always talk, whether they see us together today or three months from now.” I’m adamant about this.
“What do you want to do then?” she asks.
“It won’t be easy, and I know I have no right to ask you for patience and strength, but I want people to know you’re a part of my life. If you’re okay with that, of course. I’ve already kept one relationship hidden in the past, and I refuse to lose you over this. Not you.” My teeth grind together. She means too much to me. I knew I couldn’t hide here forever, pretending people would magically forget who I am. I’m older and wiser this time around, and I’m not backing down from a fight. I just hope she’s willing to stand beside me.
“Of course, I want to be with you. I know we haven’t been together for too long, but I’m willing to push through this. So, they called me a homewreckin’ whore?” she shrugs. “I want to say I’ve been called worse, but I actually haven’t,” there’s a hint of humor in her voice, and I start to loosen up.
“I’m sorry.” I lean my forehead on hers.
“Stop apologizing.” I open my eyes.
“If anyone asks you questions, ignore them. You keep walking as if no one were there, got it?” I have to make sure she’s safe, but I won’t be with her twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. “These people are ruthless,” I warn.
“Okay.” She nods quickly.
“I’ll do everything I can to smooth this over,” I assure her.
“We got this.” Her smile is small, nervous, but I appreciate her attitude.
“Okay then,” I squeeze her thigh, praying everything turns out okay. “Breakfast?” I ask.
“I guess it wouldn’t be smart to go out and eat somewhere?” Her eyes open wide.
“Probably not,” I respond, feeling as if now she’s going to have to measure each step in her life because of me, restrict herself from the things she loves.
“Darn. I was craving those stuffed, French toasts from Beehive.” She licks her lips, causing me to laugh.
“What if I call and see if they’ll deliver?” I’ll pay triple the price if I need to.
“Really?” she perks up.
“Anything for you.” I kiss her softly. “I just wish I hadn’t received this news when you were dressed like that. This morning did not go as I planned.” I let my words linger between us, full of meaning.
“Knox, we can’t control everything. We need to learn to navigate life as it comes our way,” she shares her words of wisdom.
“You’re right. I just wish I could protect you from this,” I tell her.
“I knew the consequences of dating you, and I made a choice after having weighed my options.”
“I wish I would’ve done the same. Had I known they’d make you out to be the bad guy, I would’ve kept my distance.” The words are out before I can process them, and her face drops with a frown.
“Really?” She looks up at me with sad eyes, and I feel like the world’s largest prick.
“Fuck. That didn’t come out the right way. I just… I don’t want you to have to go through this. I don’t want people to automatically think wrongly about you when you’re an amazing person,” I try to mend what I said, but the damage is done. Her entire body shifts, more closed off, her energy pushing me away.
“Fuck,” I mumble on a breath and grab my phone. “Breakfast?” I ask.
She nods in silence, taking a drink from her mug and shivering. Ainsley walks to the microwave and warms up her coffee, arms hugging her body. She looks out the big windows onto the patio, staring at the white ground.
I shut my eyes closed and dial Beehive’s number, hoping to God they’ll deliver that French toast.
Ainsley
I haven’t been at work for more than twenty minutes, and I already want to sprint out the back door and go home. As soon as I walked in, the few people who were sitting at the bar stared with curiosity. I’m sure it’s entertaining that the new girl in town fished the local celebrity, considering not much else happens around here.
After breakfast, I got dressed and left Knox’s house with the excuse I had to go grocery shopping before work. He didn’t buy my lie, but he took me home anyway. Hearing him say he would’ve stayed away from me had he known how bad things could get was painful, even if I knew what he meant to say. Knowing he would have fought his feelings for me when I couldn’t do that, made me feel insecure.
Knox is a great man, and I have no doubt that he cares about me. I know that. I repeat this to myself as I work and ignore questions as he advised.
I serve drinks and quick
ly move onto another task to not engage in conversations that can be misunderstood or manipulated into something else. People around here had already seen us together for a few weeks, so I don’t know why the sudden interest. I guess people do love the drama, and now we’re no longer Ainsley and Knox, Everton residents. Now, we’re Knox, the famous musician, and Ainsley, the other woman.
Gah, I can’t believe people buy into that crap.
I hold in my scream and throw on a fake smile. “Hi.” I look at the woman leaning over the bar. “Can I get a beer?”
“Sure.” I grab her usual drink and pop the cap before pouring it in a glass.
“Thanks.” She hands me a ten. “So… I didn’t know you and Knox were dating. That’s cool,” she smiles so sweetly, I fear I’ll get cavities from staring at her.
I nod, my mouth in a flat line. I wasn’t good enough to be her friend when I was just Ainsley, new girl in town and bartender. Now, she’s suddenly interested in making small-talk. Thanks, but I’ll pass.
I turn around to do anything that will make me not have to talk to her, but she stays in her spot. “I’ve known him my entire life. He and Axel,” she keeps talking, and I roll my eyes, my back to her. “Anyway, I think it’s really cool.” I want to tell her she already said it was cool, but bite my tongue. “Maybe one day we can all hang out.”
Ah, there it is.
I turn to face her. “Maybe.” If I weren’t at work, I’d say something less nice. Actually, I probably wouldn’t, I’d just ignore her. I don’t want fake friends.
“Hey.” Knox arrives and takes a seat, looking between the other woman and me. I knew he wouldn’t take long to show up.
“Hi, Knox,” she smiles, way too excited. I lift my eyebrows, and she reels in her happiness.
“Hey, Emma. How you doing?” He takes a seat, smiling at me.
“Great, I was just telling Ainsley we should all hang out sometime,” Emma keeps talking.
“Oh, now you care to be friends with her?” Knox doesn’t hold back, and I bite down my lips and widen my eyes at him.
“What?” Emma looks between us, holding her breath.
“Ainsley’s been living here for months, and you never tried to get to know her, but now that’s she’s dating me you suddenly care. We’re good,” he dismisses her, and she stumbles back, knocked into silence.
I look at Knox, my eyes popping out of my head. “Knox,” I say quietly, locking my jaw.
“Don’t look at me that way. I won’t let someone try to use you or think I’m an idiot.”
I sigh and shake my head, filling a glass of scotch for him.
“Thank you.” His fingers graze mine, and I relax.
“You’re welcome,” I breathe out softly, still hurt.
“I’m sorry about what I said earlier,” he whispers, his eyes cast down. When they look back at me, I see pain etched on them.
“We’ll talk later,” I nod, scratching my forehead.
“So, you two are shacking up?” I look up to see Eli standing next to Knox.
I groan, and Knox curses. “Watch it,” he warns him.
“Whoa,” Eli raises his hands in surrender and laughs, taking a seat next to him. “I mean, I did notice the flirting, but I didn’t know it was official.”
“Beer?” I ask him.
“Please,” he winks, and Knox glares at him.
“Ah, you’re cute when you’re jealous,” he teases Knox, and I giggle.
As the hours pass, more people ask questions, unashamed of the invasion of privacy as if they deserve a glance into our personal lives, and whisper amongst themselves as they point at Knox and me. At least be subtle if you’re going to gossip about someone who is standing in front of you. Every person who asks me a question I don’t want to answer makes me feel more uncomfortable. I don’t want the locals here to see me differently.
“Hey, Bentley, you couldn’t be happy with your city girls, you had to go and fuck one of ours,” Mr. McFord yells across the bar. I freeze, the glass I’m holding almost falling to the floor. I look at Knox, my eyes growing. He jumps off the stool and stalks toward Mr. McFord.
“Knox,” I call out and shake my head. He barely looks at me before he grabs Mr. McFord by the collar and lifts him.
“What the fuck did you say?” I’ve never seen him this angry.
“Ya heard me, kid.” I’m impressed the old man doesn’t flinch despite Knox towering over him.
“Back off, McFord.” His warning is so calm, it causes me to shiver. Still frozen, I watch and wait, trying to telecommunicate with Knox. The last thing he needs is a fight on record.
“Knox, patience,” I say, hoping he takes his own advice. His eyes meet mine, and I tilt my head, smiling softly. I sigh when he releases Mr. McFord and begins walking back to his seat.
The entire bar is silent, witnessing this interaction.
Mr. McFord laughs boastfully, his big belly shaking. “Pussy-whipped.”
Before I know what’s happening, a scream leaves my mouth as Knox turns and punches McFord in the jaw. The older man stumbles back, gripping his face and glaring at Knox. Eli is by his side immediately, holding him back.
“Respect her,” he growls.
Knox’s body trembles with anger, and he shakes off his hand. I’m around and by his side in a second. I stand before him and grab his face. “Stop.” I stare into his eyes, pleading with him.
His jaw is slack, and his nostrils are flared. I get on my toes and kiss him, hoping to break his anger spell. “Please,” I whisper against his lips.
It’s as if he finally sees me, his hands going to my waist and pulling me into a hug. He sneaks his face into the crook of my neck, inhaling deep and slow.
“It’s okay,” I whisper.
“It’s not. Are you okay?” He lifts his head, his eyes scanning my face.
“Yeah. Are you?” I grab his right hand and stare at his knuckles.
“I will be,” he mumbles, lifting a brow as he stares over my shoulder.
“Come on.” I drag him by the hand and make him sit on the stool again. I walk around the bar and look around at everyone. Some faces are scared, others are curious.
“Show’s over, folks,” I call out, rolling my eyes.
“I want a man that stands up for me that way,” someone sighs in the crowd.
Knox is staring at his trembling hands, resting on top of the bar, silent. Eli looks up at me and shakes his head, unsure of what to do or say. I take a few deep breaths to slow my racing heart and get back to tending the customers ordering another round.
I sneak glances at Knox while working, his position the same—staring at his hands and his body stiff. I stand in front of him when I finish serving the drink I’m preparing. “Drink.” I push the scotch closer to him.
His hand reaches out to mine quickly. “I’m sorry,” he whispers, his eyes lifting to mine.
“Thank you for defending me,” I tell him. “Now, have a drink, and we’ll talk later. I’m not mad, though,” I assure him.
I’ve never had a shift drag on like it did tonight. Wishing it were time to go home, I stay as busy as possible and ignore anyone who isn’t placing a drink order. By the time my shift ends, I want to race out of the building and call in sick tomorrow. I’ve never been one to let people’s opinions get to me, but this is on a whole other level.
“Ready?” Knox meets me by the door.
“Yeah.” I nod.
“I’ll follow you home unless you want to come home with me.” He’s still sullen, probably feeling guilty if I know him.
“It’s okay. It’s been an emotional and heavy day. I’m going to go home, and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Ainsley,” he shifts his head and raises a brow. “No.”
“Knox. I’m tired. It’s been a crazy day, and I just want to sleep. This has nothing to do with us, I promise.” I hold his hand and let him walk me to my car.
“I’ll call you in the morning. I’ll grab some coffees and bagels a
nd take them to your house when I wake up,” I suggest, needing a few hours to decompress.
“I guess I don’t have a choice,” he crosses his arms.
I hug his middle, resting my head on his arms until he sighs and hugs me back. “We’re okay,” I make sure he knows I’m not upset at him. This situation simply sucks.
“I rather follow you home, but call me if you need me. Okay?” He looks at me, lifting my chin, so I’m staring into his eyes.
“Promise.” His lips touch mine briefly before I climb into my car. For some reason, things feel dense between us, as if any second the weight of this will crack us.
I drive home, careful of the snow and focusing on my breath to clear my mind. After a good night’s sleep, I’ll feel better and be able to tackle this with optimism. I hope.
When I pull into the parking lot of my apartment building, I see a crowd standing by the entrance. I squint my eyes toward them, wondering what the hell is going on. When someone looks my way, noticing my running car, I see a flash. I cover my eyes with my hands as I hear commotion a few steps away.
“Fuck,” I yell in my car and slam the steering wheel before grabbing my phone and calling Knox, heart racing. I see people running toward my car, and I throw the car in reverse, pulling out of my spot while hitting ‘Speaker’ on my screen and praying Knox answers right away.
“Hello?”
“Knox,” my voice shakes.
“What’s wrong?” He sounds worried when he hears me speak.
“The paparazzi found where I live. There’s a huge crowd outside my building. When they saw my car, they snapped photos, but I pulled out before they could reach my car.”
“Fuck, I’m on my way. I should’ve followed you home,” he yells in frustration.
“Meet me at Clarke’s, and I’ll leave my car there. I don’t want to drive to your place, they’ll just follow me.
“Fine. Ainsley?” he pauses.
“Yeah?”
“Drive safely, please,” his worry deepens as he pleads.
“I promise.”
I make it back to the bar as quickly as I can, checking the rearview mirror in case anyone is following me, and exhale when the road is dark behind me.
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