Chapter 11 - Ashton
TWO WEEKS LATER
“Chanel Dubois is knocking down more than barriers and walls in the sports industry; she’s knocking down the walls of happy marriages. The award-winning sports journalist has been creeping around town with MVP shooting guard, Ashton Santoro.”
“Happy wife, happy life. I don’t think so.
Word on the streets is Zoe “Muffin” Santoro isn’t so happy anymore.
She’s filed for divorce now that her celebrity husband has been caught making out with award-winning, Chanel Dubois, the reporter for Bolton Sports.
Yet the MVP baller seems to be very happy with the prized trophy, Ms. Dubois. ”
“Hot Lips Santoro and Hot Hips Dubois: The couple of the year no one saw coming. The sexy basketball player is starting a new chapter of life with a brand-new wife. Yes, you heard it here . . . Word on the streets is that basketball’s sexiest un-eligible player is now on the market again after his wife filed for divorce.
That comes on the heels of leaked photos of the star getting it on with the curvy, bad-ass, beautiful fashionista of sports, Ms. Chanel Dubois.
Who could blame him, though. Have you seen her in a bikini? ”
“Fuck!” I grumbled, handing Amélie’s phone back to her. It had been a difficult evening already, because we hadn’t won tonight’s game.
Our team played poorly, and for the first time in a long time, we weren’t a cohesive unit. I felt guilty about that, because although I tried to put my attitude behind me, it was difficult for Alex and me to work together.
“You’d better say that again.”
“I don’t want to deal with this right now. After that horrible game, the last thing that I need is to deal with bullshit.”
“I’m sorry, but these rumors aren’t going anywhere until you address them. With your temper the way it has been lately, things are only going to get worse. I’m surprised her lawyer hasn’t already contacted yours about the divorce and changed the terms,” Amélie declared.
“She has no proof of anything. These pictures prove nothing, Amé. I have proof of her infidelity, thanks to the best investigator in the business.”
“I hear you, but don’t be surprised if things change. She’s got an axe to grind, and I put nothing past that woman.”
“Thanks for letting me know this.”
“You’re welcome. I figured you hadn’t seen anything yet since you were in a game, but I wanted to be the first one to let you know. I’ve been praying that Alex didn’t get to you first, because I’m sure that would have landed your ass in jail tonight.”
“You act like my rep is that bad,” I replied, lacing up my shoes.
“In the past, I would have said no. But the shit you’ve done in the past compared with the way you’re crashing out now, yes, your rep is definitely heading down the toilet.”
“Shit just keep getting in my head, Amé. Muthafuckas won’t let me be great. First my wife, then Alex, now this bullshit about me cheating.”
“Listen, I’ve told you what to do. Let my PR team address it and—”
“No. Because what you’re talking about doing is trashing her name, and I’ve done too much to protect her for you to go back and trash her now. It’ll only look like I’m saying shit out of retaliation. Give it some time; everything will die down.”
“You need to consider how this will impact your new business and your business partners.”
“I’ve been talking with them.”
“How does Chanel feel about all this?”
I tilted my head at her. “Didn’t you tell me to stay away from her?”
She twisted her full lips and widened those big brown eyes at me. “I also told you to stop fighting, but you haven’t listened to that either.”
“I don’t know. She’s been shutting me out lately.”
“What do you mean shutting you out?”
“I guess she’s got everything that she needs for her article. Every time I reach out, she’s been busy.”
“Have you asked her how she feels about these rumors that are circulating the blogs and talk shows?”
“I have, but she brushes it off and only says that she’s fine.”
“She’s saying she’s fine?” Amélie asked in disbelief.
“Not really. She didn’t start saying that until after I refused to do what she wanted.”
“Which was?”
“The same thing you want. She believes the only way to clear her name is to tell people the truth about what Muffin is doing. She wants me to put it out there, and I won’t.”
“She’s a smart woman.”
“No, she’s stubborn as hell like you are.”
“Did you see her tonight? I saw her at the game, but only as a participant and not as a reporter.”
“I saw her, too, but tonight was the first time that I saw her in a while. But how about I go find out what’s going on now?”
“I would think that rather than worrying about that, maybe you might want to go out and celebrate.”
My head dropped as I dragged my hands down my face. “Honestly, I didn’t want to even think about it, Amé.”
“It should be the happiest day of your life. That chapter is over, and you can move on in peace.”
“Yeah, I hear ya.” I stood and grabbed my bag from my locker. I had interviews after the game, and I had stayed in the shower a little longer than the rest of my teammates. I hadn’t been in the mood to be bothered, so I avoided everyone as long as possible.
Amélie followed me outside, and we split up and went in two different directions.
Once I got off the private elevators to the parking lot where the players parked, I was surprised to see flashing lights.
I expected only a handful of cars to remain, if any at all, but there were several police cars, and they were all surrounding one person.
A few other bystanders were there and a couple of building security.
I jogged toward the group, and that’s when I saw the person they were surrounding; it was Chanel. She looked like she was on the verge of tears and struggling to keep it together. I could tell from where I stood that she was trembling and afraid.
Curiosity and caution warred within me. I didn’t need anyone else seeing us together after the way they had been dragging her name, but I had to figure out what was going on with her. She looked like she needed a friend in her corner.
“Excuse me . . . excuse me,” I stated, pushing my way through the people. I could see her vehicle right behind her, and not only was the windshield shattered, but someone had sprayed “Home wrecker” all over the windows, the hood, and the sides of the car.
All I could think about was Muffin. She had been very silent lately, and I knew that despite everything we had been through, she didn’t want the divorce, but she hadn’t fought it.
I thought about the underwear that I had been finding lately.
Three more episodes had occurred since the first one.
I had found them in my car, my home gym, and my home office.
Someone had been texting me weird messages like, “One day you’ll regret your choices,” “No one will ever love you the way I always have,” “You’re wasting your time with her,” “I wish that you loved me the right way all these years,” “One day you’ll see that I’m all you ever needed, not ball or any of the other crap. ”
It didn’t make sense, and while my mind kept pointing to Muffin, I didn’t want to believe Muffin would stoop to that level, but she had changed a lot over the years.
“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping up and wrapping an arm around her to comfort her. I didn’t give a shit who saw it or what pages it appeared on the next day. She had been a friend to me, and she needed one right now.
I felt her body shudder, and she looked up at me, and the tears fell. “I don’t know who did this. I came out after the game and saw it. Someone threw a rock through my window, Ashton.”
“I’m sorry, Chanel. You don’t deserve this, and I’m sorry they’re dragging you in the middle of Zoe’s and my bullshit. What the fuck are y’all doing about this other than standing around twiddling ya gahdamn thumbs?” I asked the one who seemed to be in charge.
“Mr. Santoro, please calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to muthafuckin’ calm down, nigga!”
“Ash,” Chanel declared sweetly, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “I’m listening.”
“We’re checking security cameras and interviewing anyone who passed through here around the time that Ms. Dubois did or just before,” he explained, motioning to the small group of people who stood off to the side.
“Right now, we don’t have anything, but we’re waiting for security to get us footage, and then hopefully, we’ll know more.
We’ve taken Ms. Dubois’ statement, and there’s not much else she can do right now.
I advised her that one of our officers can take her home.
The investigators are dusting the car for fingerprints, and we’d like to keep it as evidence. ”
“For how long?” I asked.
“Just a few days.”
“You don’t need an officer to take her home. I’ve got her,” I declared.
“Ashton, you don’t have to do that. I know tonight was a hard game for you.”
“Man, fuck that game. I’m taking you home, Chanel, and I don’t wanna hear shit else about it.”
“Okay,” she replied in a soft voice.
“Ms. Dubois, we have your information. We’ll be in touch,” the officer stated.
She nodded, and I turned her in the direction of my car. Once we were settled inside and on our way to her place, I glanced at her, and I could tell she was out of it. Her phone rang, and she pushed the ignore button.
“Hey,” I stated, reaching over and taking her hand.
Her head was resting against the window, and she had her legs pulled up on the seat with her. She lifted her head slightly and looked at me. “Yeah?” she asked as her phone started ringing again. She hit ignore again.
“I’m so sorry. I really am. I didn’t mean for you to get caught up in all this.”
“It’s not your fault. Whomever did this is a sick individual, and neither your name nor my name deserves to be dragged in the mud the way that it is.
I don’t know if the person who leaked those photos is the same person who’s been texting me or not, and I don’t know if the person who leaked those photos is the girl at the bar that night back in California.
The only thing I—hold on,” she stated as her phone rang again.
“This looks like the number to my apartment building. Let me see who’s calling me. ”
“Hello? Yes, this is Ms. Dubois.”
She listened to someone on the other end of the call before she replied. “I’ll be there soon. But what do you mean an incident? What’s happened?”
She listened some more as I grew concerned and pressed the gas to pick up speed. I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew she needed to get there soon. She ended the call and looked at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. They said there’s been an incident at the building, in my apartment, and I needed to get there right away.”