Chapter 10 - Ava
AVA
Present
I threw myself into work. If I kept busy, I wouldn’t have time to think about anything.
I became Jaden’s shadow, ever a few steps behind, taking in every aspect of his life.
It was more fun than I thought it would be.
As a non-sports person, part of me was convinced the job would be tedious.
I was pleasantly surprised to be having fun… for the most part.
I let loose and relaxed until Lincoln showed up.
He tended to show up everywhere. He hadn’t tried to talk to me about what had happened in Jaden’s kitchen three days ago.
Now, when we saw each other, all he did was give me a polite greeting.
He was giving me what I’d asked for—for him to leave me alone.
Yet I still got emotionally riled up by just the sight of him.
I might need help. Right now wasn’t the time to dwell on any of that.
“So what the heck is a preseason fan fest?” I asked.
Jaden laughed as he grabbed his duffel bag and locked his SUV. “Think of it as football Disneyland without the rides, just a bunch of sweaty guys and screaming fans.”
He laughed harder at my scrunched-up expression. The place was already buzzing with energy—tents lined the perimeter, booths sold team merch, and food trucks were scattered about. There was music, and I was sure I heard a cheer squad somewhere.
“Players sign autographs, take selfies, do interviews,” Jaden explained, slinging his bag over one shoulder. “There’s a question-and-answer panel later, and some of us are doing a skills demo with kids. It’s mostly PR.”
I scanned the crowd. “Sounds overwhelming.”
“It can be, but it’s mostly fun. I like doing things for the fans, you know? We’re nothing without them, right? Have to show appreciation.”
I smiled. “You were raised right, Jaden Cole.”
He grinned. “Are you going to put that in the article?”
“I most certainly am, in a more wordy and creative way.”
We both laughed as we neared the crowd. Unfortunately, we had to walk through it to get inside the stadium.
I kept my bag and press badge close. Jaden was immediately recognized—fans called his name, held out phones, and asked for autographs.
He handled it with ease. I trailed behind him, snapping candids and taking notes.
I especially liked how he engaged with the kids.
My gaze wandered to the entrance, where security was. Lincoln was there, of course. He stood with his arms crossed, scanning the crowd. His eyes met mine for only half a second but long enough to make my stomach flip. He looked away and then turned to go inside.
I brought my attention back to Jaden, who was now crouched beside a kid in a wheelchair, signing a jersey and making the boy laugh. My heart softened.
“Hey,” Jaden said as he stood up and caught my eye. “Are you okay? The crowd can get overwhelming.”
“I’m fine. Just taking it all in.”
Finally, we made it inside, and I was a bit relieved for the reprieve.
However, it was short-lived. There were flurries of activity everywhere.
I silently followed Jaden, giving him space to do his thing.
Every so often, he glanced back to check on me.
I couldn’t help smiling. Here I thought I’d encountered a snobby pro player with a massive ego because he’d come into a ton of money and skyrocketed to fame.
Jaden was the opposite. Shame on me for my negative preconceptions.
Soon, I found myself in a locker room area with a bunch of guys. The team greeted me as if I were the assistant coach, and it made me laugh. I even got a few fist bumps. But I hurriedly got out of their way, making myself as unintrusive as possible.
After we left the locker room, Jaden waved me along. “Come on, we’re heading down.” They took a side tunnel that opened directly onto the turf. The entire time, I kept looking for Lincoln. He had just disappeared. Why was I even looking for him? I couldn’t be any more annoyed with myself.
I paused when we hit the field, momentarily stunned by its size. It was my first time in a stadium. The stands loomed above like a coliseum, and the field was alive with activity. Players jogged across the yard lines, tossing footballs to kids in oversized jerseys.
Jaden and some of his teammates were immediately pulled into a photo op with a group of fans.
I hung back. Jaden looked around for me, but I waved him off, silently telling him not to worry about me.
I spotted Lincoln near the sideline and pointed toward him.
Jaden gave me a thumbs-up, and I took off.
Taking a deep breath, I braced myself just to stand beside Lincoln. It was crazy that I had to. That kiss showed me how easily he could still get under my skin. Maybe that was why I couldn’t forgive him… or was afraid to. He still had so much power over me.
I approached Lincoln, who was staring straight ahead. He had his arms crossed as he assessed all the activity on the field. I slowed my steps when I neared and then stopped beside him. He spared me a glance.
“Ava.”
“Hey, Lincoln.”
He dipped his head in a cool, polite nod as if we were strangers who had just become acquaintances… as if we hadn’t made out like hormone-riddled teenagers the other day. In all fairness, he gave me what I had asked for. He was keeping his distance.
“How’s it going?” I asked. Carrying on small talk with my ex wasn’t high on my list of priorities, but I would have felt more awkward standing alone in some corner.
“Great. How’s that feature coming along?”
“Great,” I mimicked his dry response.
“Hmm.”
I peeked up at him. “No warning about keeping my nose where it’s supposed to be?”
His eyes cut to me and away again. “I’m sure you got the picture. How are you settling in to LA?”
“Fine. I get a little overwhelmed at times, but I’m getting used to it.”
Finally, he looked at me for more than a second. “If you need anything, let me know.”
I smiled, but it dropped when he inclined his head and said, “Excuse me.”
I watched with raised eyebrows as he walked away toward a group of guys.
It was like he could barely tolerate my presence now.
“You did tell him to leave you alone,” I muttered.
Feeling out of place just standing there, I shifted from one foot to the other.
Jaden was deep in conversation, laughing with a few teammates and posing for another group photo.
I didn’t want to intrude, so my eyes wandered.
That’s when I saw them.
Two people stood near the tunnel we’d come through.
They were in the shadows, so it was hard to see exactly what was happening.
However, I got that curious itch—the same one I’d gotten when I saw the couple through the window at that gym the other day.
Just like that day, this couple’s interaction didn’t seem casual.
I sensed tension in the way they gestured.
My legs started moving before I could even think about it. I inched closer and closer, my eyes trained on them. The taller one was built like a football player—massive shoulders and muscles visible even through the hoodie. What was it with these hoodies? It was so warm. Unless the idea was to hide…
My journalist nose twitched, practically smelling a mystery. Knowing me, I had to solve it or my brain would implode. The smaller figure handed something to the bigger one. I squinted but couldn’t see what it was.
I glanced back. Jaden was still busy.
Attention back on the shady couple, I walked faster, with purpose.
To my chagrin, they broke apart. When the smaller one moved, I got a glimpse of long dark hair and…
blonde tips. It was that singer! What were the chances of her showing up at the gym and then here?
This wasn’t a game that plenty of celebrities would show up to.
The way she hurried back through the tunnel made my suspicions mount.
The bigger one skedaddled in a different direction, getting lost in the crowd.
I mentally snapped my fingers because I still couldn't confirm if it was really the pop star. I wasn’t sure if the person with the huge shoulders was the same guy as in the parking lot, either. What did Jaden say his name was…?
Tanner Boyd.
But what would he be doing at a Rams team rally?
Something was definitely going on here… which was really none of my business. I turned around and headed back in the direction where Jaden was. He was my story, not shady characters in hoodies doing handoffs.
Allan would flip if he knew my full focus wasn’t on Jaden’s feature. I could hear his voice in my mind: This is a Massachusetts story. Jaden is from Massachusetts. Make me proud, Montgomery.
Yesterday evening, I spoke with him, and he outright told me, “Get this right, Montgomery, and you’ll be sitting pretty on the best stories like Walt.”
I wasn’t sure if he was just trying to sweeten me up, but that was what I wanted.
“I’m going to focus on what I came here to do,” I whispered as I power-walked back to my subject. But still, I glanced over my shoulder. What if I got a story not even my boss could deny was journalism gold?
I nibbled my lower lip, fighting that side of me that wanted to dig until I either found something or didn’t.
“Dammit, I’m going to dig.” I needed to. Between shadowing Jaden, of course.