Page 51 of #Awestruck

When I opened the door, he turned to me and said, “Hear that?”

“If you say it’s this, or us, happening, I will throat punch you.”

He chuckled. “No. I heard the sound of my six a.m. workout crying because it knows I’m going to kill it in three hours. Why would you think I was talking about you? Not everything’s about you, Ashton.” His tone was light and teasing, and he winked at me as he walked away. “See you soon.”

I locked the door and pressed my forehead against it. I hoped that by the time the sun rose, whatever I was feeling right now would go away.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Monday morning, I had a text from Brenda asking about my progress, but I told her I had nothing new to report. I’d already mentioned that Evan and I both agreed to keep up our pretend engagement, and she’d been ecstatic. For some reason I didn’t want to tell her about the gifts at the game or how he’d stayed over late. I rationalized that they had nothing to do with my story.

Despite my rationalization, I felt an overwhelming relief when there was no picture of him leaving my condo at three in the morning on any website or TV show. Mostly because it meant Brenda wouldn’t find out.

I sent a message to Nia about Whitley Schultz, asking if she had any idea how to track her down. It now seemed more important than ever that I discover what Whitley knew.

So I texted Tinsley, and just as Nia had predicted, she gave all the info—along with a lot of heart-eyed smiley emojis—to me without question. I texted Nia again.

I didn’t anticipate needing backup in the suburbs, but it would be nice to have Nia there alongside me. I called the number, and Whitley answered. With my heart pounding in my ears, I introduced myself and told her the story that Nia and I had come up with at the tea party—that we were working on a “where are they now” of former Jacks cheerleaders for a possible segment at ISEN.

“I remember Nia. She was always so sweet. And your project sounds like a lot of fun! Yes, please come by. I’m a stay-at-home mom, so I’m usually around.”

“Is there any chance you would be able to meet up today?”

“Sure. My son goes down for a nap at one o’clock. Would one thirty work?”

I told her it would, and she gave me her address, which I already had. We said goodbye and hung up, and I texted Nia to let her know about our new game plan. We agreed to meet at Whitley’s house since she was about halfway for both of us.

This time I did make an effort with my appearance. Honestly, I didn’t want to meet Evan’s former girlfriend while looking like warmed-over roadkill.

Nia was already waiting for me when I arrived. She gave me a quick hug. “You ready to do this?”

“I’m ready. Let’s go find out the truth about Evan.”

We walked up to Whitley’s front door together, and I rang the bell. I got a surprise when she opened it, because Whitley could have been my sister. Tall, redheaded, athletic-looking.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Nia leaned in to whisper, “I just realized that Evan has a type.”

“Hey, Nia, how are you? And you must be Ashton. Please come in!”

Whitley led us into a formal living room and asked if we wanted anything to eat or drink. We both said we were fine and sat down.

To keep up the pretense, I asked about her time with the Lumberjills. Her favorite game, best memory, that kind of thing. She was fun and animated. I could begrudgingly see why Evan might have liked her.

Then I moved in for the kill. “And did you quit the team, or were you let go?”

“Oh, they kicked me off,” she said with a laugh. “And they said it was because of weight gain, but it was because I’d been dating Evan Dawson. The quarterback?”

I’m familiar with him, thanks.“Right. I’d heard something about that.”

“He was a real gentleman. Very kind and thoughtful.”

Whitley didn’t say anything about me being engaged to Evan. Either she didn’t recognize me, or she didn’t keep up on sports news. I decided to play dumb.

“A gentleman?” I repeated. Here was the opening I needed. “Okay, just between us girls, you have to tell us. Did you really never sleep together?”

“We did not.”

“Really?” This was from Nia.

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