His words slam into me like a punch to the gut.
Because that’s what I wanted to hear, isn’t it? That, this time, they won’t make me choose? That they’ll stand by me, even if it means letting me walk away?
Then why does it feel like my heart is splitting in two?
I want to stay.
“I’ll stay,” I say, the phone forgotten in my grip. In the distance, I hear Shelley’s voice, commanding and insistent, telling me I need to be on the next plane out.
Todd steps closer, his hands settling on my arms, grounding me. His scent—amber and sandalwood, warm and steady—wraps around me, pulling me back from the edge of my spiraling thoughts.
“Ash, not this time,” he says, his voice gentle but firm. “We’re stronger than we were before. We aren’t young and stupid anymore. I love you. We all do. And we aren’t going to make you follow us around like some groupie on tour.” His thumb brushes along my skin, soothing. “Go back to New York and be the badass judge you are onOmega’s Top Model.”
My breath catches. The weight of his words presses against my ribs, stealing the air from my lungs.
Because he means it.
Because this time,they’re letting me go.
And it feels nothing like it did before.
CHAPTER 52
Ashlyn
New York doesn’t feelthe same without the guys. The city hums with life, but without their presence—without their scent, their laughter, the press of their bodies against mine—it feels emptier. It’s been two weeks of stolen moments on FaceTime, catching glimpses of them between rehearsals, shows, and long hours on the road.
Meanwhile, I’ve been thrown into the chaos of TV appearances, doing damage control, trying to fix the image of aflaky omega—because god forbid I actually embrace my biology, fall in love, and go into heat with the men I belong to.
Such a stupid double standard.
Still, I straighten in the plush interview chair, adjusting the tiny mic clipped to my blouse as the host, Kelly Grayson, slides into the seat across from me. Kelly, an actress turned television host, not so different from me. She smiles, perfectly put together in her tailored blazer and sleek blonde waves, but there’s something in her gaze, something unreadable beneath the warmth.
“Ready?” she asks, her tone casual, but the glint in her eye suggests there’s more to this than just a routine interview.
“As I’ll ever be.” I force a small laugh, hoping she can’t hear the slight nervousness in my voice.
The countdown begins. The stage lights brighten, and the murmur of the studio audience fades to silence as the show kicks off.
“Welcome back toThe Kelly Grayson Show! We have averyspecial guest with us today,” Kelly announces, turning to me with a practiced smile. “You know her as the face ofOmega’s Top Model, a talented actress, and recently, the center of alotof media attention—Ashlyn Robinson!”
Applause fills the studio. I cross my legs and offer a poised smile, trained for the cameras.
“It’s great to have you here, Ashlyn,” Kelly continues, her voice dripping with enthusiasm. “There’s beensomuch talk about you lately—your career, your love life, and of course, thatlittleviral moment with Primal Pulse.”
The crowd murmurs in excitement, and I grip the arm of my chair tighter.
“I’d love to set the record straight on a few things,” I say smoothly, tilting my chin up.
Kelly leans forward, elbows on the desk. “Of course, of course! But first, I thought we could start off with a fun little surprise. Ablast from the past, if you will.”
My stomach dips.
That glint in her eye sharpens, and before I can even ask what she means, the audience erupts in cheers. I whip my head toward the stage entrance just in time to see a familiar figure stepping into the lights.
Owen.
A camera flashes to capture my reaction, but I barely manage to keep my face neutral. He strides toward me with that same cocky confidence he’s always had, dressed in an expensive suit that screamslook at me. The tabloids have had a field daywith our past relationship, spinning stories about ouramicablebreakup, conveniently leaving out the part where he was more invested in the publicity of our relationship than inme.
