He leans in, scanning the screen before I can hide it. His jaw tightens for a beat, then he breathes out, almost like relief. “It had to happen sooner or later,” he mutters, but there’s a flickerof satisfaction in his eyes. He wants this—wants the world to believe we’ve finally claimed her. He’s never been the type to deny what he wants.
Then Jake sidles up beside me, posture relaxed in that beta-calm way he has, but his eyes narrow the instant he sees the headline. “Damn,” he murmurs, raking a hand through his hair. “They’re really jumping to conclusions, aren’t they?” His gaze flicks between me and Todd. “We need to make sure Ash knows about this before it blindsides her.”
I tear my eyes from the photo. “Yeah,” I agree, my voice rougher than usual. “We should tell her.”
Todd’s lips press together, his gaze lingering on the screen. “I mean… it might not be so bad.” He clears his throat, then shrugs, trying to look casual. “It’s not like they said anythingterribleabout her.”
Jake shoots him a look. “They’re implying she’souromega,” he points out, voice measured but firm. “And while that’s… something I think all of us would like, it puts a target on her back for every tabloid out there. Especially if they think it sells magazines.” He sighs, crossing his arms. “We’re all used to rumors, but Ashlyn doesn’t deserve to deal with more invasive crap, especially caused by us.”
I flick through the article, a slow burn curling in my gut as I picture the paparazzi swarming her, asking questions she might not be ready for. “No, she doesn’t,” I say quietly.
Todd runs a hand over his mouth, his eyes still fixed on the phone. For all his calm and confidence, I can see the tension in the lines of his shoulders. “She’s strong. But even the toughest person can only take so much,” he mutters.
Jake rests a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Tell her we’ll handle it if it gets out of control. She shouldn’t feel like she’s fighting this alone.”
I nod, the words throbbing in my chest. Fighting it alone—that’s exactly what I’m worried about. I can’t stand the idea of her facing any more stress because of us. “You’re right,” I say, tapping my phone to lock the screen. “I’ll text her now.”
For a second, none of us move. The quiet hum of the rehearsal space rings in my ears, the distant sound of crew members setting up gear reminding me we’ve got a job to do. But all I can think about is Ashlyn. Her soft laugh, the way her perfume spiked around us, how she looked at me in the diner.
Todd breaks the silence, his tone soft but resolute. “Tell her… if she needs anything, we’re here.” A faint smile tugs at his lips, though I catch a flicker of longing in his eyes. He wants this to be real, too.
Jake steps back, the tension in his posture easing just a little. “Yeah. Let her know she’s got options. She doesn’t have to play defense with the media on her own.”
I unlock my phone, scrolling to Ash’s name in my contacts. “I will,” I promise, my thumb hovering over the screen. “And if she’s worried, we’ll figure it out.”
Todd nods, exchanging a look with Jake—an unspoken agreement that we’re all in this together, even if it’s messy. Even if it breaks us again.
I type a quick message, unsure if it’s enough but determined to let her know she’s not alone. My pulse thunders in my ears. I want to protect her. But I also want more than that—I want her.Wedo. And if this headline is just a spark, maybe we can fan it into something real.
I send the text, my chest tightening, and slip the phone into my pocket. “Alright,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “Let’s go make some music.”
Jake nods, and Todd claps me on the back with a surprisingly gentle touch. Then we head back to the stage, the rhythmic thud of our footsteps echoing in the dim hall. In the back of mymind, the image of that article lingers—a promise and a threat. But maybe, if we’re lucky, it can be something else—a chance. A chance to show Ash we’re not going to make her face the world alone. Not anymore.
CHAPTER 20
Ashlyn
My phone pingsjust as I’m getting out of the shower, steam clinging to the mirror in a hazy film. I pull on a robe, toweling my hair dry as I glance at the screen.
Xayden: Heads-up—some tabloid’s running a story about us. Gist is “Has Primal Pulse found their omega in Ashlyn Robinson?” Wanted you to know before you see it elsewhere. We’ve got your back.
My heart thumps, a quick, nervous rhythm in my chest.Their omega?The words jar me, flipping my stomach into knots. I drop my towel on the sink and sit down onto the edge of the tub, opening my web browser with trembling fingers.
It doesn’t take long to find the article—my name and the band’s in the same headline, along with a photo of the diner. There I am, crammed between Jake and Xayden, smiling in that shy way I do when I’m trying not to melt under their attention. My face is unmistakably pink.
I skim the text, my heart pounding harder with each sentence. They’re speculating about an “omega pack up” withthe famousPrimal Pulse…like I’m some prize to be claimed. I can’t decide if I’m furious or mortified. Maybe both. I exhale, a shaky breath that doesn’t steady me in the slightest.
The phone dings again—another message, but this time it’s from Shelley.
Shelley: Come see me as soon as you can. We need to talk about this article.
I stare at it, a sinking feeling settling in my gut.Of course she’s seen it.I throw on clothes in record time—jeans, a sweater, not exactly camera-ready but decent enough. My hair’s still damp, but I can’t muster the energy to care.
When I stepinto Shelley’s office, she’s seated behind her massive glass desk, phone to her ear. She motions me in, finishing up the call with that polished, professional smile I’ve seen a thousand times. She hangs up and looks at me, her expression unreadable for half a second before she brightens, as if flipping a switch.
“Have you seen it?” she asks, cutting right to the chase.
I nod, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “Yeah.Has Primal Pulse found their omega?” I can’t keep the bitterness from seeping into my tone. “I’d love to say it’s just trashy gossip, but they’ve got pictures.”
