Unfortunately, on Wednesday, my dad gave me the news that after the first round of states, we would be heading out to LA for a Leopards game.

Exciting... yes. I love pro football. Dreadful, also yes, because it means I will likely end up seeing Cato.

My dad promised we would not go see the Grays, but they go to almost every home game because they live 15 minutes from the stadium, so I was not looking forward to that.

"Can I please bring Lacey?" I begged.

"I was only able to get the three tickets, but the Super Bowl is being held in LA this year. Tell me how many friends you want to bring and I'll get the tickets."

"Can't you just give my ticket to someone else and I go another time? I don't want to see Cato."

Dad sighed. "Ains, don't worry about him. Just keep in mind that after he cheated, he lost a lot of support."

And it was true. News got out fast about the scandal, and funny enough, many colleges dropped their offers with him. Aside from that, he lost many fans.

So when I walked into the physics room that day, I was relieved to see Ryder already in there. He stood up to give me a hug, which I gladly took.

"Everything alright?" he asked as we took our seats.

"Not really. We're going to a Leopard's game this weekend," I mumbled.

He raised his eyebrows at me. "That's a bad thing because?"

"The Grays will probably be there."

Ryder's mouth formed into the shape of an 'o.'

"And you haven't seen or heard from him since?"

I shook my head and rested my chin in the palm of my hand.

"Just come stay with me for the weekend," he said with a smile.

I smiled too. "I wish it were that easy, Ry."

-

After the first round of states, we had it pretty easy and won. My family and I made our way to the nearest airport so we could fly to LA.

Prior to leaving, I made sure to say bye to Ryder despite the fact that I will see him on Tuesday.

"You know I'm here for you even if I'm across the state," he had said before my mom had called me, saying we needed to leave.

Truly, I am so thankful for Ryder. I can't even express the love I have for him because he has done so much for me. All I wish is for my dad to approve of our relationship so Ryder and I don't have to be so secretive all the time. A part of me thinks he actually would, considering he is not so against me being around Ryder. After all, he definitely likes Ryder now. However, I do not want to risk telling him because I fear him sending me back to LA.

But it was dark when the jet touched down in LA. The security team escorted us to a nearby car and took off towards our house.

We pulled to a stop outside of our house in LA. This house is just like any house in LA. It has the normal modern look to it and overlooks the city. I prefer our NorCal house to this one, though. Our NorCal house is located on top of a hill that overlooks the entire town. It reminds me of those houses you see on the slopes of ski resorts, like Aspen. It basically looks like a big, but modern cabin. The fact that it is in the mountains just makes it so much better.

Honestly, I think I just hate LA in general.

-

My mom and I spent Saturday wandering around the city, shopping. My dad, being the only one who was up to seeing the Grays, was visiting them today.

I would not have minded seeing them, but I knew that would involve seeing Cato, so my mom recommended we go shopping instead.

As we walked down the streets, we were easily recognized. Our security team had to keep waving people off, but it was a weird feeling having so many people know me, and then ask for an autograph or picture. Before, I was only known because of my dad. Now, I'm also known for being cheated on by Cato Gray. What an amazing claim to fame.

"Ainsley and Katrina are busy."

"Give them some room."

"Step aside, please."

Those three sentences were repeated multiple times as we wandered through the city.

"I will never get used to this," I commented as we climbed into the car at the end of the day.

"I know. I've had this treatment since I started dating your dad and I'm still not used to it... and with how things are going with Ryder, it looks like you'll never escape," she said with a smile.

I rolled my eyes at her but also smiled. My future outside of high school is not something I have really envisioned, but people have been reminding me of it constantly... not that I mind though. "Stop," I giggled.

She laughed as she began to drive back towards our house. "He really loves you, Ains. Accept it."

"Ma!" I cried, slightly embarrassed.

"Don't be embarrassed. Be happy he loves you so much."

I sighed. "I am, but I don't want to think of the future just yet. I still need to get through my senior year!"

-

The next day, I got ready for the football game. As I did so, I talked to Ryder on the phone.

"Excited for the game?" he asked.

"Somewhat. Maybe I would be looking forward to it a little more if you were here."

He laughed softly. "I know, babe. Just think though, maybe one day, you'll be going to those games to watch me instead."

"I hope so. At the rate you're playing, that may just happen."

"All thanks to you, though."

"Ainsley, we need to leave!" my dad yelled.

I took a deep breath and checked myself over in the mirror. "I love you...I'll talk to you later, Ry."

"Sure thing. Have an amazing time, gorgeous."

When we arrived at the stadium, we were led to a back entrance so we could avoid the majority of the people. However, there were still people and paparazzi by this entrance trying to get pictures with the celebrities at the game.

Security guards ushered us by those people, doing their best to shield us from the people waving phones and other things such as jerseys, so they could be signed, in front of our faces.

When we reached the safety of the stadium, we were led to the box seats. One specific box was reserved for past players and their families, so when we walked in, my dad was reunited with many old players. I knew a few of them personally, others were ones I have only heard of.

"Oh, there is Annalise!" my mom exclaimed. I felt myself tense up. Surely, if she was here, then so was Cato. "Come on, she'll love to see you," said my mom as Annalise waved us over to where she sat.

"Ma..."

"Annalise loves you like a daughter. Heck, she probably loves you more than Cato. Don't worry."

Unwantingly, I stopped beside Annalise. She hugged my mom first, but then turned to me. It seemed that after she embraced me in a huge hug, I was at peace.

"I know you're probably nervous to see me, but don't be. I know fully well what happened. Even if Cato is my son, I can't even hide the fact that what he did was wrong. On his behalf, I apologize," said Annalise.

I smiled softly, though I did not know how to respond. "It's okay... it's in the past now. I hope you all are doing well."

Annalise gave me a closed-mouth smile. "For everyone else, things are great. Cato, he's playing football and doing okay, but not many schools have reached out with offers with how he has been playing. He's been wanting to go to UCLA or USC but he can't seem to get their attention."

"Well, I'm glad everyone else is doing well," I replied. However, a small feeling of satisfaction arose in me when she talked about Cato lacking offers.

"But what about you? Your mom tells me you have a boyfriend!"

Before I could respond with the, 'he's not my boyfriend, but...' statement, my mom cut in. "Anna! He is so charming. You will love him! Heck, you've probably heard of him. He's the rising quarterback, Ryder James."

"Oh! Yes, Cato talks about him a lot. He claims he stole his offers. Everett and I have to constantly remind him it was not Ryder, but his actions that lost him his offers," Annalise said, which I could not help but laugh at.

"Sorry," I said as I covered my mouth.

Annalise put a comforting hand on my back. "Oh, don't be. That ass cheated on you. Talk all the shit you want, I won't tell him."

And this is why I have always loved Annalise. I can't believe I was nervous to see her.

For a little while longer, we talked with Annalise, but when the game was just about to start, I made my way over to the seats with my mom. My dad was already there, talking to Everett.

"Ainsley, Kat," he said. Everett stood up to hug my mom.

"Nice to see you, Ev," said my mom. "How have you been?"

"Great actually, so I hear you're a 2x state champ," he said to me.

"Yep. So how's Beverly doing in football?" I asked.

"Not as well as last year, unfortunately. We're undefeated and should see ourselves going far in states. However, I hear you and your dad have built up a pretty incredible team."

"Yep," said my dad. "Have you heard of Ryder James?"

Everett chuckled. "Have I heard of Ryder James? He's all Cato talks about. Claims this James kid took his scholarships."

A proud smile spread onto my face.

"Dad, wh—"

My parents and I glanced up, only to see Cato. He stopped talking as his eyes met mine.

A girl stood beside him. I easily recognized her, and I know she recognized me too. Neither of us have ever formally met, but the short black hair and hazel eyes make her easily recognizable. It's the girl Cato cheated on me with.

"Um, Kat, Nick... Ainsley. How are you guys?"

My mom rolled her eyes. "Great. How's football?" she asked.

He scratched the back of his head. "Fine. It's great seeing you three."

"Wish we could say the same," my mom commented as she glanced at him up and down.

Surprisingly, my dad did not tell her to stop, nor did Everett step in. Everett must be pissed about the whole thing too.

Cato awkwardly waved to us and took the hand of the girl, who I honestly don't even know the name of. They walked away and Everett shook his head.

"Sorry about him," he said.

I shrugged. "No biggie really. What happened was a long time ago. I'm just glad to see he's at least happy."

"That's nice of you to say, but you don't need to be so forgiving of him."

"Well, I know if I were in Cato's shoes, I would want forgiveness too."

"Wise girl," said Everett as he settled into his seat.

Truth be told, forgiveness has always come easy to me. A grudge is not something I can hold, no matter how bad someone screwed me over. It is why I let Ryder off the hook so easily, but I like to think me forgiving him was a good thing because I have never been happier.

-

After the LA game, we arrived back home. So with it being Tuesday, I climbed out of my car at school. Ryder was already there and talking to Braxton. As I climbed out of my car, Braxton pointed in my direction and Ryder turned to face me. A smile spread onto his face and he ran across the parking lot.

"You're back!" he exclaimed.

I laughed as he pulled me in for a big hug. "You knew I would be here today."

"I know, but still. I've been so bored without you."

"Oh, Ry. I love you, but did you watch the game on TV? It was insane!"

He chuckled and nodded. "That play from DeRosa was crazy. I can't even imagine what it was like in person."

"You have no idea. We're hoping to see ourselves in the Super Bowl. Based on that playing, we probably will."

"Yeah... so aside from that, did you see the Grays?"

"Mhm," I hummed. "Everett and Annalise were so nice... but funny story, Cato lost a lot of deals. He thinks you stole them all."

Ryder laughed. "Cato Gray, intimidated by me? That has got to be the most satisfying thing I have ever heard."