Ashton’s POV

“Ashton, what is wrong with you today? You were late this morning, and now you are late again. I am sorry, buddy, you should set a good example to your teammates since you are their quarterback, and I don’t have a choice but make you run for at least five laps.” Coach Davis said, and he didn’t give me time to react, and I go to the field immediately and run my heart out. After my punishment, I join my teammates, and I know this is the first time I experienced a punishment because I have never been late for practice before.

“Hello, mom!” I answered my phone the moment it rings after my football practice.

“Ashton, you need to come home right now, after your practice. We are having dinner with your dad. You know he is always busy with his work, and this is only the time he asked you personally to join us. You have been avoiding your father for how many days now, son. He is your father, for heaven’s sake.” My mom said on the other line.

“Mom, I need to go somewhere after my practice,” I replied because I don’t want to face my dad.

“Ashton! You have to arrive home before seven no more buts.” My mother said, and she hangs up the phone even before I can answer her, and I don’t have a choice but to go home with a heavy heart.

“Hey, are you okay, buddy?” Zach asked me as I drive on the way home. He didn’t bring his car today, so he needs to have a lift with me.

“I don’t know, Zach; I promise to pick up Megan after her shift tonight, but my mom called me and gave me no choice but to join the family dinner,” I said as I let out a soft sigh.

“Ashton, you’re so lucky, buddy. You are going to have dinner and quality time with your entire family. Don’t you know that it has been my long wish to be eating dinner with my mom and dad? They both don’t have time for us, and you are so lucky that your parents always find time to be with you and your siblings. So stop sulking, and be happy about it.” My best friend said.

“You don’t understand, Zach. I know the reason why my dad wants to eat dinner with us tonight. He is going to remind me again that I don’t have a future in football. Do you know how devastating it is? You are also a football player, buddy, and I am sure you understand how it feels because I love football so much. And I know that I can be happy if I will play pro. But my father doesn’t want me to play to the national and be a professional football player because he wants me to run our business.” I replied.

“Well, you don’t need to play national, Ashton. Your dad has a point; you are the son of one of the wealthiest men in the country, and why you should make football your career where you can be the CEO of your own company. And you have to admit that no matter how careful we are, there is still a significant risk in playing football we could get injured during the game. I am sure that is the reason why your father discouraged you from going pro, even if agents have been lurking around every time we have a match.” Zach declared.

“I understand that you are the football prodigy, and most dads would be so proud about it, but your father is a business tycoon, and he is a fucking billionaire, Ashton, so I guess he doesn’t want something will happen to you during a game. That is why he never watches any of your games.” Zach said, and I felt a pang on my chest because he was right; never once my father congratulated me on my achievement with regards to football, but he always tells me good job every time he read my report card.

“I am sorry, Bro. I know I should lift your mood, but instead, I make you feel more downcast, and I make it worse.” Zach said, and I looked at him sideways, and I weakly smiled at him.

“It is okay, buddy, you are only telling me the truth, and I think you help me to get ready to face my father because you made me understand why he doesn’t want me to play football. Still, I will do everything I can to convince him to give me a chance to do what I want, and then maybe I will retire early and take over the company business.” I declared.

“Wow! That is a perfect plan for me, and I hope your father will listen to your idea, Ashton; that would be lovely.” Zach replied, and I smiled and shook my head.

“My father will never listen to any of us, his children, because he provides everything for us, and he is always the boss, and for him, his words are always correct, and we should abide by his rules,” I replied.

“Well, you’ve got everything you need, bro, from fancy cars to expensive gadgets and clothes, so I guess that what makes him the boss,” Zach replied.

“But he is my dad, Zach. He could at least listen to me even for once.” I declared.

“I know, Ashton, listen to him and don’t talk back. Maybe tell him you will go pro when it is time. We still need to graduate high school, Ashton, and then we need to study college. You don’t need to be a football player because your father could afford any course you want.” Zach said.

“But you know what I love, Zach,” I said, and he nodded his head.

“Thank you, Ashton, don’t worry, starting tomorrow, I will be bringing my car.” He declared after he climbed out of my car, and I creased my forehead.

“Come on, Ashton, I understand that you will be busy with Megan, and don’t worry, I think it is about time I will bring my car. I want to hitch with you so we can talk after practice, but I understand you are in love, so I think I have to break up with you in the meantime.” He said, and I laughed.

“Thanks for making me laugh, buddy, but don’t worry, you will always be my first love,” I replied, and it was his turn to laugh.

“Kidding aside, I think I need to find a girlfriend soon because I am sure I will get bored if I will always be your third wheel,” Zach said.

“I think you should know, Alice, Megan’s best friend,” I said, and his smile broadens.

“That would be great, but I think she already has a boyfriend. She is Megan’s best friend. That is why I know her love story too.” He said, and I shook my head. I couldn’t believe he likes Megan because he knew even the story of her best friend.

“I need to go now!” I said.

“Good luck, Ash!” He yelled as I closed the window of my car and drove away to our gigantic house. And I can see the brightness of our home from a distance, and I can tell we are having dinner tonight.

“Hey, Ash, mom said dinner is ready,” Lennon said the moment he gets inside my room as I was strumming my guitar, and he looked at me intently.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing, I can tell you are really in love since it has been a long time I heard you play your guitar, and when mom asked you why you stop playing your guitar, you told her you would only play any musical instruments once you find a girl who could make your heart quivers.” He said, and I smiled. I was only joking that time, but it feels like I meant it since right now, I was thinking about Megan while I played the guitar.

We walked together going to the dining room, and we greeted our parents together. We said grace before we started eating dinner; my mom and dad are talking about our family business while I talk about basketball and football with my brothers. I felt so happy that my dad didn’t mention anything about how he hates me playing football. Our dinner ended, and we are shocked when our father asked us if he could join us in the family room and the four of us played together while our mom prepared our snacks, and I miss having this kind of moment with our father, and maybe mom talked with him to stop talking about football.

“I think we should call it a night, boys; I believe you still need to answer your assignments.” He said the moment our mom came inside the playroom to get our dad, they said their goodnights to us. At the same time, we turned off the play station and the monitor, and we retire to our respective rooms; and I realized it was already too late to pick up Megan, and I hate myself because I promised to pick her up, and I want to call her, but I don’t have her number.

I didn’t have a good night’s sleep even if I had a good time with my family because I thought about Megan and her beautiful angelic face. I heard the cheerleaders laugh at her every time they saw her with her weird outfit, but I find it fascinating because she never displayed her legs, and I wonder how she looks underneath her pants and long dresses.. They may call her outrageous, but for me, Megan Corteza is amazing, and I realized I am falling for her because I can’t stop myself from thinking about her.