Page 2

Chapter 1

Ainsley - 12 years later

“S hut the fuck up!”

I roll over and start aimlessly slapping for the alarm clock on my phone. Most would be in a better attitude when it’s a Friday and the last day of a work week before the weekend, but not me. It’s like my social and hustle meter is empty, and I need the entire day today just to reset my mood, do some self-care, and get ready for the weekend activities my work bestie, Soph, has already mapped out for us.

I take a few deep breaths, counting to 10 in different languages until I’ve run out of options. I slowly sit up. Picking up my phone on the floating black nightstand next to my black and woven West Elm bed frame.

After graduation this past December, I rented out a small apartment that sits over the top of a little Greek restaurant. To be honest, I just fell in love with the food and the local pottery studio nearby that agreed to let me throw clay there twice a week if I taught a class here and there. During my last semester at the University of Toronto, I started a TikTok of all things pottery. It gave me peace and also helped bring in some extra cash. I wished the combination of my TikToks and studio time was enough to survive in the city.

However, this is Toronto…the cost of living here is absolutely insane, but don’t get me wrong, it’s worth every single penny. So, I started contacting some agencies to do a few photoshoots here and there. I did photography for fun as an elective class and connected with a few managers who had asked me to be in some ads. I did one shoot, and the royalty checks started coming in the mail monthly. Now, I am just doing local stuff here and there.

Last week, my shoot for a tire company went up on a billboard across town, and my brother sent me a selfie with the most exaggerated shocked face I have ever seen. He even texted “you’re almost as famous as me” underneath the photo. The little shit. Of course, the number one draft pick in the National Hockey League brother of mine got to live out his dream and play for the Toronto Blades. The Blades are Toronto’s lifeline. Even if you like other sports more, you can’t help but want to see the Blades crush it each season. The only perk of having a brother in the NHL is that he landed me a flexible, decently paid job as a player’s assistant for S.T.O.T, the Sports Teams of Toronto industries. So that meant I booked flights, scheduled movers, found real estate agents, planned events, and so much more for any player on a sports team in the Toronto area. I love the job, but I know this is my dad and brother’s way of helping me get by without directly trying to send me funds. Now it’s just Liam and I, the two of us in the Six and Mimi’s cottage, our escape from the city.

Rubbing my eye with the palm of my hand and yawning, I open up the video I posted last night on my phone. My account, PotterLee, already has half a million followers, and my legs bounce with excitement as I take in how many people connect to my pottery. I click play on the screen as a slow-motion video of my hands pressing down on the wet clay slowly picks up as it doubles in speed to get to the final product of the fruit bowl I made. I hit the share button and text it to my first Canadian friend I made when we moved here. She lived across the lake from Mimi, and the second I saw her picking flowers in her mom’s greenhouse, I knew we would be friends. After all, I had a thing for becoming best friends with my neighbors.

Millie is my tried and true, always there for you, friend. She won’t ever have a lot to say, but when she does, it’s just the right thing. My phone vibrates in my hand as I look at her immediate response to the link I sent.

Millie

Is this to add to my collection? I just picked some strawberries this morning, and the fruit bowl would be perfect for them!

Lee

You got it, babes! Meet me and Soph out at Six and Shine tomorrow for dinner, and I will bring it for you

Millie

Is this your way of trying to get me to go out of the house or garden?

Lee

Maybe? And, hey! I enjoy staying home and gardening just as much as you, but my little bird has to leave the nest sometime.

Plus, this place we’re going to, just put this new elderberry Pimm’s on the menu, and you would LOVE it!!

Millie

Okay, fine. I’ll go, but one drink. Bring my fruit bowl.

Lee

AHHHH! You’re the best; thanks a MILLlion!

Millie

You think that would be funny if you and Liam hadn’t already said it a Ka-trillion times.

Lee

You know you love it…also Ka-trillion? I thought you had a better vocabulary than that with all those books we read!

Millie

We read smut, Lee.

Lee

Damn straight we do. What else are DICKtionaries for?

Millie

Lol, okay. Now go to work and stop procrastinating getting dressed.

Lee

Ugh, it’s like you have known me for over 10 years or something…get out of my head. Or wait? Can you see through the phone? Can you actually see me still in bed?

Millie

You’re trying to distract yourself from the fact that you still need to get ready for work.

No, I can’t see you. But duh, you’re still in bed. What else would you be doing? Messaging me in the shower? Lol, no one does that.

Lee

I’ve done that!!

Millie

And the sluts around the world appreciate you for conquering that task, but right now the task at hand is clothes, hair, a little makeup, and maybe if you hurry you can grab a double double from Timmie’s.

Lee

SEE! This is why I message you in the mornings! I knew you would find a reason to get me out of bed…my double d’s are getting strapped down now so I can go get this double double. Love you, Mils.

Millie

Love you, Lee!

I stamper over to my tiny closet and find an all-black jumpsuit that pulls into a V in the front. Perfect, now I don’t have to find pants to wear! I throw it on, slip into my black Celine loafers Liam gave me for my birthday last month, and grab a light tan trench coat in case it rains. Throwing my messy blonde hair in a quick, simply styled bun and pulling a few pieces out to frame my face. I put my tinted moisturizer, lip/cheek stain, and mascara in my bag with my work laptop. I smile as I look at the clock. Plenty of time to get downtown and grab some happiness in a paper cup and maybe a Timbit or two.

I make my way to the TTC and round the corner as the streetcar pulls up. I find a seat that is far away from others in the back, so I can stick my phone to the window next to me and finish up my makeup on the ride. As more people pile onto the streetcar, I put away my set up and stand to push the stop button. The closest drop-off location to work is about a block from Tim’s, so I text Soph, who is probably already at work because she is a walking example of ‘if you aren’t 10 minutes early, you’re late’. I hit send.

Lee

Supreme Caramel Iced Cap from Horton Hears a Who?

Soph

Bitch, yes! It’s Friday, but your girl went out last night to the CFL event S.T.O.T had, and my morning was so shit. I haven’t even left my place yet.

Lee

STFU! What the hell happened? But hopefully, it’s nothing Horton can’t fix!

Soph

Girl, you don’t have to give Tim Hortons a million nicknames; it’s just Tim Hortons.

Lee

Fuck, some shit must of really went down if you’re coming for Timmie this morning.

Soph

UGHHH. I don’t even want to talk about it. What is with CFL players? They think because they play American football, they can all act like American assholes?

Lee

Well, your girl here is American , so I don’t know what to tell you. I think it must be the need to be angry enough to tackle people on the field all the time, so that just bleeds over into being an asshole.

Soph

Us Canadians have adopted you; you can claim us now. I’ll buy you a case for your passport that says, ‘Adopted Canadian.’

A slight cough and a nudge from the person next to me has me realizing it is my turn to order. I grab our coffees and head two blocks down to the office. A skyscraper reaching 75 stories high, and we have the top twenty floors for our staff, plus an event space. Most of the floors below are luxury condos for players who need to find a place quickly. There is also a gym we can all use, that’s so nice. I could see how some guys stay there for half the day.

I step into the revolving door and make my way to the elevators, scanning my badge to make sure it goes to the 69th floor. The elevator doors open, and I step in, waiting for this metal box to shoot me in the air to where I will spend most of my day. Walking through the double-glass doors, the smell of bergamot and lilac take over the S.T.O.T. lobby.

As I round the corner to my cubicle, I see our CEO shaking hands with the Toronto Titan’s new head coach, SJ Kingston. Basketball has significantly shifted in Toronto over the past decade, so it makes sense for them to hire SJ Kingston. He is one of the best. I bet my dad had something to do with that deal. When my dad started his own sports management company and returned to Texas, we did not know it would turn into the multi-million-dollar empire it is now.

I walk by quietly, wanting to avoid the small talk, hoping I can hide behind my desk. I keep one foot in front of the other before a loud, confident voice calls out.

“Ainsley! I didn’t know you worked here. How are you?”

Coach Kingston says as I plaster the fake smile I’ve learned to display over the years.

“Hi, Mr. Kingston. I’m good! Yes, I was so graciously given the opportunity to work at S.T.O.T. after I graduated this past December.”

“I’m sure you’re picking things up just fine with how great your dad is with his company back in Dallas.”

“Yes, sir. I’m on top of it. The Harris’ are hard workers!” Our CEO cuts in.

“She has been such a big help the past three months as we prepare for your players and draft season, Mr. Kingston.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it! I know my boys will get top-notch service with this one here. George’s kids are some of the best at what they do. Just look at Liam. He is crushing it on the Blades.”

“Absolutely. Liam and Ainsley have both been a tremendous asset to us.” My boss adds.

Go figure. Guess I’m holding my own at my little desk job, but I know Liam takes the cake with all his NHL accomplishments.

“Thank you, sir! I’m sure you’ll have a great season ahead of you, but speaking of players, I better get to them.” I cut in so I can wrap up this little conversation and get back to my daily calls.

“Of course! Tell your dad and brother hello for me.” Mr. Kingston states.

Of course. Ainsley the messenger for all things dad or Liam. Mr. Kingston is a good guy, but this world is all about connections, and he is keeping his open. I smile again and nod.

“Will do. You have a great day, Mr. Kingston.”

“You too!”

As soon as I turn around, I hear the doors open, and Sophie walks in, looking like a complete hot mess. Her hair looks like it hasn’t seen a brush since she woke up, and she has on black jeans and a simple white tee. She hustles over to me to get out of the way of Coach Kingston leaving. Keeping her head down, she slowly looks up at me, mortified, eyes bulging at the status of those I spoke to, causing a slight panic in her.

She leans over, grabbing my arm, and whispers, “The one day I don’t look like I have the utmost style and grace would be the day the boss man is at the entrance when I get here. Ughhh, this day is the worst, and it’s not even 9 am.”

I giggle and hand her the iced cappuccino as she pulls me into the washroom.

“Let me see if I can work some fairy godmother shit on you.”

I hug her to my side, immediately taking over to help redirect her crisis.

She takes the longest pull of her supreme caramel iced cap and sighs, “You’re the actual best friend in the world.”

She says, all gargled, with iced cap still in her mouth.

“Are you going to tell me what happened, or do we need to flush whatever crap happened last night down the toilet and move on?”

“Let’s just say I won’t be attending any Tigers’ games in the foreseeable future. I just want to pump this Tim’s into my veins, put myself together, and then party hard tomorrow with you.”

“Yesss bitch! Oh, and I convinced Millie to come out with us.”

She slams her hand down on the countertop.

“Get the fuck out! How did you do that?”

“She wanted my fruit bowl.” I shrug.

Soph looks at me with one eyebrow up. “Lee, is that some way of you telling me she’s into pussy?”

“Um, what? No! Who calls their coochie a fruit bowl?!”

“I don’t know. I thought it was some pottery slang or something you read in your smut.” I burst out laughing.

“No way, I’m dead. I made a fruit bowl and posted it on TikTok last night, and she wants it for some strawberries she picked this morning.”

“Oh, duh, that girl loves a way to display her fruits and veggies!” Soph wiggles her eyebrows at me.

My mouth drops open.

“Really? Display her fruits and veggies?”

Soph sits down and shakes her head.

“Girl, you have got to stop reading so much smut. You thought that meant showing off her tits and pussy, huh?”

“I mean…it works.”

She nearly chokes on her next sip.

“Just no, babe.” Soph huffs.

“Okay, fine, put this on your cheeks and lips and tuck the front of your white tee into your jeans to dress it up a little. You can borrow my trench coat and tie the waste on it, and you’ll be good to go.”

“Thanks, girl,” she says as she takes my multi-use tint as I step up to run my fingers through her hair, her day already turning around.

“Let me braid your hair back into a ponytail.”

I weave my fingers through her hair and breathe deeply as my heart eases. This is me; this is where I shine. I will find a way to put a smile on the faces of those I love and put them together again when they need it. This almost feels like my calling, not this assistant desk job, and it’s why I feel so at peace with my pottery. It is a physical way to pick up the pieces and mold them into something new. I place my hands on her shoulders and kiss the top of her head. She looks good, and I can tell that it helps her feel good. My work here is done. We pick up our stuff and head over to the cubicles. I put my double-double down by my keyboard and open up my emails to see where to start, now to get to my actual work.