A/N explaining the image above at the end of Chapter 8 - please read for updating info!

© 2018 Shay Spencer. All rights reserved.

Something New

[ Chapter 7 ] Chocolate Covered Strawberries

. . . . .

Wren

1 Year, 1 Month

. . . . .

Forcing smiles had become second nature to me, but it wasn't like these two to see right through me so quickly.

I had been convinced I was a good liar, especially after the last year. Pretending I was fine when in reality I was a mess in a pair of five-hundred-dollar 'make-up present' heels.

"How have things been?" Elias asked, nodding in agreement with Angel as she picked up a glass of chardené for her husband. "I know the last year has been rough, having to pick up and move to Miami without warning can't be easy."

I shrugged my shoulders, nursing my off brand beer in the most unladylike fashion. Out of all the trophy wives I had been surrounded by as of late, you'd think I'd have picked up a few tricks; learned to cross my legs, even when wearing a nice pair of slacks, even noting that this type of drink was meant for the fans, not the players and their spouses.

Guess I was a slow learner. I'm certain Jay could attest to the fact.

"They didn't have those celery sticks you like," Angel said. She took a seat on my right, gently pushing the plate to the center of our designated table. 'Pennington and Friends', the card read. Who knew you needed reservations to the box seats that were meant to be reserved for us anyhow. "I did find carrots, though."

"Do they have any chocolate?" I asked, clicking my heel to the head of my opposite shoe anxiously. Keeping a close eye on the score, it looked as if Jay only had only ten more minutes to try and get the ball to the quarterback. Though if he played the way he has been the last few weeks, I wouldn't be surprised if he feigned an injury to get let off the field.

"Chocolate strawberries, I believe?" Angel tossed a look over her shoulder to double check on the thought that was literally making my heart beat quicker. "But just have a few, we'll be heading out to dinner afterwards."

I nodded, jumping to my feet and nearly tripping over my own shoes on my way to the box seat buffet they had set out. Vaguely, I could hear a small laugh coming from Elias as Angel shook her head at my enthusiasm. Running my eyes over the vast amount of food laid out for me, I made my way to the end of the table to pick up a plate.

Without a second thought, I popped one into my mouth, making sure to toss the stem onto my plate in my haste. I hadn't had chocolate covered strawberries since Angel and Elias' wedding the year before. That winery had put out a good spread, and I was nearly appreciating Miami's own culinary skills for the first time since moving here seven months ago.

"It's his last game." I caught the words spilling from the red-headed swine from across the room. The she-devil was recently married to the second string quarterback. "We're leaving by the end of the week."

"How could they just poach him right before playoffs?" One of her minions inquired. At this point I had thrown caution to the wind and was blatantly watching them from the snack table, mindlessly chewing on the strawberries.

Amanda cast a smile to the girls at her table before typing something into her phone and promptly showing it to each of them. "The numbers speak for themselves. New York was dying to get their hands on him, and now he'll be with a much better team going into the playoffs."

I rolled my eyes, knowing well and good that comment had been meant for me. Jay was off his game, everyone knew it. Worst of all, everyone knew the cheating scandal that had caused his trade to go through in the first place. He and I were the laughing stock of the subpar teams in the NFL.

To be honest, I was sick of it. Everyone knew Jay wasn't about to amount to anything, and somehow I had gotten stuck to him with no way of getting out.

Plopping myself down, I played with the stems sitting on my plate, listening to Angel and Elias' conversation as it took a turn to the most recent of Pennington events.

"The graduation is just a month away," Angel commented. The words stuck out like a sore thumb until I connected the dots.

"Hayden's graduating already?" I spoke aloud, feeling almost embarrassed that I hadn't kept up with him. If I thought long and hard about it, Jay and I hadn't spoken with Hayden since he'd run off to defend Scarlett's honor back in New York.

He never even made it down to Miami. I needed to find out what the hell happened up there. He could be dead for all the hell I knew, and I didn't even get to tell him how stupid he was for going after those idiot in New York in the first place.

"It's hard to believe." Elias smiled proudly before continuing, "he's finally growing up. Hayden's been a bit shy about the subject, but I have reason to believe he's already lined up a few job offers."

"He and Scarlett are both doing well." Angel took hold of Elias' hand lovingly. "Have you had a chance to ask if she's flying in for the graduation?"

Angel's question had been directed at me, but my focus had been on the clock that was slowly ticking away down on the field. I couldn't keep my mind off of my own failure of a life. It seemed Hayden and Scarlett were doing so well in comparison. I was jealous to put in mildly.

"I haven't," I said with a sigh. "But Jay's got almost twelve hour practices every day this next week, so I was thinking about dropping by. It's not like anything exciting is happening around here at the moment. I can ask her then."

"That's a wonderful idea," Angel smiled. Just as she pulled her phone from her pocket the buzzer rang, signaling the end of an absolutely atrocious game.

42 to 27, Florida being the lower score.

"I better go check on Jay," I whispered, leaving my things with Angel and Elias for a speedy getaway.

The hallway leading to the elevator was empty, but the sounds of the crowd echoed through the building. The floors shook with every cheer from the opposing team, the sound being nearly enough to bring tears to my eyes. With every shake the building took, another flash of that stupid article played over my vision.

Everyone knew the truth, I couldn't hide it any longer.

Clicking the button on the elevator, I allowed my eyes to close in an attempt to calm myself down. Scarlett's been scolding me about not going to see someone about how anxious I've been, but it's not like I need some 'professional' to tell me how messed up my life is at the moment. I knew that without having to fork over a co-pay.

"Wren?" I glanced up, dropping my hands to my sides at the familiar voice. It nearly sent chills down my spine as the realization set in.

"Zane," I smiled awkwardly, "what are you doing here?" The punches kept rolling as Zane turned the corner with an absolute show-stopper of a woman in tow.

Her red hair was curled in an effortless fashion, parted down the middle to frame her gorgeous face and notable cheekbones. Her makeup was more or less nonexistent, leaving nothing to question. She wore tight skinny jeans and a black top that dropped low enough for me to not guess as to why Zane had picked her out. Her chest was nearly as big as mine, though she was much skinnier than I was.

The two held hands, looking so love-struck it was hard not to gag at the sight.

"Who's this?" I ventured as I tossed my hair over my shoulders. I looked like a school-marm in this striped button up and tan slacks, and despite the fact that Angel had commented on how lovely I looked, I felt more or less like a soccer mom.

Zane grinned, "this, is Josie Hartman. My girlfriend."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I'm starting to love writing for Wren all too much - how is everyone liking her side of the story? I half feel like she needs her own version of Something Real after I finish the rewrite next year.

Keep reading! Scarlett is up next!

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