The Greyhounds | Jamie Tartt

Chapter 14

The Sunday sun rose quite brightly, reflecting on the vibrant green of Richmond's Nelson Road stadium ground as the Lady Greyhounds prepared for their first friendly match of the season against VfL Wolfsburg Women's team from the German Frauen-Bundesliga. Excitement crackled in the air, mingling with a nervous energy as the players went through their pre-game warm-ups.

Jamie Tartt watched from the sidelines with the rest of his team mates who were showing their support for the new women's team, his heart swelling with pride as Ashley Lucciano led her team onto the field. She exuded confidence and determination, her presence commanding respect from her teammates and opponents alike. Jamie couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her, marveling at her unwavering commitment to the game.

As the match kicked off, the intensity was palpable. Both teams fought fiercely for possession, each vying for control of the ball. The Greyhounds displayed their skill and determination, executing precise passes and strategic plays that kept their opponents on their toes. Jamie watched with bated breath as the game unfolded. Ashley's leadership shone through as she guided her teammates with precision and poise, rallying them to dig deep and push through the challenges they faced on the field.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Shannon passed to Ashley who secured a crucial goal, the team's spirits soaring with the promise of victory. Jamie's heart leapt as he witnessed Ashley's team spirit and resilience in action, their unity driving them towards success. As the clock ticked down towards the final whistle, the tension reached its peak. With a thunderous roar from the crowd, the game came to a close, and the Greyhounds emerged victorious, their hard-fought win a testament to their talent and determination.

The celebrations were jubilant as the players embraced and congratulated each other on their very first victory. Jamie felt a swell of pride for Ashley and her team, their hard work and teamwork paying off in the most spectacular fashion.

Amidst the euphoria of the win, Jamie made his way over to Ashley on the field, a wide smile plastered across his face. He pulled her into a tight hug, his pride and admiration evident in the warmth of his embrace.

However, their moment of celebration was short-lived as a sudden commotion erupted on the sidelines. Jamie's heart sank as he realized what was happening. Reporters and photographers swarmed around them, their cameras flashing relentlessly as they bombarded Jamie and Ashley with questions.

"Ashley, what do you have to say on the cheating rumours?"

"Jamie, what are your thoughts on Grayson McGrath?"

"You two fucking?"

Caught off guard by the onslaught of attention, Jamie and Ashley exchanged bewildered looks. The intensity of the media frenzy was overwhelming, their private moment of friendship thrust into the spotlight for all to see. As the reporters fired off questions, Jamie's mind raced. How had this happened? 

Unbeknownst to Jamie and Ashley, Andrew Mitchell had found a British media outlet to publish a damning story about their interactions, a story that went live during the game; twisting their innocent camaraderie into something scandalous. The paparazzi had seized upon the opportunity, turning their private moment into fodder for the tabloids.

Despite the chaos swirling around them, Jamie stood by Ashley's side, offering her his unwavering support and ushering her into the locker room as he tried to escape discreetly. Together, they faced the media onslaught, determined not to let the intrusive gaze of the paparazzi tear them apart.

***

The aftermath of the paparazzi frenzy left Jamie and Ashley reeling the day afterward, as their innocent moment was unfairly transformed into scandalous headlines that threatened to overshadow their achievements on the field. The intense scrutiny from the media took its toll, casting a shadow of doubt and insecurity over their budding relationship.

The next day, Jamie found himself in a tense meeting with his publicist. She was the first to speak, her tone serious as she addressed Jamie's concerns about the recent media storm.

"Jamie, we need to tread carefully here," Keeley began, her eyes fixed on Jamie's. "The situation has escalated beyond what we anticipated, and we need to think strategically about how to handle it. You are not a cheater."

Jamie nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of Ashley and the fallout from the media frenzy. "What are you thinking?"

Keeley leaned forward, her voice lowered to a confidential tone. "For the time being, it might be best for you to avoid being seen with Ashley in public. We don't want to fan the flames of speculation and give the tabloids more fodder."

Jamie's heart sank at the suggestion, but he knew Keeley was right. "Okay, I understand. What about the inevitable run-in? We do work together."

"We'll work with Ashley's team to coordinate schedules and minimize overlap as much as possible," Keeley replied. "It's crucial that we maintain a low profile until this blows over, which it should in a couple of weeks. Thankfully the source is not all that reputable, and although the images are clear, we will work behind the scenes to clear everything up in no time."

"Thanks, Keeley." Jamie said, with both himself and Keeley knowing how much it hurt to agree to this.

Meanwhile, Ashley made her way to downtown London for a meeting with her publicist Laura. As she walked into the conference room where her meeting was being held, a surprising presence made itself known – Grayson. He sat calmly beside Ashley, his expression composed despite the storm of emotions brewing inside him. Ashley thought this was strange, given that he was so enflamed at the hotel picture.

Laura addressed Ashley and Grayson with a thoughtful tone. "Given the recent media attention, it might be beneficial for both of you to take a short vacation together. Post about your trip on social media, show the world that everything is fine between you two."

Ashley exchanged a glance with Grayson, surprised by his calm demeanor. She nodded slowly, considering Laura's suggestion. Grayson spoke, "I think that could work. It would show a united front and hopefully shift the focus away from the recent drama. And I wouldn't mind getting some alone time with my girl."

Ashley recoiled at the last statement for some reason. She spoke up for the first time, her voice steady. "What about trainings? I have a commitment to my team. I can't just-"

"We've already been in touch with the higher ups at Richmond. They were open after some negotiating. They didn't want to lose their star player."

Ashley wasn't sure what that statement entailed, but she felt as though she needed to clear both her and Jamie's name. She wouldn't want her reputation to spoil Jamie's image anymore.

"I'll go on the trip. It's important to control the narrative and not let the tabloids dictate our lives." She spoke almost robotically.

"Great! Thanks for agreeing you two. Your tickets to Mallorca have been booked. Make sure to subtly hint on social media that you two are together. Don't make our strategy too obvious."

After their separate meetings, Jamie and Ashley found themselves exchanging text messages, the weight of their situation evident. Their brief exchange carried a sense of resignation, both knowing that their paths had diverged for the time being, dictated by the pressures of fame and media scrutiny.

-Jamie: I guess I'll see you around.

-Ashley: Yeah...

-Ashley: You still owe me a favor.

-Jamie: What favor?

-Ashley: From the blindfolded challenge. I won, so you owe me.

-Jamie: What do you have in mind?

-Ashley: That's for me to know and you to find out.