1974 || 5SOS

Chapter 18

Scarlett

Since the release that night at the studio, Ashton and I had been glued together, finding any spare moment in our busy days to see each other. It felt so comfortable the way my arm slipped through his as we walked the streets of Los Angeles. My favorite part was when people would notice us. The star struck look on their faces as the whispered to each other "Its Ashton Irwin and Scarlett Knight."

I loved the attention we could draw together. Women envious that I was on his arm, and men envious I was on his. I asked him once if it bothered him that other men had my naked body hanging on their walls. He had smirked and replied, "No. it's only their imagination of you. I have the real thing."

I think he liked the idea that men could see what he had, but could never have it themselves. My chest filled with pride, I was something everyone wanted, but only a select few could have.

As Ashton and I lay in my bed just enjoying each others comfort, Kitty came bursting through the door.

"Scar! You're not going to believe it," she said clinging the towel to her body, her hair still dripping with water.

"What?" I sat up and asked.

"Me. You. Centerfold of the next issue of Playboy Magazine."

I blinked trying to process her words, "You're fucking with me!"

Kitty shook her head, water flying everywhere. "No. Seriously. They want us. You and me centerfold."

I could hardly believe it. Since the calendar shoot, we'd done a few more shoots magazine features, but centerfold? That was reserved for the best of the best.

"My baby is going to be centerfold!" Ashton jumped up and hugged me close. We all started laughing with delight.

I pulled back slightly, my hands resting on his shoulders, trying to process what Kitty was saying. "Wait, really?" I asked, my voice a mix of disbelief and excitement. "Like, us? As in, me?"

Kitty bounced on her toes, clearly delighted. "Yes, you, babe! They want us! You and me—Bunny sisters!"

I glanced at Ashton, who was grinning ear to ear, his arms still around me. "Is this really happening?" I asked him, half-wondering if I was still dreaming.

"I told you," he said with that mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're on your way, Scarlett Knight. You're a star now."

The words sank in, and for the first time in a long while, I realized just how far I'd come. From the quiet, religious girl in Nevada to a centerfold in Playboy—it was unreal. But somehow, it felt like the next logical step.

"I can't believe this is happening," I said softly, more to myself than anyone else. "This is insane."

Kitty flopped onto the bed, her towel wrapped around her like a cocoon. "You're gonna knock it out of the park. We both are. It's going to be amazing. And then... we'll be legends."

Ashton's eyes sparkled with pride as he squeezed me a little tighter. "You're already a legend, babe. This is just the beginning."

I leaned into him, feeling a surge of warmth at his words. It wasn't just the excitement of the Playboy shoot or the validation of all the hard work—it was the way Ashton made everything feel possible. Like all the pieces were falling into place, and the world was ours for the taking.