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by kaleiau

by kaleiau

astin

I flop down on my couch as I'm finally done with both shoots for the day. The PAPER MAG shoot went flawlessly. They had me shoot in some eccentric outfits that I'd never tried before and it went surprisingly well. Farren had an eye for what colors worked best on dark skin and Sebastian's knowledge of angles and lighting are far beyond some of the photographers even Vogue has.

The VS shoot could've been better, but it was a group campaign so I didn't expect too much from it. There was a couple new models who didn't know much about what to do so I was convinced they had done a little more than send in headshots to get the gig (yes, I'm talking about that).

It was nearing 11 PM and Ash was going to be dropping off Blake any minute. I know she was probably going to get here and go straight to bed, but I wanted to see my baby at least once today. I had only gotten to talk to her shortly in between the time from PAPER HQ to the location we shot at for VS. I can't lie, it hurt me a lot to not be able to there for her all the time especially when she had a day like today when she was going through one of her fits.

I'm about to get in the shower when my phone starts ringing.

"Yes?" I answer without bothering to look at the contact name.

"You sound tired."

Kyle.

"Yeah. How was the game? I didn't get to watch."

He sighs and I can basically see him running his hand over his face. "Not good. We took an L, but we got it next time. Zo beating himself up, but it was a collective lacking."

I start the water in my bath and sit on the side. "Well that's good you know what the problem is. Y'all do lack a lot on the defensive side of the court."

My front door opens and I can hear Ashley's man feet stomping around. "I'm in here!" I call.

"Do you have company?"

"No, it's just Blake and Ash. It's late; why would I have company?"

Ashley opens the door with Blake on her shoulder.

"I don't know. I can hear your water so you're probably about to shower or something. I'll talk to you tomorrow? Finally get that breakfast?"

"No! I mean, like, you know, we can talk right now."

He laughs and does one of those deep breaths. "It's eleven at night, Astin."

Oh yeah.

That's embarrassing.

"Y-You're right. Talk to you tomorrow? Text me." I hang up before I can embarrass myself more.

"That was Kyle?" Ash asks, putting an asleep, pajama clad Blake on the cotton love seat by my vanity.

"Mmhm, how was she?"

"She was good. She wanted you for awhile, but other than that she was alright."

I frown. "I wish I could spend more time with her, but it's just so much going on that-"

She raises her hand to stop me. "Daddy and mama made perfectly well time for us growing up; you'll figure it out. Do you want me to put her to bed?"

I look over at my daughter a sigh. "No, I got it." I start draining the water from my bath and pick her up slowly.
"I'll just a take a shower in the morning, I guess. I don't have any gigs until later so I should be good right?"

She nods and follows me out as I walk to Blake's room. I set her down in her mini bed and quietly turn off the light and crack her door.

I follow Ash to the front door and sigh. "I'm trying Ash."

She shakes her head and unlocks the door. "Austin told me about your argument. Kyle appears to be a good guy so don't let your stubbornness ruin a potentially good thing." She pauses and clicks her tongue. "And don't let your 'need' for a distraction cause you to miss out on your daughter."

She doesn't give me a chance to reply, just opens and shuts the door behind her. I drag my feet into my bedroom and change lazily before slouching over my bed and scooting up the rest of the way. I lay back and try to fall asleep, but despite how tired I am I can't shake the feeling of how right Ashley is. I have been missing out with Blake, but that stops tomorrow.