[Complete] Ariel and the Bandits

33 - January White

A car door slams and the clatter of heels hit the driveway cement quickly. Ariel and I lurch out of our hug and turn our attention to the unexpected visitor.

"Do you two take me for an idiot?"

My body tenses at the sound of Ally's voice.

"Ally, let me explain--"

"No." She waves my hand away and pokes me with her long manicured acrylic nails. "You asked me to do this. You told me you wanted to keep your relationship on the low. And I only asked that you avoid public spaces in order to keep her charade up."

I back up and rub my shoulder. "Did you file your nails? Jesus Christ, they're pointy."

When I look over to Ariel her face has gone white. And someone with a dark olive complexion, it's a little medically alarming.

"My... charade?"

I place my hand on Ariel's shoulder, but Ally smacks it away. She grabs a hold of Ariel's arm and steadies her. Ally sighs.

"Rule number one about keeping a secret from the press and paparazzi? Don't give them any records or evidence that can be used against you. Including texts and dms or posts from social media. Devices can get hacked and leaked. Or your sister could run your account and see all your messages."

"What messages?"

"I couldn't get a hold of you after the game in California, so I tried dm-ing you in case you had blocked me. The message was left on read so I figured you were still upset."

"I get why you're frustrated, Ally, but please understand it's been a long night for us too. We just told the guys, Naz and Hera--"

"You told them before you told me?"

Guilt riled inside me. From a professional standpoint, I should have told Ally first. From a sibling standpoint, she should have been in the room when Ariel announced it. But she's been so busy with her wedding details, I didn't want more on her plate. And we obviously did that anyway.

"It was my choice," Ariel whispers.

"Don't try to help him," Ally sighs. She fixes her disappointed gaze on me. "You should have come to me first. I know you wanted to protect her, like you want to protect everyone, but who's going to protect you? You know I would have kept the secret."

The truth plagues me. "You would have asked me to break up with her."

"Until this all blew over, yes. But you tried that, didn't you? And where are we now? Standing in your driveway having this very fun conversation." Ally rubs her temples. "None of the press you've been receiving is bad. That's the nice part, but the news is kind of everywhere. I don't want to be the bad guy, but I will if I have to be. And my next few proposals aren't going to be anything you will like."

I'm about to protest, but Ariel speaks first. "It can't be any worse than where we already are."

"I have a small plan, but it's efficient. Oliver is going to be on a social lockdown. Meaning no social media and no social outings. Practice, games-- then home or to your hotel. For three weeks. Post a Thanksgiving photo. Fall off the face of the Earth again. If Liam decides to post something for Christmas, you can come out. You will not have anything posted then. Same thing for New Years, but a little different. Avoid accidental run-ins. Do not secretly meet each other."

"Well, if it means anything we were just in the middle of a breakup before you came to stab me with your nails."

"Look, I really wish this wasn't the case, but I can't change any of it. I can only adapt and hope that in the end everything will turn out alright. So bear with me for the next four months."