Kicking Reality

Every male in the room cringes at the sight, squeezing their thighs as the women laugh in hysterics.

“Have you recovered?” Anthony manages to question through his fit of laughter.

“Yes, the boys are back to normal.” Ash grins.

Jesus. Did he have to talk about his boys? I’m grossed out, too much information that makes my stomach queasy.

“Explains why Poppy is always smiling,” Anthony quips, the audience following with a short chuckle. “What’s happening now, with the both of you?”

“Ash is training here in the States so we get to spend a lot of time together.” Poppy smiles.

“Is this serious?”

“C’mon Anthony, silly question. I love this chick.” Ash moves off the sofa and gets down on one knee, in front of the audience, and pulls out a small box. Oh my god! I didn’t even think his divorce was final. I’m glued to the screen like watching a train wreck just about to happen. I can’t turn away—eager to know what happens next.

“Poppy Rose Clark. You’re the craziest woman I’ve ever met. When I’m with you, life is just better—it’s perfect. No one else can kick me in the nuts and make me smile at the same time.”

And there it is . . . classic Ash with non-filtered words.

“Will you marry me?”

Poppy’s face lights up with utter delight, extending her hand as he slides a unique pink diamond ring on it. The two of them kiss at the same time my cell buzzes in my hand.

FYI. Dad and I already knew this would happen. Calm your titties, we love Poppy.

I wasn’t sure what disturbed me more, the fact that I didn’t know Ash would propose or that Mom told me to calm my titties.

“Did you know?” I question Logan as he stands beside me.

He bites his lip, keeping quiet, then caves when I use my whiney voice and tell him to answer me.

“Yes. He is my best friend. I promised not to tell anyone.”

I exhale, annoyed. “Nice to know where your loyalty lies.”

Their segment lasts longer than scheduled, and when they walk off the set, Poppy runs into my arms as I wait for her long-awaited embrace.

“Jesus, Pop.” I grin. “Are you sure you wanna marry that dork?”

“I have never been so sure.”

Ash follows, elated, hugging me with a small sniff.

“Are you crying, Ashley?”

“Just glad she said yes.”

“You better treat her right or you have me to answer to,” I warn him gently, hugging my brother before I’m called onto the set.

Nervous about appearing in front of a live audience, my hands repeatedly pat my thighs while I breathe in and out to curb the anxiety that follows me. Nausea lingers in the pit of my stomach, only adding more stress to the situation.

Logan senses my trepidation, rubbing my shoulders to calm my nerves.

“You’ll do great. I’m here, okay?”

I nod, wanting to get this over with. I hadn’t seen Wes since the day I left the apartment but according to the tabloids, he did a stint in rehab and had moved in with another actress.

I step onto the stage, dressed head to toe in designer labels. The wardrobe crew wanted me in a similar dress to the one I wore when Wes and I first went to dinner. I told them no, settling for a white off-the-shoulder blouse and black pants. My shoes were Louboutins—a pair I wanted to steal and take home.