DICLAIMER: I do not own anything because if I did, Zane Holtz would be a series regular and Max Azria would be my best friend.

*Important Author's Note at the bottom!*

There's Just Something About Her

Chapter 10: Endorsements, Campaigns and Magazine Covers

Recap:

Kaylie read the headline. "Sparks Fly for Olympic Gold Medalist Austin Tucker and National Champion Kaylie. Is it love or is it publicity?"

"If Sasha finds out-" Payson began.

"I'm screwed." Kaylie finished.

Kaylie sat there trying to absorb the information she just had unloaded on her. Just when she thought things were finally getting better, she gets this bomb dropped on her.

"Were you ever planning on telling me this?" Payson spoke loudly.

"Yes. I mean no, I mean…this was never supposed to go public. Kaylie sighed.

Payson sat down her bed. "How long as this been going?"

"Just over two months." Kaylie said turning around in her chair.

Payson took a moment to gather her thoughts before letting the words flow out of her mouth.
"Two months ago? That's when you fell off the beam at Worlds. I knew it! Every time I came to visit you, Austin was there as well. I never noticed how often he was in the room till right now. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Things were going so well between Austin and me. I didn't want anything to ruin it. If I had told someone, it was bound to get out. You know what happened last time." Kaylie said.

"I believe it resulted in a brawl between your dad's face and Carter's fist."

Kaylie had a quick flash back to the send off party at her house. Things got out of control and the next thing you know BAM. That's an event she will forever have burned into her brain.
"Exactly. Not a good ending what so ever. If my dad finds out, I don't even know what he would do. I'm positive my dad still 100% against boys, yet I think he trusts Austin in his own weird way because he did let him into the recovery.

"And Sasha?" Payson asked.

"I'm the National Champion?" Kaylie replied with clear doubt not knowing what else to say.

"No, Kaylie. That doesn't work for everything." Payson heaved a sigh.

"Okay. Well I can…um. I can... I got nothing" Kaylie finally concluded. "Hand me my phone, I'm calling MJ."

Payson shot her a confused look. "MJ? Why would you call her? I thought your parents managed your career."

"My mom is definitely not going to be able to fix this, and what am I supposed to say to my dad? 'Hi Dad, I'm seeing Austin Tucker and now the entire world knows.' He would flip out and that's the last thing I need. But MJ, she's handles these types of situations on a daily basis. It's her job. If anyone knows what to do, it's her. Besides, she is still my agent. Now give me the phone." Kaylie said holding her hand out.

With the phone in her hand, she scrolled through her phonebook locating MJ's personal cell number; then hitting send.

After the third ring, she answered.

"Hello?" a feminine English-accented voice spoke.

"Hey MJ." Kaylie responded hesitantly.

"Kaylie, what a surprise. What can I do for you?"

"I'm in a sticky situation that I can't get out of on my own. I need your help."

A few brief minutes later, Kaylie and MJ were on the same page.

"I'll see what I can do. But lay low for now. Make sure Austin does the same."

"Gotcha. Thanks MJ."

Kaylie hit end.

"That's how it's done." she said to Payson proudly.

"Kaylie, the problem isn't solved. What if MJ can't fix this?"

"She will, Payson." Kaylie said clicking away on her phone, then holding it up to her ear.

"Who are you calling now?"

Kaylie shushed her; index finger on the lips and all.

"Hey baby." she spoke into the phone as she walked out of the Payson's room.

Payson shook her head. "Dramarama, welcome back to The Rock." she said looking up at the ceiling.

The next morning, Kaylie arrived at The Rock only to be swarmed by reporters. She was bombarded with camera flashes and yelling. Walking from her car to the entrance was a struggle for the petite gymnast. She felt cluster phobic with all the people surrounding her. Everyone wanted a piece of her. It was overwhelming.

"Kaylie! Are you and Austin an item?" shouted a reporter on the left.

"Why are you hiding it?" another asked.

"Kaylie, what's the story!"

Questions were continually thrown at her as she tried to escape from the game of monkey in the middle she was forced to play. All of a sudden, she felt a hand on her wrist pulling her out of the pandemonium. It was Payson. They both hurried into the gym.

As they walked passed their fellow gymnasts, Kaylie felt every pair of eyes on her. Quickly scurrying to their designated spots, they dropped their bags and took a deep breath.

"I forgot how fast news travels in the world of gymnastics. I wonder if Denver knows." Payson said unzipping her Rock sweatshirt to reveal a metallic purple leotard.

"Payson, I wouldn't be surprised if gyms across the country knew."

Payson's eyes widened at the sight behind Kaylie's head.

"Oh my god, your dad's here."

She turned her head before whipping it back to face Payson. "CRAP." she said with her eyes closed praying he wasn't here about Austin.

"Kaylie." the familiar voice spoke.

She turned around to none other but the great Alex Cruz. "Dad. What are you doing here?" she asked pretending to know nothing.

"You know why I'm here. What's all this commotion about you and Austin Tucker dating?"

"Uh.." Kaylie said not being able to look her father directly in the eyes."

"Answer me." he glared.

Kaylie was flabbergasted. There was no believable excuse she could possibly come up with and there was no point in denying it because her dad would know she was lying. But she wasn't going to admit to it either because then he would be furious. Either way, it was a lose-lose situation.

"It was my doing." came a voice from behind.

Both Alex and Kaylie watched as a tanned woman wearing a ruffled white blouse tucked into a high waisted pencil shirt walked towards them. Her heels clicked with every step she took. When the clicking stop, the woman stood be forth the father-daughter duo.

"MJ." Kaylie sighed in relief.

"What do you mean by this is your doing?" Alex questioned.

"Kaylie has been M.I.A. for the past month. Her current sponsors as well as possible future sponsors need to know she's back in the game. So what better way to do it, then pair her up with Austin Tucker. He's on the cover of every magazine and not to mention he's face of everything from cars to sunglasses. His star power is exactly what Kaylie needs right now." MJ persuasively reasoned.

Alex opened his mouth to speak.

"Before you say anything, I have been contacted by over six different major companies who want to endorse these two. And that was just this morning alone."

Alex was still unconvinced. "Kaylie doesn't need him to succeed. She's a professional athlete who knows how to entertain a crowd. She has plenty endorsements and magazine covers and soon, enough she'll be the new World Champion. Austin Tucker will just get in her way."

"Yes. You are correct about all of that, but sponsors are heavily influenced by the media and the media is constantly on the look out for the new "It" girls. Kaylie was that girl before the World Trials and if she wants to maintain that, she needs Austin Tucker. You remember being that point in your career, don't you Alex? When every company wanted to endorse and promote you. But after you took that break, they had already moved on to someone new. You know just as well as I do that once you lose it, you can't get it back. Now, is that what you want for Kaylie?"

That last part hit him like a bullet. He looked at Kaylie. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew MJ was right. What kind of father would he be if he let his own daughter's career crumble?

Alex's eyes returned to MJ. "Fine. Do what you have to do. But if Kaylie wants this to end, you have to end it. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." MJ replied.

Alex gave her one last look before walking away. Once he was out of sight, Kaylie surprised MJ with a hug. "Thank you so much."

"I'm your agent, Kaylie. I will always do what's best for my clients. Also, Max Azria would like to meet you and Austin tomorrow afternoon. He wants the both of you to be the face of his new campaign."

Kaylie gasped. "You were serious about the endorsements?"

"Yes. You guys are the new "It" couple. There will be a plethora of endorsements, campaigns, and magazine covers coming your way. Be prepared. Tabloids will try to break your relationship and create scandal. Trust each other."

Kaylie nodded. "Thanks again, MJ."

MJ smiled before looking at her watch. "I have a meeting to get to. So, if you need anything, you know how to reach me."

Lauren walked over to Kaylie as MJ left.

"So you and Austin, huh?"

As usual, Lauren was being her nosy self. She ruined Kaylie's last relationship and there's no way she was going to let her do it again.

"It's for publicity, Lo." Kaylie said heading over to the chalk box.

"Well, you didn't kiss Nicky when you were paired up with him."

"That's because Nicky and I wanted nothing to do with each other. Austin and I are actually friends. Besides, he and Payson had a thing and I'm not the type of friend to do that to another friend." she said targeting Lauren in that last sentence.

Lauren scoffed at her implication and strolled over to the beam.

Kaylie chuckled to herself before directing her attention to the men's side of the gym. There, she spotted Austin chalking up as well. He looked up where his eyes locked with Kaylie's. He noticed the smile on her face as he shot her a wink. They always knew when one another would initiate the 'stare'. If it weren't such disbelief, they were telepathically connected.

"Maybe this whole going public thing isn't so bad after all." Kaylie thought to herself.

Hey guys. Did you notice how I always start with "hey guys" at the beginning of all my A/Ns? Lol But a couple days ago, a small tornado did touch down where i live. i didn't even realize it till i saw the news because i just assumed it was a really loud thunderstorm. it didn't affect my neighborhood, but tree were ripped out of the ground in others which is pretty shocking because that doesn't happen too often here. but, i'm okay. i was actually beginning to write this chapter at that very moment too haha. BUTTT anyway, I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter. I know it's a little bit boring compared to my usual chapters but we can't have Kaylie and Austin constantly make out in chapters. Haha

**ALSO, SUPER IMPORTANT. I HAD THE IDEA OF A NEW STORY SET IN THE FUTURE. BUT I JUST WASN'T SURE IF I SHOULD TIE IT TO THIS STORY AND MAKE IT A SEQUEL OR MAKE IT DIFFERENT FROM THIS ONE.Please let me know what you guys think/want/etc etc etcccc!**

*Reviews = new chapters! – SO DO IT!* Sorry, I'm a review whore. Thanks.

If you haven't already, please read and review other fic "Catch Me When I Fall." :)

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