Chapter Text
When Ash got back to the gym she immediately got to work. She set the students up playing basketball since it didn’t require her attention and started her research.
The first thing she did was research the phone number. It would probably be the easiest way to track this person down. But the number just came up unknown. But luckily it did come up with the location being in California where Anne-Marie said she was from. Ash took that as a positive sign at least she wasn’t lying about something.
After looking up the phone number she decided the next course of action was to search the pictures Tobin had of Anne-Marie. She took the one photo and dragged it into the search bar. She waited a couple seconds hoping for a match. When the results appeared it was a no match.
She couldn’t figure out in her mind if that was a good sign or a bad sign. She dragged the next picture and again it came up with no matches. Ashlyn hoped for the third time's the charm when she dragged the third one. After waiting a couple seconds it appeared with a match. “Yes” Ashlyn shouted out, causing all the kids to turn and look at her.
“Turn around and continue playing or I will make you run laps.” Ashlyn said. She clicked on the image and clicked on the visit website. It brought her to the legal aid foundation of Los Angeles page. But the woman’s name definitely wasn’t Anne-Marie.
This person’s whose pictures it was, their name was Tyler Press Sutherland. They obviously live in the same location as the number. Ashlyn thought could this be the woman? But she couldn’t figure out if this was who this woman was, why would she lie about her name.
So Ashlyn did what she thought was best next. She decided to search social media to see if this was the woman, what did she have to hide. She first decided to try Facebook. She typed Tyler Press Sutherland into the search bar. Looking at the result it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack that name was too popular.
She next decided to go to Instagram. She couldn’t find anything, as she started to backspace she found her. Sutherland was missing from the name. Causing Ashlyn’s head to spiral. She started to think that this woman is married, that is why she was using a different name. As if Ashlyn already didn’t like ‘Anne-Marie’ this just made it worse.
But she moved forward, clicking on the profile to investigate some more. Ashlyn doesn’t even need to scroll down the page. The first picture is of Anne-Marie or Tyler or whoever this woman is with another woman and a couple dogs. That is all Ashlyn needs to see to have seen enough.
She immediately messages this person to let them know how she is feeling.
[Ashlyn Harris 1:45 PM]
You are unbelievable. Lying and Catfishing my best friend just so you can step out on your wife is completely disgusting. You better come clean to her right now you piece of garbage.
*
*ring* *ring* Christen is just finishing up making some lunch when she hears her phone ringing. She looks down hoping to see Tobin’s name pop up on the screen even though she knows it's a lost hope. Instead she sees Tyler's name pop up. So she answers it
“Hi Tyler” Christen says
“Don’t hiTyler me. I am coming over for dinner tonight. We need to talk, so make sure there is food for me to eat.” Tyler says before she hangs up the phone.
This causes Christen’s anxiety to rise. What would Tyler possibly have to say to her that was so important that she needed to come over for dinner. She couldn’t figure it out, so she figured she might as well try to solve the problem she actually could. Which was what they were going to eat. Her refrigerator was empty so she grabbed her keys to head to the store.
*
Later that night Christen has just about finished cooking dinner when she hears her door open. “Its me” Tyler says
“I am in the kitchen” Christen shouts out to her sister.
Tyler walks into the kitchen seeing her sister plating the dinner she cooked. It looks like Salmon and wild rice. “Need any help” Tyler asks
“Umm. Maybe just get whatever you want to drink out of the fridge. I should have water in there if you can grab it for me.” Christen says continuing to plate the meal, while Tyler grabs the drinks and brings them to the table.
Christen finishes plating and brings the food over to the table, placing one in front of Tyler and one in front of herself. “I hope you like it,” Christen says,still nervous about what Tyler needed to talk to her about.
Tyler takes a bit of the dinner. “It's really good Chris,” Tyler says, continuing to take forkfuls. She looks over and sees that her sister is not really eating and is just picking at her food. “Why aren’t you eating, it's really good”
“Oh umm I am not really hungry.” Christen says.
“That's a lie.” Tyler says, taking another bite.
“Whatever Tyler, what did you want to talk about” Christen huffs out annoyed already
“Oh you want to just get right into it.” Tyler said, putting down her fork.
“Come on Tyler you act like you haven’t known me for 25 years. Of course I need to talk about it, you have my anxiety running.” Christen says
“Fine. Please explain to me why I got an instagram message today calling me a disgusting catfish who is cheating on their wife?” Tyler questions her sister.
“Umm… I don’t know what does that have to do with me” Christen asks
“What do you mean what does it have to do with me? You are the catfish here using my pictures.” Tyler responds
“Yeah but you know what Tobin looks like and she doesn’t have instagram. She is the only one I have talked to for months. I deleted my Tinder profile right when me and her started talking.” Christen responds confused
“Well then explain this. There is no other reason I would have gotten this message.” Tyler says, pulling out her phone and opening the Instagram message. She then hands the phone over to Christen.
Christen reads the message. Immediately she knows the only person it could be is Tobin, she also feels like Tobin has said this person's name before. But she clicks on the profile to be sure. She starts scrolling down the profile when she sees a photo of Tobin with this person on the beach in a wetsuit.
“Ty, I swear this is not what it looks like. You have to believe me. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” Christen says
“Then explain it, because I am having trouble wrapping my brain around it.” Tyler is annoyed at this whole situation.
“This is Tobin’s best friend. But I swear to you I was going to tell her. We made plans after my last game in Portland, but then the whole concussion issue happened and now she won’t talk to me. I thought she was done with me, I told her I loved her and she said she needed time. So I have no idea why her friend is messaging you.” Christen chokes out
“Honestly Chris I don’t know what to say. None of this would have ever happened if you didn’t do this. This could have been bad for me.” Tyler says, standing up to put her plate into the sink. “I am going to go home.”
*
When Tyler gets home she immediately sits on the coach and messages Ashlyn back.
[Tyler 8:46 PM]
This actually is not at all what it looks like. I was married but am now divorced, but I do have a girlfriend. But I am not stepping out on her like you might think. You have it all wrong. I am not the one Catfishing your friend. But I know who it is and I would like to discuss it with you.
[Ashlyn 9:01 PM]
Okay, sure. Spill it then.
[Tyler 9:07 PM]
The person Catfishing your friend is my sister. It is a long story but she planned on coming clean to Tobin about a month ago, but there was an accident that prohibited her from that. Maybe you should tell your friend to get their act together and stop ignoring my sister and maybe she could come clean.
[Ashlyn 9:11 PM]
Oh no, you are not about to turn this on my innocent friend. When your sister is a Catfish.
[Tyler 9:15 PM]
Although I disagree with it, she had her reasons. So we are not going to make it like she is this awful human.
[Ashlyn 9:17 PM]
If it is such a good reason, what is it. Because I can’t come up with anything that would excuse this.
[Tyler 9:21 PM]
I am not going to say much, that isn’t my place. But you obviously didn’t really look at my profile too well before messaging me.
Upon the latest message Ashlyn immediately opens Tyler profile and starts scrolling to see what she can find out from this vague hint. She starts scrolling when she sees a throwback picture of three little girls.
She immediately goes to check the tags. She has to do a double take when one of the names that pops up is none other than Christen Press. Ashlyn thinks it just a coincidence and it couldn’t be who she thinks it is.
So she clicks on her profile and much to her disbelief it is Christen Press. The Christen Press. Christen Anne-Marie Press as the name says on her profile and that is when it all starts to click together.
Anne-Marie was always traveling, I bet all the destinations would match up with where she had games. The reason she could meet up with Tobin is because there was that awful play at the game.
She opens back up the thread with Tyler.
[Ashlyn 9:43 PM]
I got it now. So what are we going to do to get this all worked out. I know Tobin is heartbroken.
[Tyler 9:47 PM]
I know Christen is as well. She really loves Tobin. We will come up with something.
*
Days turn into weeks without any communication between the two women. Christen tries to, she occasionally sends Tobin a simple message hoping to get a reply but one never comes.During this time Tyler and Ashlyn are planning how to get the women together. After weeks of planning they finally have a solid plan and today it is going to be put into action.
It is summer now so Ashlyn and Tobin are in their natural summer habitat at the beach surfing in California with their friends from college. They got there early before the crowd so they could surf in peace. They are currently taking a break sitting on the beach.
“So how are you doing” Ashlyn asks slowly trying to broach the subject
“Fine, can’t complain” Tobin says
“Fine never actually means fine Tobs. Have you talked to Anne-Marie lately” Ashlyn asks knowing the answer
“Ash really? You know the answer to that question.” Tobin says
“But do I really? You never tell me what is going on. I just have to watch the pout on your face never disappear.” Ashlyn says
“Because I don’t know what to say Ash. I am heartbroken, is that what you want to hear. I think about texting her or calling her everyday. But I don’t know what to say. How do I apologize for ignoring her, for basically cutting her out of my life when she told me she loved me. How do I know she won’t stand me up again.” Tobin shouts out
“Tobs probably feels the same way. But love is never easy, love is all about the unknown but taking the leaps anyway.” Ashlyn says
“I am going to go back in the water now” Tobin says, grabbing her surfboard and heading back into the water.
*
“Tyler, I am really not feeling the beach today.” Christen whines out from the passenger seat of Tyler's car.
“Well you haven’t been feeling anything lately. You go to soccer obligations and then you go home. So today we are going to the beach, which might I add is one of your favorite places. So you are going to enjoy it.” Tyler says pulling into the parking lot
Tyler pulls out her phone quickly to send a text
[Tyler 8:30 AM]
Okay, we are here where are you guys
[Ash 8:31 AM]
To the left of the lifeguard tower
So that is where the sisters head to. When they get close Tyler’s eyes scan the beach for the girls. She spots them but it is only one of them, Ashlyn. But she heads towards them anyway.
“This spot looks good,” Tyler says, placing her belongings to the left of Ashlyn. The sisters set up their spot and lay down on the towels. This is not exactly how the plan was supposed to go. They were supposed to walk up and Tobin was supposed to be there. So Tyler takes out her phone.
[Tyler 8:41 AM]
Where is she? How is this going to work now?
[Ash 8:42 AM]
She got annoyed and went back in the water. I guess just wing it when she gets out of the water.
*
It takes about twenty minutes for Tobin to emerge from the water. She walks over towards where Ashlyn is sitting and grabs her towel to wipe her face. While she is doing that she is looking around the beach when she notice the group sitting next to them.
She sits down as close to Ashlyn as she can and whispers in her ear. “Ashlyn, do you see who is sitting next to us? Christen Press is literally right there.”
“Oh really, you should go say hi” Ashlyn says smirking
“No, I don’t want to bother her” Tobin says
“I doubt you would be a bother. Just go do it” Ashlyn encourages her
Nervously Tobin gets up from the towel and walks over to the sisters. “Hi I don’t want to bother you, but you are Christen Press right” Tobin says causing both sisters to look at her. Tobin was only focused on Christen when she looked over towards the other woman. “Anne-Marie”
At almost the same time Christen says “Tobin”
“How do you know my name” Tobin says confused
“Well that is my queue” Tyler says, walking over to Ashlyn and both of them escaping down the beach.
“Umm.. can we sit please” Christen says
“Oh um, yeah what is going on.” Tobin says
“I have a lot to explain to you. But obviously you know who I am. But I am also Anne-Marie” Christen says
“What? But no, Anne-Marie is that woman that just ran away.” Tobin says still so confused on what was going on.
“Well sort of but no. That is Tyler, my sister and I used her pictures for the profile. I used my middle name as my name. I was trying to keep it as real or close to real as possible.” Christen said hoping the older woman would understand
“I am still so confused. Why? I don’t understand” Tobin asks
“Well obviously you know I am a public figure, I didn’t want people to know it was me” Christen says. Tobin just sits there quietly so Christen waits for Tobin to process.
“So basically you are in the closet and you didn’t want it to get out so you needed a cover” Tobin says hoping she is processing this right.
“Oh my gosh no! I am out, well maybe not really out to the media. I have never confirmed it with them because they don’t need to know all my personal business. But I have been linked with plenty of females in the past. The reason I used a fake picture and a fake name is because I want people to like me for me and not for my status.” Christen pauses for a moment before continuing “My last relationship basically used me because of who I was. Her name was Vero. We played together in Sweden and basically she didn’t give me the time of day until I started to take off. Than it was like she couldn’t get enough of me, she was attached to me at the hip, we had to go to every event together, she forced me to post pictures of us all the time so that she could try to gain followers, when I wanted to come back to the states she used me to be a package deal so she could come to. It took me a little while to realize what was happening but when I did it broke me. So I vowed to never let that happen again. So when I decided to date again that is how the Tinder profile came about.” Christen finishes off
Tobin takes a minute to process what Christen says before asking another one. “So how am I supposed to know what is true and what isn’t”
“Everything I told you is true. The only thing that wasn't was the picture, but we do look alike. Anne-Marie is my middle name. The flight attendant thing obviously wasn’t true, but anytime I said I was doing anything with that I was doing soccer stuff. But all the personal stuff that was all true. I promise I swear.” Christen pleads with Tobin
“So you did this to a lot of people” Tobin questions
“I don’t know what you mean by doing this with a lot of people, but you are the only one that got to the point we were at.” Christen said
“So were you going to ever tell me or just hope I never cared. I feel so stupid, no wonder why you never wanted to FaceTime.” Tobin says, beating herself up
“Please don’t blame yourself for this at all. I wanted to tell you so many times. But then nothing ever felt right, or I would chicken out. But I planned on meeting you I swear. You have to believe me, I didn’t stand you up. I swear there was an accident, you have to remember. I am not lying.” Christen pleads again
Tobin racks her brain to try and remember. To see if there was ever any indication on why she got stood up by the girl of her dreams. And then she remembers. “The Thorns game. The play in the box. Your head. They took you off in a stretcher” Tobin stumbles out
“Yeah, I was in the hospital. I didn’t really wake up until the morning and then well you didn’t want to see me. I swear Tobs you have to believe me, I wanted to be there. Everything I said was true, I loved you, well I still do.” Christen says the tears starting to form in her eyes
“I love you too” Tobin says. She panics for a second when her mouth says the words faster than they can register in her brain. But then she decides to continue with the spontaneous nature of that admission and leans in towards Christen. Christen can see Tobin lean in and hopes they are about to do what she has been wanting to do for months, so she leans in as well.
Their lips brushed together soft at first, Christen could taste the salt water on Tobin’s lips from the ocean and Tobin could taste the strawberry chapstick on Christen’s lips. The kiss was not too short but not long enough. But it was definitely a first kiss neither woman would forget.
“Wow” Tobin says, her smile so bright you could see all of her white teeth clearly
“Yeah wow” Christen says also smiling.
“So what do you say we try this over as Tobin and Christen and you let me take you on a date tonight” Tobin asks the other woman
“I would say absolutely” Christen responds
“Good, because I mean it when I say I love you. I fell in love with who you are, not what you are. I fell over text I can’t imagine where life will take us but I know it will be magical” Tobin says looking Christen in the eyes
“We can go at our own pace, it doesn’t matter what society says, because I meant every word I said that day. I love you too” Christen says