Page 23 of A Whole New Play

I thought so too.

I don’t follow football closely, but Carter is in enough local commercials and advertisements that I should’ve recognized him. Except for the fact his hair is short now when it used to be shaggy and long.

“Does your dad know about you two?”

“God, no. And I plan to keep it that way.” He and I are close, but there are some things a girl doesn’t tell her dad.

Like how she slept with a total stranger at an all-inclusive resort…

“So, what’s the plan here? Are you really going to try and get along with his kids to get the job? Or are you just going through the motions so you can tell your dad you tried?”

I bite my lip. “I’m not sure.”

Dad had been right when he pointed out I don’t do well with free time. Working as a nanny could be fun. It would give me a sense of purpose while I figure out what’s next for my accounting career.

As Carter’s nanny, I’d be taking care of his kids when he’s not around. Our interactions would be minimal. The fact I know the feel of every rippling muscle on his torso wouldn’t affect my ability to do the job. At least… I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t.

“Well, whatever you decide, just make sure you’re careful,” Morgan replies with a serious tone.

“Careful about what?” My GPS instructs me to turn right onto a one-lane, gravel road. Trees block the view up ahead, but I guess I’m getting close to the house.

“Be careful that you don’t go and fall in love with a quarterback… again.”

I scowl even though she can’t see it. “Carter isn’t the quarterback.”

The wheels kick up gravel, making it harder to hear my best friend’s reply.

“What was that?” I ask over the noise.

In a near-shout, Megan says, “I said, you know what I’m saying.”

Unfortunately, I do.

My first and only serious relationship happened when I was a teenager. I thought I was in love with the star quarterback at my high school. Dad was one of his coaches, and I didn’t learn until we’d already been dating for a year that he was only with me because he thought it would help him get in good with my dad and get him more playing time.

“I won’t fall in love with him,” I say with confidence. If my past wasn’t already a warning against that sort of thing, the fact my life is in disarray is enough to shut down thoughts of any potential romantic relationship with anyone, let alone a man I might be working for.

“Good,” Megan continues to speak loudly to be heard over the rocks bouncing off the car’s undercarriage. “Well, whenever you need to talk, you know I’m here. You haven’t even been gone forty-eight hours and I already miss you like crazy.”

My heart squeezes. “I miss you, too. I’ll plan a time to visit soon.” The gravel is replaced with pavement as I come to an open gate with numbers embossed in the stone pillar. The quiet is almost deafening. A glance at the GPS confirms it’s the address Carter texted me last night.

“You better.”

“I will.” I guide the car through the gate and begin moving up the long driveway. “I have to let you go. I think I’m here.”

“Oh. Exciting. Good luck. Can’t wait to hear all about your ‘interview’.”

I ignore her insinuating tone. “Thanks. Talk to you later.”

“Bye, Val.”

The call ends and I focus on driving through the narrow road flanked by massive oak trees on either side. I’ve been to Dallas several times over the years, but I’ve never traveled this far out of city limits. I never had a reason to. Now, as I take in the natural beauty, I realize I’ve missed out. The wild beauty is breathtaking, and a welcome contrast to the concrete jungle I’ve lived in most of my life.

The trees fall away and I drive up to a house that’s much more modest than I was expecting for a professional athlete. Through my internet sleuthing, I learned the basics about Carter’s compensation. Other than being located on a couple of acres of land, the two-story brick home looks like something a solid middle-class family would live in, not a multi-millionaire.

Shoving aside my musings about Carter’s lifestyle choices, I park and turn off the engine. I toss my keys and cell phone into my crossbody purse before stepping out of the car.

Immediately, I’m taken aback by the silence that greets me. Other than the wind rustling the leaves on the trees and the occasional chirping bird, I don’t hear a sound. It’s so different from Houston.

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