Page 30 of A Whole New Play

Now, I’m able to focus on practice. Much to Coach Palmer’s satisfaction.

Davis shares a few more details about what to expect regarding the impending custody trial, promising me he’ll inform me of dates as soon as he knows anything. I thank him again and say goodbye.

I make the long drive through Downtown Dallas, heading back north towards Rose Hill. The moment the highways give way to two-lane roads, I feel my body relax. Growing up, I couldn’t wait to get out of the small town. Now, I prefer the slow-paced town compared to the busy city.

I drive past my old high school’s billboard with a smirk. It advertises that it’s where Corey Johnson and I graduated from. Even before I made it to the pros, the town treated me like royalty, but that wasn’t true for my childhood best friend.

Corey had moved to town after his mom died. He was only eight, but citizens of Rose Hill quickly wrote him off as trouble because of who his deadbeat father was. They changed their tune when he became a baseball star in college, and their opinions really turned around when he made it to the majors.

Corey says he doesn’t hold anything against anyone for how he was treated growing up. He’s a better man than me. There’s no way in hell I’d be able to be cordial to some of these people if they said and did some of those things to me.

But even though he didn’t hold a grudge, Corey never willingly returned to Rose Hill after moving away. It wasn’t until he was traded to the Lonestars that he was forced to return to Texas. And wouldn’t you know it—that was the same team Carlee worked for.

My smirk turns into a genuine smile as I think of the newly public couple. I always suspected my little sister and best friend had a thing for each other. It might’ve annoyed me as a teenager, but now I’m glad life worked out so they have the chance to see if things can work out between them. Everyone around them thinks it will, but you never know what happens behind closed doors.

Like me and Laura for example.

We were the “it” couple in college. No one knew how bad things were when we were alone. The jealousy, fights, and silent treatments are just the tip of that toxic iceberg. Aside from the twins, the only good thing to come from that relationship is the resolve to never find myself in a situation like that again. I’d rather be single forever than subject myself to that emotional abuse.

I’m about to take the turn onto my long driveway when my cell phone buzzes in the middle console. Careful not to steer into the trees, I pick up the device and glance at the screen. It’s from Laura.

Flight canceled. Won’t be able to pick up the kids tomorrow. Tell them I’m sorry.

Anger ripples through me. I slow the car to a stop and reread the message. My ire grows.

I’d bet half my salary her flight wasn’t canceled. Laura’s boyfriend is in Paris for a show, and I know my ex’s love for the French capital. She was supposed to take the kids for a week before school started while I traveled to Florida for the team’s first preseason game. It looks like she’d rather spend time touring the City of Love than spending time with her kids.

I’m tempted to reply and insist Laura break the news to the twins herself. I hate being the bearer of bad news and watching their little faces fall in disappointment. But Davis’s words about being cordial play in my head. Grinding my teeth, I type my reply.

Fine.

Okay, so it’s not the most cordial response. But it’s better than what I really want to say.

Laura responds with a thumbs-up emoji.

I screenshot the conversation and send it over to Davis before tossing my phone back into the middle console. Laura’s demonstration of flakiness can only work in my favor. At least, I hope that’s the case.

I’ve recently learned courts tend to favor mothers during custody disagreements, but I can’t imagine anyone would look at our situation and think Laura is the best parent for the twins. She didn’t even start contesting my bid for custody until I stopped sending the child support checks—a fact that is well documented through our text conversations the days after she didn’t get her money.

Still, Davis has emphasized how important it is for me to be above reproach. As a father who didn’t want custody until recently, I need to prove I’m a better fit for the kids. Traveling for work makes it harder, but my parents living so close by helps show I have family support to fill any gaps there. And with any luck, Valerie will continue working out as a nanny and her steady employment will be proof that I’ve established a stable life for Andy and Abby.

I sigh and resume driving up to the house.

It’s that thought, and only that thought, that gives me the strength to keep my hands to myself whenever the dark-haired beauty is around.

I just hope that strength can last.

Because as I crest the hill leading to the house and see Valerie and Andy being chased by Abby wielding a large water gun, all three smiling and laughing like they’re having the time of their life, the organ in my chest squeezes with affection.

I have no business feeling this way about Valerie, but I can’t control it. Everything about her is alluring, from her beauty to her wit to how good she is with the twins.

The only thing I can do is make sure I don’t cross the line drawn between us. I can’t risk Valerie quitting. My kids’ well-being depends on it. For them, I’d do anything. Including ignoring the undeniable attraction I have for their charming, green-eyed nanny… no matter how much it pains me.

8

VALERIE

I can’t remember the last time I smiled so much. Between the stress of school followed by the start of my time-consuming career, I’ve always had a certain level of stress hanging over my head that prevented me from enjoying life to its fullest. But these last two weeks have been filled with more fun and laughter than I could have ever expected.

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