Page 122 of A Whole New Play

God, I’m pathetic.

I got over my high school boyfriend quicker than this, and he and I had dated for over a year whereas Carter and I were official for less than a few weeks.

That’s because you weren’t in love with Dylan.

A groan escapes my lips.

Enough.

I wipe away my tears.

This has to end.

I’m an adult. Sure, I had my heart broken but I have a life to live.

I’m young.

My love story is far from finished.

I need to stop wallowing at the thought of another man asking me out—of thinking no one else could compare to Carter.

That may be true for now, but time will change that.

It has to.

The alternative is I mourn the loss of Carter Jones for the rest of my life, and that thought is depressing as hell.

And yet… that just might be my fate…

Ugh.

See what I mean?

Pathetic.

38

VALERIE

“Valerie, girl. How are you doing sweetheart?” Dad’s words slur the slightest bit on the endearment, making me chuckle.

“I’m great, Dad. But how about you? Your team is going to the freaking Super Bowl!” I’m walking down the street, on my way back to my apartment from where the taxi dropped me off at the corner of the one-way road.

I left Will, Henry, Adam, and Derek at the bar where we’d watched the game about half an hour ago. The men were just starting a game of pool when I told them I was leaving. I needed to talk to my dad, and now that the game’s been over for a couple of hours, I figured I’d be able to finally get him on the phone.

Dad laughs cheerfully. “It’s incredible, right? This has been one hell of a season.”

That’s putting it lightly.

The Rough Riders had to bust their ass to make the playoffs, and then each game they played in the post-season tested every aspect of their play.

The conference championship game was no different.

The Texas team came out on top, but it was a hard-fought battle. Now, they have two weeks to prepare for the game of their lifetimes.

“I miss you, Vally Girl.”

Amusement at the unfamiliar nickname makes my lips twitch. “Dad? Are you drunk?”

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