Page 79 of A Whole New Play

The two have known each other most of their lives. They’re bound to have inside jokes. That shouldn’t bother me. It never bothered me when I witnessed the same in past relationships.

But you didn’t like those guys as much as you like Carter Jones…

Ugh.

Like I said… I’m a child.

It doesn’t matter that Morgan is beautiful, funny, and a blast to be around. Carter is a stand-up guy. He’s not the womanizer I would expect a single, famous football star to be.

Being a father makes that difficult to do, but it wouldn’t be impossible. And yet, there’s nothing about Carter that gives the impression he would break my trust after we agreed to be exclusive.

All my insecure thoughts and feelings stem from my own mind. And I hate myself for it. I wish I could talk to Megan about how I’m feeling, but every time I pick up the phone to text her, I chicken out.

Carter and I agreed to take things slow. I’m not even sure if we should call one another our boyfriend or girlfriend at this point. It feels too early to discuss what’s going on between me and the football star. Megan knows we hooked up after my surprise birthday party, but I haven’t told her anything about what happened afterward. She doesn’t believe me when I say there’s nothing to tell, but she respects me enough not to pry.

Maybe I should tell my best friend everything. Megan knows me well. She could provide insight on how to handle this situation with my best interests in mind.

“Is this seat taken?”

My eyes fly up from where they’d been staring at the illuminated pizzeria sign across the street.

“Carter?” I blink in confusion. “What are you doing here?” I’d thought he’d joined Corey, Carlee, Morgan, and the rest of the Lonestars for a night out celebrating their World Series win.

“I was going to ask you the same question. Mind if I sit?” He lowers himself to the bench before I can reply.

I scooch to the side to give him room, but his massive thighs still brush against mine as he shifts to make himself comfortable. A car from the busy downtown street in front of us honks at one trying to merge into traffic from where it was parked on the side of the street.

“What are you doing out here?” He asks after several seconds of silence.

“The twins are spending the night in your parents’ room,” I say, wincing internally when I hear how defensive I sound. I came on this trip to look after the twins, but their grandparents didn’t hesitate when their grandchildren requested to have a slumber party in their room. I’d dropped them off an hour ago for a night of children’s movies and popcorn, and I’ve been punishing myself for my ridiculous behavior out here ever since.

“That’s not what I meant.” He frowns. “Did I do something? You’ve been acting off ever since the game.”

Lingering embarrassment for my behavior roars back to life, making my cheeks heat and my stomach twist. “No, you didn’t do anything.”

“Then why do I feel like I did?”

I exhale a heavy sigh. “Because I’m ridiculous.”

“What do you mean?”

I press my lips together and shake my head. Across the street, a blonde woman catches my attention. She’s wearing a tight red dress and sky-high heels. She’s lovely, but that’s not why I notice her. It’s the fact she’s staring right at me with what looks like a scowl. I have the odd sense that I’ve seen her before… but she’s too far away for me to confirm.

“Valerie?” Carter’s voice recaptures my attention.

I meet his eyes. His expression is open and filled with concern.

The urge to continue to lie and deny anything is wrong is strong, but that would just be continuing this immature behavior. Carter deserves better than that.

“I was jealous.” The words taste bitter as they roll off my tongue.

His forehead furrows. “Jealous?”

His genuine confusion makes me feel like even more of an idiot.

I look back across the street to give myself time to compose myself. The blonde woman is gone, but a group of laughing men and women stumbles past. It looks like they’re on their way to the bars located farther down the street. That’s where most of the Lonestars players went earlier this evening.

That’s where I thought Carter was when I came out here to wallow.

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