Page 84 of A Whole New Play

I wait one hour before deciding it’s not an unreasonable time to text Valerie. She’s an early riser, usually choosing to get her daily run in before the sun is too high in the sky. I hope those habits carry over to out-of-town trips.

I chew the inside of my cheek as my thumbs hover over the screen.

I don’t know what to say.

“Hey, Valerie, remember how you wanted to keep our relationship private? Well, that’s over.”

“Hey, Val. No big deal, but there’s a picture of us kissing on the internet.”

I don’t know how to spin the news in a way that won’t be upsetting.

Coffee?

I hit send. It’s better to tell her what’s happened in person. I’m relieved when she quickly replies.

Sure. Your room or mine?

My brain automatically adds an innuendo to the innocuous words, but I resist the urge to respond with one of my own. As much as I enjoy our teasing banter, now’s not the time. Not with what I have to tell her.

Yours.

I tuck my phone in my pocket and put on a baseball cap, tugging it low over my eyes before I pick up my hotel key and step into the hallway.

Head down, I walk down the hall, passing five rooms on my left before arriving at Valerie’s. I raise my fist to knock when the door swings open.

Valerie stands there, looking beautiful in a pair of plaid pajama shorts and a white V-neck. Her long dark hair hangs over her shoulders, and her green eyes sparkle with affection when she looks at me.

“Good morning!” She reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me inside the room before I can speak.

She waits until the door closes before she steps forward, rises on tiptoes, and kisses me softly.

She doesn’t know…

I fight the urge to wrap my arms around her to deepen the kiss—to enjoy the peace between us while we still can—while she doesn’t know our secret is out in the open.

But that would be selfish.

I keep my arms at my side as Valerie kisses me. When she falls back onto her heels, I open my eyes and see her furrowed brow. “Carter?” She cocks her head to the side. “Is everything okay?”

“For now.” It’s hard to say how long that will be the case. It all depends on how much traction the picture gets.

She frowns. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Have you checked social media today?” I see no point in beating around the bush. Best to rip off the band-aid.

“Um… no. Why? Should I?”

I nod. “Yeah. I’ll make coffee while you do.” I walk over to the counter with the coffee maker. I busy myself with opening the single-serve tray of coffee and filling a paper cup with water to pour into the machine. I’m sliding a tray into the slot when I hear a sharp gasp behind me.

I hang my head and close my eyes, bracing for what comes next.

“What… what does this mean?” Hearing her distress makes my stomach churn.

I straighten my neck and open my eyes. When I turn around, I make sure my expression is calm and confident. “I don’t know yet,” I answer honestly. “The story may not get much traction. But if it does, Avery and her team are already coming up with a strategy for how to handle it.”

Her cheeks are pale, and her eyes are wide. She nods slowly, but I’m not sure she truly registers what I’ve said. She looks like she’s on the brink of a panic attack. “I… I have to tell my dad.”

Coach Palmer is an even-keeled guy. He might be upset when he learns I’ve been secretly dating his daughter. He might even be angry considering Valerie works for me. I can’t say I’d blame him. Fast forward twenty years, if I found Abby in this type of situation, I wouldn’t be happy about it, either.

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