27. Valerie

27

VALERIE

“Are you sure you don’t want to respond to your dad? He’s been blowing up your phone since we landed.” Carter keeps his focus on the road as he speaks. Which is good. If he looks at me, he’ll see the way the blood drains from my face when he mentions my dad.

“I’ll talk to him later,” I keep my voice low. Abby and Andy are asleep in the backseat, exhausted from a flight filled with games with their family.

We landed in Dallas about an hour and a half ago. The moment I turned on my phone, I was bombarded with messages from Megan, Dad, and, unfortunately, my mom. Knowing she’d have nothing nice to say, I didn’t read her messages.

Megan’s texts were lighthearted as she joked about how the cat was out of the bag and now I could brag about sleeping with the hottest guy we’d ever laid eyes on. I appreciated her attempt to lift my spirits, but the effort was wasted when I finally read my dad’s only message.

We need to talk.

Hope that the story would die down before my parents realized I was the girl in the photo disappears in an instant.

I don’t know why I did it, but I opened social media to see what was going on. That was a mistake.

Notifications filled my inbox. People I haven’t spoken to in years were tagging me in comments on different posts, all of them showing the same photo.

I never imagined I would be identified so quickly. You can’t even see my face in the picture. But it seems that while we were flying at thirty thousand feet, the rest of the world was linking me to the star linebacker.

The most damning evidence?

Someone found a picture from a box suite at the Rough Riders’ stadium.

Corey and Carlee were the focus of the image. The original article that featured the photo was talking about the World Series Champion and speculating about his plans for next season.

I’d seen the picture when it was first published, and I, of course, noticed myself in the background helping the twins with their puzzle. At the time, it wasn’t a big deal. No one knew, or cared, who I was.

I had no idea the image would be used to link me to Carter and give the world the means to identify me.

“Are you sure?” Concern creases Carter’s forehead as his eyes slide over to me. “It might be easier to talk to him sooner rather than later.”

He’s right, but I’m not ready to face the consequences of that impulsive kiss outside the hotel. Not now, anyway.

“I’m sure,” I tell him.

I expect Carter to press the issue, but he just nods and turns his attention back to the road. “Okay.”

I settle back into the chair, staring unseeingly out of the passenger window as my mind spins with different potential outcomes to my predicament.

“Hey,” Carter reaches over the console and takes my hand in his. “It’s going to be okay.”

I peek over my shoulder and confirm the twins are still asleep. I relax and lace our fingers together. “I know.”

Things might be messy for a bit, but it won’t stay that way for long.

Carter’s well-known, but it’s not like he’s a football player who goes out at all hours of the night, partying with celebrities or flashing his personal life for all to see. Take away his unique career, and he’s just like any other dad with a normal life. This news will blow over before I know it. The hardest part will be facing my parents about it.

I debate what I will eventually say to my mom and dad when I inevitably speak with them while Carter drives us back to Rose Hill. I consider the merits of calling Dad tonight or waiting until tomorrow when we pull up to Carter’s house and the decision is made for me.

My stomach drops to the floorboard when I see a familiar white truck parked at the foot of the driveway.

Shit.

“Is that?—”

“Yup,” I choke out. “My dad’s here.”

The panic in the muscular linebacker’s expression would be amusing in any other situation. Dad is good-natured and kind. Then again, he’s also Carter’s coach. He undoubtedly has a different view of the burly defensive coordinator than I do as his daughter.

Carter drives past the truck and backs the SUV into the parking spot in front of the garage door. The moment he shifts it into park, Dad’s truck door opens. He slides out and straightens. His expression is impossible to decipher from this distance.

“You okay?” Carter asks.

“Yeah.” I inhale a fortifying breath. “Might as well get this over with.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and exit the car, careful to close the door quietly to avoid waking the twins.

Carter kills the engine and follows my lead, lengthening his strides to round the front of the vehicle and reach my side as I walk over to where my dad waits by his truck.

Dad’s eyes are cool as they take in Carter’s action, and his lips tilt down in a subtle frown. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, and that makes me nervous.

“Hey, Dad.” I manage to keep my tone even as I close the distance between us. “What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t reply to my text,” Dad replies. “And your mother said you’ve been ignoring her calls.”

Shit.

Mom and Dad never talk.

“It was a long day.” I stop a couple of feet in front of him. It takes effort to hold his gaze. Guilt makes me want to shrink and look away. “Sorry.”

“Hmph,” he grunts. His green eyes are as hard as ice as they turn to Carter. “How long?”

“Sir?”

“How long has this been going on?” His eyes dart between us. He crosses his arms, showcasing his muscular biceps.

I speak before Carter can, “A few weeks.”

Dad’s eyes narrow. “Be more specific.”

His commanding tone makes me stand at attention. “My birthday.”

He grunts again. And, again, his hard eyes focus on Carter, drilling into him like he’s waiting for the linebacker to crack under the pressure.

Carter holds my dad’s stare, unflinching. I’m impressed. Lesser men would crumble.

Dad turns back to me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I… we…”

“We wanted to take things slow,” Carter speaks up when I fumble. He takes a step closer to me. “We didn’t want to say anything if things didn’t work out.”

I feel Carter looking at me, but I keep my attention on my dad. I’m trying to gauge his reaction. The eyes that I inherited don’t lose their hard edge at the information. If anything, they sharpen.

“And is it working out?” He asks.

“I—” Before Carter can finish, a soft, tired voice interrupts.

“Dad?”

All three of us turn towards the SUV. Andy stands next to the car, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Carter is quick to walk over to his side. “Yeah, bud?” He runs an affectionate hand over his son’s head.

“Can I go to bed? I’m tired.”

“Sure, buddy. No problem.” Carter’s expression is tight when he looks back at me. He doesn’t want to leave me to face this conversation on my own.

“It’s all right,” I tell him with a weak smile. “Go.”

Indecision wars in his gaze.

“Is Valerie not coming inside?” Abby’s voice precedes her just before she sticks her head out of her brother’s side of the car. With a tired yawn, she hops down from the vehicle and blinks her bleary eyes.

“I’ll be in in a few minutes,” I reassure her gently. “I just need to talk to my dad.”

Abby and Andy’s attention shifts to the man behind my shoulder.

“Hi, Coach Palmer,” Andy greets.

Abby waves a tired hand.

“Hey, guys,” Dad’s tone loses his irritation when he speaks to the twins. “How was Minnesota?”

“It was fun,” Andy says through a yawn of his own. “But I don’t like hotel beds. They aren’t comfy.”

Carter uses that as his cue. “Let’s get you two inside. You can catch up with Coach another time.”

The twins don’t argue. They hike their backpacks on their shoulder and shuffle into the house. I’ve never seen anyone look so cute when they’re tired.

I watch Carter open the door and usher them inside. He casts another worried glance over his shoulder. I offer him a half-smile.

His lips tighten with reluctance. “Let me know if you need me.”

“I will.”

He nods, looks at Dad, and then steps inside to follow his kids.

“What the hell are you thinking, Valerie?” Dad growls the moment the front door closes.

Indignation ripples through me.

I know what he’s asking, but I’m going to force him to say it out loud. “What do you mean?”

He doesn’t hesitate, “You’re dating Carter Jones.”

“I am.”

“He is older than you.”

“Not that much older.”

“And he’s your boss.”

“Not for long.” Carter and I haven’t discussed the specifics, but he knows being a nanny isn’t my long-term plan.

Most likely, I’ll continue until the Rough Riders season ends. Then, I’ll help him find a replacement while I take the next steps in my career.

You need to figure out what those steps are, first…

“And he has two kids.” Dad crosses his arms. His shoulders are tense and his lips are pulled down in a deep frown. “Carter is a decent guy, but this relationship isn’t right for you. Not when you’re in the middle of figuring out your life and career.”

I don’t blame him for thinking so. I had the same thought when I was trying to convince myself to resist the attraction I felt to the star linebacker these past few months.

I blow out a breath, bracing myself for his reaction to what I’m about to share. “Do you remember when I told you I met Carter when I was on vacation with Megan?”

His expression turns wary. “Yes.”

“Well, we didn’t just meet there. We went on a date. And we, uh…” My cheeks burn hot, but I force myself to admit, “We spent the night together.”

“Valerie…” He closes his eyes and groans. “I don’t need to know that.”

“Except you do,” I counter. “You need to know that what’s happening between me and Carter started long before I became his nanny.”

He opens his eyes. “But I assume you didn’t contact him after the trip.”

“No,” I confirm. “I didn’t.”

“Why not?”

I shrug. “Because I was too busy with work, and it was just meant to be a fling.”

“Exactly.” Dad shakes his head. “You knew you weren’t in the place for a relationship back then, and you’re in no better position for one now.”

I frown. “I understand why you’d think that, but I care about Carter. And he cares about me.”

“But what happens when you need to move for a new job?” He presses. “What happens when the line between being Carter’s nanny and his girlfriend blurs and you adopt a motherly role that you have no business taking on.”

I stiffen. “That won’t happen.”

Won’t it?

Dad shakes his head. “This relationship isn’t a good idea, Valerie. It’s not right for you.”

“Yes, it is.” I believe that with all my heart. Carter and I share a connection I’d only ever read about in romance books. I told myself I wouldn’t fight it anymore, and these have been the best weeks of my life.

“It’s not,” Dad insists. “You’re making a mistake, Valerie.”

I can’t remember a time Dad ever disapproved of me like this. Sure, he didn’t like it when I overloaded my high school schedule with all advanced classes, but he accepted my decision. He believed I knew best. He always does. I’d hoped I get the same reaction here.

Looks like I was wrong.

I lift my chin. “You’re entitled to your opinion, Dad. But the fact is I am dating Carter, and that’s not going to change any time soon.”

Sadness flickers over his features, and his arms fall to his side. “This is a mistake,” he repeats.

“I disagree.”

He shakes his head once more. “I don’t approve, Valerie. I won’t support you in this.”

The words are a knife to the heart.

“That’s fine,” I lie as I fight back tears.

Dad’s disappointment hurts far more than I could have ever expected. He’s never been anything but supportive of me and my choices.

I wouldn’t say I lived my life searching for his approval like I did with my mother, but I could always trust I’d have it. I always knew he’d be there for me.

But now,

The one guiding influence I’ve always relied on feels like it’s torn away when Dad turns on his heel and climbs back into his truck with another disappointed sigh.

I feel like a rudderless ship floating on the ocean all alone, and I don’t know how I’m going to get back on course.