Page 43 of Rule 5: Never Crush on the Captain

The room quiets.

“You’re in a relationship, Daddy?” Stella asks.

“What is this about?” I ask finally.

“Check your social media.”

My gaze slides to Vinnie. His phone is already out. His face is pale.

“I should go,” he says.

I scramble for my phone, but the colors are too blurry, and my hands shake too much.

Because I know. I already know.

Valentina sits beside me, and I hate it, because it should be Vinnie.

She shows me her phone. “This is your porch.”

I close my eyes.

Vinnie and I are holding hands.

Fuck.

And gazing at each other in a manner that actors might make if they were told to act besotted.

We do not look like bros. We do not look like teammates. We especially do not look like teammates who can barely stand each other.

Fuck.

“Oh, God,” Valentina says. “You never told me—”

“It’s, um, new—”

Vinnie stands up. I think he’s going to sit next to me too, but instead he heads upstairs. Well, better upstairs then out the door.

I turn to Valentina, my cheeks flaming.

“Daddy needs to speak to Mommy alone,” I say.

Stella frowns. “But—”

“Why don’t you draw me a picture?” Valentina suggests.

Stella leaves. I don’t miss that she’s going reluctantly. God, I’m even interrupting my daughter’s time with her mother. It’s not like Valentina lives nearby. These minutes are precious, and they shouldn’t be about me.

“We were just out there for a few minutes,” I say.

Valentina sighs. “Guess I was followed. I’m sorry.”

We’re silent.

“They probably were hoping for pictures of both of us... reconciling.”

“They got something better.”

“They sure did. Now are you going to tell me why you’re holding hands with your grumpy ex-best friend?”