And the way the warmth in his eyes had gone cold when the phone call shattered the moment.
"Yeah," I said. My voice came out flat. "No distractions."
"That's what it takes at this level. You know that better than anyone." My father’s pride rang clear through the phone. "The organization wants a captain who represents stability. Leadership. Someone the fans and sponsors can trust."
Someone safe. Someone boring. Someone who fit neatly into the box they had built.
Someone who definitely wasn't sneaking around with a rookie twenty-two minutes after team celebrations ended.
"I know what they want," I said.
"Good. Don't screw it up now. You're too close." He cleared his throat. "Your mother wants you to come by for dinner after you sign. Bring that focus with you."
The call ended.
I sat there staring at the contract proposal. My father’s voice echoed in my skull.Never let distractions get in the way.
My phone buzzed again. A text from Theo.
Theo:Good morning. Sleep okay?
I'd left his apartment at 1:30 AM, after another call from Mark reminded me exactly what I had to lose. Theo had watched me dress with questions in his eyes he hadn't asked. I'd kissed him goodbye and tasted doubt on both our tongues.
I stared at his message for thirty seconds.
Luca:Busy day. See you at practice.
Professional. Distant. Safe.
I hated myself for it.
The meeting with Mark happened in his downtown office—all glass walls, steel beams, and expensive leather chairs. He spread the contract across his desk.
"They're offering top-five captain money," he said. "Five years. Full no-movement clause. This is what we have been building toward."
I scanned the numbers. They were good. Better than good.
"What's the catch?"
"No catch." Mark leaned back, fingers steepled. "They love you, Luca. You're exactly what this franchise needs. Steady. Reliable. No scandals, no controversies. You keep your private life private and your public image clean." His eyes met mine with meaning I felt in my bones. "That is worth a lot in today’s market."
Keep your private life private.
"What if something came out?" The question escaped before I could stop it. "Hypothetically."
Mark’s expression sharpened. "What kind of something?"
"I don't know. Anything that might be considered controversial."
"Luca." He said my name like a warning. "Is there something I need to know about?"
Yes. I am in love with my rookie and it's tearing me apart.
"No," I said. "Just asking."
"Good. Because if there were something—anything that could damage your image or distract from your leadership—now would be the time to handle it." He tapped the contract. "Before we sign. Before it becomes a problem."
Handle it.Like Theo was a problem that needed solving. Like what we had was a mess to be cleaned up.
