Chapter 13 The Spotlight
Rafe’s POV
“And now,” the announcer’s voice began smoothly across the grand hall, “we move on to one of the most anticipated awards of the night…Rookie of the Year.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, it wasn't loud or dramatic, but you could feel the attention sharpen as conversations died down and heads turned toward the stage.
But I barely noticed anything.
Across the room, my eyes are locked on Shawn without even trying as he sits at the far end of one of the tables. Dressed in a black suit that clung to his physique like a second skin.
Avery is also seated beside him, her hand resting lightly against his chest as she whispers something into his ear that makes him laugh. He smiled back at her, parting his lips to whisper something into her ears too.
But before he can finish, she leans in and presses her lips against his—enough to make everyone’s attention in the grand ballroom shift to both of them.
Something in my chest tightens before I can stop it, but I quickly look away.
“Damn,” someone beside me mutters under his breath. “Looks like the Captain’s really living the life, huh?”
I don’t respond.
My jaw tightens slightly, and I force myself to focus on anything else apart from that.
Why the hell did it even matter that much?
It shouldn’t!
“And the nominees for Rookie of the Year are—”
The announcer’s voice snaps me back to reality, pulling part of my attention toward the stage. I leaned back in my seat, my gaze still locked on Shawn as the names were called out one after another.
Players who had been here longer, who had built good reputations to prove that they actually belonged in this kind of conversation.
Not me.
My eyes drift again—back to Shawn.
Avery was much closer to him now, her fingers brushing his sleeve in a way that clearly showed she was claiming her territory. Like she belonged with him and no one else.
I force my gaze away again, slower this time, because something about it irritated me more than it should have.
“And the winner is…”
The entire grand ballroom goes silent.
I barely paid attention.
Until—
“Rafe Navarro.”
Holy fucking shit!
For a moment, I honestly thought I had misheard it. My head snaps toward the stage instantly, confusion etched across my face.
What?
“…Rafe Navarro!”
The applause rings out immediately through the room—loud, sudden, but it sounded distant, like it wasn’t even meant for me.
My name!
They just fucking called my name!
I’m still seated there for a second too long even though I should be on stage right now, trying to process it.
“Are you serious?” the guy next to me whispers, nudging my arm. “Bro…that’s your name called out there.”
Something snaps inside me immediately, and I push back from my chair and stand slowly. Everyone’s eyes are on me now, some of them clapping, nodding in approval, a few even looking impressed.
But none of it felt real.
I hadn’t expected this.
Not even close.
My gaze moves across the room, and locks with Shawn’s. He is already looking at me, that same controlled and calm expression etched all over his face.
But there was something underneath his gaze, something dark that flickers just for a second before disappearing behind that mask.
I do not have the time to process whatever that was, I exhale slowly and make my way towards the stage, the sound of applause echoing behind me with every step.
“Congratulations.” The presenter shakes my hand with a smile the instant I’m on the stage, handing me the award.
“Thanks,” I reply, trying to force my voice steady even though my entire body is still in shock. I turn to face the microphone, and the entire room is watching.
“I…I really didn’t expect this,” I begin softly, earning a few quiet laughs from the crowd. “But I’ll take it.”
The laughter ripples loudly.
“I know I’ve still got a lot to prove,” I continue, looking down at the award in my hand. “So this award doesn’t change that.”
My eyes flicker briefly across the room— just for a second to Shawn, then I force them away again.
“But I’m not done yet.”
Without wasting any more time to give long, boring speeches, I step back and walk off the stage. The sound of applause is still rising behind me, but this time…it feels different.
A few hours after the award ceremony, I find myself at the after-party. It was a completely different atmosphere—louder, filled with music and laughter as if the pressure of the season had finally turned into something lighter.
Players moved freely with glasses of champagne in their hands, celebrating as if nothing else mattered. But I wasn’t having any part of it.
I stood near the edge of the room, the award sitting untouched on a nearby table while I held a glass of champagne I hadn’t even tasted. My attention kept drifting, back and forth to Shawn.
He was standing across the room with Avery still by his side, smiling like she had nothing to worry about…and that’s when I saw it.
The subtle tension in his jaw when someone mentioned my name beside him, the way his eyes flicked toward me and then away just a little too quickly. Then he forces himself to relax again.
It was small.
Almost invisible.
But I see it clearly.
Before my brain could think twice, my legs began to move without thinking and started walking. By the time I reach Shawn, Avery is whispering something in his ears that I didn’t really give a fuck about.
“Can I borrow him for a second?” I cut in before she can finish. Shawn’s eyes snapped to mine instantly, that same tension flaring again, “Won’t take long.”
For a moment, she does not say a word. Her eyes flicker between us, then back to Shawn again.
“Okay… I guess.”
I don’t wait for Shawn to accept or refuse, and I turn, already headed towards the balcony doors.
The cool night air hits my face instantly as I step outside, the noise from inside fading into a dull background hum. I lean against the railing, waiting for Shawn a minute longer than I should have. Then—
“What the fuck do you want from me, Navarro?” His voice cuts through the balcony as the door shuts behind him.
“You’re gonna stand there and pretend?”
His brows pulled together slightly, clearly ignorant of whatever I was saying…or maybe pretending to be.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, can you just get to the damn point?”
“The point is,” I snap back, stepping close until there is no space left between us. “You’re not happy that I won tonight.”
Shawn’s expression hardens instantly. “You’ve got to be shitting me right now. This is the reason you called me out here? For this?!”
“Yeah.”
A bitter laughter tears out of him, but it sounds forced, like he is really trying to hold himself together. “Congratulations on your win tonight, Navarro. Are you happy now?”
“That’s it?” I asked.
“What else do you fucking want from me? He snaps back coldly, “You think everything is about you, isn’t you?”
“Na… I just know you’re pissed because I won tonight.” I reply.
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I said I’m not!”
My eyes are locked onto his now, close enough that I can see everything he isn’t saying. “Why don’t you just admit that you don’t like it,” I say quietly. “That I’m better than you.”
That’s not what this is.”
“Then what is it?”
Shawn doesn’t answer, nor does he deny it. Instead, a slow smirk curves at the corner of his lips.
“Don’t push this to be something it’s not, Navarro,” he warns.
“Why? Afraid of what will happen if I do?” I lean in slightly, my voice dropping low just for only for his hearing.