Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-Two
Vanessa POV
The words landed like stones over our head and I blinked rapidly hoping that if I didn't say a word we could all forget the awkwardness we were currently swimming in.
Bean laughed nervously, looking between us with growing confusion.
"Marco, what are you talking about? They're dating. Of course they're together—"
"I'm just making an observation," Marco interrupted, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Just seems like every time I look, there you are. Together, even you and I aren't that attached, it feels like we're doing this love thing wrong” He mumbled as took a step closer, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"Tell me, Vanessa, does he ever let you out of his sight? Or are you just that eager to stay attached?"
"Marco," Danny's voice dropped to a warning tone.
"Back off."
"Back off?" Marco laughed, but there was no humor in it.
"I'm just asking a question at my own birthday party. That's allowed, isn't it? Or is that against team rules now too, Captain?"
"You're drunk," Danny said flatly.
"And you're being an asshole to your girlfriend and your teammates. Maybe you should take a break."
Bean was looking between them now, her happy glow fading into concern and confusion.
"Marco, what's going on? Why are you being like this?"
"Like what?" Marco asked, finally tearing his gaze away from me to look at his girlfriend.
"I'm fine. I'm having a great time at this surprise party you threw for me without asking if I actually wanted a party."
Bean flinched like he'd slapped her.
"I... I thought you'd like it. I thought it would make you happy."
"Marco, please," Bean's voice was small, almost breaking.
"Can we just talk about this somewhere private?"
"Why?" Marco hissed.
"So you can tell me how great this party is? How much you did for me? How I should be grateful?" He laughed again, that same hollow sound.
"I didn't ask for any of this, Bean. I didn't ask for the party, I didn't ask for the cake, I didn't ask for any of it."
Tears were forming in Bean's eyes now, and seeing my best friend hurt made anger flare hot in my chest.
"Don't talk to her like that," I said, my voice shaking but firm.
"She spent weeks planning this for you, the least you can do is show some appreciation instead of being a complete jerk." Marco's attention snapped back to me, and the look in his eyes made me regret speaking.
"There she is," he said softly, almost to himself.
"Always defending everyone like a super hero, you know what forget it," he said, his voice flat.
"I need some air."
But before he could make to move someone clasped his shoulder
"Marco! Happy birthday, man!"
It was one of the guys I didn't recognize, a players from the team,
"Twenty-two! You're practically ancient now, dude!"
More people pressed in, a whole wave of teammates and friends eager to wish Marco a happy birthday, to clap him on the back, to thrust drinks into his hands.
The tense moment grew even tenser as Marco's attention pulled away from us and the throng of well-wishers. He turned and pushed through the crowd toward the back door,
"I should—" Bean started, moving to follow him and I caught her arm.
"Bean, wait. Let him cool off first."
"But he's upset," she said, tears streaming down her face now.
"I upset him. I shouldn't have thrown the party without asking—"
"This isn't your fault," I said firmly.
"You did something nice for him. His reaction is on him, not you."
But Bean wasn't listening. She pulled away from me and hurried after Marco, disappearing through the same door he'd gone through.
"Come on," Danny said quietly, his hand tightening around mine.
"Let's get out of here."
He didn't have to ask twice.
We pushed through the crowd, Danny leading the way as we navigated past dancing bodies, spilled drinks and people laughing too loud.
The noise was overwhelming and my head was starting to hurt.
Danny found a corner near the back hallway, partially hidden by a large potted plant it was quieter here, the noise slightly muffled by distance and the bodies between us and the main chaos.
I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment and just breathing. In through my nose, out through my mouth, the way my therapist had taught me years ago when the panic attacks first started.
"Hey," Danny said softly, his hand coming up to cup my cheek.
"You okay?"
I opened my eyes to find him watching me with concern, his blue eyes searching my face for signs of distress.
"Yeah," I said, and was surprised to find I mostly meant it.
"Just needed a minute. It was getting a bit much out there."
"Tell me about it," Danny muttered, glancing back toward the party.
"I swear, I don't know what's wrong with Marco—" he trailed off and I shrugged
“He's stressed out and with everyone coming to him tonight it must be exhausting” I said and Danny scoffed
“You're more understanding than I am”
“ I'm sure I'm not but he's your friend so–” I broke off and Danny hummed.
We remained silent for a long while and Danny shifted in his seat.
"So," Danny said, his thumb tracing small circles on my cheekbone.
"About what we were talking about upstairs. Before Dylan interrupted."
My stomach flipped.
Right.
That conversation.
I'd been about to tell him that yes, I thought I could believe he wasn't like my father and maybe I was ready to take a real chance on this.
"Danny—" I started
"Danny! Yo, Cap!" A voice cut through our moment like a knife, loud and slightly slurred.
"Get your ass over here! We're doing birthday shots for Marco! You gotta participate, man, team bonding and shit!"
I looked over Danny's shoulder to see Ethan stumbling toward us, holding what appeared to be several shot glasses precariously balanced in his hands.
"Ethan, I'm kind of busy—" Danny started, frustration clear in his voice.
"Nope, no excuses," Ethan interrupted, somehow managing not to drop any of the shots despite being clearly drunk.
"Captain's gotta be there. It's like, a rule or something. Team unity. Celebrating our boy Marco turning the big two-two." He squinted at me.
"Your girlfriend can come too if she wants. The more the merrier!"
"I don't think—" I began.
"Seriously, Cap," Ethan said, his expression turning surprisingly serious despite the alcohol.
"The guys are asking for you. Marco left and the vibes are weird now"
Danny's jaw tightened, and I could see the internal debate playing out on his face. He wanted to stay here with me, wanted to finish our conversation. But he was also the team captain, and his teammates needed him.
"Go," I said softly, making the decision for him.
Danny's eyes snapped back to mine.
"What?"
"Go do shots with your team," I said, even though part of me wanted to be selfish and keep him here.
"They need their captain. And Marco's your teammate, even if he's being weird. You should be there for the birthday thing."
"But we were talking—"
"We can talk later," I interrupted gently.
"This is important. Your team is important. Go."
Danny looked torn, his hand still on my face, his body angled toward me like he couldn't quite make himself leave.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm sure," I said, even though I wasn't. Even though I wanted nothing more than to pull him back into our bubble and finish what we'd started upstairs.
"Go be their captain. I'll be fine."
"I'll come find you right after," Danny promised.
"Ten minutes, max. And then we finish this conversation. Deal?"
"Deal," I agreed, it didn't matter if I couldn't tell him now, I had made up my mind so I could wait.
Danny leaned in and kissed my forehead, tenderly it made my eyes sting. Then he let Ethan pull him back toward the main party, throwing one last look over his shoulder at me before disappearing into the crowd.
And I was alone.