Saving Us by Wendy Million

Chapter Twenty-Six

Tonight was the night of the final game of the regular season. If they won, they’d make the playoffs, and Sebastian would have to cut his time in Bermuda short. He hadn’t been upset, but he was always giving up something for the sake of the game.

Everything on campus was winding down for the holidays, but Annika was wound up.

“Should I go or not?” She paced around her room.

I’d avoided giving a direct answer for more than an hour while she’d gotten ready as if she was going and then changed her mind. Over and over.

“It’s up to you,” I said. “I don’t care where we sit, but I promised Sebastian I’d be there.”

She released her breath in a big gust. “I’m going.” Determination was in her voice. “Screw it. I want to see the game. If we sit away from our regular spot, he won’t realize where we are.”

I’d told Sebastian I’d text him my seat number, so he could look for me. There was a chance Johnny would find out, but I didn’t want to tell her that. I didn’t want to consider the possibility. He’d stayed away so far, and I hoped he’d stay gone.

Sebastian, on the other hand, was turning out to be an impressive boyfriend. Scrolling privileges on his phone were now a thing. Since he had a new phone, there wasn’t much on it. For the last two weeks, he hadn’t given me a single reason to worry.

“We can sit wherever you want.” Another text from Sebastian rolled in.

“What are you two doing after the game?” Annika applied a third coat of mascara.

“Sebastian wants to come here.” The rest of the players were going to Gabby’s bar, but we’d been avoiding public places. Our relationship was still so new, and I wasn’t ready to test it quite so publicly.

“Oh.” She paused in her makeup application. “Should I go somewhere else? I’m always around when you two are hanging out—the worst third wheel.”

“No.” I perched on her bed. “You know it’s not like that.”

She laughed. “You’re right. But I still can’t believe you talked him into no sex before marriage.”

I grabbed a throw pillow and chucked it at her. “Oh, my God. That is not our agreement! I just…” I pursed my lips. “I need to be sure that he’s sure about this relationship thing.”

“Well, your level of certainty could change at any moment with the way he’s been acting. Any moment he’ll do or say something super sweet and, BAM, I’m listening to you two get it on.”

“You’re ridiculous.” But I couldn’t help grinning. She wasn’t wrong. Being a third wheel wasn’t fun, though. “You’re always welcome here. I don’t ever want you to feel as though you can’t be in your own house because of some guy.”

“Some guy?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I like him. But he’s not more important than our friendship. He just isn’t.”

She dragged me off the bed into a hug. “How was I ever mad at you? You’re the best.”

I laughed and squeezed her. “You should remember that. I’m probably always going to give unsolicited advice and opinions. I was raised by a cop.”

“Are you looking forward to seeing your dad over the holidays?” Annika leaned against her dresser. She was smart, funny, and freaking gorgeous. Johnny was a fool.

“Ah,” I said. “Yes?”

“You haven’t told him about Sebastian, have you?”

“I haven’t actually told him Clay and I broke up.” I covered my face with my hands. “He liked Clay.”

“What?” Annika exclaimed, bugging her eyes out. “Nat!”

“I know, I know. But for the longest time, a part of me wondered if Clay and I would get back together.” I didn’t meet her gaze. “I wasn’t exactly expecting Sebastian.”

“You never told me that.” Annika frowned. “I thought you broke up with him because you couldn’t see yourself marrying him, not that you wanted a break from him.”

“He was too much too soon. I hoped he might cool off. At some point maybe we’d be in the same headspace.”

Annika gave me a side-eyed glance. “Sure.” She picked up her mascara tube and tapped it in her hand. “So, what about Sebastian?”

I flopped on her bed, arms out. “I’ve never experienced this gut-deep, soul-deep longing for someone, ever. That’s the horrible, terrible truth.”

Annika laughed and sat on her bed with her legs crossed. “Why is that horrible and terrible?”

“We’re young. He might go to the NFL. One of us could so easily screw this up. I’m already in so deep. How far down can I go?”

She gave me a dark look. “Pretty far, Nat, pretty far.”

“Shit.” I sat up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up.”

She held up her hand. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” She stood. “We should get going or we’ll have no chance to even get a seat.”

We walked to the stadium instead of taking Annika’s car. She said the fresh air would help to clear her head. I kept glancing at her as we walked, expecting her to break down or turn around and go home. We’d been so good about avoiding Johnny. Going to the game was playing with fire. Sebastian had warned me Johnny wanted her back. At what point would that no longer be true?

Once we took our seats, in a different section and higher than normal, I texted Sebastian the section and row. When they came running onto the field, he scanned the rows and sections, lasering in on me. I grinned but didn’t wave. When I turned to Annika, her expression was stunned. Down on the field, Johnny was staring at her the same way Sebastian had stared at me. After the game, Sebastian and I were going to have a chat about not throwing my friend under the Johnny bus.

I touched Annika’s arm, and she turned startled eyes to me. “How’d he see me so quickly? There are thousands of people here.”

The text I sent Sebastian was on my home screen, and I showed it to her. “I’m guessing he asked Sebastian where I was sitting or outright asked where you were sitting.” I shook my head. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’ll talk to Sebastian.”

“No, no.” Annika’s attention was glued to Johnny on the field. “It’s okay. It’s fine.”

If I heard the word “fine” from her one more time, I might scream. A mix of worry and panic stirred in my stomach. Their eye contact had been electric, crackling across the distance. Once I’d seen them together, I never doubted their connection, only Johnny’s ability to be a decent human being.

“You’re going home after the game, right?” I tried to focus on the action on the field.

She hesitated. “I might go see Kristy or one of the other girls.”

I sighed. Sebastian and I would be at Gabby’s bar after all. Annika wasn’t headed to Kristy’s after the game. The lure of Johnny was too great.

* * *

We were outside the locker rooms at an exit no one ever used, waiting for Sebastian to emerge. Sebastian had started coming this way to avoid the fans and groupies so I’d feel better. This route also removed any temptation for him. He was a very affectionate person, and the no-touching rule was hard for him.

He and Johnny came out shoulder to shoulder. I scanned Sebastian’s face first, trying to figure out if he’d engineered this meeting or Johnny had. Sebastian caught my eye and gave a little shrug. I sighed. Johnny had weaseled his way into following Sebastian out.

Annika hung behind me. “Hey, Sebastian,” Annika greeted him. “Good game. Sorry you’ll have to cut your holidays at home short.”

Sebastian grinned, looping an arm around my waist. “I wish my girl was going to be around since I’m stuck here.” He tucked me tight against his side.

His freshly showered scent was one of my favorites. Who was I kidding? He smelled incredible to me all the time.

“Hey, Anni. How are you?” Johnny asked when she didn’t acknowledge him.

She shot a quick glance in his direction and then gave me and Sebastian her full attention. “Are you guys going out?” she asked.

“Most of us are going to Gabby’s bar.” Johnny took a tentative step toward her. “Are you coming?”

When she met his gaze, she was a goner. Love and longing coated her face. I couldn’t imagine Johnny didn’t see, didn’t realize he could lure her to return.

“I’ve missed you, Anni. Nothing’s as good without you,” he said.

“Don’t.” She held up her covered hand. “Just don’t, okay? I don’t want to hear you lying to me.”

Sebastian started to lead me away, but I dug in my heels. “Annika?” I needed to be sure she wanted to be left with him. She could choose whatever she wanted, but I wouldn’t abandon her.

Her dark, helpless eyes met mine. “Give us a sec.”

I let Sebastian lead me away. A small crowd gathered to greet both guys. Our secret exit was no longer a secret. If Johnny had arranged this too, he would end up neutered.

“We’re going to your place?” Sebastian moved into my direct line of sight so I couldn’t stare at Johnny and Annika talking.

“I don’t like that.” With my lips pursed, I gestured to them.

“I get it. But Annika is a grown-ass woman, and if she wants to take him back, that’s up to her.”

“How’d he find out where she was sitting?” I narrowed my eyes.

Sebastian sighed. “He asked me where you were sitting.”

“And you didn’t wonder why he’d ask? He hates me. Why would he care where I was sitting?”

Sebastian shrugged and stared into the distance. “We were getting ready. Your text rolled in. He asked. I answered. I didn’t think anything. I just answered.”

Maybe it was that simple.

“If Annika decides to go to the bar, we’re going. Okay?” I rubbed his arms, thinking about the things I’d rather be doing with him at my place.

He leaned down, gathering me to him, his lips skimming the place on my neck that made my knees collapse with desire.

“You’re playing dirty,” I breathed.

“That’s the only way I like to play,” he murmured, tightening his hold.

“Yo, Casanova!” Troy called. “You coming out tonight or what?” He made a whooshing noise and pretended to crack a whip.

“Whatever, bruh.” Sebastian peered at Troy over his shoulder. “We’re going to your girlfriend’s bar so you can slump into a barstool all night.” He made the same noise and motion to Troy.

Troy laughed good-naturedly. “Yeah, yeah. You coming or not?”

Sebastian turned to me with the question unspoken. Johnny and Annika were deep in conversation. With a sigh, I said, “Yeah, we’re coming.”