Soft sounds of movement filter through the house from Lola’s bedroom, and I know time is running out before she emerges in all her unfiltered, chaotic glory. “You’re crazy. This is crazy.”
Sebastian shrugs. “I think this is the sanest thing I’ve ever done.”
“You’re impossible. But fine. Yes, we’ll go to as many of your games as you want us to.”
“I’ll have the ladies get you hooked up with some WAG gear. They always wear matching jackets for the playoffs.” He gives a soft tug to my hair.
“I’m not a wife or girlfriend.”
His smile grows. “Yet. I’m sure they can hook Lola up too. Get her some best friend gear.”
A whole swarm of butterflies takes flight in my stomach, but I try not to let myself get carried away. Yes, he’s saying all the right things, but that doesn’t mean this will work out the way I want it to. Life is messy. We could go on our date this week and find out we don’t actually have anything in common anymore. That last night was a fluke or nostalgia.
“I hate that we’re leaving tomorrow. I just got you back, and now I’m leaving for three days.” He brushes his knuckles along my cheekbone. “Can I call you? FaceTime you?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Make sure you’re somewhere private so we can talk after each game.” He sighs. “I’m going to miss you.”
Pushing him back a step, I wrap my hand around the doorknob and shake my head. “This is crazy.”
“No, sweetheart. This is a long time coming.” He takes another step back and lets me open the door. Before he steps through, he reaches out and cups the back of my head, pulling me in for a kiss that curls my toes. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay,” I say dumbly. Then I watch the whole time the smirking man walks down the sidewalk toward the rideshare he ordered. I blush when he winks at me before shutting the door, and then I watch the car until it turns right and drives out of sight.
“Well, that was fucking cute.” Lola flings herself down on the couch, and I screech, clutching my heart as I turn around.
“Jesus. Wear a bell next time. You scared the hell out of me.”
“Not my fault you were off in la-la land.” My best friend smirks at me, and I resign myself to what’s about to happen.
“How much of that did you hear?”
“I was lurking in the hall, so like, all of it?”
Of course she did. “I need coffee for this conversation.”
Lola laughs as I shuffle into the kitchen and get a pot of coffee started. I’m glad she’s entertained, because this is going to be painful for me. She’s going to be completely insufferable. “We can talk while it brews.”
“Nope.”
Her tinkling laughter fills the house, and I smile despite myself. What would I do without my best friend? I can tell you what Iwouldn’tbe doing right now. I wouldn’t be about to tell her how Bash asked me out on a date or made me come from grinding against his lap.
“Here,” I say, handing her a cup of coffee a few minutes later. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“Regret what?” Her lips twitch.
“Telling you what I’m about to tell you.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because annoying me brings you joy.”
She cocks her head to the side and considers for a moment before nodding. “That’s true.”
“Ugh.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I try to prepare myself emotionally for this conversation. Taking one last deep, fortifying breath, I close my eyes. “He didn’t kiss that girl the summer after senior year. She kissed him.” I pause, silent, waiting for Lola to say something. When she doesn’t, I open one eye. “Did you hear me?”
“Oh, I heard you. I’m just trying to keep my mouth shut before I say something really unhelpful.” Her lips twitch.