The scarier thing?
I would have let him.
Chapter 12
Max
I’ve nearly reached the door leading to the parking lot when I spot Sebastian helping gather the last of the balls from the field. My heart pounds a tattoo into my chest, and my knees quaver. But I make myself stop and lift my hand. “Seb.”
He looks up from tightening the drawstring bag. Tossing it over his shoulder, he carries it to the pile of equipment and drops it for Jason to pick up once he’s done showering. “Heading out?” he says, grabbing his jacket and scarf.
I nod. “Walk with me?”
As we head out to the parking lot together, I think about what to say. The fact is, if the guys hadn’t entered the locker room, I probably would have kissed Kellan. He didn’t look opposed to the idea. He’s been acting flighty though, after that accidental kiss we shared the other night. Maybe Sebastian will know the best way to approach his brother.
Outside, it’s below freezing. My breath is a cold, hard diamond in my chest. It snowed yesterday, and white blankets the campus. Dead tree branches claw at the overcast sky.
Sebastian’s boyfriend waits by his car, hands in his pockets, a red scarf wrapped around his neck, looking nerdy and adorable with his rumpled appearance. He pushes his glasses up his nose and smiles shyly when he catches sight of his man.
Sebastian pulls ahead and wraps Aidan in his arms, burying his face in Aidan’s neck and inhaling deeply. Aidan’s cheeks are adorably pink and he darts continual glances in my direction. Then Sebastian plants one on him. Aidan’s muffled “mmph!” makes me smile.
“How was your day?” asks Sebastian, pushing Aidan’s disheveled locks from his eyes. He can’t seem to stop touching Aidan when he’s around. I feel like an intruder in their company, but at the same time I can’t look away. Seeing them like this warms my heart. Makes me wish I had something similar.
“Good.” Aidan’s teeth start to chatter. “Found out I got accepted into the conference I was telling you about.”
“No shit!” Laughing, Sebastian plants another one on his boyfriend, much to Aidan’s embarrassment. “We’ll have to celebrate. And by celebrate, I mean—”
“Sebastian!” His voice squeaks. “Please.”
He turns around to shoot me a devilish smirk. “Max doesn’t mind. Right, Max?”
I roll my eyes. “Do you have a minute. I wanted to talk to you about Kellan.”
Sebastian goes still. “Kellan. Right.” He clears his throat and says to Aidan, “Give us a minute, baby?”
Aidan nods and ducks into the car to escape the cold. Sebastian tightens his hood to keep out the scouring wind. I say, “I’m concerned about your brother.”
He perks up. “Oh?” Curiosity. It sounds like he knows something, but maybe I’m imagining things. Paranoia does that to you. “How so?”
“Well, his performance during practice is very poor, in case you haven’t noticed. Is he going through a hard time, do you know?”
Sebastian shrugs. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
I’m not convinced though. There’s definitely something going on. “Maybe I can ask him to hang out? I could text him—”
“Oh, you don’t want to do that.”
“Why not?”
“He changed his number.”
“Oh.” I had no idea. And why would I? We’ve never hung out in the past. I always watched him from afar. “Can I have it?”
He looks me over, squinting against the cold air. “Why do you want it?”
It takes all my willpower not to stammer. “We’ve started hanging out. He’s different. I don’t know.” I fight the urge to wipe the sweat from my brow, even though it’s freezing out. “I enjoy his company.”
“Are you sure that’s all?”
