Relief shook me. “Oh dear.” I sounded a little too breathless. Clearing my throat, I said, “I hope she wasn’t too put out.”
“Oh, I think I’m definitely on her shitlist. Fourth year is hard enough … my mother is being so selfish doing stuff like this. I’m honestly considering not going home for Christmas.”
“Really?”
He sighed heavily. “I say it, but I don’t mean it. I can’t leave Juno to them.”
“Well, you and Juno are welcome at my house over Christmas if you find you need to escape.”
Sebastian cut me a tender smile. “Thanks, Sawyer.” He nudged me with his elbow. “How’s your family doing? How’s Beth and Mr. Keen?”
I laughed. Unfortunately, there hadn’t been a chance to introduce Sebastian to his football hero yet. “I think they’re doing well. She seems really happy. The rest of my family are the same. Busy. I haven’t seen them in a while because of school. At least I get to catch moments with Mum at the library.”
We chatted more about our family and then suddenly we were on York Place, entering the club. Sebastian insisted on buying my drink and Zac did a valiant job of securing a table for all of us. It was at the back, but I was thankful because the very thought of being picked on by a comedian made my insides shrivel up. Coats and scarves off, we settled around the table. I was at the edge with Sebastian on my other side.
I scanned the crowded club, people-watching as I often did. That’s how I found him.
Standing at the bar, sipping on a pint. There was a petite brunette with him.
“Lily? You all right?” Sebastian asked in my ear.
But I was frozen.
My gut twisted and my chest tightened as the good-looking, dark-haired bloke I couldn’t take my eyes off suddenly caught me staring.
Recognition lit his face. Then the psychopath raised his pint to me with a hard smirk curling the corners of his mouth.
I looked away from him, staring stonily ahead, suddenly lost in memories I’d rather cast out into Dumbledore’s pensieve than have festering inside me.
“Lily.” Sebastian curled his hand around my wrist, and I reluctantly looked at him.
He sucked in a breath at whatever he saw on my face. He peered past me to the bar. “Who is that bloke?”
I shook my head, tone brittle. “No one.”
His eyes flared but thankfully, the house lights went down as the comedians took the stage.
I couldn’t concentrate on their sketch. I was wholly aware of the man at the bar, and I didn’t want to look at him, but I needed to be alert in case he approached me. Needed my armor up.
Staring in stony silence, I heard my friends laugh all around me.
Except Sebastian.
I sensed his tension at my side.
However, I could do nothing to snap myself out of my panicked stupor.
I wanted to leave.
Yet I knew that would give the bastard satisfaction of knowing how much he still affected me.
Instead, I stayed put out of stubbornness, but I was so bloody thankful when the house lights went back up again.
“Let’s go grab another drink somewhere else.” Harry bumped Sierra playfully as we stood outside the comedy club.
She nodded. “Sure, I’m up for it.”
“We’re going to head back,” Maddie said, leaning into Shaun.
