* * *
We didn’t find anyone. Not yet, anyway.
I’m at the health camp where the team has organized for the kids to get a routine check-up. Meanwhile, a few players chat with them as they wait their turn.
Since Jodi is still trying to find somebody, I took it upon myself to do her job and shoot some clips.
By a table from the many, I find Seb and Oliver chatting up two kids as they wait in line for their turn. With my camera in hand, I head over to them. Not giving myself away, I grab a few candid shots as they laugh and cheer the kids up.
Seb and Oliver are both sitting in chairs, with the kids standing in front of them, sporting a big smile and awe in their eyes.
I look back up with a smile of my own as they give the minions a high-five when it’s their turn. Once the kids are gone, their heads swivel at me,and they give me a wave, so I walk over to them. Seeing me, they stand up.
“Hola, Lili,” Seb teases, and Oliver shakes his head at him with a chuckle.
“Hi, Kaeli,” Oliver greets.
Giving them a side hug, I say, “Hey, you guys. How’s it going?”
“Awesome!” Seb exclaims, and Oliver agrees. “These kids are the cutest. It still doesn’t feel real when they say that they’re a fan. I know the adults say that, too. But with kids, it just hits different, because you know they’re being honest when they say that, and there’s no hidden agenda.” A rueful smile grazes his lips, and my eyes soften at him.
“Yeah, man. You’re right about that,” Oliver consoles as he palms Seb’s shoulder in camaraderie.
“I get it.” That’s the most honest thing I could’ve said to him. I know I don’t have fans and all, but I do know a thing or two about people with hidden agendas. Not wanting to travel down this road, I lighten up the mood by complimenting them. “You both are so good with the kids, though. You just made their entire month at least.”
They both preen under the praise. “You talking about us, what about you?” Seb asks.
My brows furrow. “What do you mean? What did I do?” I look between the two of them, hoping to get an answer, but Oliver seems as clueless as I am as he shrugs his shoulders.
“How many people’s day have you made today?” Seb cocks an eyebrow at me with a smirk on his face.
“I still have no clue what you’re talking about.” I shake my head at him.
“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror today, Lili? You’re a smoke show,” Seb compliments with a tone that says you’re an idiot for not knowing.
My face flushes as I stammer, “Oh…Oh, okay. Thank you.” Both of them have a good laugh at my expense. Flirting is different, but I still don’t know how to accept a genuine compliment.
“Come here, Lili.” Seb tugs me under his shoulder and kisses my temple. The simple gesture makes my heart feel warm. He’s such a nice guy. And that Spanish accent only makes him more desirable. Anyone would be lucky to have him. Only if I had someone like him in my life.
Suddenly, I feel a prickle of awareness slither down my spine as the hair on my nape stands. Wondering who is staring at me, I glance around the room, only for my eyes to connect with the blue ones.
From the other corner of the room, Ezra shoots daggers at me as his hands curl into fists, looking like he wants to squeeze the life right out of me. Don’t know what I did to warrant such hatred.
Whatishis problem?I wonder.
I roll my eyes at him and go back to ignoring him for as long as I can. His jaw clenches at my action, but I don’t pay him any heed and tune back in to my conversation with Seb.
I swat his torso playfully. “Idiot,” I mutter with a shy grin on my face. “I’ll go now. Behave.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he teases me with a smirk. Seb lets me go with a kiss on my temple again. I hug him once and leave them both as I shake my head at them.
Skimming through the room, I soak in the laughter of the kids ringing around in the air. I’m so proud to be working for a team like the Bandits, which takes charge and tries to give back to the community as much as they can. And this event is just one such instance.
All the charities and fundraisers the team donates to, and so many other things I don’t even know about. They value their players and fans alike. That’s why, with the camera in hand, I take several shots for the activity, not wanting to miss out on a single important moment.
That’s how I find myself taking shots of the devil. Walking up, I stand to the side to catch the interaction between a young girl of about five or six and him.
She’s crying as I hear her say, “What if…what if I can’t see like the other kids?” This line is for an eye check-up. My heart aches, unable to see the little girl troubled.
