Sebastian throws an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. "Don't worry, Livvy. I'll treat you special enough you'll stop noticing he's not here."
I look at him. "You're almost there already."
He smiles sadly. I swear I hear him say I deserve better, but Alexa has Guardians of the Galaxy—again—and I don't want to ask him to repeat what he just said. I'm afraid of the answer and the conversation that it's likely to start.
I smile at him softly. "You're the bestest ever."
He kisses the top of my head and settle in for more Chris Pratt—oh, the hardship.
three
The professor dismisses the classand I breathe out a sigh of relief. It's been a really long day. Thursdays are a full schedule day—which means I'm exhausted and also means my brain is mush from trying to absorb all the information being thrown at me.
I stuff my books into my backpack and head out the door. The weather has gone from pleasantly warm to chilly. My hoodie does very little to block out the wind. I'll need to get a heavier jacket, but for now, I'll just wear my jean jacket over the hoodie. That should stave off the cold for now.
I don't understand how the football team can be out there on the field as long as they are without freezing their asses off—extremely tight asses, I might add. Cam goes out with short sleeves while some of the others put long sleeves beneath their gear. I'm amazed he doesn't have frostbite. You'd think that'd hurt when he gets hit.
"You're daydreaming again, Three," Sebastian teases as he comes up beside me.
"Just thinking about how darn cold it is."
"This is nothing. Wait until it snows and we have below-zero temps and wind chills."
I shiver at the thought. "I'll wait."
He chuckles. "I bet. I'm not sure your southern blood can handle that much cold."
"Oh, I don't know. Some people say I already have ice running through my veins," I snark, giving him a glare.
He sighs. "I never said anything like that, Livvy."
Livvy.He's really the only one who calls me that now. Danny used to call me that. Simon used to call me that. I miss them so much right now. I know we'd likely have gone our separate ways here at college, but at least they'd get to experience life with me.
"You're gone again," he quips again.
"Sorry."
He reaches out and gently circles my arm with his hand and pulls me to a stop.
"What's going on?"
I shrug. "I guess I'm still angry—and sad—that they didn't get to experience this—with or without me."
Sebastian pulls me into an embrace.
"It's a shitty hand they were dealt, that's no lie, Livvy, but my mom always says that everything happens for a reason."
I nod against his leather jacket. Sebastian always smells like soap and some musky, sweet cologne. It's soothing.He'ssoothing as he runs his hands up and down my back.
I pull back and look at him with those gorgeous brown eyes. He's too hot for his own good. He knows it and sometimes he uses it to his advantage. He never tried that with me and I'm glad for that. I don't want to be just another one of "those" girls. I like the friendship we've got going on—well, now that he apologized for being a dick about me and Cam getting together.
"Thanks. I needed that hug," I tell him with a half smile.
"Anytime, baby. Anytime."
We start walking toward the dorms, his arm still wrapped around me and I'm thankful for the warmth.
"I need to toughen up before winter hits," I mutter.
