Page 110
“Next time maybe we can invite them?” I suggest.
“Yes! That would be great. I know Goldie really likes you and they’ve had fun on our triple dates so far.”
“Those weren’t dates,” I remind her.
She just sips her margarita instead of responding, and I take a sip of my drink too. It’s so good: a mixture of lemonade and strawberries, I think. It’s refreshing and fun.
“Hey, so I know we don’t know each other super well yet…” she starts, and I feel my stomach drop. Oh no. No good conversation ever starts this way.
“I know Sebastian and you have a great relationship, and I don’t want to get involved, but I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that Sebastian still feels guilty about everything.”
“What?” I ask dumbly. I am so confused.
“He feels like he’s failed you as a brother.” She pauses for a second, and I hang on to every word, patiently waiting for her to continue. “That he didn’t protect you the way he should have.”
“Annie, I was seventeen. I thought I knew everything then and nobody could convince me otherwise. You know how stubborn teenage girls are.”
“I do. But can you just talk to him, please? I think that would really help him feel better.”
“Sure,” I easily agree. I know more than anyone how unresolved issues can fester.
* * *
A few days later, Sebastian knocks on my office door with a stack of papers. “These are yours,” he says as he drops the stack in the middle of my desk.
“Gee, thanks,” I tease.
“Anything for you,” he retorts.
One of the best things about the off-season again is that I see Sebastian more often. My hours are also better because Sebastian steps up more, reducing the weight I carry. Speaking of which…I guess now is as good a time as any. It’s the end of the day, and Sebastian and I are the only two left in the office, so I don’t have to worry about my voice as much.
“Hey, do you have a second?” I gulp and motion for him to take a seat across from me.
“Yeah, sure.” He plops down in the chair and leans forward.
“I just wanted to apologize to you,” I start.
He waves me off. “I don’t care that you’re dating Calvin at all. I’m so happy for you.”
Oh. I wasn’t even thinking that. I guess I probably should apologize for that, too.
I nod once. “Thank you. You surround yourself with great people in your life.”
He flashes me a massive smile. “The best.”
“I know that I haven’t always done so…” I lead in. “I hope you know that nothing in my life is your fault.”
He hangs his head down but doesn’t respond.
“It’s not. I hope you believe that because I was a dumb teenager who made dumb decisions, and I don’t hold anything against you at all.”
He lets out a breath. “I didn’t protect you, though.”
“I didn’t expect you to.”
“You didn’t expect me to? I’m your brother! I get paid millions of dollars to keep my teammates safe, but I can’t keep one of the most important people in my life unharmed?” His hands grip the corner of my desk, and his body shakes.
Crap. Annie was right to mention this because I had no idea he felt this way.
