Chapter Twenty-Six - Thalia
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Thalia
BASH ENDED UP agreeing to the press conference three weeks later. However, looking at him on the screen as he takes a seat at the table, he looks relaxed as if this is something he does all the time. The conversation we had a few minutes ago was a different story.
He was a nervous wreck, and I wish I could be there to support him, but I haven’t seen him since he dropped me off at my house after our beach trip. We’ve had a few late night phone calls to check in, but we’re trying to take it slow.
Sebastian was adamant about not doing the press conference at all, but more pictures of our beach day were leaked. He didn’t really have a choice when the rumors all spiraled out of control. The Panther’s front office finally made the call to schedule the press conference before the team is due for training camp in a few days. Once that happened, Bash didn’t have a choice.
The front door swings open, catching Zeus’s attention, and he trots to greet Blake at the door .
“Did I miss it?” she asks me and Penelope, but I shake my head. Owen went with Bash to the stadium for emotional support.
“About to start,” I answer as Penelope grins.
“By the way, you owe me five dollars,” Penelope says to Blake, who groans as she flops on the couch next to me.
“Damnit, Owen’s sleeping on the couch tonight. He was supposed to steal his phone.”
What the hell are they talking about? “You guys had a bet?” I ask, trying to follow along.
“Oh yeah. Blake bet that Bash wouldn’t call you before this, and I absolutely knew he would.”
I blink at them in surprise. “I’m sorry, you made a bet about whether Bash would call me?”
“Well yeah. Easy money.” Penelope laughs, and I stick my tongue out at her, but honestly, I would have done the same thing if I were them.
Bash clears his throat in front of the microphones, immediately drawing all of our attention to the screen.
“Hi, everyone, thank you for coming today. Before taking any questions, I’d like to start by offering an apology to the Panthers organization and my teammates as my personal life has been overshadowing what is supposed to be an exciting time before a new season. Playing football is everything to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to clear the air regarding the controversy surrounding my engagement to Kiera Davis that ended last month.”
Honestly, I’m impressed by how poised he’s staying. I know Bash doesn’t have a choice, but it seems like he’s simply talking about what’s for dinner .
We can hear the reporters all start to clamor with questions until Sebastian points to one who immediately jumps at the chance. “Why did the engagement end?”
“The engagement ended because ultimately we weren’t right for each other. I believe we will be happier without being in each other’s lives romantically, and I wish Kiera all the best.”
I have to give him credit, he is a lot nicer than I would be if I were him. Penelope shakes her head, clearly thinking the same thing. “He could have easily thrown her under the bus. Why didn’t Sebastian just do that?”
Because he’s a good man.
The next question is fired at him before anyone can answer Penelope’s. “Are the rumors that you left her for a different woman true?”
Sebastian maintains his composure, but his jaw tightens momentarily. “I left Kiera because I was unhappy. I did it for myself, not for anyone else.” He’s keeping his answers as vague as possible—which is exactly what he wants—but it’s clear the crowd of reporters is growing restless without any actual knowledge of why the engagement ended.
“What about Thalia Lewis? Isn’t she your teammate’s sister who you dated a few years ago?”
“Yes. Thalia and I were in a relationship that ended four years ago. Her brother, Owen, is my best friend and teammate. We all grew up together,” Sebastian says evenly, but we knew this part was unavoidable. I’ve had people camped outside my gallery waiting to see if they’ll have better luck getting answers out of me.
“Are you saying you didn’t leave your ex-fiancée for an ex-girlfriend you were seen with at the beach weeks after your engagement ended? ”
He delays by grabbing the glass of water in front of him. Good, don’t lose your temper. “That is exactly what I’m saying. There’s no truth to the rumors. It was two old friends catching up to get away from everything going on.” That’s how it started. This line of questions makes me nervous. He shouldn’t have to defend our trip. The last thing Sebastian needs is a reporter pushing him too far and him snapping.
I should be there.
“Are you saying you and Thalia Lewis are just friends?”
“Is that why you donated one hundred thousand dollars to a charity she actively supports prior to your engagement ending?”
“Did she ask you for the money?”
The questions come faster than Sebastian can answer, but I can tell his frustration is increasing. Sebastian rests his elbows on the table, clasping his hands together as he attempts to smile. “Lia played no role in the end of my engagement. I chose to donate to a cause that needed help, and not once in all the years I’ve known her, has she asked me for money. Until now, that donation was anonymous, even to her.” My worry for his sake is overpowering my shock at the information, and I ignore the looks Penelope and Blake are giving me to keep my eyes glued to Sebastian. C’mon, Bash, just keep it together a little bit longer. “I don’t know how many different creative ways you guys can ask why my engagement ended. The answer doesn’t change.”
The clamor grows louder in the background as everyone tries to ask questions at once, and Sebastian starts to grow more agitated. I can’t take my eyes off the screen as it all plays out.
“The truth is that I am in love with Thalia. We are not together because I want to focus on my career, as does she. Not at any point during my relationship with Kiera did I cheat on her with someone else, nor did I leave her because of another woman. Kiera and I are no longer together due to personal reasons that will remain personal. Who I am with romantically has no impact on my ability to play football, and should not distract from the hard work everyone in this organization has put in to get ready for the upcoming season. Now, I hope that you can respect this is my life, and offer me and my loved ones some privacy. Thank you for your time.” He stands up abruptly from the table and exits the camera frame.
I rub my temples and Blake shakes her head. “All he had to do was keep his cool.”
“Can you blame him? This whole thing is fucking ridiculous.” Penelope snorts, and I’m a little surprised she’s defending Bash. I’ve never quite understood how she feels about Sebastian. It seems to go back and forth all the time between liking him and being unable to stand him. I guess I’m the same way, though.
My phone starts to vibrate with a call from Bash, and I stand up immediately. “I’ll be back in a minute, guys.”
“Tell him I said good job!” Penelope calls at the same time Blake’s phone starts to ring. I have no doubt Owen is on the other end.
I step out onto the patio, leaning over the railing as Zeus follows behind me. “Hey—” I greet cautiously, but I’m immediately cut off.
“That was a fucking disaster,” he says bluntly. I can’t really disagree with him because he’s not wrong.
“You did fine the first few questions?”
Sebastian chuckles on the other end. “I only answered seven questions. ”
“That’s seven more than you answered an hour ago. Small victories, Bash,” I remind him.
“I guess. I think the victory here is I didn’t tell anyone fuck you like I wanted to.” He hesitates, exhaling softly. “Are you mad about the whole charity thing?”
“How could I be mad at you for that? I’ll admit I’m a little confused why you didn’t say anything, but it’s your money. I’m proud of you for not telling anyone fuck you.” He very easily could have. I want to ask why he protected Kiera, but it’s not something I need to know the answer to because I already know. That’s something Sebastian would never do. “I probably would have, so it’s a good thing you were the one doing the press conference instead of me.”
Bash falls silent long enough that I check to see if he hung up. I don’t push him to speak because I don’t know what’s going through his head right now. I’ll never have any idea what it feels like to be in his position.
“I miss you,” he says quietly.
My heart squeezes in my chest because I miss him. God, I really fucking miss him. It’s almost more torturous knowing he’s within reach than it was knowing he was with someone else. “Soon,” I promise, the word almost catching in my throat.
“Soon,” Sebastian agrees before groaning loudly. “What, Owen?”
I can vaguely hear my brother’s response, but I know that Bash can’t stay on the phone with me.
“I’ll just talk to you later, it’s okay.”
He grumbles before saying something that melts my heart with the promise of what’s to come. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I hang up before either of us can protest. I’m sure he has plenty of things to deal with right now. He asked for privacy, but I’m sure now more than ever, he’ll have none.
I call Zeus to follow me as I step back inside where Blake and Penelope are debating the best vacation spot. Apparently, they’re stuck between the Virgin Islands and Greece.
“You guys are both wrong.” I snort, plopping back down on the couch.
“Excuse me, but the Virgin Islands are beautiful.” Blake looks at me skeptically.
“And Greece is Greece !” Penelope exclaims excitedly throwing her hands in the air.
“Yes, I’m aware of how you wish to live out a Mamma Mia fantasy, or whatever in Greece. Do I need to remind you that you’re currently seeing someone else we still don’t know?” I ask, motioning between me and Blake.
The smile on Pen’s face droops slightly, and alarms go off in my head immediately. “We’re not seeing each other anymore,” she answers, shrugging as she tries to play off nonchalance. How did I miss this?
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, trying not to let my guilt get in the way of missing that my best friend stopped seeing the guy she was with without me noticing.
“There’s been a lot going on; there was just never a good time to mention it. It happened while I was in France so you didn’t miss much. Coward did it over text. I deserve better and I know that,” she says, dragging a hand through her dark hair.
Blake smiles at her proudly. “I’m glad you know your worth. Any guy would be lucky to have you, but not every guy deserves you. ”
Penelope is smiling despite everything else. “I just haven’t met my person yet, and that’s okay.”
“All the more reason for us to go out tonight. I’m an excellent wingwoman, and I’m still single for the time being.” I wink at her playfully, and I’m rewarded with both of my friends’ laughter.
“Yeah, you’re totally single.” Penelope snorts sarcastically, grabbing the television remote. “Let’s rewind the interview to find where Sebastian told everyone he’s in love with you.”
“Pen has a very good point,” Blake adds.
Honestly, I’m not really sure what I am with Sebastian other than endgame.