21. Sebastian
Sebastian
T he firehouse was quiet, the rare lull between calls where the guys either caught up on sleep or found new ways to waste time.
The familiar hum of the overhead lights and the distant sound of a radio playing from the locker room filled the space, but my focus was on the half-empty water bottle I rolled between my palms, my mind somewhere else entirely.
I was leaning against the counter in the kitchen when I heard footsteps approaching.
“Alright, Garcia,” Mateo drawled, dropping into the seat across from me with a lazy smirk. “You’ve been suspiciously quiet today. That’s not like you. Spill.”
Andres strolled in behind him, arms crossed over his chest, grinning like he already knew the answer. “I think we all know why.”
I sighed, already regretting telling these idiots anything. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Mateo snorted. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb. You’re practically wagging your tail like a damn golden retriever every time someone mentions Mariana’s name.
Andres nudged me with his elbow. “So? How’s it going? You guys official-official now? Or are you just still figuring shit out?”
I rolled my eyes, but the smile I tried to fight off still crept up. “Yeah, we’re together. It’s really good.”
Mateo raised an eyebrow. “Good? Just good? Because you look like a guy who just won the lottery, and I highly doubt it’s because of the overtime pay.”
I let out a breath, shaking my head. “Fine. It’s better than good. It’s everything, man.”
And that was the truth. I hadn’t felt this settled, this right, in years. Being with Mariana again wasn’t just some nostalgic trip down memory lane, it was something real. Something that made the world feel less heavy.
“Damn,” Andres muttered, shaking his head. “Look at him. Completely gone.”
“Tragic, really,” Mateo added, sighing dramatically. “I never thought I’d see the day when Sebastian Garcia became the poster boy for hopeless romantics.”
I shot him a look. “I will throw this water at you.”
Mateo smirked. Andres laughed, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Nah, man, it’s good. You deserve this. She’s always been it for you, huh?”
I swallowed, my chest tightening at the weight of that truth. “Yeah. She has always been.”
Before either of them could grill me further, Nathan walked in, eyeing the three of us with his usual calm, assessing gaze. “What’s going on here?”
“Oh, you know,” Mateo said, grinning. “Just watching Garcia turn into a goddamn Hallmark movie.”
Nathan’s brows lifted slightly. “Mariana, huh?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
He was silent for a beat, then exhaled slowly. “I’m happy for you, man. Really.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Cap.”
“But…” Nathan continued, his voice even and careful. “Just be smart about it.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Nathan crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. “I mean, she left before. You ever wonder if she might do it again?”
My jaw tightened. “She was eighteen. She wanted to experience college in a new city. That’s not the same as just…leaving. She came back. She bought the damn bakery. She’s building a life here.”
Nathan nodded, but his gaze didn’t waver. “She didn’t have to break up with you to do that.”
The air in the kitchen shifted, the easy banter from earlier snuffed out like a flame. Mateo cleared his throat, clearly wanting no part in this conversation.
Andres, ever the peacemaker, clapped me on the back. “Nathan’s just looking out for you, man. We all are.”
Nathan held up a hand. “I’m not saying she doesn’t love you. I’m just saying don’t let the past repeat itself. You’ve always been the all-in type, Garcia. Just make sure she’s all-in, too.”
I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair. “I trust her.”
Nathan nodded. “I trust your judgment, man. We all care about you and just want to make sure you’re being careful. Not getting too caught up too quickly.”
The tension in my chest didn’t ease, but I forced myself to nod. “Yeah. I hear you.”
Nathan clapped me on the shoulder once before heading for the door. “Good. Now, quit hogging the kitchen. Some of us actually need to eat.”
Mateo and Andres exchanged a glance, both wisely deciding not to say anything else as they followed him out, leaving me alone in the kitchen with way too many thoughts running around my head.
Laying in my bed at the firehouse, my thumb hovers over her name in my call log. I hit dial, bringing the phone up to my ear. She picked up after the second ring.
“Hey, Seba.” Her voice was warm and soft, and just like that, the tension that I’d been carrying eased. I exhaled, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Hey, hermosa. What are you doing Friday night?”
A pause. Then, a quiet, amused laugh. “Why? You asking me on a date?”
I stretched out on the cot, staring up at the ceiling. “You know it, baby.”
She hummed, and I could picture the smirk on her lips. “And what exactly do you have planned?”
I grinned. “I can’t tell you all my secrets, Mi tesoro.”
She huffed out a laugh. “Mysterious. I like it.”
I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the warmth of her voice. “So, is that a yes?”
A beat of silence, then—“Yeah, Seba. That’s a yes.”