Chapter Thirty - Thalia
ERIC’S GIRLFRIEND, NATALIE, is the teacher’s assistant for one of my photography classes this semester. It’s weird because we’re friends, but we agreed when I got back that it meant no favoritism. She works with the school newspaper and is one of the sweetest humans I know. Natalie and Eric are perfect together. I wonder what that must feel like. Sebastian and I could not be more wrong for each other.
“Hey, Lia! Wait a second,” she calls out right before I leave the classroom with my friend.
“I’ll meet up with you later,” I tell Taylor as she leaves, spinning around with a smile. “What’s up, Nat?”
She smiles brightly at me, and I try not to get suspicious. “I wanted to ask you for a favor; are you busy this afternoon?”
I think through my schedule, but I have nothing else to do today. This is my last class on Mondays and Wednesdays. “Nope. I’m free. Why?”
I didn’t think her smile could get wider, but then it does. “Great! My friend Callie in the newspaper is doing an article with one of the football players, and they specifically asked for you. I know you don’t like photographing people, but you’d be doing me a huge favor. The team doesn’t have practice, so the interview must be done today to be done by the deadline.”
“Which player is it?” I ask skeptically, and that’s when Natalie’s smile fades slightly. My stomach sinks because I’m pretty sure I know exactly who it is now.
“Well, you see…you already said you’re free, which means you can’t make up some bullshit reason for not doing it now. It’s Sebastian. He only agreed to do the interview if you would be the photographer for the story—which makes sense because you’re his best friend’s sister—but he won’t do it with anyone else. I’ll even give you extra credit for doing it. Please, please, please!”
Yeah, that’s definitely not why he said he would only do it if I’m there. I rub my temples, unable to believe I’m agreeing to do this. “What time?” I ask, subjecting myself to my fate. Of course he would get Natalie to help sucker me into this.
“Two o’clock in the locker room! You’re the best.”
“It’s already one! I don’t want extra credit for this. We’re going out tonight, and your boyfriend is chaperoning,” I negotiate, and Natalie has the nerve to groan after what she suckered me into doing.
“Thalia, it’s a Wednesday. Can’t we push it off until the weekend?” Natalie whines, and I smile cheekily at her.
“Do you want me to take Sebastian’s photo or not?”
She sighs and, just as I expected, nods her head. “Fine, but we’re not staying out past ten.”
“Deal.” I smile faintly at her. “You guys can pick me up at seven.”
When I return to the apartment, I only have enough time to grab a new memory card for my camera and the lenses I like to use for portraits. I wear the new sweatshirt my mom sent me a few days ago and pull a beanie on my head to get this over with. The less I look like I care, the less triumphant he’ll feel. Figures that Sebastian would find some way to manipulate me into spending time with him. He wasn’t kidding when he said he wouldn’t give up—stupid asshole.
I carefully put everything into my camera bag before walking into the living room, where Sebastian is waiting with his football jersey on. “Need a ride?” he asks, shoving his hands in his pockets.
He looks hopeful, and I’ve given him no reason to be. “No.” I actually do because I’m an idiot, and I didn’t check to see if my brother was home to use his truck. I’m sure he’s with Blake. I can’t even be mad about it because I’m rooting for them to be happy.
“Thalia, stop being stubborn. It’s just a ride to the stadium. Owen’s not here, which means his truck isn’t here, and I don’t think you want to walk.”
Sebastian is so infuriating I feel like stomping my foot. Except that would give the appearance that I’m a child, and I don’t want to be called that again. He’s right. I don’t want to walk. “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this for Nat. Don’t let it go to your head,” I snap harshly, and he smiles at me. Now I feel like screaming, but I won’t do that either.
“I know. I got you more flowers; this time, I put them in a vase before you could throw them away.” Sebastian’s still smiling as he motions to the vase on the counter. What part of this is he not understanding?
Maybe Penelope was right. I should have throat-chopped him and let her cut his balls off. But if I’m being realistic, her advice got me into this mess in the first place. Just climb him like a tree, Thalia, and everything will be fine!
No, everything is not fine!
I frown and walk quickly over to grab the pink flowers out of the vase before dumping them into the trash. “You shouldn’t have. I mean it, I don’t want your stupid flowers, Sebastian. Stop buying them.”
His smile falters for a moment as he pulls his denim jacket on. “Fine. Let’s go. Wouldn’t want to be late for my interview.”
For a very small second, I feel bad for being so rude to him. Then, I remind myself he manipulated his way into getting me to photograph this interview.
I pull my hat lower on my head, walking out the front door without saying another word. It’s probably better that way. The car ride is awkward as I text Penelope and Mae to avoid speaking. For once, Sebastian has gotten the hint about leaving me alone.
Thankfully, the ride is only a few minutes long. I slide out of Sebastian’s beautiful car the second it parks, and I wish I didn’t love the damn car so much.
The interview was standard, to my understanding. Callie is keeping it centered on football and Sebastian as an NFL hopeful. Most of the questions are along the lines of who is your idol, what do you think are your strengths and weaknesses, and game day routines. It’s boring, but I’ve done precisely what Natalie asked me.
Then, the questions change to a personal perspective. “Why did you start playing football?” Callie asks with her pen ready to jot down notes and the recording on her phone.
I can’t help but tense because this goes back to his parents. Just because I really dislike him right now doesn’t mean I can erase all the years of history we have. Sebastian might be able to throw shit in my face, but that doesn’t mean I have to sit here and let them ask about things he never talks about.
“Hey, Callie, don’t we have enough for the article?” I ask, trying to sound painfully bored, and Sebastian immediately looks at me. His eyes widen slightly at my interruption, and a smile hints at his full lips when he realizes why I did it. I should have kept my mouth shut.
Callie looks appalled that I’m interrupting. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
I nod because what choice do I really have? Callie pulls me far enough away to where Sebastian can’t hear us. “Are you nuts? I get he’s your friend, but Sebastian is the future of the NFL. He’s not just a hopeful; he will be a first-round pick. This is the only interview he’s ever agreed to, so please let me do my job.”
“He’s not my friend.” I roll my eyes and bite my tongue on why I interrupted. His parents aren’t a storyline for this article she’s writing, but I guess it’s up to him. I tried, which is more than I should have done.
She doesn’t listen to me, already having turned around to head back to where we were sitting. I feel Sebastian’s eyes on me the entire time.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his lips quirked upward.
Callie forces a short laugh. “Everything is great. Right, Thalia?” she asks, daring me to say something again. I shrug, fiddling with my camera again. Sebastian’s feelings are not a concern of mine.
I’ve gotten a few good pictures that Natalie will be happy with. She should be happy that I showed up with the short notice ambush she gave me.
“So why did you start playing football?” Callie repeats her question, and I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms.
“My parents passed away when I was very young, so my father’s parents raised me. My father played football when he was in college, and I guess I’ve always wanted a connection to him. That’s why I started playing.” His answer is detailed but vague enough to leave all the essential details out.
Callie smiles, pleased with his answer. “Where do you see yourself in ten years?”
Sebastian smiles, relaxing in his seat. “I see myself happy and with a family.”
“Not football?”
Sebastian’s eyes slide to look at me, before refocusing on Callie. “Football means almost everything to me, but it doesn’t mean anything without the person you want to share it with.”
The smile on his face is genuine, and I lift the camera to capture it. I do not doubt that it’s the picture the editor will choose.Natalie should be pleased.
One look at Callie tells me she’s eating up everything he’s saying. “I have one last question.”
“Go for it.”
“What time do you want to pick me up tonight?” Callie asks, confidence radiating from her. It takes everything in me not to react.
His smile slips, and Sebastian’s posture becomes guarded. I’ve known him long enough to be able to tell that. It sends a short thrill through me. “I’m sorry, but I already have feelings for someone,” he says, and I hate that I’m happy he says it. I shouldn’t be happy because I broke up with Bash and continued to reject his apologies. I shouldn’t care that someone else is asking him out.
Callie smiles politely, standing up. “Is she the one you want to share everything with?”
“If she’ll take me back, then maybe.”
My hands shake as I pack my things up, putting the lenses carefully into the bag. I need to edit the photos and send them to Natalie when I get back. “I doubt it,” I say under my breath as Callie thanks Sebastian for doing the interview.
I set the camera inside and zip the bag shut, but before I can grab it myself, Sebastian does. He lowers his voice, and my entire body freezes at his proximity. “Thalia, I think you’ll find I can be very convincing.” I guess he heard me after all.
“Find someone who cares.”
He leans in close to me, his breath tickling my ear. “I think I have. You didn’t have to intervene before that question, but you let something slip when you did. You care about me, even though you keep fighting it. You care.”
~
You care,I think bitterly before downing a shot. Yeah right. I don’t care. He should go out with Callie for all I care. Maybe she can be the one he’s with in ten years.
Natalie hands the darts to me. “For the sake of my wallet, can we drink water from now on? Or beers? It’s only two dollars a bottle tonight.”
“Don’t make a deal with the devil if you don’t want to get burned.”
“Burned or broke? Jeez, Lia. What happened in that interview?” she asks, and I shrug, grabbing the darts to take my turn. My head is spinning slightly, so I don’t bother aiming. I’m not good at darts, but all three stick this time. Maybe my aim would be better if I pictured the board as Sebastian’s face.
“I don’t mind driving you home, but I’d prefer you’re able to walk in by yourself,” Eric teases with a smile. I know he means well, but that night was a disaster.
I plop down into my seat again as Eric takes his turn. “I haven’t had that much, I swear. It was a unique situation that night. Tonight, you can blame your girlfriend, who tricked me into photographing Sebastian during his big interview.”
Natalie pushes my shoulder, and I grab onto the table to avoid tilting off my chair. “You were the one that said you were free! He wasn’t going to do it if it wasn’t you!”
“And you should have told me before asking if I was free that it would revolve around Sebastian fucking Walker.” I groan dramatically, and Eric wraps an arm around Natalie’s shoulders.
“Oh, Lia. You’re being a bit dramatic. Bash isn’t all that bad; a little intense, but he’s a nice guy.”
I snort because it’s comical. He’s so nice.
I think I should get some water. It’d probably be in my best interest considering the last few times I’ve been drunk, I’ve had a rough time the next day. I prefer to avoid that if I can.
“If he were such a nice guy, I wouldn’t have broken up with him,” I snap bitterly, and Natalie’s jaw drops. I try to backtrack, but I’ve already said it. “Shit, I don’t think I was supposed to say that.”
“Holy shit! You and Sebastian? But I thought he and Vera…” Her eyes widen as she puts it together. “He’s why you aren’t talking to Vera?”
Eric also looks surprised. “Wait, this makes so much more sense about what happened at your party.”
I rub my face, regretting that last shot because it’s definitely to blame for my loose lips. “Guys, I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
Natalie smiles sympathetically, shooting a glance at Eric. “We won’t say anything. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t have even suggested the interview if I’d known you were together.”
“It is what it is. Never again, though,” I say, and she smiles. “If that ride is still on the table, I might be tapping out. I’m exhausted.”
“You look exhausted,” Eric says, agreeing, and I glare at him while Natalie elbows him.
“Eric!”
He looks baffled. “What did I say?”
Men suck; they are so freaking clueless.
Unlike the last time Eric drove me home, I’m walking in on my own this time, even if it isn’t the most graceful I’ve been. Owen’s truck is still gone, but Sebastian’s is here. If he still isn’t back, things must be going well with Blake today. They’re doing their best to try to figure it all out. Good for them. I hope they figure it out soon.
The apartment is dark, and I drop my purse on the counter before going to the bathroom. After splashing my face with water, I stumble down the hallway. Right before I open the door to my room, I make a split decision and open the door to Sebastian’s.
He’s lying in bed, scrolling through something on his phone. “Thalia?” He pushes himself up onto his elbows in surprise.
Here’s your chance to leave, Lia. Except I don’t think I want to. I kick my shoes off and climb into the bed. “I don’t care about you.”
“Okay.” It’s all he says, and a tear slips down my cheek as I look at him. It’s not fair that I feel like this. I know I’m doing it to myself by trying to resist him, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
“You’re terrible, and I want to hate you,” I say honestly, and Bash wipes my cheek gently.
“I know.”
I curl into Sebastian’s side, and his arms wrap around me immediately. I rest my head on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall as he breathes. Bash presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, and I let my eyes fall shut, inhaling the intoxicating smell of cedar that belongs to him.
The next time I open them, I’m alone in his bed. I sit up, seeing Sebastian getting ready for morning weights in the dark. Did I sleep all night? That’s the first time it’s happened in weeks. His eyes meet mine in the dim light, and he smiles sadly at me. “Good morning,” he says gruffly, observing me.
“Good morning,” I respond politely because it’s the least I can do after climbing into his bed last night. I don’t care about Sebastian Walker and want to hate him so badly.
I just don’t know if I can.