Chapter 6
Lily
When we get to the stadium, Sebastian is my personal tour guide, showing me around.
We begin with the most exciting part: the field. Seeing the massive size in real life is surreal, knowing these players run around the field for at least ninety minutes.
Could never be me.
I do enjoy exercise, but not the running kind.
I’m more of a Pilates girl lately, and I’m looking forward to checking out some studios in the city.
When we go past the benches, I wink at Sebastian, making him shake his head at me, but his amusement is evident as well as his teeth come to show when he smiles.
I do love being the reason for that smile.
After he’s shown me the turf, we check out one of the office areas, and when he tells me that he’s talked to his team about providing me with a workspace overlooking the field, I nearly lose my composure.
He’s thought of so much, even though I sprung this on him just a few days ago. I was panicked; afraid I’d be delayed in my studies.
Now I’m standing in London, with a man who seems to have thought of everything.
I go into his arms, wrapping my arms around him.
Sebastian stands as still as a statue.
“You know, when two people hug, both people usually bring their arms around each other,” I say into his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heart under my cheek.
His chest is solid and warm, and his scent seeps into my senses, making me let out a small sigh.
After a few seconds, he lifts his arms and gently drapes them across my back.
“Thank you for doing this, Sebastian. I appreciate it more than you know,” I tell him, and look up into his face.
He gulps, then drops his arms and murmurs, “It’s nothing, Lily.”
It doesn’t feel like nothing to me, but he’s obviously not a hugger, so I step out of his arms.
“Should we continue?” I ask, desperate to make the awkwardness go away. It was just a hug; he doesn’t have to be weird about it.
Men.
They can be weird about affection sometimes.
As we make our way around the stadium, Sebastian introduces me to a bunch of courteous staff and workers.
Everyone seems to know each other, and I try my best to memorise as many names as possible.
When we get to the training facilities, we meet the first of his teammates.
There are several guys in the gym, working out whilst listening to music or talking with fellow players. A group of three guys pauses their workout when they spot Sebastian and make their way over to us.
“Lily, these are some of my teammates. Not quite as good as me, obviously, but they’re okay,” Sebastian says, with a playful tone.
He gestures to the man closest to me, Fredrick, who has a handsome look, with light brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a bright smile directed at me as he takes my hand and gently squeezes it, introducing himself.
“I’m Fredrick. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lily. Don’t listen to Sebby here; he’s full of shit.”
I chuckle, enjoying his fun spirit and the freaking nickname.
I’ve never heard anyone refer to Sebastian by anything other than his name, and I make a mental note to tease him about it later.
Next, we have Dean, a charming Brit with a buzzcut and tattoos covering his arms and up his neck. His piercing blue eyes are stunning, and I find myself envious of his looks.
What is it with athletes and having unreal good looks?
It almost seems like a requirement to become a professional athlete that you are also suited for modelling gigs.
Lastly, I’m introduced to Ian, who seems like the quiet one in the group. With his deep red hair and reserved smile, I decide that he is probably the most responsible in the group. He’s also the only other American in the group; Fredrick is from Germany, and Dean is from the UK.
The idea that a sport brings people together from all over different countries is so cool, and I ask the guys if they’re part of their national teams back home as well as playing here in London.
Next year, the World Cup in football is happening, and Sebastian has mentioned talks about joining Team USA.
The tournament is taking place in South Africa, and the guys seem eager to have a shot at representing their home countries.
When we’re all up to date on football and the latest happenings, it’s time for us to leave.
Dean steps closer to me, a flirty smile appearing as he takes my hand in his own.
“I’m available to give you a tour of London, or anywhere else, darling, whenever you want.”
I swear Sebastian grumbles under his breath before he gently grabs a hold of my elbow, pulling me away from Dean and his touch.
“There will be no tours of that kind, idiot,” he says to Dean, and even though I want to tell Sebastian to calm down, I don’t want to upset him anymore.
“It was a pleasure guys. I’ll see you around,” I say before we start walking.
It quickly turns into Sebastian dragging me behind him, grumbling under his breath.
I stop in my tracks, making him halt as well.
I cross my arms and raise my eyebrows at him when he turns to me.
“Really, Sebastian? What was all that about?” I ask, not impressed by the overprotective act.
If he’s going to be like this around every guy I meet on this adventure, then we’re going to have a problem.
All I want is for him to acknowledge me as more than just his best friend’s sister, but it feels like he’s being an overprotective older brother.
Unless it’s something else.
“What? You’re not going to be with any of my teammates, especially not Dean,” he says.
I decide to push him a little.
“What’s wrong with Dean?” I challenge.
If the idiot in front of me actually knew me, he would see I don’t have any genuine interest in Dean.
Sure, he’s a charming, beautiful man, but he doesn’t get my heart racing like the man in front of me.
“He’s not good enough for you.”
I scoff at him. Such a cowardly way out.
I roll my eyes, feeling the urge to grab hold of him and shake some sense into him.
“Christ, Sebastian. I’m obviously not here to look for a husband, and if I decide to be with anyone, I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” I say, feeling my temper rise.
I’m pissed that he thinks he can dictate who I speak to, no matter if I’m interested or not.
I’m also pissed that at the first possible interaction with men around my age, he thinks it’s okay to interfere, like he has any claim on me.
He’s never made a real move, so unless he gets his head out of his ass, he doesn’t get to lecture me about boys.
“This feels like Luke and his every lecture about staying away from men, and honestly, Sebastian, if you’re going to act like an overprotective brother, we’re going to have a fucking problem.”
He grinds his teeth, his jaw ticking as he looks at me.
“The last fucking thing I am to you is your brother.”
Then he turns and starts walking, leaving me standing there, looking after him.
The butterflies in my stomach shouldn’t be this crazy over such a small comment, but I can’t help it.
Sebastian just admitted that there is something between us that had nothing to do with family feelings.
I really shouldn’t exploit his jealousy, if I can call it that, but something tells me that may be my way to push this man in the right direction.