Chapter 15
Sebastian
I’ve never had problems with saying the right thing to women, but with the one who’s currently speaking with Harriet whilst we enjoy our dinner, I seem to say the wrong things most of the time.
Or I’ll say the right thing, but my timing will be shit.
I don’t regret telling her about how I felt about seeing her at the gala. And my lame attempt at moving past it by kissing Ashley.
What I do regret is how I handled it afterward.
Shutting down once again and basically telling her that her brother is more important to me than her.
Which isn’t the case, but the hurt on her face as the words registered was like a gut-punch.
Then I have the Ashley problem on top of it all.
I can’t believe she turned up here.
That’s a whole new level of obsession, and frankly, I’m worried.
Not about myself, but about the beauty chatting away with my chef.
If Ashley could find out where I’m living, I’m sure she can find out that I’m connected to Lily.
The tabloids have probably posted pictures of me coming or going from this complex, and that’s how she’s found it.
It’s only a matter of time before I’m photographed together with Lily, and she’ll maybe seek her out.
After we’re done with dinner, I head down to the receptionist.
He tells me the same thing Lily did: that she turned up this morning and asked which apartment I was living in, claiming to know me.
They’ve seen her lurking around for some weeks, but she only managed to get inside today.
Next time I decide to try to get over Lily Hastings, I need to make sure it’s not with someone like Ashley.
It feels like a bad case of karma, as I deep down know I stand no chance against the woman I really want.
～
On Saturday, I’m standing in my apartment contemplating whether this is a good idea.
I have our away-game jersey in my hands, ready to be given to Lily.
Our regular one is red, but this one is white.
I figured since we’re having an away game today, that it would be a good gift for her. And seeing my name across her back feels like a gift to me.
This isn’t a big deal. It’s just a gift.
To a friend. Who feels like a lot more than a friend, but still.
I bring the jersey with me before I can talk myself out of it, then make my way down to her apartment.
My foot bounces nervously on the floor of the elevator as it descends.
When she opens the door, she looks at the jersey in my hand, and the happiness radiates off her, and all my doubts about this gift are wiped away.
“This is for you,” I tell her, handing it over.
Lily takes it and holds it up in front of her before turning it around, reading Bennet on the back, just like the one she bought herself.
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Sebastian.”
She goes into the bathroom, and when she emerges in the new shirt, I’m just as speechless as last time.
She looks flawless.
And mine.
She does a turn before she comes over to me. When she links her hands around my neck, I’m almost hoping she’ll lean up on her toes and kiss me.
Seeing her like this is heightening my need to kiss her. I would devour her if she pressed those perfect lips to mine.
But instead, she hugs me tightly.
I soak in her touch, enjoying how perfectly her body fits mine.
When she lifts her head from my chest but doesn’t step away from me, I’m not even thinking when I start closing the distance between us.
I need to taste her.
Just when my lips are nearing hers, my phone rings, ruining the moment.
I curse under my breath as I bring out my mobile.
Lily steps out of my arms and looks down at the caller ID.
Luke Hastings.
She huffs before she turns away, clearly frustrated by the interruption of her brother.
I’m hit with a wave of shame as I take the call, knowing I was just centimetres away from kissing Luke’s sister—knowing I haven’t come clean to him about my feelings for her.
I really should be going about this differently, but I don’t have a clue how.
“Hey, man,” I greet him, dragging a hand through my hair.
Hell.
What would have happened if he hadn’t called at that exact time?
Would I still be kissing Lily?
Making out with her pressed to the wall?
“Hey, man! Just calling to wish you good luck tonight.”
As he always does, being the best friend that he is.
His timing could use some work, though.
I’m equally frustrated and conflicted as I talk with him, knowing I was mere centimetres away from crossing that line.
A line I’ve vowed not to cross too many times already, and I’m feeling like that promise already is broken, knowing how I feel about her.
When I end the call, I call out to Lily, wanting to say something—anything—to her before I leave.
“I’m sorry about that. I have to leave now, but I’ll see you later?” I say, unsure how to act.
The moment is definitely ruined.
Gone is the sizzling tension, and in its place is an imaginary wall where her brother’s name is painted all over it.
Lily still seems upset by her brother, and my doubts have started creeping back in now that my arms aren’t holding her or smelling her intoxicating perfume.
“Yeah. I’ll see you later.”
～
I don’t get to see her later.
Our game is a total shit show, with crazy fans throwing things onto the field, interrupting the game several times as they must get rid of everything.
We’re playing a match against one of our traditional arch-rivals. These games tend to get ugly, especially in the stands.
I’m worried about Lily, hoping she’s seated in an area where she’s safe. I always insist she stay in the VIP boxes away from the craziness. But she, of course, wants the authentic football experience.
On days like this, I feel nervous, hoping she’ll be fine when I meet her later.
The madness reaches new heights when our team goes up into a two-goal lead, and I’m counting down the minutes until the final whistle blows.
The boos and the sound from the stands are loud in my ears, and I shake my head.
Just a few more minutes.
I need to get to Lily.
Due to increased security measures, we’ve been told we must travel back together as a team to ensure our safety. I’m not boarding that bus until I’ve seen Lily.
I send her a text and exhale when the three small dots start typing right away.
That’s a good sign.
Lily: I’m fine! It was crazy experiencing a game like that! What an adventure!
Of course she would look at this as one of her many adventures. Everything is an adventure to her.
I ask her where she’s located and make my way over to that part of the stands.
Fans are calling my name, and I sign autographs for those reaching out over the barricades.
I finally spot Lily; she’s gone down to the fence, still a few metres above me, but she looks as beautiful as she did before the game.
All snuggled up with her jacket and my jersey peeking out under.
“You alright?” I ask, and people around us start calling my name.
I smile politely at them, trying not to seem like an arrogant prick, but wishing I was alone with Lily.
I had to make sure she was okay.
She rolls her eyes at me, probably thinking I’m way too dramatic.
I’ve seen how aggressive these games and some fans can be, sometimes leading to people being expelled who go way too far.
“Yes, go to your team. We’ll meet up tomorrow. It will get late before you get back.”
I’m hesitant to leave her, but I also know I don’t have much choice.
She’s fully capable of taking care of herself as well.
I know that—she knows that.
Still, I’d like to take care of her when I can.
Right now, though, I’m expected elsewhere.
I’m gaining attention from the people around us, so I do as Lily tells me, content with seeing her in one piece and in good spirits.
～
As the team bus nears the stadium, I get a text from Lily, letting me know she made it home safely.
“Crossed that line yet, Bennet?” Dean asks over my shoulder, looking at my text from Lily.
What a nosy bastard.
“No,” I mutter, typing out my response to her and hoping he’ll shut up.
No such luck.
“You could just talk to her brother. Maybe he’d understand.”
Dean shrugs beside me, and he makes it sound so easy.
Luke is a great guy, and I honestly don’t think he’d actually do anything to hurt me.
This is his sister, though.
That line, which Dean is asking about, is fading for each day I spend in her presence.
If Luke hadn’t called earlier, I would have kissed her. No doubt.
And then what?
I’m still no closer to a solution to my problem.
“I don’t know. What if he flips out, and I end up losing my best friend?”
“First of all, rude. I thought I was your best friend. Secondly, you don’t know that, and yeah, it may be a risk of him flipping out, but if you plan on going down that road with her, then it’s just a matter of time,” he says.
That’s the question.
Am I planning to go down that road with her?
I know every fibre of my body wants to.
On the other hand, Lily is a really good friend, and over these last few weeks I’ve had a blast with her.
What if we don’t work out as a couple and I end up losing her altogether?
That would be even worse than her brother punching me for wanting his sister.
My phone vibrates, letting me know someone is calling me.
Hoping it’s Lily, I look at the caller ID and groan when I see the now-familiar unknown number.
Ashley.
It must be.
I can’t believe she turned up at the complex.
That means she’s more persistent than I imagined.
You would have thought she would have given up by now, seeing as I’ve never answered any of her calls or texts.
I’ve thought about answering, to ask her to please leave me alone.
Like I did the first time she called me.
But that just made everything worse.
So I thought ignoring her would help.
Her turning up at my apartment complex is a whole new level of scary.
I’ve talked to the building owner and let them know I would prefer extra security installed.
I’ll pay whatever they need.
It’s not just about my safety, but Lily’s as well.
I’m happy she didn’t approach Ashley.
God knows what would happen then.
All I know is that I need to make sure she doesn’t get to me or anyone else I care about.