15. Sebastian
FIFTEEN
SEBASTIAN
Dragging myself out to run with Ashley’s friends is still intimidating the second time.
Everyone is friendly in the suspicious way that people who exercise early in the morning are to anyone joining their cult.
Ash and I try to sneak in at the last minute to avoid suspicion, or rather that’s how things ended up happening because we didn’t exactly get enough sleep last night.
But of course everyone turns to look when we arrive.
Laurel gives Ash a smirk, but she doesn’t seem surprised this time.
Before we start out, Ashley promises to stick with me and turn around halfway because I can’t do the whole distance yet. I feel a twinge of guilt that she’s missing her longer run to keep me company, but she invited me knowing there was no way I could run for an hour.
Since my last embarrassing visit to the running group, I’ve been doing a hybrid learn-to-run strategy, adding walking intervals when I’ve hit my limit after a few kilometers.
It’s probably a running coach’s nightmare, but it’s working for me.
This means I’m able to keep up with Ashley and a couple of her friends for a while, even if I can’t chatter away the whole time like these weirdos.
I thought runners were introverts, but these people don’t shut up.
It’s kind of nice—wholesome, even—to hear them check in with each other.
I can see why Ashley thinks of this crew as practically family.
Ashley chats away with Stevie, who I suspect wants to interrogate me about my intentions. She’s only thwarted by the fact that I can barely string two words together and run at the same time. I smile whenever they look over at me, though it probably looks more like I’m in pain.
Once we hit three kilometers, Ashley asks if I’m ready to turn around; we leave the rest of the group and start doing walk breaks.
She’s so patient, even though I’m sure it’s boring for her.
We’re on a walking interval when my phone starts vibrating like crazy with a string of text messages from Seth.
Crap. I hope it’s not another emergency. I come to a halt and my gut clenches wondering if Clint has resurfaced.
Seth:
I was going to call you later, but I couldn’t wait.
This happened last night.
He sends a selfie with Diana. She’s holding up her hand to show the shiny new ring on her finger. Their huge smiles make my heart swell a little, despite not being romantically inclined.
Seth:
I can’t believe it’s real!
I wanted to give you a heads up this week, but with all the drama, there was never a good time.
Congrats, man! Finally! Tell Diana congratulations from me too.
Want to be a groomsman? I promise no turquoise tuxes.
I can’t resist ribbing him a little.
Hold up, the internet tells me you’re supposed to ask me with a monogrammed gift. What am I gonna put on my social media feed?
Kidding, kidding. Of course, bro. It’s an honor.
Sorry, I am out of touch. I will embroider you something later. Thanks a million, Sebastian.
Ashley clears her throat. “Are you done staring at your phone, Bash? It’s too cold to stand around.”
I show her the exchange, and she beams.
“I can’t believe you’re excited,” Ashley says. “Didn’t they have to drag you kicking and screaming to be in Dan and Nina’s wedding party?”
“Yes, but that involved a choreographed dance routine, orange bow ties, and a bachelor party in Cancun that I couldn’t afford.”
Dan and Nina were old university acquaintances. We were both in their wedding, which can only be described as excessive.
She sighs. “Don’t remind me. Those tangerine dresses were hideous. We all looked like pumpkins.”
I remember all the bridesmaids hating their dresses, but Ashley looked hot in hers, enough to make me almost forget how we’d sworn not to go down that road again.
“I guess it’s different because I work with Seth all the time, and I can tell how much he loves Diana. It’s nice to be part of it.”
I expected to feel bittersweet about one of my last unmarried friends getting hitched, but I’m sincerely happy for them.
Ashley and I start running again.
“You’ll come with me, right?” I ask without thinking.
“I can’t see why they’d invite me,” she replies. “I don’t know Seth very well. Of course, I’d go if I were invited.”
“It makes sense, because of the app. That you’d be my plus one.” The excuse is flimsy, but for some reason, I can’t imagine being at the wedding without her.
She looks confused, her brow furrowed. “Don’t you want to be free to flirt with all the single women? I thought that was the only reason you went to weddings anyway. I haven’t known you to take a date before.”
Except for that one time. I wonder if she’s thinking about it too, that night after my dad’s wedding to his third wife, Marilyn.
It took a while to get our friendship back to where it was, and here I am dredging up memories that shouldn’t be revisited.
We’re doing it differently this time around. We have rules so no one gets hurt.
Neither of us wants to talk about that night now—or ever—so I keep my tone easy in my reply. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. I won’t rope you into some boring wedding where you barely know the groom, especially given I’ll likely be busy all day.”
She gives me what looks like a forced smile, though she could just be trying to smile and run at the same time, and we keep moving in silence.
As with our last run, we stop for coffee afterward, but Ashley doesn’t want to wait for her friends. “I saw them last night,” she says with a shrug. “Plus, your stuff is at my place, and I’m sure you don’t want to stick around to chat.”
I actually don’t mind. I will reluctantly admit to myself that I like Ashley’s friends and wouldn’t mind getting to know them better. Still, Ashley seems to have stuff to do, so I go home with her.
Despite Ash rushing us back to her place, she isn’t in a hurry to shoo me out.
She asks if I want more coffee and suggests heating up some croissants while I have a quick shower.
I’m not a pastry guy, but I sit with her for a light breakfast. We’re both halfway through our pastries when our phones start buzzing.
She glances down and makes a face that’s halfway between a grimace and a smile. “Ugh, can’t a girl bring the friend with benefits that she’s casually hooking up with to a group run without her friends giving the third degree?”
“You’d be in full on interrogation mode if the shoe were on the other foot.”
She tries to look slighted but can’t help laughing. “That is absolutely true.”
I reach for my own cell, expecting more wedding stuff from Seth.
“Man, the guy’s been engaged for less than a day, and my phone is exploding,” I joke. My smile falters.
Dad:
Hey son. How’s it going?
Would love to chat.
“Is something wrong?” She puts her hand on mine.
“It’s my father.”
Her eyes widen with alarm. She knows my dad rarely reaches out. “Something happened to your dad?”
I shake my head. My father is such an absent figure in my life that even him casually messaging me makes people think he’s been in an accident.
“He wants to catch up.”
I can’t remember the last time we spoke.
He sends messages once in a while, usually photos of himself with one woman or another, always claiming she’s the love of his life.
Sometimes he gives professional updates of whatever accolade he’s received.
Since moving to Calgary, he’s been even more distant, which is saying something.
I don’t think he has a clue what I do for work.
It’s debatable whether he could pick me out of a line-up.
Ashley wrinkles up her nose in distaste. She’s seen me go down this road before. “Oh, does he?”
“That’s what he says now. Tomorrow might be another story.”
Given the nature of our relationship, I shouldn’t be in any hurry to respond, but I reply anyway.
Hey Dad, happy to catch up when you’re available.
To my surprise, I get a response immediately.
Great, I’ll call you later today. Easier to touch base on the phone.
Sure. I’m about to hop on the subway, but I’m around the rest of the day.
Out this early in the morning? Hot date last night?? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Is there a special lady in your life?
I exhale and look up at Ashley. Of course, my father immediately wants to know about my sex life.
Gross. We’ve never had a relationship talk besides him once handing me a box of condoms and winking.
The last thing I want is to explain Ashley and me, and given that he paid more attention to her than to me when they met at his wedding, I’d prefer to keep the two of them separate forever.
I was out for a run. I’ve joined a running club.
Oh, good for you. Getting healthy and all that. It’s hard work to keep up those Rossi good looks! I’ll call you later.
Bye.
I’m not optimistic that he’ll remember, but at least he tried. Ashley raises an eyebrow, and I realize I’m scowling at the screen.
“What did he want? A kidney?”
She catches me off guard and I laugh. “Wouldn’t put it past him. He wants to talk later.”
“Well, let me know if you need me to send glitter dicks his way. Because I’ll do it.”
I blink a few times. “Is this a thing people do? What does that even mean?”
“Oh sure, you can send envelopes of glitter in all kinds of shapes. I’ve never used it, but needs must.” She smiles darkly. “Are you sticking around?”
“If I say no, will you send me glitter dicks?”
“Those are only for major infractions,” she replies. “But don’t piss me off.”
“Noted.” I pick up my bag. “I do have some work to do today.”
“No worries.”
Ashley walks me to the door. We stand awkwardly for a moment, and I almost move to kiss her. We both lean in, then away, laughing sheepishly.
“Well, bye then.” My voice is so wobbly that I cringe. I wave half-heartedly as I walk down the hall.
I don’t really expect to hear back from my father, but he phones in the afternoon. I take a deep breath before picking up.