42. Sebastian
Chapter forty-two
Sebastian
“You think he’ll throw us out?” Wes asks as we walk toward the entrance of the hospital on Tuesday around lunchtime.
We have our last game of the season later this evening, but we figured we’d go see Elias who’s still in the hospital after his surgery yesterday morning.
“Nah. I’m sure he’ll be glad to see us,” Hunter says.
“Especially because we brought him his favorite meal.” Holt holds up the bag that contains a Publix chicken tender sub and a sweet tea as we make our way down the hallway.
“Knock, knock,” Hunter says, peeking his head into Elias’s room. “You up for visitors?”
I can’t hear what Elias says, but Hunter steps inside and beckons for us to join him.
“Hey, buddy. We brought you food.” Holt hands Elias the bag.
“Thanks. You all didn’t have to come.” He sets the bag on the table next to him and pulls out the sandwich and drink.
“We know, mate, but we figured you could use the company.” I take a seat in one of the chairs.
Elias takes a bite of his sandwich, chewing and swallowing before speaking. “So, what’s the latest?”
Wes leans against the wall across from the foot of the bed before launching into the recap of what happened when we met up with his former teammate.
“Haven’t heard more from the PI yet, but he said he’s working on a few different leads.”
“At least we’re getting somewhere,” Elias says, and we lapse into silence.
It’s broken by Holt. “How are you holding up?” he asks.
Elias toys with the napkin in his hand. “I think I’m done with hockey.”
No one says anything for a few beats, and then we all speak at once.
“You’re what?” Wes asks.
“You’ve got years left,” I tell him.
“Is that what the doctors told you?” This from Hunter.
“It might take a while, but you can come back from this,” Holt says.
“I don’t know if I want to,” Elias says to Holt before turning to the rest of us.
“They told me I might never fully recover.” He gestures to his leg that’s propped up and wrapped in bandages.
“It’s going to be months of rehab to maybe be able to skate again, and who knows how well.
” He lets out a bark of laughter. “I … I don’t know if it’s worth it. ”
He takes another bite of his sandwich as we all exchange concerned glances.
“Are you sure? Maybe you’ll make a full recovery. You don’t know,” Hunter says.
“I know.” Elias blows out a breath. “Hockey was my whole life, and now maybe it’s over.” He rubs a hand down his face before going back to his lunch as if he didn’t just drop a bombshell on us.
“You know we’re here for you. Whatever you need,” Wes says.
Elias swallows roughly, and it breaks my heart to see my friend hurt and in the hospital, contemplating retiring. Life’s not fucking fair. Had he not gotten injured, he’d have at least a few more years left of his career. And now who knows.
“Thanks.” Elias pauses for a beat before speaking again. “I’m just weighing the options.”
The door swings open behind me as a female voice says, “Hi, Eli, how are you feeling?”
I turn in my chair, and Ansley walks in, holding a Publix bag. This is interesting.
“Oh,” she says, her face turning red when she sees us.
“I told you that you didn’t need to come,” Elias says.
“Hey, Ansley,” Hunter says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Hiya,” Holt says.
“Ansley, fancy seeing you here.” I grin at her.
“You’re a popular guy today,” Wes says to Elias.
“Hi guys. I didn’t realize you had company.” She starts to back out of the room.
I glance over at Elias. He’s got his arms crossed, and he’s scowling, or attempting to, yet his eyes tell a different story, one that says he’s happy she’s here, even if maybe he doesn’t want to admit it to himself or us. This just got interesting.
As much as I want to know what’s going on between them it’s none of my business. None of our business. But it is time for us to go.
“We were just leaving.” I get to my feet.
“See ya later, Elias,” Wes says, following me toward the door.
“Mads and I will come by tomorrow.” Hunter gets up too.
“Have fun,” Holt says.
“You guys don’t have to leave on account of me,” Ansley says.
“Nah. Go on.” Wes beckons her into the room.
“Thanks,” she says.
We’re silent as we walk down the hallway.
“Wonder how long that’s been going on,” Wes says when we make it to the lobby.
“She’s leaving at the end of the season though,” Holt says quietly.
“Do you think that’s why he says he’s going to retire? So he can follow her to New York?” I ask.
“No idea. He hasn’t told me anything.” Hunter runs a hand down his face as we step out into the warm April afternoon. “Do we really think he’s going to give up hockey?”
“I imagine some of it is the injury and not knowing if he’s going to be one hundred percent again,” Holt says as we head toward where we’re all parked. “Hopefully, once he starts physical therapy, he’ll change his mind. But maybe he needs to talk to someone …”
“Yeah good idea,” Hunter says, blowing out a breath. “I hate this for him.”
Me too. Me too.
We come to a stop in front of our vehicles.
Hunter snaps his fingers. “Seb, before I forget to tell you, there’s a house on my street that just went on the market. If you were”—he shrugs—“interested in a bigger place.”
My eyes light up. “Really? I’ll have to talk to Sutton about it.”
Of course we’re going to need a bigger place. And if it’s in the same neighborhood as Hunter and the rest of my friends, even better.
“I’ll text you the address and the name of my realtor.”
“Thanks.”
We say our goodbyes, and I get into my car to head back to the condo.
Later that night when Sutton and I are curled up on the couch watching her favorite reality TV show, I fill her in on what Elias said about possibly retiring.
“I feel so bad for him,” she says, absentmindedly rubbing her belly.
“Me too.” I tug her closer to me. “Ansley came to see him when we were there.”
“Ans came to visit Elias?”
“Yeah, and it was weird …” I rest a hand on her stomach.
“Why?”
“Because he was acting like he didn’t want her there, but I could tell that wasn’t the case. Is something going on between them?”
“If there is, she didn’t tell me.”
At least I’m not the only one in the dark when it comes to what is or isn’t going on between Elias and Ansley.
And maybe there isn’t anything going on.
Maybe they are just friends like he claims. Nothing wrong with that.
I just want my friend to be happy, to find the love of his life like I have, like the rest of our friends have.
And maybe that isn’t Ansley. Maybe we are just reading too much into it.
Looking for signs they’re together or want to be together that aren’t really there. And yet …
“Maybe her leaving is part of why he wants to retire?” I still can’t help but think that him saying he wanted to retire has to do with her. Call me crazy. Maybe I’ve just been hanging around Wes for too long and his love for love has rubbed off on me.
“Could be. We all know that was a big part of Brody retiring, because Aubrey was leaving for Hawaii. I just hope whatever it is, they figure it out.”
I kiss the top of her head before turning the show back on. “Me too.”
She snuggles into my side. I gently rub her stomach. I love this. I love her. Being here with her.
That reminds me.
“I was thinking we should look for a bigger place,” I tell her.
“Yeah? Anywhere in particular?”
“Actually, there’s a house down the street from Hunter that’s for sale. He texted me the details. Five bedrooms. Four and a half bathrooms. A pool. Fenced in. Three-car garage. We’d be close to our friends. Do you think we should go see it?”
“Yes,” Sutton says without any hesitation.
“Good because I called the realtor as soon as Hunter texted me the info, and we have an appointment tomorrow at six. Does that work? She said we could come later if we needed to.”
“No, that’s perfect.” She turns, grinning up at me. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I murmur before kissing her.
She’s perfect.
This is perfect.
Our life we’re building together is perfect.
Now all we need to do is wrap up this shit with her father.
The following evening, we pull into the driveway of the house we’re checking out. “This is it,” I say.
Sutton unbuckles her seatbelt. “I love how close we are to everyone.”
I agree. We passed Hunter and Madison’s house on the way here, and the others live a few blocks away in each direction. Close enough to walk or drive a golf cart.
Hand in hand, we walk up the driveaway and take the few steps up to the porch. The door opens, and a young woman steps out.
“Hi. I’m Ashley, and you must be Sebastian and Sutton.”
Sutton and I both shake her hand and say hello.
“Congratulations,” she says, tipping her chin to Sutton’s pregnant belly. “You must be so excited.”
Sutton blushes, resting her hand on her baby bump. “We are.”
“Come in and take a look.” She holds the door open wider so we can step inside.
“You’d only be the second owners of this house if you decide it’s the one for you.
The current owners built it as a vacation home.
” Some vacation home. “The primary bedroom is downstairs, with the remaining four bedrooms upstairs. But two of the bedrooms upstairs also have their own bathroom, so you could make one of those your primary room if you preferred, with the baby and all …”
“That’s a great idea,” Sutton says, letting go of my hand and wandering around the kitchen, running her hands over the marble countertops and opening the cabinets.
“There’s a half bath through there.” Ashley points behind me.
“Along with the family room, dining room, and a room they used as an office, but you could easily turn it into a library since one wall is all built-in shelves, or it would make a great playroom. Just shut the door to the mess.” She chuckles.
“You two look around. I’ll hang out here.
Let me know if you have any questions. The pool is out back.
It’s screened in and does have a security fence around it.
The backyard is fenced as well for privacy. ”
“Thank you, Ashley,” I tell her.
Sutton finishes her perusal of the kitchen, and we make our way farther into the house.
“Wow,” she says when we walk into the living room. On one wall is a fireplace, and opposite it are massive windows and sliding glass doors that lead out to the pool and a well-manicured lawn.
“It’s huge,” she says.
“It is.”
“How do you feel about a vegetable garden?” she asks, peering at me as she unlatches the lock on the door and steps outside. I follow behind her. “Or is that too similar to farming?”
I chuckle. “Nah, love, if you want one, we can do that.” I’d give her anything she asked for if I was able to. And if she wants a garden, a garden she will have.
“I’ve always wanted a garden I can go out to and pick fresh vegetables from for lunch or dinner. And flowers too, native plants, all the things for the birds, bees, wildlife.”
That does sound lovely.
We wander around the screened-in patio, checking out the pool area.
“This is nice.” I imagine having everyone over for a preseason pool party, hanging out, barbecuing, the kids running around.
Our daughter getting to grow up with all of my friends’ kids.
My mum coming to stay with us for a few weeks.
My sister and her growing family coming to visit too.
And my other sister, and Sutton’s half sister and brother.
The house filled with the sounds of laughter and kids playing. Being surrounded by happiness and love.
“I love it.” Sutton walks over to me and slips her hand into mine, the other resting on her belly.
“Me too. Let’s go see the rest of the house.” Although if it looks as good as the parts we’ve already seen, I’m ready to put in an offer tonight.
“So, what do you think?” I ask Sutton as I back my SUV out of the driveway half an hour later.
“I love it. I think we should buy it.”
“Me too. I’ll call Ashley when we get home and make an offer.” She clears her throat, and I glance over at her quickly before focusing back on the road. “What is it?”
“I want to pay for half.”
“Sutton—”
“Sebastian, this is important to me. It’s important that we’re equal partners.”
“I know, but …”
“Please, I know I still haven’t received the money from my grandmother, but I will.
I know what you’re going to say”—she deepens her voice and tries and fails to talk in a British accent—“Love, I have the money, I don’t need yours.
” She giggles, and I snort. I can’t help it.
Her accent is terrible. “I know you do, but I want us to be equal partners as much as possible.”
I reach over and squeeze her knee. “Okay,” I tell her.
Even though she’s right, I have plenty of money to buy the house outright and I don’t need her to pay toward it, I also respect what she’s saying and where she’s coming from.
Even though I firmly believe what’s mine is hers, I understand why she wants to do this, and if it’s what it takes to make her happy, that’s fine with me.
“Thank you.” She rests her hand on top of mine as we drive the rest of the way home.