Page 25 of The Comeback

Sebastian

Theguysareallready to go out when I come down from my room dressed in jeans and black tee. They’re well into the pre drinking phase of the night. Beer bottles line the scarred coffee table, while Beau and Dev duke it out on the XBox.

Jackson is lounging on the black leather recliner watching the chaos. He holds a beer out. “Want one?”

“Nah, I’m driving.”

“Lame. No practice tomorrow, dude. Gotta take advantage while we can.” He takes a long pull from his bottle. “Season starts in a month. Coach is only going to start riding us harder.”

“You know I’ve got plans.” After over a week without seeing Abby, except for that brief hour in class, I managed to lock her down with the promise of some more practice on her public singing problem. No way am I canceling on her. We have been texting on the regular at least. At first I used music as an excuse, but then it turned into daily random texts about whatever was on my mind. The best day was when she sent one first. They were having a debate about the best Avenger and she wanted me to weigh in. My inner twelve year old will always vote Spiderman.

Jackson’s head swivels around and he gives me a speculative look. “Is it a girl? Are you ditching us for a lady? What’s up with you, man?”

“It’s just a project I’m working on. Not a date or anything. You’re going to be there, though right?” Kind of true. I’m pretty sure Abby isn’t thinking of it as a date.

“Sure, sure. We’ll be there. I hope you at least get some. I haven’t seen you with a girl all year. Your balls are going to freeze off at this rate.

I stare at the ugly popcorn ceiling to will myself from getting excited at the thought of getting some with Abby. Grabbing hold of those lush hips and driving into her while she screams my name. Nope, not helping. I turn around and head for the kitchen before Jax can catch sight of the semi that thought produced. No need to give him any more reason to mess with me.

I stare into the fridge until everything is under control. Gotta keep it that way tonight. I put a lot of work and pulled some favors to set this up. Don’t want her to run screaming before she gets up on the stage.

***

My pants tighten again as soon as Abby walks through the front door of her building. She’s got on a pair of those leggings she loves. These ones are black with silver and gold stars all over them. Her black skirt is a modest length almost hitting her knees, but her shirt. Damn, I kind of want to be that shirt. The white cotton fabric is stretched tight and scoops low in the front leaving nothing to the imagination. A long fuzzy sweater is thrown over top, but it does nothing to hide those curves that I’m dying to get my hands and mouth on.

She climbs into the passenger side, pulling her seatbelt across those glorious breasts. “I hope this is ok?” She waves down at her outfit. “I wasn’t sure what to wear since you wouldn’t tell me where we’re going.”

I clear my throat, but my voice still comes out a bit raspy. “Yeah, that’s fine.”

“So where are we going? I know you said it wasn’t the rink?” A strand of that mahogany hair falls down as she tilts her head at me.

“You’ll see.” I’ve gone to all the effort to keep this a surprise and I’m keeping it that way. “What were you up to yesterday?” I probably shouldn’t ask, but the question slips out. All I can think about is her out with another guy and that bothers me way more than I have any right.

“Um, I had the practice room booked with Dax.” A wave of relief flows through me.

“That’s good. How’s the song coming?”

Her whole self brightens and a huge smile stretches across her face. “So good. I’ve written a lot of songs, but this one may be my best. Dax and I make a great team.” That uncomfortable edge of jealousy flares up again. “Maybe it’s because we’re such close friends, but its like we’re in sync. Too bad he’s more into a heavier rock style than I am. We’d make an amazing songwriting duo, but he wants to make it with his band. I’m more of a behind the scenes kind of girl.”

“Well you’ve got the rest of the year to work together.”

“True.”

Her face scrunches up with confusion when we reach our destination and pull up in front of the combo bookstore/cafe/movie theater in the heart of downtown. “Doing some book shopping?”

“I guess you can after, but we’ve only got an hour, so you probably don’t want to waste any time.”

“Hey, book shopping is never a waste of time. You should know that. I remember how obsessed you were with those Percy Jackson books when we were kids.”

“I still read when I can. I spend a lot of time on buses with the team. Gotta have something to keep busy. I can only take those jokers goofing off for so long. Sometimes I listen to audio books to drown out all the antics.”

“Valid choice. I read on my Kindle most of the time. There’s nothing like the feel of a physical book, though. And the smell.” The moan she lets out has me trying to control my wayward parts again.

“Hey, Jordan,” A bright smile lights up the face of the redhead behind the counter as we walk through the front doors of the bookstore. “Thanks so much for arranging this.”

She gives me a warm smile. “No problem, Seb. Aspen will let you in through the back.” I’m surprised he’s not up here with her. Those two seem to have trouble keeping their hands off each other now that they’ve finally pulled their heads out of their asses to see what’s been in front of them this whole time.

I have to grab Abby’s hand when she starts to wander off in the direction of the fantasy display in the back corner. At least that’s what I tell myself. There’s a big stuffed dragon wearing a crown guarding the piles of books as if they’re made of gold.

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