Page 113 of The Flirty Forward

“What happened with that?” he asks curiously.

I tell him about how Rob sent flowers to Bri, and Aiden came in one day and made a huge scene in front of him to let him know she was Aiden’s girl. The tension eases off Sebastian’s face a little. “You okay?” I ask. “You seem real keyed up. Are you nervous for tonight?”

His head whips my way. “What do you mean?”

I lean back, surprised. “Nothing. I just wondered if you were nervous for the game tonight, and that’s why you’re so keyed up.”

“Oh, yeah.” He goes back to eating, and I wonder what’s getting him. I chalk it up to him being exhausted. They just gothome from a ten day stretch of away games; he’s entitled to a bad day now and then. We eat in silence. Too soon, it’s time for me to get back. I lean towards him and kiss his cheek. “I gotta run; thanks for lunch. Love you! I’ll see you after the game tonight.”

He catches my hand before I can climb out and pulls me close, kissing me deeply. “I love you; I’m sorry for being distant.”

“It’s okay. I’ll see you later. Okay?” He nods. “Thanks for the coffee,” I say, holding it up. I close my door and head inside. I shake my head, hoping he’ll be back to normal for the game tonight. I also make a mental note to make sure he gets some good rest this weekend. I head back to my classes, ready for the weekend to be here already.

Finally, the last bell rings. I’ve been grading tests for about an hour when Brielle shows up. “You ready to go?”

I look at my watch. “It’s only four.”

“I know, but I want to get into the city before the traffic gets crazy.”

I nod; I get that. “Let me just finish these last two tests, and we can go.” Bri flits around my room for a little bit and then starts pacing like a kid who’s had too much sugar. “You good?” I ask dryly.

“I’m good,” she says, beaming at me.

“You know that you’re not going to see Aiden until after the game, right?”

She sighs dramatically. “Yes, I know. Thank you.” She paces a little bit more and I raise an eyebrow. “What? I’m just excited for the game tonight. Speaking of, is that what you’re wearing tonight?” Her sudden change in topic throws me. I glance down at my outfit.

I stare at her puzzled. “You know this isn’t my first game, right? I haven’t worn a blazer to a game for a long time. I have Sebastian’s jersey packed in my bag in the car.”

“Oh right. Good. That’s good.”

I stare at her a moment before going back to my work. I'm going to just chalk it up to the fact that she’s anxious to see Aiden. True to my word, I finish the second test. “Done. Let's go.”

She’s out the door before I even stand up from my desk. I shake my head and pack up my bag and head out to the parking lot to find Brielle’s shiny yellow SUV that Aiden bought her. I throw my bag in the backseat and climb in the passenger seat.

“Ready?” Bri asks brightly.

“Yep.” We’re off moments later.

“What do you think we’ll have to do tonight?” I ask.

She glances over at me. “Are you worried about it?”

“Should I be?” I return.

She shrugs. “Whatever it is, it can’t be any worse than what I did last year so I’m not worried about it. Oh, I did ask Aiden to make sure they put something out for us this time, though. Last year was ridiculous, trying to walk on the ice in street shoes. It was a joke! Aiden said they have a mat or something they’re putting out”

“That’s good.”

“Yes, so much better.”

“How many other teachers will be at this event thing?” I ask.

Bri gives me an amused glance. “Event thing?”

“I don’t know what to call it.”

“Last year they called it teachers’ night,” she informs me. “And I don’t know how many teachers. Last year there were like ten to fifteen of us or something like that. I didn’t really pay attention; I was trying not to fall on the ice and break my neck.”

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