Page 21 of The Flirty Forward

I rub my forehead, hoping it will keep me from bursting out into hysterical laughter. Because...right. It’s me. “I need to get back to my class.”

“Just go to a game, Stephanie,” she says, using my first name for the first time. “It’s just a game. We’ll get pictures and go from there.”

Absolutely worn out, I sigh. “Fine. When?”

She taps on her phone, swiping on something. “Tuesday night.”

I don’t let myself think. “Fine.”

“I’ll make sure a ticket is at the front office.”

“I can get my own ticket,” I tell her tersely.

She gives me an exasperated look. “Oh. My bad. I forgot that you know where Sebastian’s family sits and will know what seat to get and what to do if one is not available near them.”

I bite my tongue so I don’t respond to her flippant attitude. I take a deep breath. Even though the words nearly kill me, I ask, “Will you please get me a ticket then?”

She smiles brightly. “Sure, Stephanie. I would be happy to get a ticket for you. Anything else I can do for you?”

Suddenly, I feel exhausted. “Thank you.”

She nods and works on her phone. A few minutes later, she looks up. “You’re good to go. Your ticket will be at the box office Tuesday night.”

I nod. “Thanks.” Without another word, I walk towards my classroom. I step into my classroom and glance at the clock.Ten minutes.That’s all I have to endure until this terrible day is done. I don’t even bother teaching because my class is way too keyed up at having had Sebastian Hart visit our class. I let it go; I'm not really in the mood to teach anyway. “Be ready for a quiz on your reading on Monday,” I call out as my students pack up and head out.

I sit at my desk a moment later and wonder if it’s even worth working when my mind is such a hot mess. I decide to just pack up and head home. I need to clear my head anyway. On my way out the door, I text Brielle, so she knows I’m leaving. I’m almost to the front door of the school when I hear her voice behind me. “Stephanie.”

I turn and wait for her to catch up. “Were you going to try and navigate that crowd by yourself?” she asks with wide eyes.

I glance out and grimace. “It’s fine. I just need to get to my car.”

Brielle nods. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

We open the front door and begin the walk to the parking lot. It only takes me a few seconds to realize this was a bad idea, a really bad idea. We get surrounded on all sides. We try to push forward through the crowd but don’t make any traction. I grab Brielle’s hand, and we push through the crowd, ignoring peopleshouting at us. I feel like it’s going to be okay, when suddenly, Brielle is shoved into me. Hard. We both stumble but manage to keep moving. Using all my strength, I force our way through the crowd.

Somehow, we make it to my car. I don’t even bother looking for Brielle’s car. “Get in,” I shout. I climb into the front seat and slam my door behind me, locking it. She does the same. I throw my bag at her and start the car and pull out a second later. “Hang on,” I tell her. I make my way through the parking lot as fast as I dare.

It’s only when we’re out on the main road that I finally look over at her. “Are you okay?” my voice is hoarse. She nods, but she looks shaken. “Brielle?”

“I’m fine.” She winces and turns her arm over.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“My glucose reader got knocked, and I’m no longer getting a number.” She sighs. “I’ll get a new one when I get home.”

Silence settles in the car, and I’m filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, Bri. I should have waited for somebody to walk us out.”

“This is not your fault, Stephanie,” she says, but her words don’t make me feel any less guilty. “I’m serious, Steph. It’s not your fault. None of this.” She sounds almost angry, and that’s not her at all. “Those people are ridiculous. This is absolutely out of control. I’m going to talk to Aiden; something needs to be done.” She shakes her head. Before I can say anything, her phone rings. “Hey, Handsome.” I stay quiet while she talks to Aiden. “Yeah. It got knocked out; that’s why you’re not getting any numbers.” I can tell she glances at me, but I don’t respond. “Aiden, the whole thing is out of control.” She goes on to explain what just happened, and even I cringe upon hearing it. I know Aiden is not going to be happy; he’s a little protective of Brielle. Okay, he’s alotprotective of her. Brielle turns to me. “I don’t know. Let me ask.” She gives me an apologetic look. “Do youmind taking me back for my car so I can drive to Aiden; he...” She pauses. “I’m sure they won’t still be there, Aiden,” she says.

I’m already turning. “I’ll take you to him.”

She’s still on the phone. “No, I...okay. Okay. She’s bringing me to you. I’ll be there in about an hour. Yeah...okay. Love you too.” She hangs up and looks over at me. “I’m sorry. I know this is not how you wanted to spend your Friday night. You can take me back to my car.”

“It’s fine, Bri,” I glance at my friend quickly. ”You’d do the same for me, right?” She nods. “It’s fine.” We’re both quiet as we begin the commute into the city. I turn on the radio and try to relax. She’s right; this is not at all how I wanted to spend my Friday night. But seeing as it’s my fault that she got hurt in the first place, it’s only right that I do this. “They don’t have a game tonight, right?”

“No, they had meetings or something today; so their practice is tonight.”

“That’s good. At least we don’t have to deal with the crowds tonight,” I say, trying to be upbeat.

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