Page 37 of Brick Wall
“Yeah,” he taunts.
Before I can think properly, I take my hand to the water andtake a giant swipe, splashing him in return.
“That’s how you want to play it?” he asks, and I smirk in response.
He leans over the canoe and places his large hands in the water.
I close my eyes in anticipation, but I don’t get wet. Instead, I feel the canoe move erratically.
I open my eyes and notice Sebastian moving too fast to one side.
Before I can react or stop the moment, we both fall headfirst into the cold water with that old blue canoe toppling over us.
Chapter Eighteen
Sebastian
Idon’t have Annie’s number. I don’t know why I never asked her for it before now. I should have it. I simply want to talk to her and see how she’s doing, but I can’t.
After we got the canoe right side up and back to shore, the exchange was awkward. We both were soaked and uncomfortable. I quickly said goodbye to get home to change and dry everything out, especially those items left in my pocket. I also wanted her to do the same without any distractions from me.
I felt so guilty getting us into that position in the first place that I just fled. I left immediately after getting to dry land, but I’m now doubting that decision.
Fuck. I can’t believe I was so careless with her. I hate that I was clumsy. I should have known better and not fooled around in the canoe. A more athletic or agile guy would never make that mistake.
Did I even check to see if she was all right besides myimmediate inquiry when we were still in the water? Did I check to see if she got hit with an oar or anything when the canoe flipped over?
It’s been two days since the incident, and I cannot stop thinking about her. I need to know if she’s okay.
I can’t ask her brother, any of them, really, because they are nosy fuckers. I could ask Bryce, but then he would probably tell Goldie.
I look around the workout room at the practice facility and my eyes land on my prime target by the weights.
“Hey, Feet.”
“Brick Wall!” He chants in an annoying frat boy voice. I’m not a huge fan of my moniker. It reminds me of high school when I was first given the undeserved nickname. I was overweight and awkward back then, and sometimes I still am. I’d take Brick Wall over Feet any day though.
“What’s up?” Feet says, after remaining quiet for a beat.
“Hey, uh…” Shit. I should have thought about how to word this before coming over. I’m only smooth on the football field. “I’m looking for a phone number. I think I may have misplaced it.” I add that lie to help convince Feet to hand the number over.
Many players are hesitant to give personal information without asking permission first. I like that about my team, and it helps keep each other safe, especially from crazy people. However, in times like these, it’s annoying.
“Whose number?”
“Annie Moore’s,” I say, realizing it doesn’t automatically ring any bells for him. “She was on our basketball team—tall, a friend of Goldie’s.” His eyes light up in recognition, and I tack on a lie to help seal the deal. “I wondered if she could join oneof my intramural teams.”
“Which one? How come you didn’t ask me?” Feet sounds a little hurt.
“Uh, I just need another girl,” I stumble.
“Oh, understood.”
He picks up his phone and scrolls through his numbers. My phone dings a minute later with the contact info.
“Thanks, man,” I say while pounding knuckles with him. “I appreciate this.”
“You’re welcome. Hope you don’t play basketball again because you suck.”
