Page 46 of Brick Wall
“We had a scrimmage earlier today.”
“How’d it go?”
“Killed it,” I admit, and Sebastian fist-bumps me in response.
I love how competitive Sebastian is and how I don’t feel I need to lessen my accomplishments or hide my competitive nature from him. He’s just as competitive as I am, and I think we both like that about each other.
Sebastian has been texting me random volleyball questions over the past few weeks, and I love that he genuinely seems interested in my sport.
We started talking about my volleyball game earlier and his preseason games, but we quickly move on to other sports and topics.
Did you know there was such a sport as dog surfing? Yes, dogs on surfboards! I didn’t know either, but Sebastian promised to send me videos later, saying something about it being inappropriate to leave the party to watch dog videos instead. I disagree completely but comply.
I’m not sure how we got on the topic of obscure sports—dogsurfing, ostrich racing, cheese rolling, but I’m here for it. I haven’t laughed so much in such a short amount of time spent with Sebastian.
I’m about to add something to the conversation, but two young female counselors head straight for us, but mostly Sebastian.
I barely know these two, but they engage and captivate him. They are full of energy and beauty, sharing a funny story about his apparent favorite youth football player who returned later in the summer. He has a full belly laugh—my favorite laugh—at their amusing anecdote.
Gorgeous girl number one’s hand is conveniently touching Sebastian’s arm while she’s chatting like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Maybe it is.
I’m not being engaged or noticed anymore, so I finish my wine and slowly step away—no need to torture myself with this conversation.
I open the back door of the building, which is the closest route to the sand and water. I run straight into Ryan before I can dip my toes in the sand for a moment.
“Hey!” I say automatically.
“Annie! Hey! Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, what’s up?” I say automatically, without thinking.
“The catering company ran out of wine bottles. Do you think you can grab some more?”
“Sure, where?”
“Oh, I think some extra bottles are stashed in the storage shed.” Ryan casually points to the old red shed.
Oh, fuck no.
Does my brother truly think I’m an idiot?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sebastian
I’m starting to sweat. It’s hot in here, and this female keeps touching me for whatever reason. I need to get away, but I don’t think I can slowly back away like Annie did.
I finish the last of my drink, politely smile, and lift my glass.
“Oh, I’ll get you another!” one of the girls eagerly says.
“That’s okay. I need a moment,” I say, while darting to the back door. I need air, pronto.
I drop my empty glass of whiskey on the cocktail table near the door and push open the closest door I can find, one leading out to the side of the building.
I step outside and stand behind the door for a second, pushing it closed to ensure no one follows behind me.
I take a giant breath of fresh air. It’s a beautiful evening with a slight breeze. It’s about ten degrees cooler out here, and I already feel better. The stars are shining bright and are filling the night sky with a world of possibilities.
