Page 47 of Brick Wall
I start to make my way down to the water, but before I doso, I hear familiar voices around the corner.
“Can you please stop pushing me toward Sebastian? It’s embarrassing!” Annie’s familiar voice lingers in the air, but it’s more strained than usual.
Annie clearly has no idea I’m out here and can overhear their conversation. I take a few steps closer to them but stay on the other side of the building, so I am just out of sight.
“He’s not into me. He’s made it very clear we are just friends. Leave it, Ryan.”
“That’s not what I’m doing,” Ryan defends himself.
“Yeah?” She has a maniacal laugh that I haven’t heard before. “You’re going to play innocent, huh?”
“Look, can’t a guy want his baby sister to be happy?”
“I’m happy,” she responds instantly.
There’s an awkward silence in the air, and I’m unsure if any words have been spoken.
“I am happy,” Annie firmly states. “But this is about your happiness, not mine. You just want Sebastian as a brother-in-law.”
“Well, that would be really cool.” I can barely hear the mumbled retort.
“Please leave the man alone. If he were interested, he would have made a move by now, okay?”
There’s a minute of silence, and I’m not sure if they left, are talking low, or are silent.
“I’m going to go home.” I barely hear those words from Annie’s mouth, but they float through the air to me.
“Okay,” I hear Ryan speak softly but clearly. “Do you think you can stay for a few? We’re doing the awards in twenty minutes. You can leave after that.”
There’s more silence, but then I hear Ryan add, “I’m goingto grab the wine from the shed. It’s really in there, and we do need it.” Ryan continues, “I’ll see you in twenty?”
“It’s okay,” I hear some resolve in her voice. “I can grab the wine. I’ll bring it over before the awards, but I’m leaving immediately after.”
“Thank you, Annie. You are the best!” I hear Ryan shout as he’s on the move.
I decide it’s time for me to make a move, too.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Annie
I’m not sure why I’m shaking, why I’m so upset. I need a minute of absolute silence and darkness to recharge. It’s why I volunteered to step into the shed to begin with.
I place the key into the lock and step inside, expecting the familiar musty smell to fill my lungs instead of—cedar and whiskey? Weird.
I shut the door without turning on the lights. I move forward andbumpright into a wall.
“Fuck,” a curse slips out of me.
Warm hands cover both my shoulders to steady me, and the light flicks on, and all I can see is the brick wall in front of me.Sebastian.
“I’m sorry. I told Ryan not to get involved, and he never listens to me.” Words spill out of me quickly in a nervous ramble. Fuck, he’s going to think I set this up.
“He didn’t.” His hands are still on my shoulders, holding me up. “I’m responsible for this.”
“What?” I’m so confused.
“I overheard your conversation with Ryan.” He admits with a slight blush on his cheeks, which I quickly emulate. I’m instantly embarrassed. I’m about to apologize, but he takes one hand off my shoulder to form a stop motion with his hand while also stating the words. The hand then falls to his side, not returning to my other shoulder. I feel sad about the loss of heat.
