Page 70 of Brick Wall
I see headlights coming toward the bus, and I instantly smile as I see an extra-large man exit the passenger side of a smaller vehicle.
I can’t believe how kind the universe was to me. What are the odds that my California games coincided with the Revs bye week?
I’m so excited that Sebastian wanted to come with me for this road trip, and there was extra room for him. I’m surprised he didn’t want to travel earlier by himself, but he insisted this is what he preferred. I’m not going to complain. I get to see him more this way, especially since we were able to spend most nights during his bye week in my bed.
I’m nervous about how my girls will respond to a male on this road trip, though, but families accompany the coaches from time to time. Not my actual family, though. This is the first time I’m bringing someone with me to an away series, especially a boyfriend.
I’ve had a few boyfriends occasionally, but none have met any of my players nor have they even seen me coach before. I’m excited to have Sebastian here with me, and I’m excited to be in his home state with him.
In fact, on Saturday evening, I’m going out to dinner with him and his mom. She lives about an hour north of Berkeley and will meet us at a restaurant after we check into our new hotel and get settled.
It doesn’t escape my notice how fast this relationship is going. We haven’t been official for long, but I have known Sebastian for six months now. Maybe that is why I feel so comfortable around him.
Sebastian steps onto the bus and gives me a big smile, and I can’t help but beam in return, no matter how tired and grumpy I am.
“Ooooh,” I hear the girls say as Sebastian takes a seat in the front row of the bus.
“Coach! That your boyfriend?” my player Callie eagerly asks.
“Coach! Who’s this unfamiliar addition?” I hear another ask.
Three more girls step onto the bus, and we only need the final two before taking off.
“Okay, listen up. This is my boyfriend, Sebastian.” I point to Sebastian, not that they couldn’t figure it out since he’s currently the only male on the bus besides the driver. “Sebastian, this is Chestnut Hill’s women’s volleyball team, the best in the country. I expect you to treat Sebastian as fairly as you would any other family member that comes along on the trip.”
“Family! Does that mean you two are getting married?”
“Can I come to the wedding, Coach!? I’ll be your flower girl!”
“Aww, you’d make such a good flower girl!”
“I know, right? I’ll even wear flowers in my hair!”
Okay, this one got away from me way too fast. “No more questions. Just be good,” I sternly say with one finger pointing at my team. “And don’t bother Sebastian.”
I glance over to Sebastian where amusement dances in his eyes.
My last two players step onto the bus, and I check my watch. They arrived exactly at call time.
“Hi, Coach!” Morgan, my best libero,greets me as she’s about to pass me. “Oh! What is a professional football player doing on the bus?” She stops when she sees Sebastian sitting in the first row.
“If you arrived earlier, you would know my boyfriend is joining us on this trip,” I firmly say to Morgan.
“Gotcha, Coach. Welcome aboard, Sebastian.” She salutes Sebastian as she walks by.
Sebastian simply nods to Morgan in reply.
“Welcome!” Kara, the player that arrived with Morgan, says to Sebastian. She’s about to walk past both of us but then stops and turns to Sebastian. “Oh! You play for the Revs, right? Do you know Quinn Banks? I heard he’s single. Do you think you could set me up with him?”
“No,” he replies instantly. “He’s too old for all of you,” Sebastian grumbles, looking less amused than he did a few minutes ago.
“Okay, girls. Get in your seats. We are leaving for the airport now,” I say while giving awe are readynod to the bus driver.
There’s a lot of excitement and chatter on the bus, especially at five in the morning. I try to tune out most of their conversations, but I still happen to overhear the topic of Revs players and their supposed hotness ratings.
Dang. I’m instantly regretting bringing Sebastian along. I should have asked him to meet us in California instead.
He probably wishes the same.
