Page 72 of Brick Wall
“Annie, I hope we can see each other again soon!” my mom says when we are on our way out of the restaurant.
“Yes, I hope so too!”
“Do you plan to attend any of his football games? Are you going to travel to any of them?” my mom eagerly asks. She doesn’t make a lot of my games, but she always attends one on the road and one at home, at the very least.
“I can’t make any of the away games this year and so many of my games fall on Sundays. I think there’s only a few remaining ones I can make. What about you?”
“Ah, well, I’m going to his Miami game and none in Boston yet,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. She loves coming to the warm games in the winter, and saves the cold weather games when it’s playoffs. “Hopefully we will see each other soon! Maybe playoffs!”
“Hopefully,” Annie sweetly agrees, crossing her fingers behind her back. I choke back a laugh. Annie is just as superstitious as me, and hates saying those jinx words too early.
We both give my mom a big hug goodbye and then we stroll through the California streets hand in hand before we head back to the hotel for the evening.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Annie
Our flight got delayed, very delayed, so we didn’t arrive back in Boston until after seven on Monday morning.
I drove back with Sebastian to his place because it’sslightlycloser, plus I have some stuff at his house I can change into. Okay, and even though we spent the whole weekend together, I could use more time with him.
We walk into the lobby and press the elevator button. The door to the elevator opens, and out pops Scarlett.
Her strawberry blonde hair is a little tousled, and her clothes are wrinkled. She’s always been very polished and polite the few times I’ve met her. I’m not saying she isn’t now, but she’s just…less so.
“Hey, Scarlett. What are you doing here?” Sebastian easily greets her.
She lifts her eyes to Sebastian, and she has a deer-in-the-headlights look for a second, but it quickly changes into anuncomfortable smile.
“Sebastian, hey! Uh, I forgot,” she stutters. “I forgot you were away. I stopped by to say hello,” she says with a little more confidence.
“Oh, do you want to come up? We can catch up for a few,” Sebastian says sincerely.
“Oh, uh, well, sure,” she says with a lack of confidence, again.
“Did you want to go over changes and updates for the women’s shelter?”
“Oh, well, unfortunately I forgot the files…” She lets those last words drift away.
I don’t dare say a thing. I’m enjoying myself watching this interaction between the two of them.
“Oh, that’s okay. We just got back and are exhausted. And I have to get to the stadium soon to watch some tape to start off the week.”
“Don’t fall asleep again,” Scarlett teases her baby brother.
“I only fall asleep half the time. Plus, it’s boring when Coach makes us watch the same play over and over.” He turns directly to me and then adds, “No offense to coaches.”
“None taken.” I nod solemnly. Plus, I tend to think he’s falling asleep, not only because he’s exhausted as a player and a philanthropist, but he’s not getting the proper sleep each night. I bet he’s not getting any quality sleep, which is why he’s more tired than usual.
“I don’t want you to get fired. I enjoy having the foundation in Boston,” Scarlett adds.
“Me too,” Sebastian agrees while giving me a big cheesy smile.
“I enjoy having you both in Boston, too,” I admit. “Hey, Scarlett, come over for dinner soon. Tuesdays usually workwell for us if you are up for it.”
“That’s a great idea!” Sebastian easily agrees. “Do you want to come over on Tuesday night for takeout?”
“Sure! That sounds good! I’ll let you both go now, though. You must be exhausted from your trip, but I’ll see you on Tuesday!” With that, Scarlett hugs us goodbye and then hurries out of the building. We press the elevator once again to go upstairs.
