Page 83 of Brick Wall
“No.” Scarlett shakes her head.
Hmm, weird. Scarlett is the third person I’ve asked who hasn’t seen him. I haven’t seen Sebastian since he headed to the bathroom over twenty minutes ago, leaving me at the bar awaiting his return.
I head back to our round dinner table, where my small purse is under my chair. I grab my phone and open it to find a few texts from Sebastian from fifteen minutes ago.
Sebastian: I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well
Sebastian: I’m going home to rest
Um, what? Why didn’t he come get me? I would have obviously left with him, or helped, or anything, really. Whydidn’t he tell me in person?
Sebastian: I’m sorry. Bryce said that he could give you a ride home tonight
Sebastian: Hope you enjoy the rest of your night
He hopes that I enjoy the rest of my night? That’s not likely, especially knowing he’s sick at home. I tuck my phone back in my purse and throw my bag over my shoulder. I head to the coat check, hand a woman my number, and request a ride from my phone while I wait.
When I make eye contact with Scarlett from across the room and give her a quick goodbye wave, she hurries her way over to me.
“Sebastian texted me and said he left because he was sick?” My question comes out like an awkward question. I’m honestly confused here.
“Really?” Scarlett seems taken aback a bit by my admission.
“Yeah, I’m thinking of going over there to see if he’s okay?” I share the idea out in the open with Scarlett. I need a second opinion about this because I don’t know if I’m overstepping or just…stepping correctly.
“I think you should,” Scarlett agrees with me. Her confirmation tells me I’m doing the right thing. Unfortunately, there’s no playbook when it comes to relationships.
Scarlett shuffles around in her purse for a minute and pulls out a key. “Here’s the spare key to his apartment. I think you know the guy working tonight, but I’ll call to make sure you have no problems getting up to his floor.”
“Thank you.” I squeeze Scarlett’s hand in gratitude, and she seems uncertain of the contact at first, but then squeezes back.
“Take good care of him,” she sincerely says. “He’s stupid and stubborn sometimes,” she adds as I’m turning to leave.
“I will,” I promise, and then I head out to find my sick man.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, I’m in Sebastian’s apartment. It was relatively easy getting here and getting in; everything is aligning just right.
I tiptoe around his apartment and find him fast asleep in his bed.
His door is wide open, and I hear him snoring from the entryway. His sheets are thrown to the side, and he’s just lying on top of his bed, completely naked.
I try not to ogle him too much.He’s sick, dammit.
I head over to his bedside and place a light sheet across his body, but he instantly kicks it to the side. I also notice he’s not using his CPAP machine, but maybe he was too sick to remember.
I cup my hand over his forehead to check for a fever, but I can’t tell, so I gently graze my lips across his forehead instead. No fever.
Should I sleep on the couch? Should I sleep in the chair?
I’m debating my next move when his hand gently grabs me, and I hear a soft murmur, “Stay.”
“Okay,” I softly respond. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
I head to the bathroom for a few minutes and then grab a shirt that smells just like Sebastian from his drawer.
I crawl into bed next to a once again snoring Sebastian andsmile before falling asleep.
