Page 99 of Brick Wall
I’m not sure Morgan would have played at Chestnut Hill University her freshman year without outside funding. She probably would have played for a state school with cheaper tuition if it wasn’t for her generous athletic scholarship from a local foundation that was helping to bridge the gap.
After more research, I realized that Sebastian was one of the founding members of a new foundation in the community. I wanted to thank the person who sent me my dream libero. Ironic now that I completely forgot to tell him. Better late than never.
“Thank you for Morgan—and Callie, too! I think Hannah also received a scholarship from your foundation.”
His eyes bulge out and his body momentarily freezes. He rapidly blinks as he tries to process the information I told him.
“Really?” he finally says after a moment. Sebastian is in complete shock, but a happy one. His eyes are starting toswell, but he rubs any moisture away.
“Yes. I’m sorry I never thanked you before now. I think you may have distracted me a few times this year.” I add a wink for good measure. Sebastian definitely distracted me many times over the past year, but in the best ways possible.
“I’ll have to tell my sister,” he chokes out.
“Please do. You are doing amazing things on and off the football field.” I take his hand in mine and give him a squeeze. I make a mental note to tell this man how much he means to me often and how incredible he is. I know now he doesn’t give himself as much credit as he deserves, so I’m going to be his hype woman for as long as he’ll have me.
He leans forward and I match the distance as he gives me a sweet kiss. Sebastian breaks away quicker than I would like. I moan in protest.
“Happy one year of friendship.”
I laugh at that. “Today is our friendship date? Is that what we are calling it?”
“Exactly. You still owe me your worst date story.”
“Well, you still owe me theDirty Dancinglift.”
“Do I?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll tell you what. You tell me your worst first date story and then I’ll get in this ocean and lift you over my head, or try to at least.”
“Promise?” I bat my eyelashes at him as I extend my pinky and intertwine my finger with his.
“Promise,” he repeats.
“Okay.” I take a deep sigh. “It’s really not an interesting story. It’s been overhyped.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
I lay back down on my beach towel, where we lie side by side. We both turn to face each other, our hands grazing.
“Well, let’s see. I told you about the cat guy.”
“Yes, and you said that wasn’t the worst one.”
“Right, that date wasn’t bad. My actual worst date isn’t too bad either. It’s definitely not worth all this anticipation.” I pause for a second, and then I share, “For my worst date, he just kind of forgot.”
He raises his eyebrows in question. “Forgot about the date? He stood you up?”
“Not exactly. We were on the date, and it was going well. We went to one of those bar and arcade type places. Well, we ran into someone he knew from work, and he was chatting with them for a while. I stepped away for a minute to play a game because I had gotten bored, and he just didn’t notice. He ended up texting me three hours later, asking if I went to the bathroom. I was home in bed at that point. It sucked to be so unforgettable and unnoticeable for three whole hours.” I shrug to indicate it hurt way less than it actually did. It sucks when you are invisible sometimes, especially when you put yourself out there and thought it was going well.
“Hey, come here.” Sebastian tugs me forward and gives me one of those big bear hugs I love. I love being in his arms. I feel so protected and cared for when I’m with him.
“I don’t know how anyone could forget you.” He pauses and looks into my eyes. “Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re welcome,” I softly say.
“I honestly thought it was going to be funnier than your cat story,” he admits after a moment of silence.
