Page 43 of One Love
Sebastian
The girls’ voices fill theair when I come back up from the gym.
Good!
It gives me a little time to complete my date for Devin. I can’t imagine the turmoil ravaging her inside. Thinking about everything that could have happened—everything that did happen—eats me alive, and I wasn’t even here.
As I lifted my bodyweight over the pull-up bar in the gym, I tried to think of ways to make Devin feel good about herself and her new look, even if only for a small amount of time.
It’s been less than twenty-four hours since she was attacked, and Crystal is still on the loose. There’s no way I’m taking her out of this building. I can’t believe I even suggested it this morning. Devin’s nervousness and anxiety in the cab on the way home last night is a reminder that it’s not safe to go out yet.
We need something simple. I’m thinking a nice lunch and a movie. It’ll give her something else to focus on until we have news about Crystal. Mark has been sending me texts to keep me in the loop. They are compiling everything they can on Crystal.
I called the Italian place down the street that Devin loves to order from when she’s here and ordered lunch to be delivered soon.
“Hey, ladies,” I call into the bathroom as I grab some clothes so I can shower. “I’m back.”
I hear something about a sex swing and hightail it out of there and into the hall bathroom.
The last thing I want on top of all the horrifying visions of Crystal’s attack in my head is picturing my sister or Lauren in a sex swing.
Gross!
I’m towel drying my hair in the living room when Madison and Lauren stride in.
“Wait until you see your girlfriend,” Madison teases.
“You’re going to need to be alone, I’m sure,” Lauren adds with a wink.
I chuckle. “I usually do want to be alone with her.”
“Eww.” Madison’s face scrunches up as if she didn’t realize where this conversation is going. “I’ve already been traumatized enough this weekend.”
That’s a sobering statement if I’ve ever heard one. Madison and I had our moment in the hospital last night. I’m so damn proud of her. Who knows what Devin would be facing if not for Madison’s quick thinking? It was hard to choose between the two of them, but Madison insisted she was fine and that I needed to be there for Devin when she woke up. Jax stayed with her for me.
Lauren, as always, knows just how to turn the situation around. “Your girl was hot as hell before I got my hands on her,” she says before cutting her eyes to my pants. “So good thing you’re wearing sweatpants because things are about to get really tight in the crotch area when you see her now.”
Madison swings her arm, smacking Lauren across her chest. “Can you not talk about my brother’s crotch please?”
“You started it,” she replies before sticking her tongue out like a five-year-old.
Grinning at the two of them, I walk toward Lauren and bring her in for a hug, whispering in her ear. “Thank you. I owe you.”
“You’re welcome.” Lauren smiles up at me. “I’m glad I could help. I like Devin. She seems pretty amazing.”
“We have to get going,” Madison says as she moves in and gives me a hug. “She needs you right now. Take good care of her.”
Hugging her back tightly, I remember Madison could have easily been the one in Devin’s shoes right now, or worse.
My phone rings from my pocket, interrupting our goodbye.
It’s Clive.
“Your order is here, sir,” he says when I answer. “I’m sending it up now.”
“Thank you.”
Sliding my phone into my pocket, I grin at the girls. “How about one more favor before you go?”
