by Parker, Ali
“You’re making me nervous,” I said, looking back at him.
“Don’t mind me. I’m just enjoying the view.”
I gave my ass a wiggle, and while still looking back at him, I made the shot. Seth rose up from his stool and watched the ball go in. I didn’t even have to look back to know I’d won the game.
He looked down at me with a grin. “Showoff.”
I laughed, knowing it was an easy shot. “I’m actually surprised it worked. I’m never that bold, but it was worth it to watch your face.”
“I haven’t lost a game in a while, and never to a girl. Although I can’t remember ever really playing with anyone but Layla, and she could barely make a straight shot.”
I felt my cheeks warm as he walked over and put his arms around me to draw me in close for a kiss.
I wondered what he had on his mind. He had opted to take me out again instead of going to the night’s victory party at Omega House. That made two wins and two no-shows, and while it showed me how much he cared, I had to wonder how long it would take before he missed his friends.
I’d enjoy it while it lasted, but I knew it was only a matter of time before the party-animal Seth reared his gorgeous head. And what then?
But maybe I was just afraid of it ending so much I wasn’t giving him enough credit for how much he’d changed. Maybe he wouldn’t ever want to go back to another victory party? That would be fine with me, but I just didn’t know if Seth could be happy without it.
Things had been going so great between us, and Seth was really going out of his way to prove to me that he was a better man than anyone had ever given him credit for.
When he pulled away, he brushed my hair behind my ear. “I guess I should take you home and tuck you in.”
I checked the time and realized it was nearly one thirty in the morning. “Wow, I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve had so much fun.”
“Yeah, me too. Even though I got my ass kicked repeatedly.” He took out his keys and drank the last sip of his beer, which had to be warm by then.
“Hey, you beat me the first few games fair and square.”
We walked out to the Jeep, and he opened the door for me and made sure I was in before he closed it and went around to the other side. When he got in behind the wheel, he checked his phone and put it in the console.
I didn’t want the night to end, but I didn’t want to suggest that Seth stay another night so soon. Not that I didn’t want him to, but I felt I needed to take things a little slower, especially now that we’d been so intimate.
When we arrived at the apartment unit, he found his usual spot next to my car and shut the Jeep off to walk me to the door. After a long kiss goodnight, he said his goodbyes and left without even a suggestion of staying a while.
Maybe he was waiting for me to ask him to stay? I wasn’t sure. I just knew that I missed him as he drove away, and I wondered if that longing was normal or if I was hopelessly falling in love with him.
As I went inside, I thought about the Omega party and wondered if he was going to stop by. I quickly put the thought out of my head, giving him the benefit of the doubt. I couldn’t go around accusing him of sneaking. It wasn’t fair, and he’d done nothing to deserve that kind of suspicion. At least not with me. And I couldn’t hold the sins of his past against him.
I went to the bathroom to shower, but as soon as I turned on the faucet to let the water warm, my phone rang.
I smiled. Seth must miss me already. But it wasn’t Seth.
Clara’s number showed up on the screen. “Great.”
I wondered if she had driven by and found I wasn’t home, or worse, maybe she heard that Seth and I were out together, kissing in public and acting like a couple.
I answered the phone. “Hey, sis. What did I do now?”
“It’s Dillon,” he said in a panicked voice. “Look, I know it’s late, but I’m at the hospital with Clara. She’s having some problems.”
“What? What kind of problems, Dillon? Is she conscious?”
“She’s awake. She was just having some issues breathing, her heartrate is up, and she’s freaking me out.”
“I’m on the way!”
“Thanks, I didn’t want to be here alone. I’ll see you soon. They’re calling me back.”
I turned off the shower, grabbed my keys, and hurried to the hospital. I drove past Omega and spotted Seth’s Jeep there. He was outside talking to Micah and Ben when I drove by, and he turned just in time to see my car.
I kept going. He was going to do what he wanted, and there was nothing I could do about it. I had my sister to think about. It didn’t stop the hurt in my heart. He had brought me home so he could go to a party without me.
A few minutes later when I was almost to the hospital, my phone rang, and sure enough, it was Seth calling, probably to give me an explanation. I didn’t want to hear it. But when the call ended, a text came next asking if everything was okay, and that set me off. I hit the call button in my car and commanded it to call him back.
He answered on the first ring. “Hey, was that you who drove by?”
“Yeah, I’m on my way to the hospital. Don’t let that interrupt your good time.”
“Hey, it’s not like that, but what’s going on? Are you okay? Is it Clara?”
“Yes, it’s Clara. And I don’t know what’s going on. With you or her.”
“Nothing is going on. I saw Micah waving me down and stopped to talk a minute. When I saw you driving by, I thought you were checking up on me.”
“Nope, I thought you had gone home. But I guess I know now why you didn’t want to stay with me.”
“I did want to stay with you, but I didn’t want to be that guy. I hoped you’d make the first move again. And if you’re this upset, you should have called me, and I could have taken you to the hospital myself.”
“I got upset when I saw you at Omega House. I thought you went to the party. It wouldn’t be my business if you did, I guess.”
“It is, Avery. Babe, don’t make more of this than it is. I’m about to leave and go home. I could come there if you want me to.”
“No. I don’t want to upset Clara. She wouldn’t want you there.”
“I guess you’re right. I’m sorry I upset you.” I could tell by the sound of his voice that he meant it.
I felt terrible for thinking the worst, but things were just going so well, it had to be too good to be true. “I’m sorry I got upset.”
“Will you call me when you get home? I’m worried about you out so late. You were already yawning earlier on the way home.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll drink some strong hospital coffee, and it will wake me up. Plus, Dillon is there. If I get too sleepy, I’ll catch a ride.”
He sighed. “Okay. Just let me know you’re safe. Night, babe.”
The call ended, and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I didn’t like how close to a fight that had come. I didn’t want anything to mess us up, not jealousy, or fear, or anything.
I went to the elevators and pushed the button for the cardio wing. When I landed, the door opened, and I could already see Dillon filling out some paperwork with one of the staff.
I hurried over. “How is she?”
“She’s fine. They have her taking it easy, and they are going to check her heart and make sure it’s not giving out.”
“Oh no. Do you think that’s possible?”
Dillon, who was as pale as a ghost, shrugged. “She kept saying she felt weird earlier after she ate.”
“At least she’s eating.”
“Barely,” he said. “I’m not sure my being away was a good idea.”
“She wouldn’t eat much for me either. I was afraid she was just putting on a show for me.”
“It’s all the stress from me being on the team. I should probably just wait another few years and see if they’ll have me back in training.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What if I lose her?”
&nbs
p; “We won’t.” I wasn’t going to let him worry himself sick, and I knew that Clara would be upset if he said a word about wanting to quit. “You didn’t tell her that you were thinking of quitting, did you?”
“No, it just occurred to me that I should.”
“You can’t quit. Clara will be upset, and that’s the last thing she needs right now.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“So, what happened?”
“She was fine. We were watching TV and got ready for bed. She had said she felt weird earlier but didn’t actually describe what she meant. I know she’s had a lot on her mind.” He shook his head. “I should have questioned her more.”
All I could do was hug him to comfort him. Dillon slumped against me as if he needed me to hold him up. “It’s going to be okay.”
And no sooner than I said that, a doctor came out from the back and called us over. “I’m Dr. Ford. I just wanted to let you know that Clara is fine. She’s had a small panic attack, and I’ve given her something safe that will calm her nerves a bit. She’s going to be prone to this for a while, and it’s actually quite normal.”
“Oh man,” said Dillon. “Thank you. That’s a relief.”
“Yeah, and you did the right thing bringing her in. She’s still a bit underweight, and a small panic attack could worsen her condition if it causes her so much stress.”
The concern in Dillon’s eyes made my heart hurt. He really loved my sister with all of his heart. And that was the way I wanted Seth to love me. “Did she say what caused it?” he asked. “She was fine one minute and not the next.”
“Anything can bring them on, especially with her going through all she has. I’ll have her stay another hour for evaluation, and you can take her home.”
“Thanks.” I let out a sigh of relief as Dillon thanked Dr. Ford and shook his hand.
A few minutes later, we were called back and brought to a room where we found Clara looking fragile in a wheelchair.
“Hey,” she said. “I guess I overreacted.”
“Nonsense,” said Dillon. “Don’t ever feel that way. If you need a doctor, we come down, okay?”
She nodded and accepted his forehead kiss before glancing over at me. “Hey, Avery. Sorry you had to come all the way down here.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll always come when you need me.”
“I just want to go home now,” she said with a shrug. “I feel perfectly fine. I’m just tired and want my own bed.”
“They aren’t keeping you. Just a few hours, and we get to go home. We can handle that, right?” Dillon gave her a wink and went to kneel beside her and hold her hand.
“Could you get me something to drink?” she asked.
“Sure, do you want anything else?” he asked as he got up and fished in his pocket for some cash. “Avery, do you want something?”
“No, I’m good.”
Clara shook her head. “Just a drink. I’ll eat later. I promise.”
“Okay,” he said. He didn’t want to argue with her. He walked out, leaving me to sit with her.
I found a chair across the small room and sat down. “You had me worried.”
“Well, that makes two of us. I heard you were out with Seth.”
“Boy, news travels fast. Is that what put you in the hospital tonight?”
“Funny.”
“I don’t think you’re in any condition to have this conversation with me tonight. Why don’t we wait until you are home and give it a few days?” Or months? Maybe never?
“I heard about you and Seth making out in his Jeep. And how you’ve been seen all around campus. I guess things are heating up?”
“You really want to go there?” I shook my head. My sister was so stubborn at times. She didn’t know what was good for her.
“Do you really like him?” Clara asked as if it was the most impossible thing in the world.
“Yeah, I do. It’s different with him and me. He’s opened up to me and explained his side of things, and if I could tell you those truths, which I can’t because it’s not my story to tell, you’d like him too.”
“I doubt it.” She shook her head. “Are you sleeping with him?”
“Really? You’re in the hospital from a panic attack, and you want to ask me that?”
“You are. I can’t believe you, Avery.” She looked away from me.
“I didn’t say that.” I didn’t want to explain anything, knowing she wouldn’t even accept it.
“So you’re not?” she asked, giving me a pointed look.
“I didn’t say that, either. It’s not your business, and it’s nothing you need to worry about.”
“You’re my sister, and he’s already hurt one of my friends.”
“He cheated, yes, but the rest of it never happened!” I let my voice get a little louder than I wanted it to, and Dillon came in and slammed the door behind him. “What the hell is going on here? This isn’t the time for a fight, Avery.”
He was blaming me.
“I’m not fighting.” I held up my hands.
“Maybe you should go.”
“It’s not her fault,” said Clara. “But she’s making a huge mistake. She’s sleeping with Seth Mills.”
Dillon’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “Did you really think it was the right time to confide that to your sister?”
“I didn’t. She brought him up, and yes, I think it’s time I go home. I’ll call you when you’re not hospitalized and insane.” I left the room, upset that Clara was so against us. I had been happy for her when she found Dillon and supported them, even though she was in her condition. But my sister would never accept Seth, no matter how much I loved him and cared about him.
I realized what just happened as I got behind the wheel. I turned the mirror down and looked myself in the eye. “You just admitted to yourself that you love him.”
It had happened so fast I didn’t even realize I’d been falling.
Chapter 16
Seth
The following day of me getting my ass kicked at pool by the hottest girl at Pro-U, I found myself getting roughed up on the field. Coach Carr had us running some hard plays and making some tough passes, but I held my own.
Knowing I’d almost fucked up by stopping at Omega House made me feel a bit tied down. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be with Avery in an official capacity because I did, but I didn’t want every single move I made policed either.
When I saw that car coming down the road, I thought she had been suspicious and that I had done something to upset her. Thinking I could lose her over something so innocent and that wasn’t even a big deal made my stomach hurt.
I hadn’t even had those feelings before mixed up with my caring for someone else. Although I’d never really cared for anyone the way I cared for Avery.
I would have never stopped, but Micah saw me coming down the street and waved me down. Turned out even though I had a bad reputation, some people missed me. He had asked me where I’d been and if everything was okay, which was just the kind of guy he was.
I had only been there about ten minutes when Avery saw me, and thankfully, she called me back later that night and told me all about her sister and her suspicions. I wasn’t sure where that left us or if things would change, but I hoped they wouldn’t.
Coach blew his whistle, and I knew that was my cue to get my head back to the task at hand. “Mills, let’s see the first play again.”
He blew the whistle, and we lined up in our positions. When he blew it again, we sprang into action. I made a throw and pushed my way down the line to the goal, and when the ball came back to me, I was right where I needed to be to score.
Coach blew the whistle again. “Perfect. You guys have done a great job today. This is giving it your all.” He blew his whistle one more time. “Be ready, boys. That next game is going to be brutal. Now hit the showers.”
As the others left the field, he walked over and patted my shoulder. “Good job, son. You
really tore it up today.”
“I have a good coach,” I said, knowing it was always better to suck up to Coach Carr than not.
“You and your flattery tell me you’re in a good mood. I take it things are going well with your girlfriend after all?”
“I knew it was only a matter of time before you found out.”
“Well, some of your teammates are snitches. Don’t go robbing any banks with them.” He chuckled as we walked in. “Whatever she does for you, it’s not so bad. Just keep it up.”
He walked ahead of me into the building, and I went to the showers once inside. Despite the whispers from Motor and Carver, everyone else was quiet, too tired from working hard to have much gab left in them.
I went to the shower and washed up, thinking of how much Avery inspired me to do my best. I hadn’t missed any of the wild parties, and even being outside with Micah the night before was the closest I wanted to come to Omega House without Avery. I was ready for everyone to know that we were a thing. Damn them all if they didn’t like it.
I finished up and walked out of the locker room to head to the Jeep. Instead of finding Avery waiting for me, I had two other special visitors.
Clara stood next to Dillon’s truck with one hand on her hip as if she was about to give me a piece of her mind. Dillon rocked on his feet with his hands in his pocket as if he’d rather be anywhere else. He gave me a sympathetic look as I approached.
“Not who I was expecting. Is everything okay with Avery?”
“I’m the one here to ask questions,” said Clara, who was looking a lot healthier than the last time I saw her, despite how thin she still was. It was like a scrappy kitten hissing.
“Ask away. Avery told me that you knew about us.”
“All I want to know is that you’re not just dicking around with her. That you really care. Because she’s a great girl, and if you’re just playing with her heart, you can fuck off now before you break her heart.”
I glanced over at Dillon as he took a deep breath and let it out. “Look, I think we all need to calm down.” I could tell he was worried about her being too excited.