“Hey, Callie, don’t we have enough for the article?” I ask, trying to sound painfully bored, and Sebastian immediately looks at me. His eyes widen slightly at my interruption, and a smile hints at his full lips when he realizes why I did it. I should have kept my mouth shut.

Callie looks appalled that I’m interrupting. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

I nod because what choice do I really have? Callie pulls me far enough away to where Sebastian can’t hear us. “Are you nuts? I get he’s your friend, but Sebastian is the future of the NFL. He’s not just a hopeful; he will be a first-round pick. This is the only interview he’s ever agreed to, so please let me do my job.”

“He’s not my friend.” I roll my eyes and bite my tongue on why I interrupted. His parents aren’t a storyline for this article she’s writing, but I guess it’s up to him. I tried, which is more than I should have done.

She doesn’t listen to me, already having turned around to head back to where we were sitting. I feel Sebastian’s eyes on me the entire time.

“Everything okay?” he asks, his lips quirked upward.

Callie forces a short laugh. “Everything is great. Right, Thalia?” she asks, daring me to say something again. I shrug, fiddling with my camera again. Sebastian’s feelings are not a concern of mine.

I’ve gotten a few good pictures that Natalie will be happy with. She should be happy that I showed up with the short notice ambush she gave me.

“So why did you start playing football?” Callie repeats her question, and I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms.

“My parents passed away when I was very young, so my father’s parents raised me. My father played football when he was in college, and I guess I’ve always wanted a connection to him. That’s why I started playing.” His answer is detailed but vague enough to leave all the essential details out.

Callie smiles, pleased with his answer. “Where do you see yourself in ten years?”

Sebastian smiles, relaxing in his seat. “I see myself happy and with a family.”

“Not football?”

Sebastian’s eyes slide to look at me, before refocusing on Callie. “Football means almost everything to me, but it doesn’t mean anything without the person you want to share it with.”

The smile on his face is genuine, and I lift the camera to capture it. I do not doubt that it’s the picture the editor will choose.Natalie should be pleased.

One look at Callie tells me she’s eating up everything he’s saying. “I have one last question.”

“Go for it.”

“What time do you want to pick me up tonight?” Callie asks, confidence radiating from her. It takes everything in me not to react.

His smile slips, and Sebastian’s posture becomes guarded. I’ve known him long enough to be able to tell that. It sends a short thrill through me. “I’m sorry, but I already have feelings for someone,” he says, and I hate that I’m happy he says it. I shouldn’t be happy because I broke up with Bash and continued to reject his apologies. I shouldn’t care that someone else is asking him out.

Callie smiles politely, standing up. “Is she the one you want to share everything with?”

“If she’ll take me back, then maybe.”

My hands shake as I pack my things up, putting the lenses carefully into the bag. I need to edit the photos and send them to Natalie when I get back. “I doubt it,” I say under my breath as Callie thanks Sebastian for doing the interview.

I set the camera inside and zip the bag shut, but before I can grab it myself, Sebastian does. He lowers his voice, and my entire body freezes at his proximity. “Thalia, I think you’ll find I can be very convincing.” I guess he heard me after all.

“Find someone who cares.”

He leans in close to me, his breath tickling my ear. “I think I have. You didn’t have to intervene before that question, but you let something slip when you did. You care about me, even though you keep fighting it. You care.”

~

You care, I think bitterly before downing a shot. Yeah right. I don’t care. He should go out with Callie for all I care. Maybe she can be the one he’s with in ten years.

Natalie hands the darts to me. “For the sake of my wallet, can we drink water from now on? Or beers? It’s only two dollars a bottle tonight.”

“Don’t make a deal with the devil if you don’t want to get burned.”

“Burned or broke? Jeez, Lia. What happened in that interview?” she asks, and I shrug, grabbing the darts to take my turn. My head is spinning slightly, so I don’t bother aiming. I’m not good at darts, but all three stick this time. Maybe my aim would be better if I pictured the board as Sebastian’s face.

Source: www.seynovel.com