Page 91 of Little Do You Know

“I was in a shitty mood after I left. When I returned to the house, Vera was swimming in the pool because I’d told her she could use it. I started drinking, and Vera did too. We talked and swam, and I can’t remember how much I drank. I know it was a lot. I kissed Vera. I didn’t know she had feelings for me, or I never would have done it.” He shakes his head with regret. “It gets a little hazy after that, but I initiated it. I just wanted to forget how Mimi acted toward me that day, but I never should have gone there with Vera.”

Why am I sitting here? I stand up immediately, walking closer to him. I know I can’t take the pain away from him, but I can listen. I wrap my arms around Sebastian tightly. “I’m sorry.”

“Lia, I didn’t tell you so you would feel sorry for me,” he says, tucking his arms around me.I’ve really missed this feeling.

I lift my head to look up at him. “I don’t feel sorry for you. I’m sorry I didn’t listen before now. I should have, but I promise I’m listening now.”

The tight coil of his body pressed against mine relaxes. Sebastian cups my face in his hands. “A fresh start? Do you mean that?” he asks, and I nod the best I can with him holding my face.

His soft lips are on mine in an instant. I clutch Sebastian, pulling him closer to me as if we aren’t already plastered together. I can’t help but smile because I’m so glad my idiot brother forced us to be in the same room, even if we were already planning on talking, regardless of his intervention. Bash pulls away, murmuring, “Lia, if you smile, then I can’t kiss you the way I’ve been dying to kiss you.” Yes, please.

“We have plenty of time for that,” I say, unraveling myself to rest my hands on his chest. I can feel his heartbeat quicken underneath my touch, but if I don’t stop us now, I’m afraid we really will be giving my brother something to complain about. “Don’t you have a class to get to?”

His hands fall to rest on my hips. “Screw class. It’s the last week before Thanksgiving break; we’re not doing anything but reviewing today before our test on Friday. I missed you too damn much.”

I lean up to kiss him again against my better judgment. It’s unfortunately short lived. My brother interrupts, calling out down the hallway, reminding us of his presence. “I hate to interrupt, but Sebastian and I have classes to get to. If I could get past the two of you without seeing you kiss, that’d be great. I’d like not to have to burn my eyeballs. Bash, you’re my ride, so I hope you know skipping class to do whatever with Thalia is off the table, so let’s go!”

Bash groans and steps away, my body immediately yearning to feel his touch again. “Cock block!” He laughs as Owen walks out, waving his arms dramatically in the air to make his presence known.

“Say that again, I dare you,” Owen threatens, his backpack slung over one shoulder. “Don’t forget Thalia is still my sister.”

“Trust me, I won’t forget it,” Bash says, winks at me, and my heart races. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I have a feeling we won’t struggle to make up for lost time.

Owen groans, gagging dramatically. “Man, I can’t believe I’m okay with this. You idiots better stay together this time. You’re going to give me whiplash if this current cycle continues.”

“I guess I am going to class,” Sebastian relents, reluctantly grabbing his backpack from where he’d left it on the couch.

“Have fun.” I smile as Bash takes a few steps toward me with a purpose, leaning down to kiss my cheek gently. His stubble tickles my face, causing me to giggle softly. Apparently, one isn’t enough for Sebastian, who kisses me deeply on the mouth this time, despite Owen being in the same room as us. When he pulls away, I’m breathless. “We’re not going to be an almost. On va être un toujours.” I know he can’t understand what I’m saying, but Sebastian smiles anyway.

This time will be different.

There’s honesty and acceptance.

We’re going to be an always.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Sebastian

“SO YOU NEVER said anything?” I ask hesitantly, pulling out of the parking lot. I’m thrilled Owen said it was okay, but I’m still worried. He’s protective of his sister. Thalia has no idea how often I’ve stepped in between Owen and another guy for saying something about her.

“You didn’t say anything either.” His tone now lacks the patience from inside the apartment. Yeah, Owen’s definitely upset, no matter how okay he might claim to be.

I glance at Owen quickly. I need him to understand I’m in this. It’s not a game or a fling to me. “Because Thalia’s your sister. I know exactly how you feel about guys from the team hitting on her. I wanted to tell you, but it didn’t seem worth it unless I knew it’d last.”

“And you’re my best friend. I can admit I wasn’t happy when I saw you guys kissing at that party before she left, but I thought you would say something. You had that fight and never mentioned Thalia, so I assumed it was over,” Owen explains, sighing dramatically. “Look, I don’t care if you guys are together as long as you’re both happy. When you’re not together, you’re miserable to be around.” That’s the best blessing I could have hoped for.

My fingers tap nervously on the steering wheel. “Thank you. I know I’ve been an ass the past few days, and I’m sorry.”

Owen clearly finds how I’ve been acting funny. “You think? Dude, you don’t even want to know who the guys in the locker room have been comparing you to, and I can’t blame them. You, a Heisman nominee, let a girl get your panties in such a twist it started affecting your game? My only option was to force you guys to talk.”

“I wasn’t that bad, was I?” I didn’t think I was that bad. Okay, maybe I was.

“You might want to buy a round of drinks next time we all go out. Even the coaches noticed something was up with you. Coach C asked, and I said it was something with Mimi. If he asks about her, that’s why.”

I know Thalia is worth it, but I’m going to hell for dating my best friend’s sister.

“Thanks. I appreciate it,” I say, remembering that I need to see Mimi again this week. I wonder if it would be a good day for Thalia to go with me, but I also don’t want to make her sad seeing Mimi like that.I know I need to start having conversations about the severity of Mimi’s condition with the Lewises, starting with Owen.

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