Page 36 of The Cursed Sebastian Storm

Sebastian frowned at the sky. “They look like thunderclouds.”

“That’s what I said,” Parker mumbled.

“I don’t disagree,” Eli insisted. “I just wasn’t expecting it. Guess you can’t trust the forecast.”

As Parker pulled onto the road, Sebastian returned his attention to his phone. There was a new message from James waiting.

James

Okay, cool. It felt so good to be back in the water yesterday.

Sebastian smiled as he typed his reply.

Sebastian

Maybe I’ll come watch you sometime.

James

Why? Wouldn’t that be boring?

Sebastian shook his head.

Sebastian

No. I never thought it was boring before.

James

You’ve watched me swim before?

Honestly, the man was ridiculous sometimes. He was the town athletic champion. The star of their high school swim team. Of course Sebastian had come to watch him at the team’s home meets.

Sebastian

Yes, I’ve watched you swim. You mean to tell me you never noticed the scrawny redhead at the back of the bleachers?

He’d meant it as a joke, even if it was true, but James took so long to respond that Sebastian wished he could take the message back. He wasn’t supposed to reveal how long ago his crush had begun.

At last, the phone vibrated.

James

You weren’t scrawny. You were cute.

Sebastian stared at the message. It was silly that it made his heart flutter. Sebastian knew James liked him now. He knew their attraction was mutual. But still, it felt damn good to know James had found him cute all those years ago.

Sebastian

OMG, you thought I was cute! You liked me, didn’t you?

James

I noticed you, that’s all.

Like in that frustrating way you notice someone you don’t quite know what to do with.

I wish I’d figured it out sooner.

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