Page 39 of The Cursed Sebastian Storm

Sebastian ran a hand up James’s bicep. “You were beautiful. It was mesmerizing watching you move through the water. Talent like that kinda draws you in. You know?”

“I see.” James’s cheeks went pink. He shifted his weight uneasily. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I didn’t pursue it further?”

“Pursue swimming?” Sebastian cocked his head. “I guess I never thought about it.”

“No?” Something about Sebastian’s statement seemed to please James. He grabbed Sebastian’s hand and pulled him out the door. As Sebastian locked up, James said, “I got a bit of flack for not taking a scholarship to swim in college. My coaches said I’d wasted all my potential.”

Sebastian turned to face James. “But did you want to continue swimming?”

“Not really.” James shrugged and led the way to Eli’s car. “I loved it growing up, but I didn’t want to make it my life. People assumed I would since I had a bit of talent. When I’d come back to Moonlight Falls to visit Eli and Grandma, everyone would ask how swimming was going and would be surprised to hear I’d given up the competitive stuff.”

Sebastian climbed into the car. “Where did you go after high school?”

“Apple Valley.” James buckled his seatbelt. “I went to the community college, then started an electrician’s apprenticeship with Hazel. After a year of that, I was back here for Eli when our grandma died, and I was glad it was so easy to come home. That I hadn’t gone far. If I’d taken the scholarship I’d been offered, I’d have had to move out of state and would have ended up dropping out when Grandma died. Instead, I was able to finish my apprenticeship by commuting to Apple Valley while living here.”

“You didn’t want to leave, did you?”

“No. The idea of a big university or traveling for swim meets wasn’t appealing and had nothing to do with the career I wanted. Being an electrician was always the plan, and I may have been able to swim in college, but that didn’t mean I’d make it as a career athlete.” James started the car. “Besides, I didn’t want to be too far from the magic here. People in town understand not leaving Moonlight Falls but then are confused about me abandoning swimming. Doesn’t add up, does it?”

“No,” Sebastian agreed. “I’m glad you did what you wanted.”

James put his hand on the back of Sebastian’s neck and squeezed gently, a soft expression on his face. “Me too. And I know people here are proud of me. They never meant to sound chiding. I guess my coaches’ reactions hurt, and every time someone brought it up, it would remind me how much I’d disappointed them.”

“I bet your coaches weren’t Moonlighters. Or they would have understood.”

James let out a grunt that almost sounded like a laugh. “No. You’re right. They weren’t.”

They drove to Parker’s house on the east side of town. Unlike James, Sebastian had been happy to leave Moonlight Falls, though he might not have bothered with college if he’d known he was going to get sucked back here and trapped before he could graduate.

He supposed he could go back to school now that he was free to enroll in something online while trapped in Moonlight Falls, but he wasn’t sure if there was much point. Sebastian didn’t need a degree for anything. He wasn’t interested in research like Eli. He wanted to do something that had a clear purpose. He needed a direction in his life and didn’t think a random bachelor’s degree would help. He hadn’t exactly had career plans when he was younger, just the need to escape.

They arrived, and James walked into Parker’s house without knocking. Sebastian couldn’t help feeling like an interloper. Yes, he’d spent the day with Parker and Eli, but he was only here tonight because he was with James.

James led the way through the small house and placed the potato salad he’d brought in the kitchen. They found everyone sitting in the backyard, drinking beer around a fire pit.

James took a seat in one of the unoccupied lawn chairs. “Being out here feels like tempting fate.”

Parker glanced up at the cloud-darkened sky. “It hasn’t rained yet, and burgers aren’t as good without the charcoal grill.”

Eli glanced between James and Sebastian. “Do you guys want drinks?”

“Oh, I brought wine.” Sebastian pulled the bottle out of his bag. There was a pause. “We don’t have to open it though. Um. I also brought you some jam.” He turned to Parker.

“Thanks.” Parker took the wine and examined the label. “Here, come in with me, and we can pop the cork.” He turned toward the house.

Sebastian followed.

In the kitchen, Parker put the wine on the counter. “What kind of jam have you got?”

“Apricot.” Sebastian handed over the jars.

“Between this and the apples, you’re spoiling me.” Parker was smiling, but Sebastian was unsure if Parker was genuinely pleased. Had he done the right thing by bringing a gift?

Sebastian scrunched up the empty bag in his hands. “I can’t come to dinner empty-handed.”

Parker set the jars on the counter. “Hazel does every week.”

“But she’s your friend.” Sebastian froze as soon as the words left his mouth.

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