Page 172 of Well Played

“You owe me some of your fancy number juju when I sell my first single.”

“Deal.” I would have done that anyway. Seb has been blowing off classes to finish his demo. Our father doesn’t know and assumes he’s still on track for the business degree he is demanding Seb obtain. But Seb is a genius songwriter and a hell of a guitarist. It shouldn’t be long before he can get out from under our father.

The restof the week goes by at a snail’s pace, and I haven’t seen Josie. It’s making me grumpy. We’ve been texting, but I’m dying to see her. Work and training have kept me busy the last few days. I’ll need to stop working at the end of the month for the season, so I’m trying to fit in extra hours.

Seb and I plan for him to “meet” Laura on Friday, since Laura and I both close. It’s almost closing when Seb sends me a text that he’s here. I’ve been in the office processing paperwork but step out to meet Seb at Laura’s register as we planned.

“Hey bro. Whatcha up to tonight?” Laura looks over at me, to my brother, then back to me. We look alike despite having different mothers. I’m more muscular being an athlete. Seb’shair is the same dark brown but long and shaggy like the future rockstar he is.

“You two know each other?” She asks.

“Oh, yeah. This is my brother, Sebastian. Seb, this is my coworker, Laura.” Seb winks at her.

“Nice to meet you gorgeous. Sam didn’t tell me he worked with such a pretty lady.” He grabs her hand and brings it to his mouth for a kiss. He’s laying it on thick. I fight the temptation to roll my eyes. She smiles and blushes, not taking her eyes of him.

“Nice to meet you too, Seb.”

“Whatcha doing tomorrow night, sweetheart?”

“Nothing yet.”

“Come with me to the Kappa Kappa party. It’s going to be hot. Suppose to have a rockin’ DJ.”

“Oh, uh.” Laura glances at me.

“Seb’s a good guy. He’ll treat you right.” I hold my breath waiting for her response.

“Sure. Yes. That sounds great.”

“Laura, if you need a ride home, I’m not going to be able to get out of here for a while. Gotta finish up some paperwork.”

“Oh, I do. I can wait.”

“I can give her a ride home.” Seb states, another part of our plan. I do have paperwork to finish, but it won’t take me more than 5 minutes. Laura doesn’t need to know that.

“You’re okay with that?”

“Of course beautiful. Gives me more time to spend with you.” Seb winks at her again. Smooth. He’s a bit of a player. Okay. He’s a lot of a player, but I’m desperate for Laura to move on from her obsession with me so I can date Josie.

“Thank you.” The two stare at each other.

“Okay. I gotta get back to work. See you two later.” I turn and head back to the office with a smile. Now’s time for the next phase of my plan. Mynot-a-datewith Josie is tomorrow.

6

Josie

It’s Friday evening,and I feel almost normal. My voice is a little raspy. Sam had soup delivered for me Wednesday and Thursday as he said he had work. We texted back and forth a lot. Seeing those three little dots over and over made my heart do flips.

Sam called earlier. He said he was glad to finally hear my voice, even if I sounded like a long term smoker. I laughed, coughed, laughed some more, then coughed more. He offered to bring me more soup, but I declined. I haven’t had much appetite. Guilt is eating away at my stomach.

I miss him. I want to be with him. I want to be more than friends. Watching the Cats isn’t the same without him. Nothing feels like it’s the same without him. It’s been less than a week. Why do I have such strong feelings for this man that I can’t have? He’s what I want in a partner, who also loves the Cats. It’s like a dream come true.

Except. Laura.

My sister. Not by blood but by choice. She will always come first. I owe everything to her. I wouldn’t be in this house. Iwouldn’t be going to college. I wouldn’t have a bright future away from poverty and abuse without her.

Even though she’s barely talking to me, I’m about to text her to apologize and make things right between us, when I hear the front door close. Laura strides into the living room giggling. She’s not alone. Behind her is a tall guy who looks similar to Sam. They are holding hands as she leads him inside.

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