Page 72 of Almost

It’s just going to take a little bit before we can be together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Thalia

BASH ENDED UP agreeing to the press conference three weeks later. However, looking at him on the screen as he takes a seat at the table, he looks relaxed as if this is something he does all the time. The conversation we had a few minutes ago was a different story.

He was a nervous wreck, and I wish I could be there to support him, but I haven’t seen him since he dropped me off at my house after our beach trip. We’ve had a few late night phone calls to check in, but we’re trying to take it slow.

Sebastian was adamant about not doing the press conference at all, but more pictures of our beach day were leaked. He didn’t really have a choice when the rumors all spiraled out of control. The Panther’s front office finally made the call to schedule the press conference before the team is due for training camp in a few days. Once that happened, Bash didn’t have a choice.

The front door swings open, catching Zeus’s attention, and he trots to greet Blake at the door.

“Did I miss it?” she asks me and Penelope, but I shake my head. Owen went with Bash to the stadium for emotional support.

“About to start,” I answer as Penelope grins.

“By the way, you owe me five dollars,” Penelope says to Blake, who groans as she flops on the couch next to me.

“Damnit, Owen’s sleeping on the couch tonight. He was supposed to steal his phone.”

What the hell are they talking about? “You guys had a bet?” I ask, trying to follow along.

“Oh yeah. Blake bet that Bash wouldn’t call you before this, and I absolutely knew he would.”

I blink at them in surprise. “I’m sorry, you made a bet about whether Bash would call me?”

“Well yeah. Easy money.” Penelope laughs, and I stick my tongue out at her, but honestly, I would have done the same thing if I were them.

Bash clears his throat in front of the microphones, immediately drawing all of our attention to the screen.

“Hi, everyone, thank you for coming today. Before taking any questions, I’d like to start by offering an apology to the Panthers organization and my teammates as my personal life has been overshadowing what is supposed to be an exciting time before a new season. Playing football is everything to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to clear the air regarding the controversy surrounding my engagement to Kiera Davis that ended last month.”

Honestly, I’m impressed by how poised he’s staying. I know Bash doesn’t have a choice, but it seems like he’s simply talking about what’s for dinner.

We can hear the reporters all start to clamor with questions until Sebastian points to one who immediately jumps at the chance. “Why did the engagement end?”

“The engagement ended because ultimately we weren’t right for each other. I believe we will be happier without being in each other’s lives romantically, and I wish Kiera all the best.”

I have to give him credit, he is a lot nicer than I would be if I were him. Penelope shakes her head, clearly thinking the same thing. “He could have easily thrown her under the bus. Why didn’t Sebastian just do that?”

Because he’s a good man.

The next question is fired at him before anyone can answer Penelope’s. “Are the rumors that you left her for a different woman true?”

Sebastian maintains his composure, but his jaw tightens momentarily. “I left Kiera because I was unhappy. I did it for myself, not for anyone else.” He’s keeping his answers as vague as possible—which is exactly what he wants—but it’s clear the crowd of reporters is growing restless without any actual knowledge of why the engagement ended.

“What about Thalia Lewis? Isn’t she your teammate’s sister who you dated a few years ago?”

“Yes. Thalia and I were in a relationship that ended four years ago. Her brother, Owen, is my best friend and teammate. We all grew up together,” Sebastian says evenly, but we knew this part was unavoidable. I’ve had people camped outside my gallery waiting to see if they’ll have better luck getting answers out of me.

“Are you saying you didn’t leave your ex-fiancée for an ex-girlfriend you were seen with at the beach weeks after your engagement ended?”

He delays by grabbing the glass of water in front of him.Good, don’t lose your temper.“That is exactly what I’m saying. There’s no truth to the rumors. It was two old friends catching up to get away from everything going on.” That’s how it started. This line of questions makes me nervous. He shouldn’t have to defend our trip. The last thing Sebastian needs is a reporter pushing him too far and him snapping.

I should be there.

“Are you saying you and Thalia Lewis are just friends?”

---