Page 44 of The Comeback

Thebeamofsunshinefalling across the scratched wooden table in the cafeteria doesn’t match my feelings. The letters N plus P Forever surrounded by a crooked heart are etched deep into the wood. I wonder if they’re still together. Probably not. There’s no such thing as forever, right? Evidenced by my parents, Connor, and every friendship I’ve ever had. Poof, gone with the slightest of breezes disturbing the delicate ties between people. Man, when did I get so cynical? Oh yeah, when everyone I’ve ever loved has let me down. Except Mom of course. I’ve made some pretty great friends here at university, but we’re all going to graduate at the end of the year and move off in different directions. That’s the reality of university life. Amazing, but temporary.

“Earth to Abby.” Speaking of…Aura waves a manicured hand in front of my face bringing me out of my maudlin thoughts. “There she is. We were talking about outfits for you and Dax for the showcase. What do you think about all black with some silver jewellery?”

I turn to Dax with a raised eyebrow. “Uh, no thanks.” If I even make it on the stage which I’m starting to seriously doubt, I’d at least like to be comfortable in my own style.

“I knew I could get an opinion out of you with that.” Right. She was trying to pull me out of my own brain. Good job. “I do want to style you, though.” My mouth drops open to protest and she staves it off with her palm in my face. “Hear me out. I will totally put you in something that’s comfortable for you both. I know Dax is actually a fan of the all black rockstar look and you prefer something a little more girly. Something loose and flowy with tights. I can work with that, but I need to help. I’m not doing the showcase cause drama major, so I need to fulfil my dreams here. Pretty please?”

When Aura looks at me with those big brown eyes wide and pleading, batting her impossibly long lashes, I can’t so no. Hence why she’s going to be such a good actress. But I can’t deny she’s got more style in her earlobe than I do in my entire body so it makes sense. “Fine.” I make sure to add a long dramatic sigh so she knows it’s under protest, but that doesn’t stop her from squealing and bouncing in her seat.

“I’ve gotta go. Research some looks.” And without any further notice she grabs her lunch tray and prances off with a backward wave of the tips of her fingers.

“Reallly, Dax?”

“What am I going to do? I’m but a mere mortal standing in the way of a cresting tidal wave. I can’t stop the inevitable, so I’m just going with the flow.” The shrug paired with his ‘what can you do?’ look is laughable.

“Uh huh. You just know she’s going to dress you in your favorite ripped jeans and a tight black t shirt that shows off your guns, so you don’t care. Who knows how low my neckline is going to be.”

He looks down at the arm he’s bent into a flex. “What these?” Cocky future rockstar that he is, he likes to keep in shape. Not like Sebastian though. There’s a difference between rockstar cut and athlete buff and I’ve seen the proof. The memory of his chiseled abs flexing as he drove himself deep inside me pops in to my head and my face grows hot even as my core tingles. Cut that out. You’re in the middle of the cafeteria.

“Hey isn’t that your man there?” Dax looks over to the right where I catch a tall guy slinking by with a baseball hat pulled low over his forehead. “Hey, Sebastian,” he calls out.

“Shut up,” I hiss and curl in on myself as Sebastian turns toward our table. Either he didn’t notice me or he was trying to avoid me. Either of which doesn’t sit well. I was itching to shoot him a text to see how dinner went, but he blew me off about it, so I figured it was up to him to reach out to me if he was even interested in hanging out now that we’ve slept together. Maybe it really was just an itch he needed to scratch and now he’s done with me.

He turns around at Dax’s call, and the guilt that drags his face down when his eyes land on me is explanation enough. He knew I was here and was trying to avoid me. I’m gearing up to give him his out when something catches my eye. I inhale a gasp at the angry bruise blossoming under his left eye. He ducks his head as if he’s trying to hide it but too late.

“Sebastian!” I half stand and reach out a hand toward him while a red film of rage descends behind my eyes. I want to hurt whoever did this too him. Silly thought. Little old me is no match for anyone who could get the jump on his six plus feet of muscle honed from years on the ice and in the weight room. “Are you ok? What happened?”

“It was nothing. Slipped and hit my head after dinner last night.” His eyes shift anywhere but at mine.

Was he drinking? Is that what he’s feeling guilty about? I’m not one to judge. We are in college after all. Everyone has wild nights. Last night wasn’t supposed to be one of those, however. He was supposed to be at dinner with his family. Maybe he lied to me. Was he out with the guys, or worse a girl? Is that why he’s not looking me in the eye? I hate how off balance he’s making me feel. As if I was living my life orbiting the sun and somehow he pulled me out of my orbit and spun me off into space to wildly spin about searching for a new center of gravity.

“Come sit with us, man.” Dax gestures to an empty seat at our table.

Sebastian looks at Dax then me hesitating before he answers. “I have to grab my food.” It’s not a direct no, but it feels like one. If he’s done with me, I’d rather he say it straight up. With our history ghosting me is plain cruel.

I push up from my chair. “Don’t worry about it. I'm on my way out anyway.” The barely touched tray of food before me tells a different story, but hopefully he doesn’t notice.

“Abby, wait.” The words come out in a painful plea as his hand makes contact with my arm, but I pull away.

“I’ve got class. See you later.” Or not. That’s up to him. Although if I were thinking straight I would cut ties now and be done with him like I should have done the minute he offered up the deal to me. The deal, right. I had promised I’d help him work on his music paper tonight. It’s fine. He’ll probably cancel anyway. He doesn’t want to see me.

Chapter 34

Sebastian

Ican’tbelieveIlet her go like that. She must think I’m the worst sort of pig. Sleeping with her and then avoiding her like this. But last night reinforced all the reasons I pushed her away in the first place. My stepfather is an evil son of a bitch and I don’t want her anywhere near him. It’s bad enough I had to leave Ari there last night. After what he did, I wanted to drag her out and bring her back here with me.

I could have avoided the black eye if I’d seen it coming, but this is only the second time he’s laid hands on me. He’s a controlling, manipulative jerk, but not usually physically abusive. It was a little reassuring when Bria called me after I got back to my place. She claims he’s never touched her before. Or my mother for that matter. I have no reason not to believe her. I know my sister, and I know she’d never lie to me. I hope this isn’t a sign he’s escalating. He didn’t hit me. The unexpected shove took me off guard and sent me reeling into the coffee table. Calling me ungrateful for not falling to my knees to kiss the toes of the agent he’s trying to set me up with. As if I’d go near that situation. I have zero doubt that Frank would report everything back to him and spill all the details of any offers that came my way, confidentiality clause or not.

After I grab the food I’m probably not eating at this point I scan the tables looking for a dark corner to hide in when a hand closes on my sore bicep where Larry’s fingerprints linger. I wince, jerking away from the touch.

“Did that hurt?” It’s Abby’s friend…Dex, no Dax.

“A little.” I grumble at the guy. What does he want with me? I take in the dark jeans, band t shirt which band?@ from a recent tour and thick leather band wrapped around his wrist. He definitely has that careless artist look that girls go crazy for.

“Good. Now come sit with me, so we can have a chat.”

I’m not even sure why I do it, but I follow him back to the table that Abby so recently vacated and slump into a seat propping my elbows on the table and dropping my head down to rest in my hands.

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