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Chapter 6

Lilian

Three days. I managed to stay away for three days. And now, after three batches of baking my favorite cupcakes, I’m here.

I sit on the bleachers, observing the football team practice, with a box of cupcakes on my lap. Beside me are some girls with their phones pointing at the players, some people from the track team, and, I think her name was Naomi. The sun blazes overhead, casting shadows across the players as they sprint and tackle each other.

I’ve never cared for sports, especially not football. Yet here I am.

Jason.

Simple as that, and he likes my cupcakes.

I squint against the sunlight, scanning the field.

And there he is.

Sebastian.

He moves with such grace and power, commanding the field like a king, his biceps flexing beneath his jersey as he throws the ball with precision.

In the last few days, his presence has haunted me, making it impossible to focus on anything else. Everywhere I am, he is, always surrounded by people, laughing and chatting, unreachable. Not that I would go up to him.

I force my gaze back to Jason, who’s running drills. He’s good. As good as I can say with my non-existent experience in football.

“Bash!” someone yells. And that someone is Brandon, the guy we lost against at beer pong.

Is Naomi here for him? Just like I’m for—

As if sensing my gaze, Sebastian looks up, locking eyes with me from across the field. His lips curve into a mischievous smile before he turns back to his teammates.

What am I doing here? I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I’m being ridiculous.

“Hey, Lil! What brings you here? I thought you hated sports.” Ju walks up the bleachers to me.

I scramble for an excuse, but my mind goes blank. “I, uh, I just thought I’d try something new, you know? Expand my horizons.”

Ju’s eyebrows shoot up, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. “Uh, huh. And this sudden interest in football wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain quarterback named Bash, would it?”

“What? No, of course not.” My voice is too high-pitched, and I know I’m busted. “I mean, maybe a little, but—”

“Oh, you’re so transparent. It’s written all over your face.”

“Is it that obvious?”

Ju pats my shoulder. “Only to those who found you in his room all flushed and cute. Don’t worry.” She waves at someone.

“Hey, girls! What’s up?” Naomi plops down beside us.

“Oh, nothing much. Just watching Lil drool over Sebastian,” Ju says.

I elbow her in the ribs.

“Can’t blame her. He’s quite the specimen,” Naomi says.

I offer them the box of cupcakes, desperate to change the subject. “Cupcake, anyone?”

They each take one, watching the practice. Well, they watch the practice. My gaze drifts back to Sebastian, admiring his muscles rippling under his sweat-soaked jersey like a duchess watching her knight train in the courtyard, completely captivated by the strength and skill on display but hiding her fascination behind a mask of cool indifference. At least, I hope I’m not obvious.

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