Page 57 of Peak of Love
“That was some kind of fight last night.”
He didnotexpect her to say that. With a bit of swagger, he stated, “Why, thank you.”
“I said it was some kind of fight, not that it was the good kind. You got the instigator penalty and the Thrashers were scored on with a few minutes left in the period.” She tilted her head and batted her eyes like she was telling an innocent story.
It was Sebastian’s turn to glare. “So, you’re an at-risk counselor, hockey volunteer, and sports commentator now?”
She chuckled and lifted her chin. “I’m just saying. If you’re going to instigate a fight, don’t get caught.” She displayed a mocking grin.
Annoyed— because her mockery didn’t make her any less pretty—Sebastian stomped out.
“Have a good day!” she added cheerily after him.
One Year Later…
Sebastian Beaumont strolled into the Freedom Community Center lobby, generously bestowing handshakes and smiles and hellos, his guy-next-door charm gushing like a fountain of benevolence.
What an unbelievable jerk, Jaya Patel thought to herself.
Eighteen minutes late. Sebastian Beaumont was eighteen minutes late, yet he arrived casually without a care in the world. And all these teenagers who, a minute ago were at the edge of their seats hoping the hockey player would show up eventually, were now aglow in the light of his goodwill.
Ifshewas eighteen minutes late, Jaya would be scrambling, not stalling. Apologizing, not grinning.
Must be nice for the world to be happy that you finally showed up. Not everyone had that kind of reception. Granted, his second year at the Cincinnati Thrashers Hockey team increased his popularity in the community and status with the team. Still, a local celebrity should be able to make a simple appointment on time, right?
Jaya scowled, crossed her arms, and raised her brow. It was a pose she knew how to deploy the way an Olympic archer would know how to unleash an arrow. Without hesitation and with deadly accuracy.
As if he felt the prick of her gaze, Sebastian’s gray-blue eyes landed on her face. A smirk that tilted one side of his mischievous lips soon followed. Then, he winked. Winked! What an appalling, insolent, conceited…
“Wow, he’s dreamy,” Shirley droned beside her, interrupting the torrent of adjectives at the tip of Jaya’s tongue.
“Who?” Jaya retorted, just to be aggravating even if it was perfectly obvious Shirley was talking about Sebastian signing autographs.
Jaya was wearing a pale green blouse and dark dress pants, making an effort to look professional for this gathering. Her outfit was more formal than her usual long-sleeved shirt, utilitarian jacket, and stretchy black leggings. It must be why she felt hot and restless. She tugged at her neckline before stuffing her hands into pockets.
Shirley leaned closer to Jaya. “Oh c’mon. You love that hockey team. How are you not swooning over Sebastian Beaumont?” Shirley whispered to keep the preteens and high school kids around them from hearing this very unprofessional conversation.
Unfortunately, Shirley wasn’t done touting the man’s virtues. “And he is so nice! I couldn’t believe we snagged him as the spokesperson for the campaign. I mean, howniceis that?!”
“I’m sure he’s getting something out of it. Great publicity for one thing,” Jaya mumbled and rolled her eyes, then felt a little bad. Just a little. “Sure. I guess, yeah,” she admitted, reluctantly.
An older man, distinguished in his expensive suit, cleared his throat and worked his way to the middle of the crowd. He was of ordinary height and frame, though standing beside Sebastian’s freakishly long and muscular body, everyone looked a little pudgy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention,” Harvey Watson, chairperson for the Kids Outreach Campaign, addressed the crowd of about twenty youths and a handful of counselors and staff. Everyone hushed and kept their attention on Sebastian while the chairperson talked.
“We are so fortunate to welcome this generous, wonderful man who has volunteered to take our fundraising campaign to the next level. We all know him as the gritty centerman for the Thrashers hockey team—league champions a few years back, let’s not forget. Today, he is more than a hockey player. He is a champion for our cause.”
Laying it real thick there Mr. Watson,Jaya thought to herself. It’s an outreach campaign to fund a community center, not world peace, for goodness’ sake.
Despite her internal cynicism, Jaya looked around and recognized the effect this ceremony had on the kids she worked with. They were leaning forward, eyes wide, and faces grinning. Being part of this event made them feel special. For so many of these teenagers, that feeling was rare.
“Today, we’ve arranged for Sebastian to meet some of the kids who will benefit from the improvements to the Freedom Community Center of downtown Cincinnati. This private meeting with the kids was, by the way,hisidea!” Harvey Watson smiled at Sebastian with such veneration, it was almost embarrassing.
Sebastian nodded and gave a timid wave at the crowd before he put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. He was wearing a simple Henley shirt and jeans, though the casual outfit belied the stark angles and shapely muscles of an athlete’s body. The combination of his powerful frame with his boyish good looks was striking.
In Jaya’s assessment, if there was a caption under his pose, it would read something like:Although I’m aware that everyone is looking at me in adoration, I’m going to stand here like this old man’s announcement is the most interesting thing I’ve heard all day because, despite my total hotness, I am a patient, humble, and accommodating young man.
Oh, please.
