Saving Us: A novel of love and friendship (Northern University Book 1)

by Wendy Million

  He let out a frustrated breath. “Yeah, I want them to meet you.” He shook his head. “You’re really frustrating sometimes.”

  I scooted closer to him. “I’m frustrating?” I looped my arms around his neck and buried my face in the space just under his ear. My favorite spot.

  He tossed the football to the ground and dragged me across his body, so I straddled him. “Yeah, you are.” He squeezed me tighter.

  His lips found mine in a dance we both knew so well. He flipped us over and lifted me farther up the bed, closer to the headboard. When he pressed into me, my resolve was tested. I’d never wanted anyone the way I wanted him. He rained kisses down on me. My insides were liquefying, and I tugged on the bottom of his shirt. He let me yank it off. My hands roamed over his muscles as he continued kissing me. He was mine. There were moments when I couldn’t quite believe this was happening. Me with a football player. Me with Sebastian.

  He kissed me deeply one last time and then drew back to stare into my eyes. He searched my face, and there was something in his hazel depths I was afraid to name. The air grew thick with what we weren’t saying.

  Finally, in a rough voice, he said, “I’m going to miss you like crazy, Nattie.”

  The words were on the tip of my tongue. Three of them. I’d said the phrase to a few people in my life. But I couldn’t let them out. What if he didn’t say them in return?

  Unexpectedly, I ached for my mother. I longed to sit and chat with her about how she’d known my dad was the one for her. When I scanned Sebastian’s face, what I felt for him was so much bigger than such a small word like love.

  Instead, I said, “I’m going to miss you too.”

  “You gotta get going, right?” He was poised over top of me when he glanced at the clock.

  Reluctantly, I turned to check. “Yeah, I’m supposed to pick Kristy up in half an hour. I’m dropping her off on my way home.”

  He shifted and tugged me up off the bed, right into his chest. His hand went into my hair, drawing me to him again. I met his lips hungrily, wishing time would stand still. Maybe I would have to return early to surprise him.

  He squeezed me tight. “I don’t want you to go.” The words were muffled against my neck.

  “I don’t want to go either.” I ran my hands over his coarse, closely cropped hair. “But, I promised Kristy a ride, and I promised my dad I’d be home in time for dinner.”

  Sebastian released me, put his shirt on, and then he grabbed my suitcase to take it out to the rental car I’d picked up that morning. My dad was paying for it, and Kristy was giving me half the gas money. So much easier than trying to catch a bus.

  Annika was at the frat house and was going home later today. She and Johnny were on in a big way. I kept waiting for her to suggest Sebastian move in here so she could resume her previous living arrangement. But so far, she’d been quiet about that situation.

  Once I was in the car, I rolled down my window. “You’ll lock up and give the key to Annika?”

  He grinned. “I’ll lock up. No guarantees I’ll give the key to Annika. I kinda enjoy being able to come and go as I please.”

  “Keep the key, then. It’ll give me a reason to come straight to you when I get back.” We had the spare key, but seeing him right away sounded better to me.

  He rested his forearms on the window frame. “You don’t need a reason, Nattie.” He kissed me. “I want to be your first stop whether I have a key or not.”

  Gripping his shirt, I dragged him farther into the car one last time, kissing him as though it was the last opportunity I’d have for years instead of a single week. Our separation would be a lifetime given the amount of time we’d been spending together.

  I released him and he backed up, crossing his arms over his chest from the chilly winter air. When I drove away, my gaze kept finding him in the rearview mirror until I couldn’t see him anymore.

  My sister Claudia met me at the front door as I hauled in my bags.

  “Uh, you realize you have clothes here? And you’re only home for a week?” Claudia tried to take the suitcase from me.

  I swung the case away from her and shook my head. “Nope. I got it.” I wheeled it farther into the foyer. “Where’s Dad?” I peeked into the main living area.

  “Not here. Why?”

  “No reason.” I took off my coat and hung it in the side closet.

  “Dad asked me why you weren’t bringing Clay home for the holidays,” Claudia said, raising her eyebrows. “Was a tad awkward. You haven’t told him about Sebastian?”

  I gave her a helpless look. “He liked Clay so much.”

  “Shut up, Nat. That’s not it. Are you and Sebastian a thing or not? Because it sounded as though you were completely gaga over him the last time we talked.”

  In the living room, I flopped onto the couch. “We’re definitely a thing, and I’m—almost literally—insane about him.” I tucked my hair behind my ears. “He’s on my mind constantly. I want to be with him every second of the day. I can’t get enough of him.”

  “Okay.” Claudia held up her hand. “We might be getting into overshare territory. We’re sisters, but I’m not keen to picture you having sex with him.”

  “Well then, I have fantastic news for you because we haven’t…yet.”

  “What? Why not?” Claudia sat in the recliner across from me.

  “There was a reason, but it doesn’t feel valid anymore. We’re solid. He’s a good guy.” A sappy grin lit my face.

  “Who’s a good guy?” Dad came into the open-plan kitchen-living room with a grocery bag.

  My dad and my sister were clearly related. They were both fair, whereas I was a brunette, like my mother. Sometimes when they looked at me, they saw her. It made me happy and sad.

  “Natalie’s new boyfriend,” Claudia said before I could get a word out.

  “What?” Dad asked in disbelief. “What happened to Clay? I figured I was getting a son-in-law.”

  “You still might.” Claudia’s grin was wicked. “It just won’t be Clay.”

  “So, who is this guy?” He stood at the island, putting the groceries away, waiting for me to start talking.

  I gathered my arsenal of responses. I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. “His name is Sebastian.”

  “What’s he taking?” My dad ripped open the bag of peeled carrots and bit into one thoughtfully. “Huh, I thought Clay was the guy. I’m surprised.”

  “You’re disappointed?” His reaction was definitely part of the reason I hadn’t come clean earlier. I slouched deeper into the couch.

  My dad shrugged. “He seemed like a good guy. But you’ve always had impeccable taste. I’m sure this—”

  “Sebastian,” Claudia said in a singsong voice.

  “Right, I heard. Sebastian, is a nice guy.” Dad moved around the kitchen putting away the last of the groceries. He turned to me again. “Major?”

  “Business.” I picked at an invisible spot on my pants.

  “How’d you two meet?” Dad faced us with his back resting against the island, and a small stack of carrots was cradled in his hand.

  “Uh—”

  “He’s a football player, Dad. A really amazing football player.” Claudia was enjoying my discomfort.

  We got along well, but over the years, whenever she had a chance to drop me in shit with either of our parents, she never failed to do it.

  Dad frowned, chewing on his carrot. “Football player?”

  “Yep,” I said. “He plays football.”

  “I didn’t think you liked football,” Dad said. “Is this one of those moments where I’m the dumb dad?”

  I laughed. We’d had a few of those moments. Dad didn’t always pay close attention to what was going on with me and Claudia. He tried, but things we said and did baffled him.

  “No, Dad. You’re not wrong. I don’t enjoy football, but I’m learning to appreciate it.”

  He chuckled. “Ah, that’s Nat-speak for you’re tolerating it.” He s
miled and came over to ruffle my hair. He sat next to me, and I knew what was coming next. “Now, football players, honey. They come in all shapes and sizes.”

  “So do people, Dad.” I gave him a sideways glance.

  “Yeah, well…” He trailed off. “Some of those football players, if they’re looking for an edge, they do things, take things that change them.”

  “I know, Dad. Sebastian’s not like that,” I said. “Honestly, he’s a good guy. We’re just casually seeing each other. It’s not a big deal.”

  Claudia stared at me and rolled her eyes. I glared in response.

  “How’s Annika?” Dad crunched through another carrot, ignoring the tension between me and Claudia.

  “She’s doing okay.” Another loaded topic. Especially since he’d just finished his speech about football players sometimes being unpredictable.

  “She dating anyone?” He went to the kitchen and grabbed dip from the fridge.

  I cleared my throat. “The quarterback,” I mumbled.

  Dad laughed. “Now, that makes sense. That must be how you met Sebastian.”

  I smiled. “Yep.”

  “He treats her well? Is he a good guy like Sebastian?” His back was to us while he took vegetables out of the fridge to get dinner ready.

  “I haven’t spent much time with him.” I went to the foyer to get my suitcase. My room was calling me. Discussing Annika and Johnny with my dad was a bad idea. If I overreacted to this kind of thing, my dad was on a whole other level.

  He gave me a long look when I returned with my suitcase. “Natalie Ann. That’s an evasive answer. Is she in trouble? Am I worried about the wrong person here?”

  God, sometimes I hated my dad’s cop instincts. They always seemed much better whenever I mentioned my friends too. He could spot trouble in other people a mile away.

  I sat and pursed my lips. Claudia’s eyes were wide. I hadn’t told her this yet either.

  “Johnny and I don’t get along. Sometimes I wonder whether he’s treating Annika very well. They’ve split up a few times and gotten back together.”

  Annika was convinced Johnny would never seriously hurt her. To my mind, he wasn’t a good boyfriend. But was he truly dangerous? Would he do anything worse than finger bruises? For me, that would be enough, but for Annika, his behavior was acceptable. How did I convince her otherwise? So far, I couldn’t, and the mere suggestion she might be making a mistake had almost cost me her friendship.

  “Not treating her well as in not a nice guy or as in abusive?”

  “I’m not sure,” I admitted. I didn’t have any proof other than a couple bruises Annika dismissed as accidental.

  My dad came over and sat beside me again on the couch and glanced at my sister. “I’ve said this many times before, but if either of you ever needs me—as your dad or as a police officer—I will drop everything and come. I will believe you. I will believe your friends.” He made eye contact with Claudia and then met my gaze.

  “I know, Dad,” I whispered, sliding away from his intense stare.

  He started making dinner, but there was a weight on his shoulders. He was probably thinking about Annika. They’d only met a few times, but they’d gotten along well. Dad admired her spunk and her contagious laugh.

  “Nat.” Claudia came over to take Dad’s spot. “Is Annika in trouble?” Her voice was low.

  “I think so, but I’m the only one who believes that.” I matched her tone.

  “Sebastian doesn’t see it?” Claudia frowned.

  “He thinks Johnny is ‘intense’ and sometimes ‘doesn’t realize his own strength.’”

  “Oh.” Claudia gave me a worried look. “That’s not good.”

  “Yeah.” I examined my hands in my lap. “Another reason I worried about telling Dad. If this blows up, I’m not sure where Sebastian will fall.” I laced my fingers together in my lap and released them.

  “That would be…” Claudia trailed off.

  “Bad, yeah. Bad for me and Sebastian. Bad for Sebastian with Dad. Bad for Sebastian and Annika. Bad, bad, bad.”

  No matter where my thoughts went, it always led to disaster if Sebastian chose Johnny and the team over my best friend. Maybe she would leave Johnny or I’d been jumping to conclusions about Sebastian’s loyalty. His words and actions pointed to football being his top priority, and Johnny was a huge reason Sebastian was getting so much attention this year.

  “Any chance you’re wrong about Sebastian?” Claudia leaned her shoulder into the couch beside me.

  I gave her a small smile. “I guess there’s always a chance, right?”

  She patted my leg and then went to help Dad in the kitchen. My phone pinged, and when I checked it, I grinned. Sebastian had sent me a Photoshopped picture of him as Superman with the words: This is me, flying to you. Miss you already.

  An ache sprouted in my chest. I missed him already too. But my conversation with my dad and Claudia was ringing in my ears. If Sebastian had to choose me or Johnny, who would he pick?

  Football. Which meant he’d be picking Johnny too.

  I had never wanted to be so wrong in my life.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  We stood outside the back doors, which were deserted. Annika was beside me, gripping my hand. The team had won. They’d made it to the National Championship for the first time in years. A huge deal, and an opportunity Sebastian had talked about for weeks.

  The biggest thing on my mind, though? I would meet Sebastian’s family tonight. After dinner, we’d meet everyone else at Gabby’s bar to celebrate.

  Annika squeezed my fingers. She was vibrating. “Sebastian and Johnny are going to be over the moon.”

  “Who needs sex when you can win a massive football game?” I gave her a fake rah-rah cheerleader jump.

  I’d come back to campus last night, and Sebastian and I’d spent the night almost having sex, but not quite. If that was the preview, I was ready for the real show. He hadn’t once pressured me for more the last few weeks. We went so far and then he backed off.

  Annika barked out a laugh and then covered her mouth with her palm. “Yeah, sure, whatever you say, Nat.”

  “Hey—what’s with that?” I removed her hand. “All night when you’ve gone to laugh, you’ve covered your mouth. Did you eat a lot of garlic or something?” I leaned in and sniffed.

  “No.” She gave me a brief smile. “Johnny said my laugh—well, that I use it to draw attention to myself.”

  “Your laugh is awesome. It’s contagious.” What I didn’t say was that her laugh was the whole reason Johnny was attracted to her in the first place. He was tearing her down, one brick at a time.

  “I’m trying to calm it down, you know. It makes Johnny uncomfortable when we’re out, and people stare when I laugh. He said the sound seems forced—I’m trying too hard.”

  Trying too hard? Her beautiful, contagious laugh, one of the things I loved most about spending time with her, wasn’t “forced.” He was censoring her laugh. What else was he convincing her about when no one else was present?

  “Annika, your laugh is great. I would tell you if you were making an ass of yourself. You’re not. It’s one of my favorite sounds. I love your laugh.”

  “I’m self-conscious about it now. Johnny’s mentioned it a few times.” She gave me a small smile. “I can’t believe they won. I mean, I can believe it because they’ve been playing awesome ball. But I can’t because this win is such a big deal.”

  Johnny and Sebastian burst through the doors. Sebastian rushed me, sweeping me off my feet into a huge hug and swinging me. I clutched him close and chuckled in his ear. He set me down, cradled my face, and kissed me as though we hadn’t just seen each other a few hours ago.

  “Lord, did I ever miss you,” he said when we broke apart.

  “I missed you too.” I drew him in for another kiss. “Congratulations on the win. You guys must be so excited.”

  Sebastian laughed. “Excited doesn’t cover it. Even if we don’t win, man,
getting there is huge.”

  “We’d better win,” Johnny said from beside Annika.

  “I think we’ve got a good shot.” Sebastian smoothed my hair and tugged me closer. We couldn’t seem to get close enough.

  I kissed him beneath his ear. Every time I was this tight to him and our eyes connected, something came alive between us. An electrical current hummed, unnamed, but so strong it felt like its own living, breathing entity.

  “You ready to go meet my parents and my sister?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure I’m ready, but I’m prepared.” I smiled. “I need to get changed at my place. Rolling up to dinner in jeans and a hoodie isn’t a good first impression.”

  “I better not go in the house while you do that.”

  When I looped my arms around his neck, I pressed myself even closer. “You don’t want to come in?” I purred into his ear.

  He chuckled and gave me a squeeze. “Nattie, you are gonna kill me.” He buried his head in my neck and nipped at my earlobe.

  I shivered.

  “We’d never leave the damn house if I came in.”

  He was not wrong.

  I waved to Annika and, rather reluctantly, Johnny as we left the exit and headed for Sebastian’s SUV in the parking lot. I slid into the passenger seat, and as Sebastian turned on the ignition, I flicked the heated seat button to high.

  “You know my parents aren’t going to care what you’re wearing. They’ll be happy they’re finally meeting a real-life girl I’m dating.” He held my hand with one of his, and he steered with the other.

  “Gee, thanks. Now their expectations will be sky high. You’ve never brought someone to meet them before?”

  He laughed. “They were probably starting to wonder if I ever would. My sister is a serial committer like you. We’ve met a few of her boyfriends.”

  “Serial committer. Should I be going around killing people with commitment? That’s how it sounds.”

  Sebastian pitched his voice to carry the tune from the movie Psycho and made a stabbing motion.

  “That’s deeply disturbing.” But I couldn’t hold my laugh.