Flesh & Bone - a contemporary romance: The Minstrel Series #2

by Strauss, Lee

  Herr Baumann surprised him further by insisting that Sebastian take a seat and by pouring his coffee for him. He returned to the coffee station to prepare his, then sat in the chair opposite. He stared pensively at his mug, stirring the cream in with smooth, circular strokes. He took a sip and then looked at Sebastian.

  “Since we’re going to be working together for the next few months, I thought we should get to know each other a little. Besides… the reason you are here… I know very little about you.”

  “I’m not sure where to start,” Sebastian admitted. What exactly was Eva’s father after?

  “Tell me about your family. Did you grow up in the Neustadt?”

  “Yes. I have one sister—Leah. She’s a marine biologist and she lives in Spain. My father is a lawyer and my mother is a doctor.”

  Herr Baumann raised a bushy eyebrow. “And you’re a musician?”

  Sebastian smirked. “I think I’m adopted. Or at least that’s what I tell myself to try to explain things, except I look a lot like my mother.”

  “You managed to become successful in your chosen field,” Herr Baumann acknowledged. “They must be proud of your accomplishments.”

  The smile slid off Sebastian’s face. “Quite honestly my life choices have been a point of contention. My parents kicked me out of the house when I refused to go to university. They think I’m careless and irresponsible.” Sebastian inhaled. “I suppose they’re not wrong about that.”

  “Any career choice can be honorable if pursued with integrity. My parents didn’t want me to become a pastor, so I know what it’s like to go against one’s parents when it comes to the big choices.” He grinned. “But they liked my choice in a wife, so that helped to ease their minds. This many years into it, it’s no longer an issue.”

  “My father came to visit me when I was in prison. It was the first time I’d seen him in six years.”

  Herr Baumann’s face softened. “Did it go well?”

  Sebastian shrugged. “I suppose. He’s not the same as he used to be, not as stubborn. I think that’s because he’s dying.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Can I ask what ails him?”

  Sebastian sipped his coffee and pushed back at the emotion that snuck up on him. “Cancer.”

  “Such a horrible sickness.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Sebastian leaned forward slightly. “Why did you agree to let me fulfill my community service here? I mean, I know why I wanted to come, but why did you let me?”

  Herr Baumann lowered his mug. “Tell me why you wanted to come, and then I’ll answer you.”

  “I’m in love with your daughter.” Sebastian tried to read Herr Baumann’s face as he made his confession, but the man was an expert at keeping his expression blank. “I wanted to see her again. I’d hoped she felt the same way, but it appears that she doesn’t.”

  “I said yes to your request because I love my daughter as well. She’s hardened her heart, and I fear she’s headed for a life of unhappiness if she doesn’t reconcile what happened to her with God. And with you.”

  “So, we both want the same thing, sort of. How do we get what we want if she refuses to come to the soup kitchen as long as I am here?”

  Herr Baumann tented thick fingers and rested them on the slight round of his belly. “We can only pray and do our part by being here for her when she’s ready.”

  Annette hadn’t stopped walking with Eva, but her demeanor had grown cooler, as if she had a reason to be mad. Eva was the one who should be angry. Annette had verbally assaulted her.

  Eva rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to play bodyguard anymore. I know my way around.”

  “Fine,” Annette said, picking up her pace. “See you later.”

  There was no way Eva could move as quickly, and Annette soon disappeared into the crowd ahead. Eva was glad they didn’t have the next class together. She held on to her book bag, carefully navigating the distance with her cane. The other students bumped her on their way by and Eva struggled with her frustration at being slow and lame. She was flustered when she made it to class just barely on time. She stood in the doorway and scanned the tables for an empty seat. Her eyes landed on Xavier. Right, he was in this class. She smiled at him, and he waved her over to the empty chair beside him. He’d saved her a seat.

  “Hi,” she said slightly breathless as she laid her book bag on the table.

  “Hi.” Xavier pulled the chair out for her. She sat and hooked her cane on the back. She gave him a sideways glance and noted with a certain satisfaction that his eyes were still on her. He didn’t mask his interest in her. The way he stared made her shiver.

  The professor started his lecture, and Eva found it almost impossible to focus. Xavier shifted his chair over, and his leg brushed against hers. She stiffened and felt a blush fill her cheeks. She rested her chin on her hand and let her hair fall like a veil between them. She risked a glance in his direction. His dark-like-Lindt-chocolate eyes stared straight ahead, but there was a mischievous grin on his chiseled face.

  The lecture ended, and the room erupted as students stood and pushed chairs across the floor. Eva carefully packed up her books, unsure how to deal with Xavier’s blatant attention. He was the only one left sitting, and he stood when she grabbed her cane to go.

  “Can I walk you to your next class?” he asked.

  Eva’s heart stuttered. “Sure.”

  He took to her left side, opposite of her cane, and kept a slow stride. “So, Eva Baumann, do you have a boyfriend?” He knocked her shoulder gently with his elbow.

  “Not anymore,” she said boldly.

  Xavier huffed. “Right, the rock star. Let’s not talk about him.”

  “Let’s not.”

  “If you’re boyfriend-less, would you like to go out with me sometime? Dinner maybe?”

  Eva blinked hard. She wasn’t imagining it. Xavier was coming on to her. They’d reached her next class, and she paused near the door.

  Xavier closed the distance and leaned one hand against the wall over her shoulder. Everything—all the passing students, the hallway, the rest of the campus—it all blurred away into nothing. Eva’s pulse hammered in her throat.

  Xavier leaned over until she felt his hot breath in her ear. “I know this is really forward, but I’ve been wanting to kiss you for days. Would it be terrible if I kissed you right now?”

  Volcanic heat exploded in Eva’s chest. Xavier ducked down to gauge the expression on her face. She stared at his lips as his mouth parted slightly. The only person she’d ever kissed was Sebastian. Here was her chance to change that. What would it feel like to kiss someone else? Different? Better? Worse?

  There was only one way to find out. “Yes, you can kiss me.”

  She closed her eyes and waited. Her heart stopped when she felt his lips on hers. He moved his mouth expertly, like he’d done it a million times before. He probably had, and why wouldn’t he have? He was hot and sexy and a lot of girls liked him.

  Annette liked him.

  A cool thread of unease worked its way through her belly. She pulled back.

  “Is something wrong?” Xavier asked.

  “No, it was nice.” She smiled at him and then froze. From the corner of her eye she spotted red hair. She turned in time to see shock and hurt flash across Annette’s face as she stared at Eva leaning against the wall with Xavier pressed against her.

  Eva pushed back on Xavier’s chest. “Annette?”

  Annette shook her head and turned on her heels.

  “Annette!”

  Her friend didn’t turn around, and Eva knew there was no way she could run and catch her.

  Sebastian didn’t think he could wait around for God to make a move. Instead he bought a gyro across the street and ate it in the cold, shivering while he waited for Eva to get home from her classes. She had a different schedule each day but he’d made it his objective over the last couple weeks to remember them. She wouldn’t come into the soup kitchen until she knew he
was gone, but she would call down to her mama to let her know she was home. Frau Baumann had a ringtone reserved for her daughters and Sebastian had overheard her talking to Eva on more than one occasion.

  She got home at five-thirty on Tuesdays. It was five twenty-five. Sebastian tossed his garbage into a nearby bin and popped a stick of gum in his mouth. He tugged on his cap and then shoved his gloved hands into his coat pockets.

  Finally, he spotted her walking toward him, her eyes trained on the icy patches on the sidewalk. Herr Baumann walked beside her and Eva gripped his arm.

  “Eva!” Sebastian called. Herr Baumann’s eyes reflected a hint of surprise but his expression remained friendly, giving Sebastian the courage to continue his pursuit. Eva’s eyes darkened. He heard her tell Herr Baumann she didn’t want to see him.

  “Schatz,” he started. “Give him a moment. Make peace.”

  He pulled himself free, taking Eva’s book bag with him, and sped up until he reached the door of their building.

  “Papa!” Eva’s voice was laced with exasperation.

  “Just five minutes,” he said to her. “You’ll be fine.”

  Sebastian expected her to ream him out with hot, angry words, but she remained silent. Her tough demeanor had thinned considerably. She looked almost fragile.

  “Are you all right?” Sebastian asked.

  “Is that what you wanted to say to me?”

  “No, I just wanted to talk. You’ve been avoiding me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to see you.”

  Stab, twist, bleed. Sebastian wasn’t sure how he thought this impromptu guerilla move was going to go. He should’ve thought it through more obviously. It was too late to back down now.

  “Can we just get a coffee or something? I’m not asking you to be my friend. I just don’t want you to be my enemy. Please? Just five minutes.”

  Eva let out a long breath, her face awash with fatigue. “Okay, fine.”

  They headed toward the nearest coffee shop, and Sebastian had flashbacks of the previous summer, walking this same road with Eva when she had admired him and thought him capable of no wrong.

  Sebastian ushered Eva to a table and then hurried to get them coffees before she changed her mind and bolted. At least the café was warm, even if Eva’s heart was ice cold.

  He returned and sat across from her.

  “You look good,” he said.

  She huffed. “You’re lying again.”

  “Well, you look tired, it’s true, but you don’t look awful. That’s not possible for you.”

  Eva sipped her coffee without responding. Clearly, Sebastian was to take the lead.

  “How is university? Do you like it? I’m glad you decided to go.” He was babbling. She made him as nervous as hell.

  “Is that why you sidelined me? For small talk?”

  “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

  Sebastian pushed back from the table. She wasn’t bending. This was a waste of time. He became aware of a growing din of chatter from a nearby table.

  “It’s him.”

  “No, he’s in jail.”

  “No. He’s not anymore. It’s him.”

  “Is that the girl? Are they back together?”

  Eva stood. “I have to go.”

  Sebastian stepped ahead to open the door for her and followed her out. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Yeah,” she muttered. “Occupational hazard, I guess.”

  Sebastian let out a breath of frustration. He’d hoped to soften Eva up a little, but instead she just proved her immunity to him.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket. He read the message and stopped short.

  “Is everything okay?” Eva asked.

  “It’s my sister. My dad’s had a setback. They’ve taken him to the hospital.”

  Eva’s face softened a little. “I hope he’s all right.”

  “No. He’s dying.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” Sebastian took a reluctant step back. “I have to go.”

  “Of course.”

  “Good-bye, Eva.”

  “Good-bye.”

  Annette refused to answer her phone or respond to Eva’s texts. Eva lay on her bed feeling sick with remorse. She’d done a terrible thing. Annette had been a steadfast friend when so many others had fallen away and Eva never even hesitated to trample on her friend’s feelings. Just for a stupid kiss. She wiped at her mouth with the memory of it.

  The daylight in her room turned to grey and then black as the winter night pushed away the late afternoon. Eva didn’t bother to turn on her lamp. She lay still as the dimness shrouded her wishing she could disappear with the light. Self-loathing cloaked her as she stared at the outline on the wall where the poster of Sebastian used to hang. She wished she could turn the clock back to the days before she’d known what it was like to fall deeply in love—only to be torn violently away. Crushing on Sebastian Weiss was child’s play in comparison to the burden of love and the hate she now bore.

  He was forever gone from her life, but she couldn’t stand to lose Annette’s friendship, too. How could she be so stupid and so selfish?

  The next day Eva arrived on campus with a bouquet of flowers in her hand. She needed something to get Annette’s attention, and she knew her friend like blossoms.

  “Annette!” she called when she spotted her mane of red hair. Annette stopped and narrowed her eyes. “Did Xavier give those to you?”

  “No. No, I bought them. For you.” She handed them with an outstretched hand. “Please. Let me apologize.”

  Annette took the flowers, then folded her arms over her chest. She peered down her nose at Eva. “You knew I liked him.”

  “I’m sorry. It was a terrible thing for me to do.” Eva pleaded, “Annette, your friendship means more to me than any guy. I’m so, so sorry I hurt you. I really didn’t believe I was capable of something like that.”

  Annette tilted her head. “Capable of inflicting pain on someone else?”

  Eva heard what Annette was saying under the question. For so long she had been the afflicted one. “Just say you’ll forgive me.”

  “You’re asking me to give you something you’re refusing to give yourself.”

  Eva swallowed. “I know.”

  A nearby door burst open, and a rush of students flooded the hallway. Eva and Annette spotted the back of Xavier’s dark head at the same time and stared long and hard as he strolled down the hall away from them, shoulder to shoulder with a tall, slender girl whose long, blond hair draped down her back. He bumped into her gently and whatever he said made her laugh.

  “He’s a player,” Annette said with a frown.

  Eva choked back bile. She couldn’t believe she’d fallen for his act. She couldn’t believe she’d let him kiss her. “I’m such an idiot.”

  “Yeah,” Annette agreed. “So am I.” She took a hesitant step toward Eva and slowly wrapped her arms around her. “Boys suck.”

  Tears of relief erupted from Eva’s eyes. “Yes, they do.”

  Sebastian finally admitted to himself that working at the soup kitchen in an effort to get close to Eva was a bad idea. Not only was he not able to restore any level of friendship, but his presence had also created a wedge between her and her family. The last thing he wanted to do was to make life harder for her.

  After visiting his father in the hospital, Sebastian made a couple calls, and his lawyer was able to arrange a change in venue for his community service. Starting tomorrow he’d be mopping halls at the hospital. At least he’d be able to see his papa each time. The elder Herr Weiss wasn’t doing well. His skin was grey and veiny and he had permanent tubes running from his nose and an IV in his arm.

  Sebastian pulled Herr Baumann aside when he arrived to let him know about the change.

  Herr Baumann’s bushy eyebrows burrowed to a V. “I’m sorry to hear that you’re leaving us. You’re an excellent work
er.” The older man rested a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder and smiled. “I’ve grown fond of you.”

  Sebastian laughed. “Likewise. But Eva is uncomfortable with my being here. For her sake I’ve decided to leave.”

  “I understand. Her heart… everyone deals with pain and loss in their own way. I’m sure she’ll come around eventually.”

  Sebastian wasn’t so sure. At any rate, the plan was in motion and this was his last day at the soup kitchen. He’d miss hanging out with the folks who came in from the cold. He was surprised at how much he actually liked their company, and how good it felt to give back to the community in this way. He couldn’t imagine that working as a janitor at the hospital would have the same rewards.

  The time came to unlock the door, and Sebastian waved in the crowd that had formed outside. “Come in, come in. It’s cold out there!” he said with a smile.

  He was greeted in return with several choruses of “Hi, Bastian.”

  The folks settled into the empty chairs in the room. Some were regulars and claimed the same seats. There were a few new faces. The new ones usually gravitated to the back and avoided eye contact. Sebastian made an extra effort to make them feel comfortable. “Welcome,” he said. “I’m Bastian.” He never introduced himself as Sebastian because he didn’t want to chance that people would make the connection. He heard a guitar strum and assumed it was Jörg getting ready to begin the pre-meal music. His jaw dropped when he turned and saw Eva sitting on the stool. She didn’t look away when their gazes met, and he wondered how long she’d been there, How long she’d been watching him.

  Eva hadn’t played once since Sebastian started working there, and he felt more than a little confused as to why she showed up today—especially after their less than friendly meeting the day before.

  He expected her to scowl and ignore him, but her eyes were soft and her lips actually hinted at a smile. His heart jerked in his chest as he tried to process.

  Herr Baumann opened in prayer and Eva sang a short list of songs he’d recognized from when Jörg played, though Eva’s versions were drastic improvements. Sebastian was mesmerized by her presence on stage and lassoed by her voice. It was customary to applaud after each song and Sebastian didn’t hold back. He felt his lips tug up as he drank her in. She caught him grinning and smiled in return. A real, bona fide smile!