If she could do it where he happened to live, all the better.
“What’s stopping you from doing this full time? Maybe going back to school, or licensing, or whatever? What about starting something on your own? Anything is possible.”
“On my own? Like, a business?”
“Jaya, you have credentials, experience, and passion. Whatever else is needed to put this together, you’ll find a way to get it. I know it. I’m just saying, this sounds like something you want to dedicate your life to. Don’t sell yourself short.”
She ran her finger over the rim of her second mojito. Her other hand was across the table as soon as the dinner plates were taken away. He held it in his palm like a prize.
“Honestly, the campaign is worrying me. I can’t leave until I know that the Freedom Community Center has the resources to continue the work I started.”
He frowned. Of course, he should have known that Jaya wouldn’t walk away from something she started. He resolved to do more for the campaign. “Let me talk to my agent about that. We’re making videos for the sports drink, and I’ll link them to the campaign. Maybe even use the production team to promote the community center. I’ll do more.”
“Sebastian, you do plenty! Thank you though, for always helping when you can. Even from all the way down here. In tropical paradise. While we languish under sleet and snow…” She layered her sarcasm nice and thick to cover up her gushing. If Sebastian decided to read her flushed cheeks and sweet smile as gushing adoration, no one could stop him.
“All I’m saying is that in the last few weeks, the work has started to frustrate you in a way it didn’t before. Now you have a goal. And sometimes, it’s just as important to remove obstacles as it is to pursue what you want.”
“When did you get so wise, Sebastian Beaumont?”
“Right around the time I got bossy.”
She cackled and squeezed his hand.
“Don’t hold yourself back, sweetheart. If your gut tells you to go this direction, you should listen.”
She nodded. “I will. It’s just a matter of time. Honestly, as soon as I know the campaign is successful and I get a good replacement, I’m going to find a way to work towards this.”
He rubbed his thumb against her knuckles in a way that he knew would drive her crazy. “You like that?”
“Baby, you know I do.” Jaya’s voice was husky as she held his gaze.
He was struck by a profound ache. Because soon she would be gone, and this moment would be just another memory in the repository called days with Jaya, also known as when Sebastian was happy. He suppressed a groan. The only way past the anguish was to think of something else.
“We play Columbus next month. I’ll get you tickets.”
“I’d love that. Can Shirley come with me? She’s been a big fan of yours since the campaign. Can you get me two tickets?”
“Of course. Actually, I was thinking Jake and Carlos might go. You want to sit with them?”
“Yes! Why would you even ask that? I love Jake and Carlos!”
He snickered. “I’ll never hear the end of it if you say that to them. Carlos likes to tease me about waiting on the wings for you.”
“Hmm, that’s because you’re too freaking easy to tease,” she said, raising a brow. “You must miss them, though. And Travis, of course. He’s doing great in New York.”
“Here, let me show you his last text.”
They scrolled over his phone for a couple of minutes, looking at Travis’s snarky comments about his broom closet of a hotel room. Sebastian knew better. Travis could not be happier, which is precisely why his best friend downplayed everything. Travis didn’t always believe he deserved his good fortune so sometimes, when it came, he pretended it didn’t matter. Or some shit like that.
The waiter asked if they wanted dessert and Jaya politely declined. This surprised him, knowing how much she adored sweets. Though he was ready to leave as well. The sooner they were home, the better.
“I’m going to head to the bathroom before we go,” she said, leaning over conspiratorially to give a generous glimpse of her deep cleavage.
He cleared his throat while continuing to stare at her breasts. Because he could. Because she let him. An inelegant snort came out of Jaya as she dropped her dinner napkin on the table. “Boys will be boys…” she said, standing up and walking away, oblivious to the admiring glance of everyone she passed.
He took a big gulp of his one and only beer. That woman made him damn thirsty. The knowledge that a whole night was ahead of them, that this was still her first day of 3.25 days, made him take another gulp.
He was shaken out of his reverie when the team’s group chat pinged a notification while she was in the bathroom. It was Noah.
Kelly and I are having people over on Sunday. Housewarming for our new place. Here’s the address: 77 Crescent Drive in the Pearl Gables Subdivision.
Sebastian blinked at the message. He was added to the group chat when he joined the team, being an easy way to get connected when the guys wanted to meet at a hotel bar or if someone needed a favor. But this was the first home invitation sent to the whole team. He planned to ignore it. Still, the timing was weird.
“Why do you look so worried? Everything alright?” she asked. He didn’t hear her approach, his surprise making him look more fidgety than he felt. Because there was no reason to be fidgety. No reason at all.
“Nothing. Just a…a group text. From the team.”
“Making friends at recess, BB?” she asked cutely. “Are you being a good boy and playing nice?”
His eyes returned her gleaming attention. “Never. I only play dirty. You know that.”
She took the last swig of her mojito, her voice transforming from coquettish to corrupt. “I hoped you’d say that. Let’s get out of here and play dirty.”
***
Knowing Jaya was wearing his jersey tonight was fuel. She didn’t want to sit with the WAGS in the exclusive box, so Sebastian secured her a great seat, two rows behind the Nashville goalie.
His plan: score a goal or two, win the game, go home. Convince his girlfriend to wear that jersey, and nothing else, in bed. A great fucking Saturday night, if he said so himself.
He allowed these meandering thoughts during the pre-game skate. As players warmed up, he noticed that she hadn’t settled into her seat yet. He had to leave the condo earlier, and she was going to take an Uber. They planned to meet at the player lounge after the game and continue the night from there.
Still, he hoped to get a glimpse of her before the game officially started. He was lined up for the shooting drills when Noah skated up behind him.
“You coming over tomorrow, rookie?” his captain asked.
With two more people in front of him, Sebastian couldn’t ignore the question without being rude. “Nah, I don’t think so. Have plans, but maybe next time. Thanks for the invite.” He blurted the words and then skated away to shoot at his goalie.
When the announcer introduced the players, Sebastian felt the familiar tingle of excitement. Except tonight was different. Sharper. He sought out Jaya during the national anthem. Puffy black hair in a high ponytail and bulky jersey. Face glowing and as gorgeous as ever. A surge of relief surprised him.
But when the lights came up and the game started, he replaced relief with urgency. Game on.
The line changes practiced the day before were working. Sebastian found himself double shifting to better match up with the big Nashville defensemen. He held his own, as did the team. They were tied 3-3 after the second period.
During a powerplay in the third period, he managed a breakaway with Andor Talstad, a defenseman, close behind. Sebastian had a chance to shoot but saw that the goalie was moving forward to cut the angle. Instead of shooting, Sebastian did a nifty drop pass for his teammate to grab. It turned out to be the winning goal.
“Fuck, yeah, rookie!” Andor said when they did a victory celebration, which was as close to praise as that Viking could
muster.
The locker room was in a celebratory mood, though Sebastian was only partially attentive to the coach recap and team spirit. He rushed to get dressed and was rewarded with being the first player in the lounge, where families and companions waited.
Jaya was near the entrance, chatting with one of the security guards. When she saw Sebastian from across the room and beamed, he had to control the urge to stride over and lift her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. Later, he told himself, looking around at the families and staff mingling. Later couldn’t come soon enough. He only had another 1.75 more days of Jaya in Florida.
As he approached, she slipped beside him, her shoulder perfectly tucked into his chest. “Gary over here says we need to try a hole-in-the-wall taco place by South Beach.”
Sebastian shook Gary’s hand and nodded. “Great. Let’s do it. Thanks, man.”
“Rookie!” A shout came from behind him. It was so unexpected and unusual, even Gary looked confused. Noah was calling from across the room and nothing short of the floor opening would be an excuse not to answer.
He glanced at Jaya who looked…fine. A bit stiff as she occasionally could be when making a public presentation. But not distressed or upset. If anything, her shrug and raised brow seemed to indicate let’s get this over with. Her nonchalance encouraged him to turn around and acknowledge the call.
Noah and Kelly walked over, holding hands. He could see the shift in his captain’s face when Jaya stepped forward. Noah dropped Kelly’s hand and lifted his arms to indicate surprise. Or disbelief. Or bullshit, Sebastian thought.
“Jaya Patel? Is that you?!” Noah said gregariously.
“Hi, Noah,” she answered.
The four of them faced each other, though it was only Noah who seemed to want to be there at all.
“How have you been? Kelly, this is Jaya. Jaya, this is my girlfriend, Kelly.” The women shook hands. “And you know Sebastian, right?” Noah asked the trainer.
“How’s it going, Kelly?” Sebastian asked nicely.
“Good,” she answered, as pretty and pleasant as ever. “Great assist tonight.”
“Thanks.”
Silence all around. They were in the way of people exiting so had to put up with a bunch of curious stares.
“So, you’re Sebastian’s visitor from Cincinnati,” Noah said.
Sebastian clearly remembered not confirming that his guest was from Cincinnati. Fuck, he needed this to end.
“Yeah, Jaya and I started dating when I was with the Thrashers. We’re making the long-distance thing work.” His voice was casual but the arm around her waist was firm.
“What are you up to tonight?” Noah asked, looking at Jaya.
“Just hanging out,” she answered.
“The team usually goes to a bar down the street. Why don’t you both join us?” Noah inquired.
“Actually, honey,” Kelly interrupted. “We need to get home. There are tons of things to do for the party tomorrow.”
“Great! Maybe next time!” Sebastian jumped at the chance to escape.
“You should come tomorrow, Jaya,” Noah said, not even pretending to talk to anyone else. “I’d love to hear what you’re up to. And you should see our place. Kelly just moved in, and this is our official housewarming party.” His tone was warm and sincere. Noah looked down at Kelly and continued. “The house just wasn’t worth celebrating till she moved in.”
Noah grinned, Kelly swooned, Sebastian cringed, and Jaya…Jaya kept her eyes so wide and still, it was as if she was fighting the muscles that would roll back those cynical orbs.
“Congratulations,” she said politely. “I’ll leave it up to Sebastian. I go where he goes.”
A dark expression passed across Noah’s features and disappeared quickly. It seemed to take effort to tear his gaze away from Jaya, but he managed to look at his teammate.
“Well? Don’t tell me you’d miss a chance to hang with the team. Everyone’s going. We’ve got a caterer, bartenders, the whole shebang, man. Think of it as a team-building exercise, rookie. You don’t want to be the only one missing out.”
Before Sebastian answered, Jaya piped in. “You know what, why not? We’ll pop over. I’m sure you’ve sent Sebastian the details?”
“Yes, but my Noah forgot to put the time in the invitation. We’re starting with cocktails and appetizers at six and party on from there,” Kelly said with choice emphasis.
“Perfect,” Jaya retorted, offering Kelly a smile and Noah a nod. “See you!”
Sebastian echoed the same farewells but continued to watch his girlfriend march away as if she didn’t just agree to spend a night with her toxic ex-boyfriend. Sebastian didn’t have a ton of experience with relationships, but this seemed shady.
They avoided the topic, focusing instead on finding the taco place. It wasn’t until their drinks arrived at the table that Sebastian broached the subject. He might have needed some liquid courage to talk about Noah. Noah and his party. Noah and his party with Jaya there. “We don’t have to go tomorrow. I’m not sure why you promised.”
She sighed. “He was going to keep badgering you, I could tell. Besides, why not? You really don’t want to be the only teammate not there. Good chemistry on the ice takes some work off the ice. If I wasn’t here, you would have gone, right? We can pop in and out quickly. Not a big deal.”
She wasn’t wrong. Since Sebastian avoided going out with the guys except for a quick beer, and rarely at that, he wasn’t getting to know them. At least not in the way that would translate into genuine friendship. He was clearly still the outsider.
“I don’t think I was part of the original invitation since I got the team text recently. From the sound of things, though, this had been planned for a while.”
“People change guest lists all the time,” she retorted.
“Alright,” he conceded. “But we’re in and out.”
“Yup.”
CHAPTER 17
Jaya and Sebastian were officially and egregiously late. They fell asleep on the beach after a prolonged, leisurely, semi-intoxicated lunch. She woke up first, sweat trickling between her breasts and sand rubbing her armpits raw. How people looked so elegant and sexy on the beach, she had no idea. She was a hockey player from Detroit. This was not her ecosystem.
She sat up and turned towards Sebastian. He had taken off his white undershirt before they lay on the beach blanket. The memory of him whipping the tank top over his head, as each of his abdominal muscles clenched and ripped at the movement, made her even hotter under the Florida sun. She looked at his torso’s long lines, appreciating the carved lower back muscles that hockey players had in spades. She noticed the new freckles on Sebastian’s darkened shoulders. It was like a constellation to explore. She kissed one star, and then another, and another.
He made a sexy growl that indicated he was starting to wake. Since it was Jaya who was fully conscious, the responsibility fell on her shoulders. “I think we need to go, BB. So we can change at home and make it on time for part of cocktail and appetizers.” Her last phrase was delivered in a snotty British accent. Jaya knew she was horrendous with accents but hoped the silliness would get Sebastian moving.
Sebastian snorted. “What time is it?”
“Five. We’ve been asleep for a couple of hours,” Jaya answered.
Sebastian offered a groggy laugh. “No way. We slept on the ground, with all these stinky, sweaty people around us, under the crazy, hot sun…”
“And got sand in our ass cracks,” she added.
“And got sand in our ass cracks, thank you,” he acknowledged while keeping a straight face. “Instead of making love in perfectly clean sheets in bed? What were we thinking?”
“We weren’t thinking. The sangria made our thoughts go away.”
Sebastian turned to lie on his back, giving her better access to his mouth. After a long and lingering kiss, he prompted, “So, I’m officially suggesting we correct that not being in bed part by spending the r
est of the night in bed. What do you say?”
“Sebastian, you’ve been part of so many teams. You know how this works. Gelling on the ice requires some kind of connection off the ice. We can be late. I don’t think anyone will notice. But they will notice if you don’t show up at all.”
“Fine,” he said. “Look who’s being bossy now.”
“Must be Florida,” she teased back.
He was suddenly quiet. Jaya watched Sebastian pack up their things from the corner of her eye. When they started to walk to the car, she reached out to squeeze his hand.
“Everything alright?” Jaya had to ask. “You got quiet all of a sudden.”
“I’m sorry.” He stopped abruptly and cleared his throat. “Your flight is this time tomorrow so I'm just…Never mind.”
She pinched her lips because, throughout the day, she felt the gravity of that countdown too. “I know it sucks but we’ll see each other in Columbus, right?”
“Yeah. In over a month.”
It was her turn to be quiet as they entered the car. She looked out the window while Sebastian drove. The colorful blur of a city she didn’t know offered some distraction, but no comfort.
“I didn’t mean it that way, Jaya.” Sebastian’s voice was dripping with regret. “I didn’t mean to sound frustrated.”
“But you are.”
His hands were squeezing the wheel so hard, she could make out the scars on his knuckles.
“I am frustrated but it isn’t fair to either of us to act like a jerk. It’s been good staying connected. We’re making it work. I’m going to try not to miss you before you even leave. How’s that?”
He parked the car and paused to offer her a soothing smile. Because of course he would try to make her feel better. He was always doing that. Making her feel.
Something tugged deep inside Jaya. A pull she recognized but didn’t entirely trust. “I miss you too, Sebastian. Every day. So if this is too hard…”
The Love Campaign (Romantic Revelations Series Book 1) Page 19
