Chapter 21

Stephanie

I realize he’s flirting with me, but I smile anyway. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

We push through the crowd of people. It gets a little better once we’re back in my section. “I didn’t catch your name,” he says as we begin walking down the daunting set of stairs to get down near the ice.

“Stephanie,” I tell him as I glance back.

“Shawn,” he supplies.

“Thanks for helping me, Shawn.”

“Are you from around here, Stephanie?”

“I live about an hour away. What about you?”

“I’m a local.”

“That’s great,” I tell him. “You must catch a lot of games.”

“I try to,” he says. “And I’ll be willing to catch a lot more now if I know you’re going to be here.”

I smile but don’t say anything. We reach our seats. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” Shawn says. “Hey before I go, can I get your number, in case you need an extra hand again?”

“She’s not interested,” a voice says from behind me, like right behind me.

“Shawn, this is Sebastian,” I say, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice as I glare at Sebastian.

Shawn’s eyes glance behind me and widen. “Sebastian. Like the Sebastian Hart?”

“Yes,” Sebastian says before I can say anything.

“And yes,” I say, turning to Shawn with a smile. “You can have my number.”

Sebastian steps close to me and puts a hand on my waist, something that he’s only done once before…for a picture. “What are you doing, Doll?” he asks in a low voice. There”s something to his voice that isn’t exactly giving off welcoming vibes.

Shawn glances between the two of us uncertainly. “Are you two dating?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Sebastian and I both speak at the same time, confusing poor Shawn even more. I step away from Sebastian, giving him a warning glance. “We are only pretending to date because of his psycho fans. It’s a long story. Anyway—” I give him a bright smile.

He returns the smile. “Can I put my number in your phone?” I dig my phone out of my pocket and hand it to him, ignoring Sebastian’s gaze. Shawn finishes a moment later and hands it to me. “I’ll text you, Stephanie.”

“Sounds good.”

He nods at Sebastian and then leaves. I turn to go into our row right as the lights dim, and the crowd goes wild for the team introductions. I slip into my seat, and Sebastian slides in next to me. I dutifully clap for each of the Green Thunder players; Sebastian doesn’t. The lights come back up, and both teams get ready to play. It’s weird being this close, and it’s weird that I know who most of the guys are. I see Aiden and Gunner. Rico’s over by the net, obviously. There’s two guys I don’t recognize, but I don’t ask Sebastian because one of them is taking his spot. Right before the puck drops, Sebastian leans towards me. “Do me a favor and lose his number.”

I turn to argue with him and find that he’s right there. Right in front of my face. I turn back towards the ice. The puck drops, and we’re off. I settle back in my seat with my popcorn and soda, already swept into the game. I don’t know if I will ever get over how fast this sport is. I try to watch the puck, but it’s almost impossible to keep track of. Sebastian”s at the edge of his seat the entire period. I’m not certain he’s breathing at this point. I don’t say anything to him because I don’t want to take his focus from the game.

One of the guys I don’t recognize from the Green Thunder gets slammed against the boards right in front of us, and I nearly jump out of my seat. “Who was that who got hit in front of us?” I turn to Sebastian and ask when the intermission starts.

He’s scowling. “That’s Travis.” He doesn’t have to say anything more for me to know that Travis is taking his spot tonight.

I reach over and pat his leg. “I’m sorry that you can’t play tonight.” I’m not sure if he hears me over the noise. I start to pull my hand back, but he snags it at the last minute. He turns, catching me in his gaze. His hold on my hand tightens, not painfully.

“Are you going to go out with him?” he asks.

My mind blanks a moment. “Shawn?” I ask. He nods once. “I don’t know. But I do know that I don’t appreciate you answering for me.”

“I’m not going to apologize for it,” he says, his jaw tight. “You do realize we’re dating, right? And dating means you don’t date other people. It’s exclusive.”

Irritation flares in me. “Oh please. This comes from the guy who’s never taken the same girl out twice. Exclusive? Whatever.” I try to tug my hand out of his, but he keeps a tight hold on it.

“I’ve never even looked at another woman since you came into my life, Stephanie.”

His words paired with his earnest look shake me. “Well, we both know you want to. You’re just doing this to help me out.” I tug my hand, and he releases it. “I don’t need you to anymore; you’re free to go pursue whoever. Things have died down; I’m fine now.” And then because I don’t want to sound ungrateful, I say, “Thank you for all you did.”

“No,” he says.

I blink. “No, what?”

“You’re pulling away because you’re scared this is starting to get real.”

“This isn’t real, Sebastian. It’s just you being sympathetic to me because you feel bad. It was never real.”

He stares at me. “That’s what you think?”

I give a bitter laugh. “It’s what I know.”

Everybody around us starts cheering, and somebody nudges Sebastian from behind. I tune into what’s going on just in time for the announcer to announce that Sebastian Hart is in the house. Sebastian stands to his feet with a big smile on his face and waves to the crowd. The crowd goes crazy. Before I realize what’s happening, he pulls me to my feet next to him and wraps an arm around my waist. Then he turns to me. “I’m going to kiss you,” he says in a low voice. My eyes widen to epic proportions I’m sure. “Is that okay?” he mutters. Something...definitely insanity...overcomes me and I find myself nodding. He pulls me close, wrapping one arm behind my back and the other hand slips behind my neck as he lowers his lips to mine. I thought his kiss would be gentle, but it’s anything but. His lips are almost fierce against mine, and it ignites something deep inside me. I find myself leaning towards him subconsciously. The kiss probably only lasts a few seconds, but it completely wrecks me. I hear a banging sound that doesn’t register. He pulls back, and I stare up at him, dazed. His aggression is gone, and in its place is a tenderness that takes my breath away. He reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear and gives me a gentle smile before he turns to the ice. I am suddenly aware that his teammates are on the other side of the glass, banging on it and cheering. Mortification sweeps through me as Sebastian raises his fist and pumps it twice. His teammates respond in kind before skating away. Then he sits, pulling me down next to him.

The next period begins. I think we’re five minutes in before I finally come to my senses. Sebastian hasn’t had a moment of down time. People have been flocking around him, asking for autographs. I stay huddled low in my seat. I realize the game is still going, but I haven’t been able to focus on it. That kiss. That’s absolutely the only thing I can focus on. Sebastian moves out of the way, and somebody slides into our row. I’m just about ready to stand, so they can get through, when the person sits in Sebastian’s seat.

“So that was exciting.”

I turn to see my best friend sitting next to me. I blink. “Where’d you come from?”

Bri laughs. “I made my way over here after that absolute spectacle you and Sebastian put on.” She grins widely before leaning forward. “Why didn’t you tell me you were into him like that? I thought you were just pretending.”

“I was,” I tell her completely serious. “I am.”

Bri’s eyes widen. “Really?” I nod. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh,” I echo.

“It was just for the crowd,” I say lamely, but I’m not sure I even believe myself.

Bri rolls her eyes. “I kissed a guy once for the crowd. It looked nothing like that kiss.”

“I know. I remember.” I remember when Aiden called her down to the ice and kissed her in front of the entire arena. At the time, they were just pretending, kind of like Sebastian and I. I groan out loud.

“This is a mess,” I say quietly.

Bri looks over her shoulder, but Sebastian is still busy signing autographs. “Do you like him?”

I shake my head. “No, but...” The but slips out.

“But you sort of do,” Bri pushes gently.

“No.” I shake my head emphatically. “No. He’s into other women. Women that are supermodels; I am so far from that.”

Bri gives me a sad smile. “I don’t really know if that’s true, but that’s something you will have to figure out with him. I don’t think he’s a player like you think he is. And Stephanie, don’t sell yourself short. You are just as beautiful and valuable as any woman he’s ever taken to any event.”

I know her words are meant to be kind, but it only reinforces my decision to stand firm against any kind of feelings for Sebastian. He’s a player, and he always will be. He’s into size 2 models with long blond hair and big chests. I am none of that. His words ring through my ears from that fateful day. Hey, Doll, I’m not interested. You’re not my type but thank you. Shame burns through me when I remember. That’s why I hate it every time he calls me Doll.

Brielle pats my leg, bringing me back to the present. “I don’t think it looked fake,” she offers quietly. “I’d better get back to my seat. I wish I would have known you and Sebastian were coming; I would have tried to work out the details to sit with you guys.”

“I didn’t know until the last minute.”

“No worries.” She gives me a hug. “I love you, Best Friend.”

Her words bring a smile to my face. “Love you too.” Then she’s gone. The crowd around Sebastian looks like it finally died down. He slides into the seat next to me. I keep my focus on the game, pretending to be engrossed. He watches the game too, even though I can feel his gaze on my face during timeouts and breaks.

The third period is upon us before I’m ready. I watch, but it’s hard to focus like I did before. It’s also weird because the guy I would actually want to watch play is sitting next to me instead of being out there on the ice...not that I will ever admit it.

When the game is nearly done, and it’s obvious we’re going to win, Sebastian leans towards me. “I have to make my way to the back for the press conference.”

“That’s fine. I can catch a ride,” I tell him. I can feel his gaze on my face. I finally turn towards him.

“Will you wait for me, so I can drive you home?”

His intensity throws me off, but I’m tired and not in the mood to fight. I also don’t know if I’ll be able to meet up with Brielle and have no desire to get left here. So I find myself nodding. He looks relieved. “Will you come with me to the press conference?”