Chapter 42

Stephanie

I try to resist, but I cave and relax in Sebastian’s arms. “I’m not going anywhere, Stephanie Winston. I’m not going to choose someone different. And just for the record, there is no one prettier. I’m okay that you don’t like to go out and party, and I don’t want somebody more fun. I only want you. And I don’t want you flirting with other men. Ever. You can flirt with me all you want, though.” He pulls back and stares down at me. “I love you. I’ve made my choice, and I’m not a guy who changes his mind. I want you and only you. I want you today, and I’ll want you thirty years from now. You”re my choice.” He reaches out and catches a teardrop as he stares into my eyes.

I try to summon a smile. Based on the look on his face, I’m pretty sure I failed. “I take it you read my text messages to Bri.”

He stays sober. “I did. And you would be very proud of me—William is still alive.” I shake my head and stare at his chest. “Tell me you believe me,” he says seriously. I look up and meet his eyes. At the devastated look in his eyes, something cracks inside me. The part of me that I’ve held tightly, the part of me that doesn’t trust well or love easily, the walls I’ve erected around my heart—it all comes crashing down. There’s a truth to his words, and I know he’s backed up those words with actions time and time again. I know he means what he says. Now it’s just a matter of me choosing to trust in that love.

I stare up at him and push aside my fears and worries. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left. He just...” I shake my head. “He just got to me; he knew exactly what to say. I love you, Sebastian.”

His entire face changes. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.” Then his lips are on mine for just a moment before he turns us and pulls me down onto his lap on the couch and frames my face with his hands. “Next time, just tell me. Don’t shut me out.”

I nod. “I will.”

“I’ll make sure Chloe gets him fired,” he says in between kisses.

I pull back. ”Really? She can do that?”

“That woman is terrifying,” he says with a shudder. “She can do anything she wants.” He kisses me a little longer before he finally pulls back. “I need to let you go to bed. Please tell me we don’t have to wait long to get married.”

I smile. “You’re not very patient are you?”

“Did you ever think I was?” he asks.

I smirk. “Yeah, no.”

He reluctantly sets me on the couch and stands to his feet. “I’ve got to go so you can get some sleep. And Gunner might be waiting in the car,” he says sheepishly.

“Gunner’s waiting in the car? I’m sorry! Why did he come with?”

“I was a little angry, and he wouldn’t let me drive,” he admits.

“Sebastian,” I say, shaking my head. I kiss him one more time. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

His eyes light up. “Yeah, are you still good for brunch?” I nod. “I’ll pick you up at nine, if that works.”

Right before he walks away, I snag his hand. “Thank you for coming here, for coming back for me.”

“I will always come back for you.” He kisses me one more time and then opens the front door. I walk out with him, shivering in the cold. “Go back in, Babe, so you don’t get cold.”

I glance towards his car. “I don’t think Gunner’s there anymore.” He looks at his car and then pulls out his phone.

“Oh, he got a ride.”

“Well, thank him from me for giving you a ride, so you could arrive here in one piece,” I tell him with a smile.

“Go inside and get warm; I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” With one last kiss, he jogs down the steps and gets in his car. Once his car is running, I turn and go back inside. I close the door and lock it and lean against it for a moment. It only takes a few minutes for me to climb into bed. I”m tired, but I don’t feel like I can sleep. I stare up at the ceiling, thinking through the night. I’d been feeling so good tonight, and then I”d run into William outside the women’s bathroom. Obviously, he’d been waiting for me. Deep down, I know his words aren’t true, but they rocked me for a little bit. I’m glad Sebastian came over; I was regretting running from him anyway. I sigh as I stare into the darkness. It is quite obvious that my parents didn’t hear anything I tried to tell them. I look at the clock; it’s too late to call them now. But I need to do it first thing in the morning. I pull up my text thread and text Sebastian.

Stephanie- I know I already said this, but thanks for coming over tonight. Did you get home okay?

Sebastian- Hey Baby

Sebastian- just got home

There’s nothing for a few minutes, and then my phone rings. “Hey, you didn’t have to call,” I tell him.

“I wanted to. You okay?”

“Yeah, I just can’t sleep,” I admit.

“You know what would help you sleep?”

“No, but I have a feeling you’re about to tell me,” I respond.

“A massage. Wouldn’t that be nice? A slow, relaxing massage for your whole body.” His voice has dropped lower. “I’d start at your ankles and then up to your calves. And then I’d-”

“If you’re trying to help me relax, that’s not working,” I interrupt.

He laughs. He asks me about school instead, and we talk for almost an hour about everything and nothing. But his warm voice calms my frayed nerves from tonight, and I fall asleep as soon as we say goodbye.

The next morning comes fast. I debate on what to wear to his family’s house before finally deciding on black slacks and black belt with a gold buckle and pair it with a dark gray sweater. I add a gold necklace and earrings and then pull my hair in a loose braid. I apply some light makeup and am ready to go before Sebastian gets there, which leaves me time to write. I’m lost in my own world, behind my laptop, when he knocks on the door. I startle and nearly knock over my coffee. I open the door for a smiling Sebastian a moment later. His eyes light up. “Hey, Gorgeous.” He pulls me in for a kiss. I think he probably meant to just kiss me quickly and move on, but the moment our lips touch, an awareness that is all Sebastian flutters through me. He steps closer, deepening the kiss. I sigh softly, and he tightens his hold on my back. Then he’s all but plundering my mouth. I give as good as I get, and things go from PG to not-so-PG pretty fast. I lose myself completely in him, and it’s only when we’re both ready to pass out from a lack of oxygen that he finally pulls back. He rests his forehead against mine. “Good morning,” he says in a low voice.

“Good morning.” My voice is much more breathless than his.

He glances inside my house. “Are you sure we have to go to my family’s today? Shouldn’t we just stay here? I can keep you company while you work.”

I shake my head. “I wouldn’t get any work done, not with you staring at me all day.”

“I wouldn’t just stare at you...okay. You’re right. I totally would.”

“Come on. Let’s get going,” I say as I take his hand. “I don’t want to be late.”

“It’s my family; they don’t care.”

“I care.” I start toward his car, and he follows behind and opens my door. “Can we stop at the bakery on the way, so we can take something?”

“Sure,” he says easily. We get to his parents’ house faster than I’m prepared for. “Ready?” he asks with a grin.

I take a deep breath. “Yes.”

“Hey.” He takes my hand. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just my family, and they love you.” I nod because I know he speaks the truth; they’ve been so good to me. We walk up the steps, and he opens the door. “We’re here.” The sound of beautiful chaos fills my ears.

“Stephanie,” Sebastian’s mom calls out and walks over and hugs me tightly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Miss Winston,” Kayla calls out and runs over for a hug.

“Hey Stephanie,” Tina calls out from the kitchen.

“I’m here too,” Sebastian calls out. “My family loves you more than they love me,” he mutters against my ear.

I laugh and turn towards him. “You poor baby.”

“I know of something that will make it all better,” he says, his eyes dancing.

“What?” I ask, even though I have a clue where he’s going with this.

“A kiss,” he says, leaning forward. His lips touch mine, and the same thing happens that always happens when he kisses me. I lose all sense of time and reality. His hand runs up and down my spine, and I shiver from the intensity. Somebody whistles, and reality comes crashing back down. I jerk back, feeling my face flaming. Sebastian grins at me wickedly before kissing me once more on the lips. When we turn around, his family is grinning at us.

“Can we just go home now?” I mutter under my breath.

He puts his hand on my back and propels me forward. “Nope. I”m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” Keith says as he walks past.

I walk over to the kitchen. “What can I do to help? Oh, and we brought some bagels and pastries.”

“Yum,” Kristin says. “I’ll get a tray for you.”

I take the tray from her to the kitchen table and start filling it. I glance over and notice a book open on the table, and not just any book. It’s one of mine. I stare at it for a moment, unsure what to say. “Oh, that’s mine,” Sebastian’s mom says as she picks it up and moves it to the counter. “You didn’t tell us what an amazing author you are. I literally cannot put this book down.”

“Same,” Tina says as she carries out a stack of plates.

“Yes! Your books are amazing! How long have you been writing?” Kristin asks as she comes into the kitchen.

“You don’t have to read my books; I know Sebastian bought them all for you,” I say, shaking my head.

“No, seriously, I’m an avid romance reader; and I’m really picky about what I read,” Kristin says. “And I absolutely love your books!” She leans forward. “I stayed up until two this morning because I couldn”t put down The Payment. And that cliffhanger! I was so mad at you for that cliffhanger!”

“Oh my word! Are you talking about The Payment?” Tina asks, coming into the kitchen.

Kristin turns to her. “Yes! Did you finish it?”

“Yeah, at like midnight last night, and then I immediately wanted to read book two.” They both turn to me. “When does book two come out?”

“Hopefully next month,” I admit.

They both start talking about the cliffhanger and what they think is going to happen. They ask questions, but my lips are sealed. I meet Sebastian’s eyes from across the room. He smiles at me and winks. A warm feeling fills me as they talk to me and then as I help carry the food out to the table. I don’t even bat an eye when Lou prays for the brunch. Everybody starts talking and passing dishes around the table. I fill my plate and then take a moment to just take it all in. This. Right here. It’s what I’ve always wanted. And because of the amazing man next to me, I’m part of it now. They’ve claimed me as family. The thought makes me teary-eyed, but I blink to keep them at bay. Sebastian must know what I’m thinking or feeling because he reaches over and puts his hand on my thigh and squeezes gently.

It’s near the end of brunch when Sebastian slides his phone over to me. I look at him questioningly, but he just nods at it. I pick it up. There”s a single text message.

Chloe- William is fired, and Blake Grossan is no longer with the Legends. He’ll never play for another AHL team again. Nobody will touch him after this.

My wide eyes meet Sebastian’s. He wraps an arm around me. “Just a normal Sunday.”