Page 17 of Brick Wall

Sebastian

W e are locked in this damn shed again.

“Don’t those idiots know you don’t lock a big man in a small space? It’s really not nice.” I’m already pacing back and forth.

“Not nice? That’s all you’ve got?”

“Yes, I’m claustrophobic. It’s getting to my brain. I can no longer think of proper insults.” My fingers and toes are tingling, and my hands are starting to shake.

“Just sit down,” she orders, and I can’t think of a good reason not to. I sit down on a bin directly across from her.

She’s so pretty.

“Take a deep breath.” Her voice is so calming. I take a deep breath. “Good, and another one.” I do again. “Good boy.” I am a good boy. “And again.”

I take another large breath and feel better already. I feel more like myself.

I look down and realize we are holding hands. She squeezes my hand briefly and then lets go. She has a cute little blush on her face, and I can’t help but miss the warmth of her hand.

Why did she let go? Fuck.

I take another breath in and out, and my awareness slowly returns.

“Wait, are those stupid idiots here? They told me the camp would be empty today.”

“I’m not sure,” Annie states, but there’s a bit of uncertainty in her voice. “I’ve been here for a few hours, and it’s been quiet. I haven’t seen or heard anyone, well, besides you.”

I hum as a response. Weird.

“So, is this place haunted?” I need to know.

“What?” Annie huffs out a big belly laugh. “I’m sorry.” She’s laughing uncontrollably. When she calms down, she clarifies, “I wasn’t expecting you to ask that.”

I shrug.

“Haunted by my brothers is more like it.”

It’s quiet for a beat as we sit across from each other in content silence; at least, that’s how it feels for me.

Annie clears her throat. “How did the gala go?” Her voice is shaky but there’s a smile on her face.

“Great.” A huge grin I can’t control takes over my face. “We raised a lot of money, more than expected, and it’s not all accounted for yet. Our best gala to date.”

“That’s good,” she says with another smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Thank you so much for being there,” I say, meaning every word.

“My brothers loved teaming up with you.”

“Just your brothers?” I tease.

“Yes.” Her shoulders tighten up and her smile disappears completely. I wasn’t expecting that reaction to my harmless question. After a moment of silence, Annie quietly says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Her shoulders droop down, and her voice is small.

Where did my belly-laughing, bright-eyed girl go? I miss her.

This Annie looks so sad and defeated. What happened?

“Didn’t know what?” I prompt.

“About your girlfriend.”

Wait. “I have a girlfriend?” I speak my confusion out loud.

“Yes?” she says with a little uncertainty. “The woman you went to the gala with last night?”

I didn’t have a date. I went with my sisters, but then it dawns on me—the hyena.

“Did she say anything to you later on?” I sharply ask.

We make eye contact, but she doesn’t say anything in response. That would be a yes.

“She is not my anything, nor will she ever be.” My voice is firm.

“Did you used to date?”

“Date is a generous word to use.”

“Oh,” she says quietly with an awkward understanding.

I wasn’t planning to waste any time thinking or talking about the hyena, but I feel like Annie needs to hear this. Plus, we have plenty of time to clear the air.

“I met her when I was a dumb rookie. She was my real estate agent and helped me get settled when I first moved to Boston. We saw each other for a few weeks.”

“What happened?” she stumbles and adds, “If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I realized she was a terrible human being.”

She chokes on a laugh. It’s not a full-on belly laugh, but it’s nice to see her more like her old self again.

“She keeps showing up randomly. It’s annoying,” I admit.

“Sounds like she wants you back.”

“Never going to happen. I will never fall for the hyena’s tricks again.”

“Hyena?” she questions, sounding amused.

“Yes.”

“Athena the hyena?” Her laugh is slowly coming back.

“Yes. She’s opportunistic, unpredictable, and untrustworthy.”

I take her hand and squeeze it. “What did she say to you?” There’s an edge to my voice when I ask.

“Not much.” She waves her hand in front of her face like it’s not a big deal, but those eyes still have a touch of sadness to them. “She did say that you’d be reunited again soon. Just so you are aware.”

Fuck. I hope it’s a lie and not the truth. The last thing I knew, she moved to New York or New Mexico or something. I have no idea, really. I was just glad she was gone.

“She also said that you’ve known each other forever? I got the impression you were high school sweethearts or something.”

A snort accidentally slips out. “Or something. No, as mentioned, she was a real estate agent recommended to me when I first met the team to help me get settled.” Settled, she did.

I don’t think that’s what the organization meant when they sent over her contact information.

“I’ve known her since my first season, so almost ten years now, maybe? ”

I was such an idiot. I had recently moved to Boston as a cocky rookie. I had so much money and confidence, and I fell right into her trap. She never liked me. She only liked my football contract and status.

“Is this the first time you’ve seen her since then?”

“No, she keeps popping up occasionally. I often run into her at charity events because that’s how she finds her wealthy real estate clients.

I’m also not the first guy on the team she’s dated, so I run into her at the bar every now and then.

” I pause for a moment and piece together something.

“I saw her at your surprise party last week. At first, I thought I was hallucinating.”

“Is that why you left without saying goodbye?” Her voice sounds small.

“Feet didn’t tell you?”

“No,” she confirms while shaking her head.

“I couldn’t find you to say goodbye, and I needed to leave quickly. I asked him to tell you. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, no problem. I was happy you came, so thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay longer. I had fun.”

“Oh, no big deal,” she says while waving her hand over her face. “I’m sorry if my brothers forced you.”

“They didn’t,” I confirm. Ryan casually mentioned it to me on my last day working at the summer camp and then texted me the details later. I was looking forward to celebrating Annie’s birthday with her.

She rolls her eyes. “Just like they didn’t force you into the closet with me.” Her words drip with sarcasm as she grabs the door handle for effect, and the shed door easily opens.

“Um…” We both look at each other in confusion.

“Did we even check to see if the door was locked?” she awkwardly laughs. “I’m sorry. I think I just assumed.”

“Hey, I didn’t check either.” I was too busy having a minor breakdown.

We both exit the storage shed and look around. There are no other cars in the parking lot and no one in sight, although there are a lot of buildings and trees nearby, so someone could easily hide if they really wanted to.

“Are you heading home now?” I ask her.

“No, I think I’m going to stay a little longer. I love it here and haven’t been in the water yet. What about you?”

“I don’t have anything else to do.” I don’t have any set plans for the rest of the day, which is unusual for me.

“Here or today in general?”

“Both, I guess,” I say, shrugging.

“Do you want to stay for a little bit? We can take a boat out or something if you want,” she says, but there’s a hint of vulnerability there.

I can’t help but to say, “Yes.”

Her eyes dance with pleasure as we approach the water’s edge.