Page 19 of Brick Wall

Sebastian

I don’t have Annie’s number. I don’t know why I never asked her for it before now. I should have it. I simply want to talk to her and see how she’s doing, but I can’t.

After we got the canoe right side up and back to shore, the exchange was awkward. We both were soaked and uncomfortable. I quickly said goodbye to get home to change and dry everything out, especially those items left in my pocket. I also wanted her to do the same without any distractions from me.

I felt so guilty getting us into that position in the first place that I just fled. I left immediately after getting to dry land, but I’m now doubting that decision.

Fuck. I can’t believe I was so careless with her. I hate that I was clumsy. I should have known better and not fooled around in the canoe. A more athletic or agile guy would never make that mistake.

Did I even check to see if she was all right besides my immediate inquiry when we were still in the water? Did I check to see if she got hit with an oar or anything when the canoe flipped over?

It’s been two days since the incident, and I cannot stop thinking about her. I need to know if she’s okay.

I can’t ask her brother, any of them, really, because they are nosy fuckers. I could ask Bryce, but then he would probably tell Goldie.

I look around the workout room at the practice facility and my eyes land on my prime target by the weights.

“Hey, Feet.”

“Brick Wall!” He chants in an annoying frat boy voice. I’m not a huge fan of my moniker. It reminds me of high school when I was first given the undeserved nickname. I was overweight and awkward back then, and sometimes I still am. I’d take Brick Wall over Feet any day though.

“What’s up?” Feet says, after remaining quiet for a beat.

“Hey, uh…” Shit. I should have thought about how to word this before coming over. I’m only smooth on the football field. “I’m looking for a phone number. I think I may have misplaced it.” I add that lie to help convince Feet to hand the number over.

Many players are hesitant to give personal information without asking permission first. I like that about my team, and it helps keep each other safe, especially from crazy people. However, in times like these, it’s annoying.

“Whose number?”

“Annie Moore’s,” I say, realizing it doesn’t automatically ring any bells for him. “She was on our basketball team—tall, a friend of Goldie’s.” His eyes light up in recognition, and I tack on a lie to help seal the deal. “I wondered if she could join one of my intramural teams.”

“Which one? How come you didn’t ask me?” Feet sounds a little hurt.

“Uh, I just need another girl,” I stumble.

“Oh, understood.”

He picks up his phone and scrolls through his numbers. My phone dings a minute later with the contact info.

“Thanks, man,” I say while pounding knuckles with him. “I appreciate this.”

“You’re welcome. Hope you don’t play basketball again because you suck.”

I’m about to argue, but I really can’t. Plus, I have a lady to message.

Sebastian: Hey, Annie! It’s Sebastian. Annie: Hey! How’s it going? Sebastian: Good. Do you have a second for a call? Annie: Sure

My original plan was to text her and quickly check in, but now that I’m doing so, I realize I don’t want that. I want to hear her voice. I kind of hate texting. My fat fingers always get in the way, and my keyboard is so small, even on my larger phone.

I quickly dial her before I can overthink it.

“Hello?” Annie says, picking up after one ring.

“Hey! Thanks for picking up. I hope I didn’t call at a bad time.”

“Nah, I’m just looking over some old tape.”

“I can understand that.” I watch a lot of tape as a player, even when I don’t want to, so I can only imagine how much a coach does.

“So, how did you get my phone number?” Annie asks.

“Trade secrets.”

“So, my brother.”

“Do you think I would ask any of them? They would annoy the crap out of me and ask for hourly status updates.”

“True,” she says with a laugh. “Bryce?” she guesses again.

“Nope,” I say but decide to give in and tell her. “Okay, it was Feet,” I admit, and she instantly howls out a laugh. I can’t help but smile.

“Well, now I don’t regret Feet having my number,” Annie admits, and my smile has gotten even bigger.

“I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing?”

“Oh, I’m doing well,” she casually says.

“You’re okay after the canoe tipped over? No bruising or any problems?”

“Oh,” she says, realizing I was asking how she was after the incident and not in the general sense, although it’s nice to hear she’s doing okay. “Yeah, I’m fine, really. It’s not the first time I’ve fallen out of that canoe.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I’m glad to hear that she’s okay, and I’m relieved this isn’t the first time an old canoe has flipped over. I thought it was my extra-large self that toppled it over.

“Word to the wise, if you don’t want to tip over, don’t go out on any boats with Finn. He’s the worst. He rocks the boat on purpose. Also, don’t go on a canoe with Todd, either.”

I have no idea who Todd is, but I have no plans of going back on a boat anytime soon.

“Good to know.” A dorky smile probably appears on my face, and I’m glad she can’t see it over the phone, but I am happy that I called her. I feel relieved that she’s okay, and she doesn’t seem to be upset either.

We stay on the phone for a few more minutes, but I hear a voice yelling, “Coach!” in the background, looking for Annie, so we hang up.

My smile somehow lasts for the rest of the day.