Page 161 of When We Ignite

He shifted his gaze to Aria. “Can you move my schedule around? Take the morning off?”

“Ash, you really don’t have to go,” I insisted, but he ignored me.

“I can work with that,” Aria said, already scrolling through her tablet. “Could you be back by one?”

“I think so,” Sebastian replied, looking to me for confirmation.

“Yeah, you’ll be free by then,” I said reluctantly, my heart racing at his unexpected concern. He really didn’t have to be this nice about it.

“I’ll go with Henry,” he said, flashing me a small smile. “Is anybody from your family going?”

“Charlotte’s the only one who usually comes, but she’s been busy with wedding stuff. I didn’t tell her about it,” I admitted. He gave me a strange look, but I brushed it off. “I should get going. I’ll change.”

As I rummaged through my gym clothes, pulling off my shirt, I felt his arms wrap warmly around me from behind.

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“You’ve told me repeatedly this isn’t a relationship, Ash. Why would I? It’s not a big deal,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound bitter.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t tell me,” he said, his voice gentle. “You’re not supposed to give up things for me, darling.”

“You asked me to,” I reminded him.

His arms tightened slightly around me. “Have you been playing less often?”

My stomach dropped. “Yeah.”

“Why’s that?”

I blew out a breath, but he only held me tighter. “I’m just a little sick of it. It’s not reallymything—it never was. My dad’s always pushed Char and me into playing, and I’m good at it, but…it’s just not fun anymore.” Nothing that involved my dad felt like fun anymore.

“Can I ask you something, without you getting offended?”

“Maybe.”

His laugh puffed against my neck. “Are you sure this isn’t about me?”

“Could youbemore self-centered?” I shot back.

“I’m serious, pet. Oli told me you used to play all the time, and then summer started and—poof.”

“Poof?”

“Yes. You know what I mean.”

I sighed. “No, this is surprisinglynotabout you. I’ve been thinking about quitting for a while. And if avoiding my dad is a side benefit, well…I’m not complaining.”

Though that wasn’t entirely true. In a way,Ashwas the reason. I’d never dared to go against my dad before—especially not with tennis. I hated seeing the disappointment on his face when I slacked off or lost interest. But at the same time, why should I keep doing something I didn’t enjoy? Sebastian had turned into that tiny voice inside myself that pushed me to fight back.

“Well then, might as well finish off with a bang,” Sebastian murmured against my back. “Hurry up, we don’t want to be late.”

“Ash, it’s not a big deal. You don’t have to come,” I said with a light chuckle.

“You’re a finalist in a tennis tournament, pet. Thatisa big deal—even if it’s not Wimbledon.”

I closed my eyes, embarrassed.

“You didn’t tell anyone else? Don’t your parents usually go?”