Me: Mightwant to pinch yourself really, really hard. Just to make sure.
Sebastian: Nah,no need. If I was dreaming, I’d already have a pic of your tits.
Me:Lovely.
Sebastian: So,Ms. Clarke, what did I do to deserve the gift of your attention on this fineSeptember evening?
Me:Well, for one, your dog ate my shoes. So, you owe me a pair of heels.
Sebastian: Sorry.I told him to do that in a fit of rage. Didn’t think he’d actually do it. Mybad. (But also, please tell him I said, “Good boy.”)
Me: Sofunny.
Me: Anyway,I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done for Greyson. I don’t think I everdid, and I just think you deserved it.
Sebastian: …
Sebastian:Still not sure that I’m not dreaming.
Me: Shutup. Seriously. Greyson’s been doing really well. I mean, it’s only thebeginning of the schoolyear, but he’s doing great so far.
Sebastian:Yeah, I know. He told me. He’s been hanging out with a few different kids too.Did he tell you that? Kid’s making some new friends who aren’t littledickheads.
Me: No,he didn’t tell me that. He’s not telling me too much.
Sebastian: Iwouldn’t take it personally. He’s not mad at you. I think he’s just morecomfortable talking to a guy.
Me: Inever thought that could be a possibility.
Sebastian: Yeah.Trust me. If something was wrong, he’d tell you.
Me: Okay.
Me: Anyway,I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say I really do appreciate everything you’vedone for him. You’ve really helped a lot.
Sebastian:Well, it’s why you recruited me in the first place, remember?
Me: Ido. I guess you did your job well.
Sebastian: Iguess so.
Sebastian: And bythe way, you could totally keep me. If you wanted.
Iread his message a handful of times before laying the phone down for the night.There were so many things I wanted to say, but I couldn’t say them, not yet. Ididn’t feel ready, or maybe it was that I wasn’t yet convinced that what hefelt—whatIfelt—was real.
38
sebastian
Standing in the airportwith Chad and Ty, I feltlike a kid waiting for Christmas. Practically dancing on the spot, I eagerlyawaited Greyson’s flight, watching the screens and checking the time.
“Youguys didn’t have to come,” I told my friends for the thousandth time. “Iwould’ve been fine on my own.”
“Igotta be sure this kid exists,” Ty chuckled, dropping into a chair beside Chad.“Thiscouldjust be one elaborate story to convince us you’re not alonely motherfucker.”
“Ihave a puppy, dude. You can’t be lonely with a puppy.” I shook my head,glancing at the monitor again. Estimated time of arrival: Ten minutes. “Fuckinghell. This is taking forever.”
Chadrolled his eyes. “We’ve only been here for like, fifteen minutes.”
