Page 82 of Season's Schemings
“Plus, I can always go see security and bribe them to give me the tape,” he adds with a cheeky smile.
I attempt to hit him, but he easily catches my hand and laces his fingers through mine, letting our linked hands rest on his lap as he drives.
We’re silent for a few minutes, the Christmas music on the radio filling the comfortable silence in the vehicle, until I finally say, “You know what, though?”
He glances at me, waiting for me to continue.
But I frown, wondering exactly how to phrase this. The whole green card confrontation with Richard and Paul is still buzzing around my head like a pesky mosquito, despite my best efforts to squash it. I know I need to do the mature thing and communicate. Tell Seb how I’m feeling and ask for clarity—because this is a healthy relationship that means the damn world to me, and I’m not going to do that smoothing-over crap I did with Adam when an issue comes up.
Seb is worth every difficult conversation, even if the outcome isn’t what I want to hear.
“It’s funny… I told my stepdad off, but he was kind of right, in a way,” I start hesitantly. “This thing between us started as something we got into to benefit each other. And it still kinda is, with the green card application and whatnot.”
Seb’s face contorts a little, like the thought is unpleasant to him. “I’m sorry that it started that way. It’s certainly not like that anymore.”
“If there’s another way to do the paperwork, Seb, I’d support you in that. If that was what was best for you,” I reply carefully.
“You’rewhat’s best for me, Maddie,” he says simply. His hand tightens on mine and he casts me a lingering, sideways look. “I was hesitating before because I didn’t want there to be any negative repercussions for you… but then, I realized that we wouldn’t actually be lying in our interview at all. Because this is the realest relationship I’ve ever been in, and I could talk about how great you are for days to the USCIS.” He grins a little. “They won’t be able to shut me up.”
I smile, too, but I have to be sure. “We got into this for your hockey career. If this isn’t the best way for you to move forward with that, then…”
“I don’t care. You come first. And I wanna do this with you. Prove that I’m in this for you, and for us. We’re a team now, you and me. That comes with both risk and reward… and you’re worth risking everything else for.”
The affirmations are all I need to feel safe. Secure. A balm to my soul, healing every lingering ounce of doubt that my past scarred me with.
“A team,” I echo. “The best team ever.”
“Exactly. And while I don’t love how this all started out, I’m also glad of it, because it brought us together.”
I nod. “Me too. I was always the romantic in the family, always dreaming of this fairytale wedding for love. I grew up in a home where my parents’ marriage might’ve started out with love, but for so many years, has been for pure convenience. And then, I ended up in a relationship with a man whoIwas with for love, but he eventually left me for a woman who could further his career.” I give a shrug. “It’s ironic that you and I got together for convenience and ended up…”
“With love,” Seb finishes softly.
My head swivels so that I’m staring at him; processing what he’s just said. And as I do this, I read the signposts outside the vehicle, and realize we’re going the wrong way.
“Seb? You missed our turn.”
“No, I didn’t.”
He’s got a mysterious glint in his eyes as he drives in, quite literally, the opposite direction from his apartment. But it isn’t long before he pulls up at…
“The Atlanta Botanical Gardens?” I ask, frowning. The gardens are known for their insanely beautiful after-dark Christmas light display, but it’s 10:30pm, and there’s barely another vehicle in the parking lot.
“I know that Christmas is technically over, but ‘tis still the season… so I thought we could go look at some lights.”
I smile wide, my insides turning to goo again, as they often do around this man. “That’s so sweet, Seb. I love that idea… But isn't it closed?”
Seb gives me a hint of that cocky smirk of his. “Not to us, it isn’t.”
I gape at him and his expression turns almost bashful. “We’ll just call it one of the perks of being a pro athlete. Opening hours don’t necessarily apply when I want to take my wife on a date.”
“This is insane,” I breathe, looking towards the entrance to the gardens, then back at Seb. His eyes are soft and crinkly and he’s doing thatthingagain where he’s looking at me like I’m the most precious thing in the world.
“So, is that a yes?” he asks quietly. “Will you go on a date with me, Maddie?”
“Of course it’s a yes!”
His smile broadens and he climbs out of the car, comes around to my side, and opens the door. Offers me his arm. “Right this way, then.”