Open Marriage (ON HOLD)

Chapter 41

(A/N:  Ewww, I don't know if I like this chapter.  I wrote this really quickly, so let me know what you think.  I have a thought about something happening to the jacket, but I'm not sure.  I'm working on it right now.)

(March 26, 2022) Present Day

(Sebastian's POV)

I remembered everything from the night before, and yet, the moment I woke up, I believed I dreamt the whole thing. It was her scent that lingered in the pillow next to mine that proved that it wasn't a dream. I wanted so much to open my eyes to find her sleeping form next to mine. Part of me knew that the second I fell asleep, she would leave. That woman was loyal to the fucking core, a trait that I admired most about her. I just wanted her to forget her loyalty for one night and be with me.

I stared up at the ceiling, the morning sun peeking through my curtains. Spring was trying to make its way back to New York, so I could hear a few birds chirping in the distance. The bustling of the Saturday morning crowd began to happen outside my building. I stretched within the confines of my sheets, trying to talk myself into getting out of bed. I had so much I needed to do today. One was meeting up with Don for a workout. He had called me out yesterday when he realized I hadn't been following his training regimen the past two weeks.

"Sebastian?" a female voice called my name.

I groaned, knowing exactly who that voice belonged to. This woman had been a thorn in my side from the first time I met her. I mean, she was a nice girl and all, but this was not what I wanted for my life. I wanted to get back to the woman I loved; not lie about moving on.

I placed my arm over my eyes, hoping the silence would make her just leave. I didn't want to have to deal with her today. I already was wrestling with the fact of seeing Y/N today. Ale's presence would definitely make that decision for me.

"Who was here last night?" Ale questioned, entering my room, throwing something at me.

I slowly pulled my arm from my face, allowing my eyes to land on the leather jacket sitting on my chest. I smiled, picking it up. I knew Y/N was wearing this last night, I just didn't realize it was the one I had purchased for her during our first trip to New York together.

"Who does it belong to, Sebastian?" Ale questioned, standing at the end of the bed.

"Doesn't matter, Ale. What are you doing here?" I asked, bringing my body to sit up and lean against the headboard. I kept the sheets over my lower half, not wanting her to think I wanted anything from her.

"I came by to see you. You've been quiet the last couple of days," Ale responded, inching her way onto the bed.

"I've been busy," I mumbled, gazing down at the jacket next to me. I really haven't been that busy. My mind just been clouded with the woman from last night.

I heard Ale scoff, turning her back to me. "I can't compete with her. I won't compete with her. You're supposed to be getting over her, Sebastian. That's the whole point of me being here," she reminded me.

"It's not that easy, Ale. And you being here is just to show the world I'm not in love with Y/N. Which is stupid because people close to me know that it's not true," I informed her, throwing back the sheets, pulling my aching body out of my bed.

I pulled my shorts off the chair next and quickly put them on. I gazed over at Ale, her eyes bored into me. I knew she was starting to become attached. I could see it each time she looked at me. It was part of the reason I kept my distance the past few days. I didn't want to give her the wrong impression.