Evening Promises

thirteen.

It had been a week since I last spoke to or seen Sebastian, mainly because I've failed to face him after we fucked with no remorse even though guilt should not even be on the list of exceptions. The morning after, I slipped on my clothing and disappeared into the wind just after Sebastian left to shower. It was a shitty thing to do but I couldn't help the impending doom of another broken heart my thoughts had created.

I took off work and asked Holly to cover for me while I hide anywhere else but the place I tend to see Sebastian's face every day. I'd stay out all day burning my pockets to clear my mind and return home late when I felt too exhausted. Ash says he's weary of giving Sebastian the runaround and lying to him about my avoidance but allowing him to use my car as he pleases all week, made things a bit easier.

But you can only avoid something for so long before you eventually have to face the reality of it and I expected to do just that today if Sebastian had shown himself. I'd gone through my entire shift without seeing him and the regret felt worse than the relief. Closing time was near and Holly and the rest of the workers had already gone home so I was left to clean and close up shop alone but the closing shift is more calming than any other hour.

As I close the doors and lock them to leave the shop, I pull out my phone to call my brother but the screen doesn't load and I mentally curse. I look out into the parking lot distance only to make the sight of a figure standing out staring in my direction. I squint to get a close look and my eyes jolt at the sight of Sebastian standing before me while giving me a simple smile and a wave. Seeing him again only made my heart stop in my chest and all I could do was turn back around towards the door. I tried opening the doors but was immediately reminded of the last minute.

"Fuck" I curse as I brace myself to face him.

I turn with an awkward smile as I hear Sebastian catch up to me. Once we made eye contact I instantly look down at my feet and the exaggerated sigh from Sebastian's breath only caused me to reconnect our eyes.

"I'm not used to women running out on me half naked" Even in times of hardship, Sebastian will forever manage to crack a joke on the situation.

"I didn't run out on you Seb," I say shaking my head and he cocks his brow inching closer.

"Yeah? Then why'd I hear hurried footsteps out the door just before Caleb came asking me about a girl rushing out of our apartment?" He asks making a valid point with concern lacing his face, "I take kindly to rejection Avery if that's what ran you off. I get it"

"No Sebastian that's not it, you were great trust me. It was kinda obvious when I could hardly hold myself together that night" I admit causing a chuckle to erupt out of him and his precious smile to reappear.

He folds his arms and goes back to his previous concerned expression, looking down at me. "Then where have you been? Why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not" I blurt, mentally impaling myself for acting like this towards him.

" V"

I sigh adjusting myself before I confess the truth about my absence, "I'm not exactly used to guys wanting to continue any sort of connection with me after sex unless it's sex again that they want"

"What?" He questions with a chuckle.

"This is why I avoided, it's humiliating to not be wanted to the full extent" I groan pushing past him, and before I could get anywhere he grabs my arm, stopping me.

"Who said I didn't want you, Avery? I get how things have gone for you in the past but I promise I'm not like that. I want you more than I could want anything and I will always stand by you" He sounds sincere with his words and I turn to face him just as he gives me a reassuring smile.