Emily's POV
"Sebastian?" I choked out, completely blindsided.
He looked different. His usually cocky expression was replaced with something I couldn't quite place. Sadness? Regret? Bitterness?
"Hey," he said softly.
I blinked. "What are you doing here?"
He scratched his jaw. "Can we talk?"
My throat dried. Dad was still laughing at a joke someone made, completely unaware of the ghost that had just walked into my life.
"Now?" I asked, heart racing.
"Please," he said.
I hesitated. Everything was perfect today. The game, Dad, Adam, the laughter, the warmth.
And now... Sebastian.
His eyes locked with mine, and for the first time, I didn’t feel anger or fear or confusion. I just felt... ready.
“Ok.”
My dad turned at the sound of my voice and followed my gaze. The moment his eyes landed on Sebastian, I could practically feel the heat of his fury rising.
His chair screeched back as he jumped to his feet.
"You!" he growled, clenching his fists as he marched forward.
"Dad, no!" I shot up and grabbed his arm just as he was about to throw a punch.
His eyes blazed with fury. "He’s the one, right? The one who—"
I nodded slightly, biting my bottom lip. I had told Dad everything. How Sebastian had pretended to love me while hooking up with Tammy behind my back.
How I cried myself to sleep more nights than I could count. How I found Adam—how Adam found me, really—and helped piece me back together.
Sebastian, on the other hand, looked like a shadow of his former self. He stepped back, hands raised in a pathetic attempt to look non-threatening. "I just want to talk to her. Please."
I looked around. The spectators were now looking our way, whispers spreading like wildfire. I sighed. The last thing I needed was to be the center of another school gossip fest.
"It’s okay, Dad. I’ll go with him," I said quickly. "We’ll talk outside. Just for a minute."
Dad looked reluctant, his jaw tight, but he nodded slowly. "You come right back."
I followed Sebastian out of the stands, down a small path that led toward the parking lot. We didn’t speak for the first minute.
The silence was heavy, suffocating almost.
"I heard you transferred," I finally said, breaking the tension.
He nodded, offering a sad smile. "Yeah. I’m leaving New York altogether. My parents think a fresh start will be good for me."
I gave a slight shrug. "Maybe it will."
He looked down at his shoes. "Emily, I—what I did to you... there’s no excuse. I was a coward, selfish. I hurt you, and I hate myself for it."
I folded my arms, watching him carefully.
"I know it doesn’t change anything," he continued. "But I couldn’t leave without telling you I’m sorry. Really sorry. I'm also sorry about the pictures."
I stared at him for a long moment, not speaking.
“Pictures?”
“Of you and Adam. I was stalking you for a while and I found out you were always with him so I took those photos and released them.”
Part of me wanted to lash out, yell at him, make him feel every ounce of pain he made me feel. But another part of me... was just tired.
"You’ve already been forgiven, Seb," I said quietly. "A while ago. I’ve moved on."
His eyes shimmered with emotion. Without warning, he stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.
And that’s when everything spiraled.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
The voice boomed like thunder.
I gasped, pulling away instantly. Adam.
He stormed toward us, his eyes a mix of fury and disbelief. Before I could say a word, he yanked Sebastian backward.
"Adam, stop!" I exclaimed, grabbing his arm.
Sebastian stumbled but caught himself. "I was just saying goodbye!"
"You don’t get to touch her. Not after everything you did," Adam spat. “I knew you were behind those pictures, you motherfucker!”
"Adam," I said gently, placing my hand on his chest. "He was apologizing. He’s leaving New York. That’s all."
Adam's chest heaved, his jaw clenched. But slowly, I watched the fire in his eyes die down. He looked at me, then at Sebastian, then back at me.
"Fine," he muttered. "But stay away from her. For good."
Sebastian gave a small nod, avoiding Adam’s gaze. "Goodbye, Emily."
I watched him turn and walk away, a piece of my past fading into the distance.
Adam turned to me, eyes still intense. "You okay?"
I smiled up at him. "Yeah. Better than okay."
He leaned down and kissed me softly. "Come on. Game's not over."
We walked back to the stands just as another goal was scored. The whistle blew, and cheers erupted around the field.
"That's my boy!" Dad shouted, throwing his fist in the air.
I laughed and joined him, clapping wildly.
"GOAL!!!" the announcer shouted as Adam slammed another point.
I jumped up, unable to hold back my scream. "YES, ADAM!"
People around me turned and stared. Some looked shocked. Others looked amused. But I didn’t care. Not one bit.
Dad hollered and laughed beside me, slapping my back. "Now that’s how you show support!"
Within seconds, Adam ran across the field, straight to me. I was still standing, half in disbelief, as he leapt over the barrier and pulled me into his arms.
"Adam—"
He picked me up and spun me around. I shrieked, laughing as the world whirled around me.
"Put me down! I’m dizzy!”
He put me down and before I could say something else, he cut me off with a kiss. Not just a peck, a full, exhilarating kiss that made my knees buckle.
Unbothered about the presence of my father.
Or the crowd erupted into louder cheers.