Page 12 of Home Again

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Don’t bother me. I’m talking to Sebastian. Hush up.”

“Sebastian? Let me talk to the boy.” Neil bellowed.

“Old man, I told you to hush up.” There was the sound of rustling, then Ophelia spoke again. “My boy. Are you home? How long are you going to stay? Are you all right? Why are you home?”

Sebastian chuckled. “One question at a time, Philly.” He watched as Gianna walked down the hall, most likely to give him some privacy.

“You can handle it. Now answer me.”

He could hear the tears in her voice and it was gutting him. Fuck, why hadn’t he kept in touch with her?

“I’m here at the house. I’m going to be staying at least a couple of weeks. I’m fine, absolutely fine. Grandpère asked me to come home. We have some unfinished business.”

He was met by silence.

“Is this a good idea?”

Ophelia knew more than almost anybody in the world about Sebastian’s life. She knew the hurt and pain he’d suffered in this house.

“It’s been years Philly. It’s time.”

She blew out a long breath. “Lazar isn’t due home for a couple of days. I’ll make sure to be there when he gets home.”

Sebastian’s smile got even bigger. Absolutely nothing had changed; Ophelia was still trying to be his protector.

“I’m a big boy now, Philly. Gianna told me you’re spending time with your grandkids. You take your time. I’m just calling because I need your loving husband’s combination to the shed. I need to get the drill to get the shutters locked down.”

“Hold on, let me get him.” There was a pause. “I love you, sweet boy.”

There it was, another shot to his heart.

“Love you too, Philly.”

“Neil! Sebastian needs you. Get your butt over here.”

Sebastian grinned. Some things never changed.

“Whatchya need boy?” Another voice that he’d missed.

“I need the combination to the shed,” Sebastian said.

“What in God’s name do you need that for? You should be hunkering down. The hurricane is about to hit.”

“I know that. Gotta get the shutters locked down. Need the combination so I can get to your tools.”

“Armand should have done that already. Told him what to do. I handed him the damn drill, God knows where he put it. Made sure he was sober at the time.”

Sebastian rubbed the back of his neck. “My fault, Neil. What in the hell was I thinking? I asked for the combination for the shed so I could lock down the shutters—never occurred to me that he had the drill.”

“Dumb son of a bitch should have known what you needed. Jesus, that man has never had a lick of sense.”

“Ain’t that the truth? I’ll go wake him up and ask him where he put it.”

“You do that. Good to have you back, boy. I want to hear what all you’ve been up to when Ophelia and I get back, so make sure you set aside some time for me.”

“Will do.”

“Wanna talk to Ophelia again?” Neil asked.