Page 3 of Home Again

Sebastian’s eyebrows shot up. “Uhmm.”

Blessing’s laugh sounded like bells. “It’s okay, never mind me. I’ll just take you back and find you someplace comfortable to weather out the storm. Follow me.” She took two steps expecting him to follow her.

“Wait, how do you know I need answers?”

Shit, what was wrong with him? Why should he care what this woman said? But, how in the hell could she have possibly known that he was going for that very reason?

She turned back to him, her expression holding such warmth and caring. “Sebastian, I’m not sure how I know, but I know.” Once again she reached out and squeezed his arm. “Trust. I know it’s not in your nature, but try to open yourself up to trust, okay?” She kept staring at him until he finally nodded.

“This way,” she said as she turned toward the hallway.

He followed her down a red, white, and blue striped hall, lost in thought until she pointed to a shelving unit. “You can set your duffel there.” Sebastian nodded and shelved his bag, then continued to follow her as they ended up in an almost empty room that had some brown leather furniture. The only one there was a scowling man with his foot in a black walking boot.

“I’d like to introduce you two. Sebastian Durand, this is Kyle Jones who is also in the Navy.”

Kyle started to push up from the couch and Sebastian shook his head. Kyle settled back down with a brief nod. “Blessing, how’d you know I was in the Navy?” Sebastian asked.

Shit, does she know his middle name too?

“I saw your name and rank on your duffel luggage tag,” she smiled. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two gentleman alone to get better acquainted. Bye, y’all.” Sebastian stared after her as he sank down on the couch across from Kyle.

“Where you stationed?” Sebastian asked Kyle after a few minutes of silence.

“Coronado,” Kyle answered.

Sebastian wasn’t surprised. Kyle had the special ops feel to him.

“You?” Kyle asked.

“Little Creek,” Sebastian said. He waited to see if Kyle was going to ask questions since it was obvious they were both Navy SEALs, but he didn’t. Maybe Kyle was going home to a big ole’ pile of shit too. Sebastian’s lip curled up.

“What you smiling about?” Kyle asked.

Sebastian considered giving him a one-word answer, but a little conversation would make time go faster. “Thinking about the bullshit I’m going back to. Thinking our shitty moods match.”

Kyle’s lips twitched. “Dude, you’re reading me wrong if you think this is a shitty mood. This is me on a good day, especially since this shit happened.” Kyle lifted his injured leg and grimaced.

Sebastian laughed, then winced as he once again looked at Kyle’s broken ankle. He could really get to like this guy. They continued to talk. Nothing too deep; Sebastian wasn’t in the mood to unload on Kyle. It was bad enough having to go home, and he could tell that Kyle had his own reasons for keeping things to himself…still. They ended up sharing contact information before Blessing brought in more men. Before the night was over there were five of them. Five good men who ended up making Sebastian feel he was in a much better space before having to return to a place he’d vowed never to see again in his life.