Page 34 of The Cursed Sebastian Storm

Sebastian was surprised and not surprised. They were all so welcoming. It was like his childhood wish for friends in Moonlight Falls had been granted. “I don’t really eat meat.”

James seemed to bite back a smile. “I’m sure Parker can accommodate that. He makes great veggie burgers.”

Sebastian’s cheeks heated at the idea of Parker considering him enough to make him something specific. “In that case, I’ll have to bring him some jam.”

For some reason, the statement prompted James to kiss him on the cheek. “He’ll like that. Now, come on. I’ll help you unpack.”

They went upstairs and made the bed with sheets and pillows from the trunk. Towels and all Sebastian’s toiletries were in the trunk as well, and of course, James had added the books Sebastian had kept in his bedroom.

James pulled a first-aid kit out from under more of Sebastian’s clothes. “How’s your wrist doing?”

“Okay.” Sebastian flexed it. “Doesn’t hurt at all.”

James set the kit on the bed. “Should I take a look at it for you?”

It was probably unnecessary. Sebastian had been keeping it clean and changing the bandage, but James’s need to take care of him was probably about more than the wound. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.” He offered his arm.

James took it gingerly and did a thorough inspection of the bite.

Sebastian suspected James took care of people, in part, to express his affection for them, but that he also needed to look after the people he loved to remind himself he wasn’t losing them. Giving James the reassurance he needed made Sebastian feel like they were taking care of each other. It reminded him he had the potential to be who James needed, and it was almost like he belonged to the group of people James loved.

After James deemed Sebastian fine and healing well, Sebastian hugged him.

“What’s that for?” James asked, lips brushing Sebastian’s ear.

“No reason.” Sebastian gave him a kiss on the cheek before pulling away. He didn’t actually think James loved him, not even in the way he loved Hazel or Parker, but James seemed to have a whole lot of feelings for Sebastian, and Sebastian had just as many for him.

James had shown Sebastian how much he’d cared today, even in the face of something hard. Maybe things would turn out okay if Sebastian could trust James without his fears getting in the way. Sebastian didn’t know what it would take for him to truly stop believing everything good was temporary, but he wanted to figure it out so the two of them could have the chance to fall in love.

James leaned in and kissed Sebastian on the lips. Stubble scratched his cheeks. James’s five o’clock shadow appeared much quicker than Sebastian’s. He liked that, especially when he felt that rough scrape in intimate places. Sebastian felt so good when they were together, and he was able to stay in the moment.

The kiss didn’t turn hearted, and Sebastian got the impression James was waiting for him to decide what was coming next. Eventually, their lips parted, and they pulled back.

Sebastian decided to take a necessary but unpleasant plunge. “I think I want to stay here on my own tonight.” He didn’t have to explain to James why this simple thing was important to him or why he needed to do it. James would get it.

He nodded, not looking disappointed at all. “Okay. You always know where to find me.”

“Yeah, I’ve got a phone now.” Sebastian smiled.

“I’m glad.” James looked disproportionately relieved by the reminder for some reason.

Shaking his head, Sebastian walked him out. Then he was alone.

It wasn’t as bad as his first day alone in James’s house, but it was unsettling. Sebastian had had no life at Storm House, no future, but he’d rarely felt as aimless as he did now. He supposed it was because he didn’t have to work so hard to survive anymore. He could be lazy without consequence, but he liked to be busy. He just had to figure out what to do with himself.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sebastian went down a music rabbit hole online. He streamed song after song on his phone, catching up on what he’d missed.

His favorite pop artist had put out four albums while he was away. “Four!” he exclaimed aloud to the small kitchen. Talking to himself was a habit he’d had before James had gotten stuck at Storm House. It was making a reappearance now.

He called his lawyer and asked the man to order headphones and a few other electronics for him since he was too impatient to wait for his new debit card to arrive in the mail.

Sebastian figured he could dissolve the Storm trust and look after all his own finances now that he wasn’t cut off from the world, but he wasn’t going to make any big decisions yet. Keeping the lawyer felt like a security blanket. He’d been the only person Sebastian could turn to for so long.

He made himself take one more trip to the General Store before it closed that evening to grab a few things. He bought himself some reusable bags, almond milk, tofu, and vegetables for a stir fry, using the rest of James’s cash. He’d packed rice and spices from the pantry at Storm House, so he had everything else he needed.

Back home, he enjoyed his dinner, especially since he hadn’t had any bell peppers in his garden recently. Listening to all the new music took the edge off being by himself. The duplex didn’t feel so empty when it was filled with his favorite pop songs.

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