Page 98 of Late Nights & Love Lines
“Thanks, Paps. I’m only who I am today because of you.”
“Bull,” he barks. “You were always a good boy, Seb. But now you’re a great man, and that all comes down to you.”
24
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
ROWAN
Stella stayed behind with their sick daughter, but everyone else in Sebastian’s life is here. Again. I’m not even sure if they asked him or if they all decided that because Tabby and Bella were here, they’d have an impromptu get-together on a random Wednesday night.
One bottle of wine has turned into two, mostly thanks to Tabby, who manages to keep our glasses topped off without me even noticing.
Seren has stayed close to my side, not offering much to the conversation but observing and listening. We’re very similar that way. And her smile hasn’t faded once since we sat down at the island with Tabby and Bella.
What I would have given to belong anywhere when I was her age.
As soon as we sat down, Tabby poured Seren’s lemonade into a long-stem wineglass the rest of us are drinking out of, and right before our eyes, the girl’s confidence grew.
We’ve talked about everything from Tabby’s peculiar baking habits—pickle cupcakes were a hard pass for me—to how Bellahad drifted into town a few years ago and instantly knew she’d found her place.
Seren and I had both shifted uncomfortably on our stools as Bella recounted her story, but neither woman pushed us to share more than we were comfortable with.
By my second glass of wine, I could even admit, at least to myself, that I was having fun.
“Are you getting along well with the kids in town?” Tabby asks, startling Seren, who chokes on her lemonade.
“Yeah,” she says with a slight frown as I pat her on the back. “They’ve all been really nice.”
“Does that surprise you?” Bella asks gently.
“It’s just…” Seren turns her gaze to me. “Different. The kids in Boston weren’t nice unless they were trying to get something from me. At least the kids at my school, anyway. It’s all about who you know and how much you have.”
Sebastian steps in from the deck, holding an empty platter. “Everything will be ready in about ten minutes.”
We all hum our acknowledgment while he walks into the pantry.
“All kids have their moments, and small-town kids are no different, but I do think the beach and the South in general can feel a little more welcoming of a place sometimes. It’s why I came here in the first place,” Bella says. “I love the beach, but the people are why I stayed.”
“Going home is going to suck,” Seren mutters. Sebastian stops cold in the doorway of the pantry, but Seren is staring at her glass and doesn’t see him. “I wish we could stay here.”
“Is that what you want?” Sebastian asks, causing Seren to jump.
She shrugs but won’t look directly at him.
“We’ll set the table,” Tabby says while she and Bella back away from the conversation.
In all honesty, Seb hasn’t brought up his long-term plans much, and I never thought to ask because I’ve been too busy trying to get through the todays and tomorrows.
“Ser, talk to me,” he begs, setting a box of tinfoil on the counter.
“I hate it at home now,” she says, her voice hollow and broken. “The kids will never let me live down what Mom did. The mean girls will only get meaner, and even if I change schools, people in Boston will still talk. I get sick to my stomach anytime I think about going home.”
Lord, she could be talking about my childhood. Sebastian’s gaze locks on mine, and I get the uncanny sensation that he’s comparing my situation to Seren’s, but I can also see his wheels spinning as he runs through every option they have.
“I can understand how you feel,” I say. “I used to have physical reactions like hives and throwing up every time I had to walk back into my house. But the difference is, you have so many people who love you.”
Beck walks in off the deck. He takes one look at our faces, grabs the tinfoil, and heads back outside.
