“We sometimes forgot how to be friends to each other when we were younger. But we’re working on it now. And we’ll get it right. I promise.”
“So you didn’t mean it? When you said to Shelli you don’t like Mum?”
“I didn’t mean it.”
No. He didn’t. He liked her. A lot. More than a lot.
And there was a distinct possibility he always had.
“I promise,” he repeated.
In the kitchen, Shelli sighed.
Cody frowned at him, clearly not convinced. “Go tell Mum you’re sorry. She’s probably not on the loo. She says that’s what she needs to do when she’s angry and trying to hide it from me.”
Sebastian swallowed. If he went near Grace, she’d likely throw something at him. Maybe if he got one of his PAs to send her flowers?
Fuck, I am an idiot.
Placing his palms gently on Cody’s shoulders, he nodded. “Okay.”
Straightening, he shot Shelli an inquiring look.
“She’ll be in my bedroom. Down the hall. Second door on the left.” She twisted her lips. “You’re right, ya know. I have always seen you and Grace together. You just have to get your act together.”
He found Grace pacing back and forth at the foot of a big, wood-framed bed, chewing on her thumb.
“I never said you cheated on a science exam.”
She stopped at his calm statement. “What did you say?”
He drew a deep breath. This was going to hurt. “I said you were getting a face transplant.”
“A face…” She stared at him. And then rolled her eyes, dropping onto the end of the bed. “Gotta give it to you, Seb. It was all or nothing with you back then.”
“I was angry.” The prickling heat returned, enveloping him. “I lashed out.”
“Angry at what?”
“At something Shelli said to me.”
She frowned. “What did she say?”
He shook his head. “It’s not important now.”
She studied him. “Was it true? What she said?”
“I…” He wiped at his mouth and then rubbed at the back of his neck. “I think…maybe it was.”
Silence stretched.
He didn’t move. He couldn’t.
He’d had a thing for Grace all those years ago. He’d liked her. And he’d treated her like shit, forced her to hate him.
He’d liked her and had made her despise him. And now when he realized he liked her, when he realized he more than liked her, he was on community service for being the wanker he’d been his whole fucking life.
Kiss her now, before she can tell you to get the hell out of her life.
“I’ll pick Cody up Sunday morning around nine,” he said, throat thick, mouth dry. “Is that okay?”
She nodded, a shaky breath falling from her. “It is.”
“I’ll look after him for the day. Like I did last Sunday. When does your shift end?”
“Eleven p.m.”
“Okay.”
Stop talking and kiss her. Show her how much you want her.
He licked his lips. “I’m sorry.”
She gave him a wry smile. “What for now?”
“For being a shit to you while we were growing up.”
Chapter Nine
Seb collected Cody when he said he would. In a bright yellow Audi R8 this time.
“Iron Man’s car,” Cody exclaimed, running out the door. It wasn’t until he was in Sebastian’s car that it dawned on Grace he was carrying the notepad that had somehow become an extension of his arm lately.
Sebastian waved at her from behind the wheel, dark sunglasses hiding his eyes.
Damn it, she missed his eyes. Missed seeing their edges crinkle with laughter. It had only been three days since their tête-à-tête in Shelli’s bedroom. Three days without seeing him, hearing him, being near him.
Okay, so she’d seen and heard him on the television every day. Every time she turned on the news, there was a story about what he was doing in Sydney. One day she discovered he was up in Queensland. On the news program only this morning, there’d been footage of him surfing at Bondi Beach with James Dyson.
He’d been asked about his film, Samantha and Dave in a few of those interviews, and every time, he’d given the same response. “I’m focusing on the future.”
If only she could do the same. Forget their past. It would make her life simpler.
Although, how forgetting how horrible Sebastian had been to her would make any difference to her life, her future, was beyond her. Maybe she was deluded?
Come inside for a cuppa? The invitation was on her lips as the R8 reversed out of her driveway.
“G’day, Fitzgerald,” Sebastian called, waving out the driver’s side window.
Justin appeared at her front gate, his lips forming words she couldn’t hear thanks to the roar of Sebastian’s car accelerating away.
The R8 turned the corner, leaving her alone with Justin still standing at the gate.
“Hi, Justin.”
He smiled. “Double shift today?”
“Yeah. Going to be a fun one, what with this heat wave.”
“Take care of yourself. Drink lots of water.”
She laughed. “Did you just tell an ambo how to look after herself?”
“I did.” He dragged a hand through his hair with a chuckle. “What can I say? I care about you.”
He took a step toward her, as if expecting her to invite him in. How many times in the last few months had she done just that when he’d brought her coffee? A few, at least. He’d rarely said yes. Sometimes she’d wondered if he was just being nice because he pitied her? It wasn’t until Sebastian swept back into her life that he seemed determined to actually come into her house, spend time with her.
For some reason, that very fact bugged the hell out of her. If she wasn’t worth it when she was unattached, why would she be now?
She half turned back toward her front door. “Well, I better get ready for work.”
“I’ve noticed Hart hasn’t been around much of this week.”
She paused at Justin’s exceedingly offhanded question. “No.”
“Everything okay?”
If she said no, what would he do?
“Everything is okay.” Her pulse pounded hard in her throat. “Have a great day today. Stay out of the heat.”
He laughed—a weak, forced sound. “I’ll try. Let me know if you’d like some company when you get home.”
She nodded. “Will do.”
She hurried inside, snatched up her bag and phone, and left for work. She didn’t need to be there for another hour, but she didn’t want to be at home, either.
By the time she returned at eleven that night, she was exhausted. She found Cody in bed sound asleep, and Sebastian asleep on the sofa, the television casting him in a blue light that did nothing to lessen just how goddamn good-looking he was.
On the dining table was a spectacular house made of cards, Cody’s math homework—completed—and a note saying Cody’s school lunch was made and in the fridge. There were also two empty mugs sitting next to the electric kettle, an Earl Grey tea bag in each one.
A wave of warmth rolled through her. Chewing on her bottom lip, she wandered back into the living and stood at Sebastian’s feet.
“Okay, Hart,” she murmured, draping a throw blanket over him. “You’ve earned your sleep.”
Ten minutes later, after a quick shower, she crawled into her bed. Was she insane not waking him? Was she insane not answering Justin’s text at ten thirty asking if she wanted him to bring hot chocolate over? Was she insane for lying in bed dressed in a black pair of undies and a Captain Kirk T-shirt, straining to hear if Sebastian had woken?
The morning sun blasted her eyes, warmed her face, and dragged her from a dreamless sleep before any answers presented themselves.
Cody was talking to someone in the kitchen.
Sebastian?
Stomach a knotted ball, mouth dry, she climbed from the b
ed and made her way to the kitchen.
Justin smiled at her from the dining table. “Good morning.”
Crap.
“Sorry.” She bolted back to her room. God, she was an idiot. What the hell was she doing walking out without pulling on a robe? Hoping to find Sebastian there? Where the hell was her brain?
“Cody,” she yelled from her bedroom. “I’ve got to go to the supermarket before school, so we need to get going. I’m really sorry, Justin. I’m running late. Catch you later?”
She didn’t wait for a response.
He was gone by the time she reemerged.
Cody frowned at her. Thank God, he was dressed in his uniform. “You okay, Mum?”
“I am. We’ve just got to get moving.” She shoved his lunchbox into his schoolbag. “How was yesterday with Sebastian?”
“Awesome. He helped me with my school project, we had lunch on a yacht on the harbor, and I met Chris Huntley.”
The pulse in her throat thumped harder. “That sounds amazing. Did you see him this morning?”
“Yep. He made me breakfast before he had to go. He said not to wake you. Did he have a sleepover?”
“He was asleep on the sofa when I got home so I didn’t disturb him. Is it okay with you he was here all night?”
Cody looked at her like she’d sprouted an extra head. “Sure, it’s okay. Can he have a sleepover tonight? He makes awesome toasted cheese sandwiches.”
“Does he now?” Kissing Cody on top of his head, she smiled. “I’ll think about it.”
An image of Sebastian in her bed filled her head. Naked Sebastian, his long limbs tangled in her sheets, his hair a mess that screamed he’d just had incredible sex.
The pit of her stomach clenched. Other parts of her, much more intimate parts, did the same.
“Now, go clean your teeth,” she ordered. “We’re late.”
She got Cody to school right on time, got herself to work a little bit late, and did her best to not think about Sebastian Hart in her bed.
She shouldn’t be thinking about any man in the bed, let alone Sebastian. She’d promised herself she would never replace Gary. Goddamn it, he’d only been dead for two years. What the hell was she doing having ridiculous fantasies about Sebastian? Sebastian of all people. He was here to be Cody’s big brother, not a sexual distraction. Or an emotional one.
When had it all derailed?
The second you realized Sebastian might be a nice guy.
She did not, much to Cody’s dismay, ask Sebastian to come for a sleepover that night. She did take Cody to the superhero movie exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, though. Better that than be at home wondering if Sebastian was going to arrive unexpectedly, or if Justin was going to knock on her door with coffee.
They were walking out of the museum, heading toward the closest train station, when the man approached her.
Theo Olsen, the reporter.
“Hi, Mrs. Wilder.” He fell into step beside her, bumping into Cody without an apology. “Care to tell me about your relationship with Sebastian Hart?”
“He had a sleepover two nights a—”
Grace wrapped her hand around Cody’s mouth. “No, I don’t care. Now can you just go away, please?”
Olsen sniggered and snapped a shot of Cody’s face with her hand over his mouth. “Great shot. Like the wedding ring still on your finger. Nice touch. How long have you been screwing Hart? Was your kid in the next room? Was it before or after your husband—”
She shoved him. Hard. Drove him backward. The world turned red. Hot.
“What the f—”
She shoved him again. “How dare you talk like that around my son.”
Olsen staggered backward, eyes wide “Bitch. What the—”
The world turned into an inferno.
“Mum!” Cody grabbed her wrist.
Around them, people stopped and gasped.
Olsen raised his camera and aimed it at her. “Smile, b—”
She smashed her fist into the camera.
It flew from his hands and smashed to the ground.
The onlookers cheered. Behind her, Cody let out an awed wow.
She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at Olsen who was glaring at her but stepping back with every step toward him she took. “I’d suggest you think twice about coming near me or my son again. We ambos stick together, and the next time I see you, I won’t hold back. Bit hard to get to a hospital with a dislocated knee and fractured tibia when no ambulance will pick you up. Got it?” She ground her teeth. “Same for going near Sebastian Hart, by the way. Back. The fuck. Off.”
There were more cheers, loud ones, and some clapping.
Head roaring, she turned to Cody, who was now gaping at her.
“That was awesome, Mum.” He threw himself at her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and hugged her so hard her ribs hurt. But, damn, what a wonderful pain.
“Let’s go, bug.” She shot Olsen a quick look. “There’s nothing worth seeing here. What do you think about cheeseburgers for dinner?”
Forty minutes later, as they sat together in the train taking them back home, their stomach full of greasy and totally delicious burgers, and Cody’s eyes still full of awe every time he looked at her, she took a call from Shelli.
“I just saw footage of you on Twitter,” Shelli said, “beating the hell out of some guy’s camera. Seriously cool. If a little unhinged. If Gary’s mum sees this in England she’s going to have a nut.”
Grace grunted. “Edith Wilder can bite me. She never liked me from the get-go. I’m not in any hurry to change her mind now that Gary’s gone. Besides, the guy was one of those photographers who stalk celebrities. I told him to stay away from me and Cody.”
“And Sebastian.” Shelli let out a chuckling breath. “I heard it all. It’s on the footage. I’ve always told you you’re fierce, but this isn’t exactly what I mean.”
“You think I stuffed up? Shouldn’t have done it?”
“Hell no. I think you shouldn’t have held back. It was epic.” She laughed again. “Just hope to hell Edith doesn’t know how to use Twitter. Or the internet. If she does, she’s going to be on the phone ASAP, and I know how much you love talking to her.”
“Oh yeah. Almost as much as I like talking to you.”
“Hang up,” Shelli instructed on a laugh. “Go look on Twitter. The hashtag is AussieMummaBear.”
“That’s a stupid hashtag.”
“You don’t get to pick your own hashtag when you become an internet sensation, hon. Go look. And call me back. Or better still, come here and the three of us will celebrate your fame with pizza.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “I’m hanging up now.”
“What’s a stupid hashtag?” Cody asked, looking up from the Marvel art book she’d bought him at the museum.
“CodyKnowsHowToMakeHisBed.” She arched her eyebrow. “What do you think?”
“Ha-ha, Mum. You’re hilarious.”
She hugged him, messed up his hair, and hugged him tighter when he protested. “Mum.” He wriggled in her arms, giggling and groaning at the same time. “Don’t be embarrassing.”
So hugging him in public was embarrassing, but smashing a camera and threatening a person with a patella fracture was totally okay?
Love rushed through her, warm and tight and wonderful, and she squeezed him in a hug again. “Too bad. It’s the random hug monster. He’s been away, but he’s back now and desperate for hugs.”
Cody giggled.
The rest of the train trip was wonderful. She didn’t go onto Twitter. That particular jolt of reality needed to wait until Cody was in bed, and she was sitting at the table alone, with a glass of wine. She and Cody talked about the exhibition, his favorite superhero—the Hulk— and her favorite superhero—Thor. Could it be anyone else with biceps like that? They talked about his mysterious school project he still wouldn’t show her, and what his friends at school were doing. When he told her they hadn’t believed he knew
Sebastian until Sebastian walked him in to class and thanked him in front of everyone for helping him with his next movie, Grace was torn between wanting to hug Sebastian and strangle him.
How was Cody ever going to cope with normal life again when Sebastian left them?
Walking out of the train station, Cody squeezed her hand. “I had lots of fun, Mum.”
“Me, too, bug.”
“I loved when you beat up the camera guy.”
Her steps faltered. “Oh, Cody. Really? That’s the bit you’re taking away from this?”
He grinned. “You were like a mummy superhero, protecting me and Seb. Like Wonder Woman or Captain Marvel.”
A soft sigh escaped her. Should she do the whole violence-isn’t-the-answer talk? Or just enjoy the fact that Cody, for the moment at least, ranked her with Wonder Woman?
And protecting Sebastian? She chuckled.
“What are you laughing at, Mum?”
I’d love to see Seb’s reaction to the thought of me protecting him.
“I’m picturing myself in Wonder Woman’s costume.”
Cody giggled. “You’re too short.”
The walk from the station to home was filled with Cody designing a superhero costume for her. By the time they made it up the front stairs and inside, he’d planned a neon-purple catsuit, with a lime-green eye mask, elbow-length gloves, and knee-high boots. Her hair apparently had the power to grow long and attack baddies when needed.
“Sounds like I’m pretty awesome.”
Cody grinned. “Yep. Seb thinks so, too.”
Her stomach lurched in the direction of her throat. “What makes you think that, bug?”
“He said he thinks you’re incredible. Is he your boyfriend now?”
Well, there goes breathing for a while.
“How about we talk about that later?”
Cody studied her. “I won’t be angry if he is. I promise. I know you still love Daddy, but you’re allowed to have a boyfriend.”
Her heart joined her stomach in her throat.
“As long as it’s Seb,” Cody finished.
“Bed.” She clapped her hands, a mock frown on her face. “Teeth and bed. You’ve got school tomorrow, young man.”
She lunged at him, tickle-fingers up and ready.
Cody burst into laughter and ran for his room. Thankfully, he didn’t talk about Sebastian for the rest of the night, although he did talk about the exhibition and the confrontation with the paparazzo during his bed routine.
The Irredeemable Billionaire (Muse series) Page 15
