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“Don’t even think about it,” Uncle Jason said while Sebastian moved to take a sip of water only to sigh when the little brat snatched the bottle of water out of his hands and finished it off with a glare that dared him to do something about it.
When she was done, Mikey shoved the empty bottle back in his hand and narrowed her eyes on him as she bit out, “You should have taken one for the team.”
“And you should learn to run faster,” Sebastian bit out as he matched her glare, only to end up struggling to bite back a smile when she gasped in outrage.
“I have tiny legs!” Mikey snapped as she reached up and snatched the baseball cap off his head and shoved it on her head.
“That doesn’t explain why you tried to sell me out, you little brat,” Sebastian said, his glare never leaving her as he moved closer, forcing her to tilt her head back so that she could continue glaring up at him.
“Did I not just mention that I have tiny legs? I had no choice but to snitch on you,” Mikey pointed out as he stood there, unable to help but notice just how adorable she was as his gaze flickered to her lips and-
“That gazebo’s not going to finish itself,” Jonathan piped in, making Sebastian swallow hard as he forced himself to look away from Mikey to find his brother watching him with a knowing look. God, what he wouldn’t give to wipe that smug smile off the little bastard’s face, Sebastian thought as he watched his brother take another sip of Coke. That was followed by Jonathan gesturing for him to get on with it.
Grinding his jaw, Sebastian grabbed another two-by-four off the pile and-
“I’d like to make a deal,” Mikey said, folding her arms over her chest as her gaze locked on Jonathan.
“You have nothing on me,” Jonathan said with a satisfied sigh as he made a show of getting more comfortable on the lounge chair that they’d been forced to drag out here after they’d finished their morning workout, which had consisted of running until Mikey’s legs gave out and Sebastian forced to carry her back here and enough pushups, crunches, and jumping jacks to make him think twice about sneaking out of his room for a while.
“I’m listening,” Sebastian’s father drawled, sounding thoughtful as he watched them.
Nodding, Mikey pointed a damning finger at Jonathan as she said, “Fourth of July.” Sebastian watched Jonathan go still seconds before he was swallowing hard and glancing over his shoulder only to wince when he saw the look on their father’s face.
Jonathan opened his mouth, only to end up closing it, swallowing hard again, clearing his throat, and absently gesturing towards the gazebo as he climbed off the lounge chair. “I’ll, umm, just get started on the roof,” Jonathan said, only to clear his throat as he handed his Coke to Mikey and made his way to the ladder they had leaning against the frame.
That was followed by Mikey moving to take a sip of Coke only to murmur, “Understandable,” when Sebastian reached over and snatched it out of her hand. He watched the little traitor make her way to the freshly abandoned lounge chair, where she helped herself to a fresh Coke while he stood there, watching her get comfortable with a satisfied sigh and-
“You’re late,” came the announcement that had Sebastian biting back a smile as he turned his head to find Mrs. Blaine sitting in her wheelchair with her hands wrapped firmly around her cane, glaring at him.
He considered pointing out that he hadn’t planned on coming here today, but he knew better than to argue. So, instead, Sebastian simply said, “I’m sorry, Grandma,” as he pulled off his work gloves and tossed them to Jonathan, who was muttering to himself as he climbed up the ladder, and made his way over to the small woman glaring at him only pausing long enough to pluck the Coke out of Mikey’s hand.
Ignoring her adorable grumble, Sebastian finished off her Coke before tossing the empty can in the small trash bucket next to his father, who was now watching Jonathan’s every move, which was understandable considering everything that happened at the Fourth of July barbecue.
Thankful for the small reprieve, Sebastian stepped behind Mrs. Blaine’s wheelchair, released the locks and rolled her back into the in-law apartment that Uncle Jason built for her. Without a word, she gestured for him to bring her into the living room, where he set her by the couch and-
“Well?”
-felt his lips twitch when she began her interrogation with one word.
“Do you want to know about school or why I’m performing manual labor as punishment?” Sebastian asked, watching as Mrs. Blaine’s frail hands tightened around her cane as she bit out, “Both.”
Nodding, Sebastian said, “School is fine,” as he sat down, only to amend that when he watched her eyes narrow dangerously on him. “It’s better than I remember.”
“And your classes?” Mrs. Blaine asked, watching him closely.
“Have all been changed to AP classes,” he assured her as she slowly nodded before asking, “And Mikey?”
“Already managed to scar the football team for life,” Sebastian said, watching as her lips twitched.
“And the reason why Mikey has been sneaking into your room for the past three nights?” Mrs. Blaine asked, taking him by surprise.
“She won’t tell me,” Sebastian said as he found himself looking back towards the patio doors to find Mikey sitting on the lounge chair, looking completely lost as she stared down at the baseball in her hands.
“And you’re not going to ask,” Mrs. Blaine murmured, sounding thoughtful as he sat there watching her.
“No, I’m not,” Sebastian said and-
It was killing him.
