Chapter Ten
Sebastian’s head was pounding, he was lying to everyone and he felt bad about it but no way was he going to admit he was blindsided or that he needed help. He would have stitched himself up if he could have, it was his luck the gash was on the back of his head. His mother always told him he was too stubborn and prideful for his own good.
Remembering his mother was at his house doubled his headache. Since he returned home she hadn’t wanted to let him out of her sight. She was more protective of him now than when he was a kid.
As a parent now himself, he had come to understand her. She lived the last eight years fearing her doorbell ringing, she was afraid the military would be on the other side telling her her only child was killed in action.
“Do you mind if we keep this a secret when we go inside, I don’t want to worry my mother if she thinks I’m hurt she’ll demand to stay over. I love her but I don’t want her hovering over me for the next two days.” He felt bad deceiving his mom but it really was for the best.
“There’s a tiny bit of blood on the back of your shirt, as long as you never let her behind you she shouldn’t notice a thing.”
They waved Connor over before going inside, they caught him up on their plan then went in. Lucky for them the lights were low and his mom was curled up watching a movie. “Hey, we’re home.” He led the group into the living room, “Mom you remember Connor.”
She stood and gave him a hug, “It’s good to see you again,” She turned her back to Sebastian and Aeslyn and whispered, “Aren’t you a bit of a third wheel here?”
Sebastian was mortified, his mother must really think he was hard up for sex to be pushing them together this hard.
Connor leaned down to whisper back, “I’m only here to grab some things I left here last time I was over. I promise I’ll be gone in a jiff and I’ll make sure all of the lights are out when I leave.” Connor winked as she playfully patted his chest.
His mother turned back to Aeslyn, “It was nice meeting you, my dear, I hope we meet again soon.” She gave her a hug then turned towards Sebastian. “Have fun tonight.” She kissed his cheek, then turned back to Connor and tapped her finger on her wrist pretending a watch was there then saw her way out.
Once they heard her car door shut everyone laughed, “Man, your mom really wants to get you laid.” Sebastian glared at Connor, although it was true it did seem awkward to say in front of his date, the woman his mom was hoping he would sleep with.
“Let me check in on the boys, the medical kit is under the sink in the guest bathroom.” Waves of dizziness kept washing over him, he knew he had a concussion and was truthfully a little pissed.
He stood for a few minutes looking down at the two most important people in his life, he would do anything for his kids and he planned to be there for them forever. The fact that someone had tried to hurt him tonight furthered his anger. He couldn’t fathom why someone would attack him, he had too much to lose to let it happen again. For his boy's sake, he needed to be a lot more cautious.
He followed the laughter to the kitchen, his breath was robbed from him when he saw Aeslyn leaning against the counter, wiping tears from her face as she laughed at whatever story Connor was telling her. She was more beautiful than any woman he had been with before if it weren’t for his blistering headache he knew he would have been trying to hide an erection again.
“I’m going to guess your enjoyment is probably at my expense?”
“Of course it is! You knew I was going to have to tell her all about the idiotic things you’ve done.” Connor didn’t take his eyes off the counter where he was prepping the needle.
“Idiotic things I’ve done? I will have you know I was never alone, this buffoon and the rest of them were usually the ringleaders, don’t let him pretend he wasn’t always in the thick of things with us.” He pulled his shirt off and sat in the chair next to Connor. He didn’t miss the small intake of breath he heard from Aeslyn, he hid his smile but he hoped that was a good sign she liked what she saw. He didn’t undress to show off for her, he had been thinking about the mess that was going to run down his head as he was being cleaned up. If he had been thinking clearer he would have taken it off much sooner, heck he could have used it to put pressure on the wound, that would have looked legitimate right?
He closed his eyes and relaxed as he let Connor do his thing, he trusted him.
“So, Connor, are you a medic too?” Did Aeslyn realize how sultry her voice was, if consulting didn’t work out she would be a great phone sex operator.
“I’m a nurse on the base, I never went into combat like Seb did. Okay man, I’m starting so hang on.”
The pinch of the needle going in wasn’t pleasant, Sebastian balled both hands into fists, trying to stay perfectly still. His eyes jerked open as a tiny hand grabbed his. Aeslyn looked at him concerned, “Does it hurt? Is there anything I can get you?”
“I’m fine, besides I think I have a mild concussion so I shouldn’t take any pain pills or anything.”
“All done, turn around.” Connor pulled the gloves off his hands and threw them in the trash. He took a penlight out of the kit and checked Sebastian’s eyes. “I agree, don’t take anything tonight if you can help it. You should probably stay up for a while longer, make sure you don’t get sick or your head starts to hurt worse.” He started packing up the medical kit, “Someone should probably stay with him and make sure he’s okay, especially if the boys need something in the middle of the night.” His innocent statement wasn’t fooling anyone. “I have to be at work really early tomorrow morning but I guess I can do it.”
Sebastian was mortified, everyone in his life wanted him to get fucked. Did none of them think about how Aeslyn might feel about all of this? Plus, it made him look desperate which was not sexy in any way.
“I’m fine, I’ve been through worse than this, you don’t need to stay here.” Even as the words came out he was regretting them, he really did want her to stay.
“I don’t have anywhere to be tomorrow and your mom looked really comfy on that couch. I can stay with him, I wouldn’t want to be the reason you are tired at work tomorrow.” Aeslyn gave Connor a sardonic look, it was clear she didn’t believe him either.
“You don’t have to do this, I promise I’m fine. I can give you my cell number and you can text every hour if you want to make sure I’m okay.” He didn’t want her to go but he didn’t want her to feel like she had to stay with a virtual stranger either.
“I don’t know about you but I don’t feel like this date is over yet unless you are kicking me out you are stuck with me.”
Sebastian had never heard more beautiful words.