Seb closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. Ollie sounded tired, and Seb being an asshole wasn’t going to help the situation.
He sighed. “I just don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Nana wants you there. She keeps asking about you.”
Seb had last been to his parents’ home four years ago. That little get together ended with Seb storming out of the house three hours after arriving for what was supposed to be a weekend visit.
Ollie and their grandmother had been the only ones to speak to him since.
“Okay,” he said.
“Okay?”
“I’ll come to your party. But you’re going to keep Dad away from me as much as possible.”
“I can do that.” The relief in Ollie’s voice was clear.
“And I’m getting a hotel room in town. I’m not staying at the house.”
“Mom will want you to come for dinner the night before.”
“Then I’m bringing a date.” The idea sprang to Seb’s mind suddenly, but as soon as he said it, he knew he wasn’t backing down.
“Seb. You can’t. Not after last time.”
“This is different. He’s a doctor. Mom and Dad will love him.”
Oliver chuckled. “You’re dating a doctor? How did you manage that?”
“The elusive artist charm is hard to withstand.”
“Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll send you the details. Don’t delete them. I’ll drive down there and pick you up myself if I have to.”
When they hung up, Seb stayed where he was on the bench. Cars drove by, and men and women passed. Seb stared at it all without seeing. He’d stayed away from his family forfour years. Oliver called from time to time, and his grandmother less often, but he never considered what it would mean if his family wasn’t there anymore. Their relationship was difficult, but they were still his family. If his grandmother—When she was gone, would Oliver be enough of a reason to keep in touch?
More importantly, had Seb just told Oliver that he was bringing Martin for the weekend? It seemed like a good enough idea at the time, one more demand to prove a point, but now he was committed. He’d never said particularly complimentary things about his family to Martin. Hell, Martin didn’t even know Seb had a brother until ten minutes ago. How the hell was Seb supposed to convince him to spend a weekend with them?
