[Gabriel's POV]
The ride home was suffocating. Usually, the car was filled with Callum and Seb's bickering, but today, they were silent. Callum's grip on the steering wheel was tight, and Seb kept his eyes glued to the window. I sank into the back seat, wondering if it was my fault. Maybe Callum was still furious at Seb for losing track of me.
"I'll head to the office after I change," Callum said gruffly as we pulled into the mansion's driveway. "I'll take you home later, Seb."
Since Seb had left his car at his condo, he followed me inside. I still wasn't sure when the two of them had even found each other last night, or why they seemed so... different today.
The house was quiet. Most of my brothers had already headed out for their shifts or rehearsals. I collapsed onto the sofa, letting out a long, shaky breath. "I thought the nagging would have started by now," I whispered. "I need to rest before they all get back."
Seb didn't say a word; he just sat down and let me rest my head on his lap.
"Aren't you going home?" Callum asked, coming down the stairs in a fresh shirt.
"Later," Seb answered, not looking up. "I'm keeping Gaby company for now."
Callum gave him a long, unreadable gaze. His eyes lingered on Seb's hands for a second too long. "Fine. But no going out.
Wait for the others to get home first," he commanded before walking out.
By evening, the house started to wake up.
"I'm bored," I groaned, shifting on the sofa.
"Want to eat something?" Seb asked.
"Matcha donuts and ice cream."
"You and your matcha," Seb chuckled, reaching for his phone. "I'll order some. But it's almost dinner, so we eat it as dessert, okay?"
I was still lying with my head on Seb's leg when Brother Finn burst through the front door.
"Brother Finn! You're back! How was it?" I asked, sitting up.
"An audition..." Finn started, then his eyes landed on Sebastian. His expression shifted instantly.
"Oi. Sebastian. You still have something to apologize for."
Seb didn't wait. He bolted. Finn was immediately on his heels, chasing him around the sofa like they were children again.
"You lied to me! You said you'd stay at the condo, but you took him to a club?!" Finn shouted.
"I'm sorry! Hehe! Bro Finn, please don't tell Alistair!" Seb shouted back, dodging a pillow. "It was the last time, I promise!"
I knew some of my brothers had found out, but I had begged Callum to keep the secret from Alistair, Dorian, and Evander. They were the most protective, and their nagging could last for weeks
.
"Hey! Finn! Stop! I'm tired!" Seb panted.
"What did you just call me? You kid!" Finn lunged again, but just as Seb scrambled toward the entrance, the door swung open.
Callum and Dorian walked in. Callum didn't even flinch; he simply reached out and caught Seb by the waist as he tried to fly past. He lifted Seb slightly off the floor, holding him steady.
"Hey, Finn. That's enough," Callum said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Stop bullying the Young Master."
"Tsk. He lied to me," Finn grumbled, finally stopping.
"We already talked about it. Let it go," Callum said.
As he set Seb down, his hand lingered on Seb's hip for a heartbeat. Seb looked up at him, a sudden flash of shyness crossing his face before he scurried back to sit beside me.
Dorian sighed, looking exhausted. He sat on my other side and leaned his head on my shoulder. "I'm so tired," he whispered. I wrapped an arm around him, hugging him close.
Callum sat on the other side of Seb. He watched me hug Dorian, then turned his gaze to Seb.
"That's unfair. I want a hug, too," Callum muttered. He reached across Seb, pretending to try and get to me.
"Hey, Callum! I'm sitting right here! Stop reaching over me," Seb snapped, clearly flustered.
"Then I'll just charge my energy from you," Callum countered. Before Seb could protest, Callum leaned over and rested his head heavily on Seb's lap.
"Hey! I didn't give you permission!"
Callum didn't listen. He closed his eyes, his hand reaching up to playfully pinch Seb's cheek before settling. Seb went still, his face turning a soft shade of pink.
"I'm home. Is everyone hungry?"
Brother Bram entered, already reaching for his apron. He was the quiet center of our chaos.
"Welcome home, Brother Bram!" I called out. "Can we have buttered shrimp?"
"We don't have shrimp today, Gaby. Tomorrow, I promise. I'll make whatever else you want tonight."
"I'm okay with anything," I said. The others echoed the sentiment, even Dorian, who was nearly asleep on my shoulder.
"Seb, stay for dinner," I invited.
"Oh... what?" Seb blinked, looking down at his phone.
"Stay for dinner. Then we can go to the internship together tomorrow morning."
Seb smiled softly. "Okay. I'd like that."
Dinner was served just as Evander walked in, looking sharp in his work clothes.
"Brother Eve! Overtime again?" I asked.
"Yeah," he sighed, taking his seat.
"So, how was the overnight party? Did you enjoy it?"
The table went dead silent. Seb and Callum shared a look. Finn stared at his plate. I broke the silence with a forced, high-pitched laugh. "Yeah! It was... fun."
"Where's Alistair?" I asked, desperately changing the subject. "Are we waiting?"
"He'll be late," Bram answered, exchanging a worried glance with Dorian. My heart sank. Alistair had been working so much lately. I felt a pang of guilt—while I was out getting in trouble at clubs, he was out breaking his back for us.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Finn returned a moment later with a large delivery bag.
"Who ordered this? It's buttered shrimp," Finn said, confused.
"I did," Seb said, giving me a wink. "Gaby said he wanted it, and I was craving it, too."
"You're the best, Seb!" I blew him a flying kiss.
"Hey, what about me?" Callum grumbled, but I just stuck my tongue out at him.
Trying to keep the mood light, I turned to Finn. "How was the audition, Brother Finn?"
"I got a supporting role!" Finn beamed, looking around the table for approval.
"Really? That's amazing, Finn!" I cheered.
"Another 'supporting' role?" Evander's voice cut through the air, sharp and clinical. He didn't even look up from his plate. "When are you going to get a real job, Finnegan? You've been chasing this 'top star' dream for years, and all we see are receipts for acting lessons."
"Evan, stop. He just got a part," Bram warned quietly.
"I'm just being the only one here with a sense of reality," Evander countered, finally looking at Finn with narrowing eyes. "Alistair is working double shifts, and Bram is keeping the cafe alive. We are trying to restore this family's standing, and you're playing pretend. It's selfish."
Finn's face went pale. He looked toward Dorian, hoping for support from a fellow filmmaker.
Dorian sighed, rubbing his head. He looked older than his years. "Let's not talk about it. Let's eat first."
Finn slammed his spoon onto the table. The clatter was deafening in the sudden silence. Without a word, he stood up, his chair screeching against the floor, and stormed out of the room.
"Brother..." I called out, but he didn't look back. Evander stood up next, his face a mask of exhaustion and bitterness, and retreated to his room.
The table, which had been so lively a moment ago, was now silent and bitter.
"I'll talk to him later," Callum sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Just eat, Gaby. Here." He peeled a shrimp and put it on my plate.
I looked at Bram, who just gave me a sad, tired smile. Even Dorian muttered, "Evan has a point, though. Finn needs a plan."
I looked down at my plate. I hated it when they fought. We were the only ones we had left in this world, and sometimes, the mansion felt less like a home and more like a pressure cooker ready to explode.
Tomorrow was the internship. I had to succeed. I had to help them.