Page 49 of Late Harvest

Sebastian clocked her intense reaction and cocked his head, clearly surprised by it.

“Arabella,” he whispered, “are you alright?”

Remy managed a nod, and Sebastian studied her skeptically for a moment. She put on a blank face and gave two thumbs up. Ok. Maybe that was overkill.

Frowning, he grabbed the phone and took it off speaker, bringing it to his ear as he cast an apologetic look to her and rubbed a circle on Chicane’s head. “Can you please calm the fuck down? I’ve told you eight ways from Sunday that I want this role with Walter, and I haven’t deviated from that decision.” He ran a hand through his hair again, which now stuck up on one side. It would have been adorable in a different situation.

Remy wasn’t sure what unknown force compelled the action, but she watched as one of her hands floated toward Sebastian, coming to rest between his shoulder blades.

He shot her a look, one side of his full lips tipping in a half smile. Her breath caught at the warmth in his eyes.

Remy heard the woman’s voice now, but couldn’t discern any words. Just a calm tone.

“I hear you, Melody. I do. But I never gave either of you leave to plant any stories about me taking that part. I’m tired of playing the same role over and over again. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt⁠—”

“And the millions in the bank.” She heard Slash’s loud snark through the phone.

“Enough, Slash. Just…enough.” Sebastian’s jaw was clenched, the side visible to her popping. Poor man was going to get TMJ if he didn’t stop.

“But the payday on this franchise is exponentially higher.” Again, she heard every word. Bash would need hearing aids to compensate for hearing loss if Slash didn’t lower his voice.

“And the professional reward of playing Bram McLaughlin in Paradise is priceless,” he rejoined, his voice ratcheting.

“Jesus, Bash. This is about Honor’s Oscar, isn’t it? You’re thinking like an envious big brother and not the leading action actor of his generation.”

“Fuck you, Slash. This is my dream role. I want to stretch as an actor. I’m fucking bored out of my mind with the parts I’m taking.” He inhaled a steadying breath before he continued, his voice filled with anger. “And another thing. Walter Pennyrose told me he had trouble reaching me because you wouldn’t get back in touch with him. True?”

There was a beat of silence and Ass-Slash spoke. “Yes, it’s true. I’m trying to save you from making a bad decision.”

“Not your job. You can advise me, but decisions are mine and mine alone. You had no right to gatekeep Walter like that.” He breathed in and out a few times, and Remy reflexively rubbed soothing circles on his back, a gesture identical to what he’d done for her in the restaurant.

“So what’s the payday on your little film?”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Jesus, Bash. You’re really killing me.”

Sebastian captured her gaze, watching her while he spoke. “I’m putting you back on speaker, Slash. Arabella deserves to hear this entire conversation. But for the love of God, stop yelling.”

He placed his phone back on the table and hit the speaker button. Then he held out his arms. Understanding his wordless request, she transferred Chicane into Sebastian’s lap, where the bunny promptly began to utter his happy sounds.

Traitor.

“There’s something I need to tell you both, but it has to stay between us. You cannot allow this to leak anywhere or it will be bad for me and worse for Arabella.”

He wouldn’t…

“Arabella and I have an understanding. One of Walter’s conditions for me to take the role⁠—”

“Grandpa has conditions?! Who the fuck does he think he is?” Slash roared and Chicane startled in Sebastian’s arms.

Remy successfully fought another flinch, better prepared this time. Just like when she was young.

Sebastian’s voice was modulated, but Remy could tell he was barely keeping a lid on his own anger. “Slash. I warned you. One more time, and I’m fucking done with you. I’ll end our relationship.”

“You—you wouldn’t. You’d end more than twenty-five years of friendship and a successful professional relationship envied by most of Hollywood over a fucking role?”

“Not over the role by itself, Slash. Because of your behavior. Because you refuse to listen. Because I’m not sure I can trust you anymore. I’m tired of fighting with you, brother. It’s exhausting. So either support me the way I need and keep your fucking voice down, or draw up our separation papers.”