Page 17 of Dance With Me
“Actually, I can’t do it tomorrow evening. My sister has invited me round for a meal. Is that OK? It won’t put you out at all?” Joe wanted to see Seb again, but he didn’t want to seem too eager.
“No, of course not. I think it might be a good idea to wait until we’ve got some more steps together. I have Natalia putting something together for you that’s fairly simple to do but will look impressive when you do it.” Thankfully, Seb didn’t appear disappointed, so Joe was happy.
“Clare will be pleased. I think she wants to make this a dance to remember. I just hope it’s not for the wrong reasons.” Joe shook his head, and Seb laughed.
“You’ll be fine. See you next week.” Joe grabbed his keys and phone, and the smile Seb gave him as he left the studio cheered him up for the rest of the day.
Chapter Ten
Seb
Seb was disappointed they wouldn’t be meeting up the following evening. He thought it was appropriate, though. He really didn’t have anything more to show Joe, and although he hadn’t mastered what they’d learnt, he was ready for the next steps. But they needed Clare for that.
His next lesson wasn’t due until three thirty pm, so he had some time to kill before they arrived. He packed up the rubbish from their lunch, locked the studio, and headed next door for a coffee.
“Did your boyfriend enjoy his lunch?” Hayden asked as he prepared Seb’s latte. Hayden was the owner of The Coffee Mill. Taller and stockier than Seb, he had strawberry blond hair and blue eyes, and freckles covered his arms and face. He wore his uniform well, blue jeans and a black polo shirt with the coffee shop logo on the sleeve.
“He’s not my boyfriend, just a client. Joe and his fiancée are taking lessons for their first dance. I’m just giving him extra lessons,” Seb replied, a twinkle in his eye. He wanted to give him something more than lessons, but that wasnotgoing to happen in this life or the next. Seb sat at his usual table in the window, and Hayden joined him, placing his coffee in front of him.
“He’s a looker, though, isn’t he? Hair long enough to run your hands through and such a strong jaw.” Hayden had a faraway look in his eye, but he was watching Seb for his reaction.
“Fuck off, Hayden. He’s not for you and me, I’m afraid.”More’s the pity.
“Doesn’t stop me looking, though, does it? I noticed you looking too. You looked mighty cosy on Saturday when you were here. That man has a mighty fine arse.” Hayden grinned as he spoke.
“Yeah, he does, doesn’t he? Wouldn’t mind taking a bite of that,” Seb said dreamily, his chin resting on his hand.
“Hah, I knew it. You’re not immune to his charms,” Hayden said, poking Seb in the chest.
“Alright, I admit it. He really is gorgeous and funny too. Why are the best ones always taken or straight? It’s just not fair, Hayden. We need to go out and find some men.” Seb took a drink of his coffee.
“I agree. Do you fancy going to that new club, Heaven, that’s opened in town? Supposed to be good, and the drinks are not too expensive.”
“Well, it just so happens I’m free tomorrow night now. Do you fancy going then? I don’t have a class until after lunch Friday, so it won’t matter if we’re out late. I could ask Dominic to join us too.”
“I can get Zoe to open up Friday, so tomorrow sounds good. It’s a date.” Hayden winked at him. Seb knew it wasn’t really a date. He and Hayden were just good friends, the same as Dominic.
“Thanks for this,” he said, lifting the latte. “And I’ll see you tomorrow evening. Meet you there at eight?”
Hayden nodded, and Seb winked back at him, a smile on his face as he left the coffee shop to prepare for his afternoon classes. Finally, something to look forward to.
* * *
It was Thursday night and Seb had decided he was going to have a good night with Hayden and Dominic as his wingmen. They’d look out for each other but would give the others space if they managed to hook up.
Dressed in his best clubbing clothes, he looked at himself in the mirror, his jeans as tight as he could get them, leaving little to the imagination. He wore a fitted grey T-shirt and leather cuffs on his wrists. He slipped his black boots on and finished the look with a bit of black eyeliner.Never hurts to accentuate my assets, he thought, looking at his arse.
He didn’t take a jacket as he hated waiting in line for the coat check, and he knew he’d be taking a taxi or an Uber, so he wouldn’t get cold. Rocco looked at him expectantly, his teddy in his mouth.
“Sorry, buddy. I can’t take you with me to the club. You’re going to have to stay home tonight. Natalia says she won’t be too late back, so you’ll not be alone for long. I’ll leave my door open so you can lie on my bed and wait for me.” He ruffled his fur and kissed him on his head. Why he was telling him this, he had no idea. But Rocco looked at him as if he got it. Seb heard a car pull up outside. That must be his ride. He patted his back pocket, checking for his phone, wallet and keys and left the apartment, locking the door behind him.
Seb met up with Dominic and Hayden about fifteen minutes later, and they went into the bar for a few drinks before heading off to the club. Dominic asked how everything was going with the studio but didn’t mention his stalker, thankfully. It wasn’t something he’d told Hayden about. Seb mentioned the position at the studio to Dom and was surprised when he said he was interested.
After a few more drinks, they left the bar and went into the club, the bass beating in their chests as they walked through the door. Heaven was a new club, and the decor was all mirrors and angel wings, with flashing lights and a huge black bar against the one wall. A stage took up space on the other side. They made a beeline for the bar, and Hayden set them up with a round of shots. They knocked them back and made their way to the crowded dance floor. It wasn’t a gay club, but that didn’t seem to matter. Seb could feel plenty of touches and gropes, a couple even managing to graze his crotch as he danced. The three of them took it in turns being in the middle, sandwiched between the other two as they danced, and they enjoyed the freedom of just letting go.
“We need more drinks,” Hayden shouted over the music as he motioned to the bar. They left the dance floor, and Dominic managed to snag them a table as Seb went to grab them drinks. As he stood at the bar, a familiar profile caught his eye, but just as he went to look closer, the barman put the drinks in front of him, waiting for the money. He paid and turned back to look again, but by this time, the person had gone.
He shook his head. He must have been mistaken, but something niggled at the back of his mind, a forgotten memory, a forgotten face.
