Page 53 of Dance With Me
“Anyway, where was I?” Seb thought for a moment. “So, Joe’s going to tell Clare he’s calling off the wedding, and then we’ll see what happens from there. We’ve both agreed we’d like to see where this thing goes but not until he’s told her.”
“Well, I’m very happy to hear that. Good to know the guy has morals.” Dom looked pleased.
“He does, and he knows I won’t rush into something with him if Clare’s still in the picture. It’s not fair on her or me. Joe either, for that matter.” Seb stood up. “I’m going for a shower, then taking Rocco out for a walk. Do you want to come with me? We can get some food while we’re out.”
“Can do. I’ve got a call to make, so I’ll just wait here for you.” Dom got his phone out of his pocket and smiled as he opened up a message. Seb was intrigued and wondered what made his friend so happy.
After showering and dressing, he walked out of the room to hear Dom’s laughter sound out across the apartment. He was still on his phone and looked up when Seb walked into the room.
“I need to go. I’ll speak to you later, yeah? OK, you too. Bye.”
Seb thought he looked a little embarrassed as he finished the call.
“Ready when you are.”
They grabbed Rocco and left the house, walking down the river to a nearby sandwich bar where they bought some food. They sat chatting about the week to come when Seb’s phone vibrated. His heart sank as it always seemed to do lately. The panic was real. Every. Single. Time.
He chanced a look, seeing a message from an unknown number. He unlocked the phone and handed it to Dom without saying a word. He couldn’t look; he just couldn’t.
“Christ, Seb. Will this guy ever leave you alone? For fuck’s sake!” Dom reached for Seb’s hand. “I don’t know how you do this. We’re going to change your number, and you need to make sure you lock the studio door, even if you’re in there. This is getting ridiculous.”
“What does it say?” Seb asked, his voice trembling as he asked. “Do I want to know?”
Dom glanced at him, a worried look on his face. “It’s not something we should talk about now. I’ll tell you when we get home.”
“Do you think he’s watching now? We should go. I don’t want to be outside anymore.” Seb took hold of Rocco and started walking away, their food remaining untouched on the table.
“I’m staying over again tonight. No arguments. Are you going to tell Joe?” Dom asked.
“No, Clare should be home tonight, and he is going to tell her he wants to break up, so I’ll wait until he gets in touch. Maybe I’ll tell him then.” Seb quickened his pace, eager to be out of the open.
“Maybe? If this guy wants to be with you, he needs to know all the facts. Everything, Seb.” Dom struggled to keep the pace, so Seb slowed a little for him to catch up. Seb knew Dom was right, but he’d just found Joe. Why was everything so hard? He just wanted to live a happy life with his new man. Goddamned stalker.
“I know. I should wait until this all blows over before I get involved with him. It wouldn’t be fair to drop him in the middle of this.” Seb didn’t want to drag Joe into his mess when he already had his own problems to deal with.
“It’s a little late for that, Seb. The stalker, whoever they are, knows you stayed over at his house. I’ll show you when we get home.” They continued to walk in silence, Seb deep in thought as he wondered how to deal with this.
By the time they got back to the apartment, Natalia and Louis were there. Dom read the message to them all.
You are such a slut, Seb. Staying with the man in the fancy house, then out with your little slut of a friend. Whore, whore, whore. I know how to stop your whorish ways, and you’ll find out soon enough. Sleep tight, whore.
Seb sat with his head in his hands, and Natalia rubbed his back in a soothing gesture.
“It might be time to think about moving away,” she said. “How about you spend some time with your folks? They’d love to see you, and it’d get you out of the city.”
“I can’t. I won’t.” Seb stood and stepped away from her. This whole situation was driving him mad, and he was exhausted. “It’s my life and I just don’t know what to do. I’m just so sick and tired of the whole thing, of having to think about my every move, knowing that someone’s watching me, all the time.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “I can’t keep going on like this, but I won’t give in. I won’t let them chase me away.” Seb dropped to his knees, and sobs racked his body. He didn’t know how much of this he could take anymore.
His tears flowed freely now. The dam had burst, and he couldn’t stop. So many months of creepy messages, photos, notes. It was all too much. His friends were right. He needed to leave. But what about Joe? He needed to tell him. It wouldn’t be fair if he just upped and left, not when things were so very new with them. He couldn’t believe it was all being taken away from him—again.
Dom wrapped his arms around him, gently rocking him and whispering soothing words in his ear. Seb cried until he had no more tears left,
“Thank you. I’m sorry. I know this isn’t any of your faults. I just don’t know what to do anymore,” Seb croaked out, his voice thick with emotion.
“You’re not on your own in this, Seb. We’ll always be here for you, and if you do need to go away for a while, we’ll help.” Dom was such a good friend, and he knew all of them would help him and watch his back, but this time, he didn’t think it’d be enough.
“I love you, guys, and I know, deep down, that you’re right. It might be time to leave for a while, but I need to speak to Joe first.”
