Page 63 of Dance With Me
He’d texted as he left his parents’ house, so they knew he was coming home today, and when he came in, someone hurtled towards him and hugged him.
“God, I’ve missed you. Don’t leave me again. Please.” Dom looked up at him beseechingly.
“Hey, I was only gone three weeks, and you knew I’d be coming back.” He clung on tight. “I’m fucking glad to see you, though.”
Natalia and Louis joined in their hug, and they all stood together, arms around each other. Seb had missed this, his little family.
They broke apart and Natalia led him to the lounge where they’d set out some food and drinks on the table.
“Just a little welcome back party for you. We’ve missed you, Seb,” Natalia said, tears in her eyes. “I was hoping to have some more time together before Louis and I left, but we know you needed the time away. Come on, sit down.”
“I’ll just let Rocco out. He’s been cooped up in the car for hours.” Seb led Rocco to the door, and he ran outside, glad to be back in his own space.
They all sat, either on the sofa or the floor, and Seb tried to catch them up on his time with his parents. He told them about taking up running—something he’d avoided before—and how it had helped him to think as he pounded the pavements, Rocco running by his side.
Natalia asked how his parents were and was pleased to hear they were keeping well, although they were concerned with how things had gone down with Seb.
Dom and Natalia filled him in on what had happened with the studio. Things were winding down a little as they’d be closing in a couple of weeks for the summer. Nobody mentioned Joe, and Seb was dying to ask if they knew whether the wedding was going ahead, or whether he was back with Clare, but he was too scared to ask. Ignorance was bliss, so the saying went.
After a couple of hours and several drinks later, Natalia and Louis went off to bed, leaving just Seb and Dom lying on the sofa in the lounge. Seb had fed Rocco earlier, and he too was crashed out, fast asleep.
“So, how have you really been?” Dom asked, holding Seb’s hand in his.
“The past few weeks have been fucking awful. I really thought Joe and I had something, you know, but then when she stormed into the room and threatened everything we’d built up, the studio, everything—I couldn’t just stand there and listen. I ran. I hoped being away would help me see things clearer, let me sort my feelings out about Joe, but nothing made sense. I just felt lost, alone, and tired of everything.”
Seb looked over at Dom.
“Is the wedding still on? It should be this weekend, but I’m too fucking scared to even call him or find out. Then there’s the baby. It’s just one big fucking mess.”
“The wedding’s off as far as I’m aware. Joe has texted Nat on and off, trying to get some information on you, but we’ve told him nothing, not where you were exactly or when you’d be home. Are you going to let him know you’re back?”
“I don’t think so. I’ve thought long and hard about it, and I know I’m probably being stupid, but I think it’s best if we don’t see each other again. I’ll never be able to give him what he wants. Clare can give him everything. Plus, she can take everything away from us, and I won’t risk the studio, Dom.”
“But what if he doesn’t want what she can offer? What if itisyou he wants? If you don’t speak to him, you’ll never know.” Dom was making far too much sense.
“Fuck, Dom, you sound just like Ben.”
“Maybe, then, we’re the ones talking sense, and you’re the one that isn’t. I just want to see you happy, Seb. You deserve it, for fuck’s sake.”
“I know, Dom. In a couple of weeks, if we don’t hear anything more from the stalker, I’ll think about it then, alright? Let’s just wait and see what happens.”
Dom looked as if he wanted to say something else but stopped himself at the last moment.
“Is it all right if I stay over tonight? I’ll be out of your hair bright and early in the morning, but I don’t feel like going home. I missed you.” He lay his head in Seb’s lap and closed his eyes.
“We’re not sleeping on the sofa, though. Come on, let’s go to bed.”
They went through their usual nighttime routine and settled next to each other in bed. Seb felt Dom’s hand next to his, and they threaded their fingers together.
“I’m glad you’re back, but I’ve been thinking about this, and you need to give Joe another chance.” At that, he released Seb’s hand and turned onto his side, effectively cutting off anything Seb might have said.
Seb lay there in the dark, listening to Dom’s steady breathing, wondering how he’d got here. He knew he was being selfish and only thinking of himself, but even though everything Dom had said had made sense, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Joe would be better off with Clare and the baby. That his presence would just be a distraction for Joe.
However, Seb needed closure, so he decided he’d visit Joe and talk to him. He deserved an answer at least, and it was best coming from him. He didn’t want second-hand facts.
The following morning, he woke to find Dom gone. He stepped into the kitchen and let Rocco out. Dom had left him a note on the work surface, announcing that he had gone to teach his private lesson and he’d be back later. Did Seb want to grab some lunch and meet him at the coffee shop?
Seb had found that his appetite had improved whilst he’d been at home, so he was hungry for some breakfast. He cooked himself a bacon sandwich and sat down to eat. Natalia and Louis joined him at the table, cups of coffee in their hands.
