Page 42 of Dance With Me
“I’m fine, Joe, honestly. It was nothing you said or did.” On the contrary, everything he said and did had an effect on Seb. “I really did have a great time last night. Just tired, as I said. I have a lot going on at the moment.” Seb hesitated. Should he really say what was on his mind? Probably not. The less Joe knew about Seb’s current predicament, the better. He wasn’t sure he could continue to hide his attraction.
Joe looked relieved at his comment. “Thank God. I thought I’d done something to upset you. You were so quiet on the way home.” Joe’s leg bounced as if he were nervous about something. “Look, Clare’s away this weekend, and I’m at a loose end. I wondered if you wanted me to take a look at your taxes before everything gets crazy, like we discussed the other week.”
That was the last thing Seb was expecting, and he found himself not knowing what to say for a moment. “Erm, if you want to. I know we have ages yet before they need to be submitted, but if that’s what you want to do, we can.” Seb thought that this might actually be for the best. He didn’t really want to be around Joe and Clare after they got married. Doing this now would save him having to see Joe again when he was trying to put the man out of his mind.
“Wonderful. How about we get together on Saturday? What time do you finish here? I can give you my address, and you can come over. Bring Rocco if you want; he can have a run around in the garden. I could cook.” Joe looked hopeful, and Seb realised he’d been nervous about asking him.
“I finish at around one this week. I could be at yours at around two, maybe? No need to cook, though, but I’ll bring Rocco if you want.”
Joe smiled and, after giving Seb his address, stood to leave. He hesitated before walking out of the door. “Thanks, Seb. Try and get some rest, and I’ll see you on Saturday.”
Seb looked around as Hayden dropped into the chair beside him. “Another date then?”
“Fuck off, Hayden,” Seb said, laughing as he said it. What the hell was he doing?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Joe
Stage one of his plan was complete. He’d asked Seb to come to his house on Saturday. After speaking to Hazel that morning and thinking about what he was going to do all through his earlier meeting, he’d decided to tell Seb what was going on and see where he stood.
With Clare away this weekend, it was the best time for him to try to explain his feelings for him and then Monday, he’d tell Clare about his decision to cancel the wedding. Hopefully, he could be free to be with Seb if that was what he wanted. If Joe was reading the signs right, that was.
Today though, he needed to concentrate on the rest of his day. He had another meeting this afternoon and was going to visit Jayne and Aidan later to break the news. Now that he’d made his mind up, there was no stopping him.
Later that evening, he picked up some treats for the kids and some flowers for Jayne. He drove to their house and walked up to the door. He knocked and waited. Aidan answered.
“Just in time. I was about to put the kids to bed, but they wanted to see you first.” He motioned for Joe to come in.
He stepped inside and into the hugs of his niece and nephew. “Whoa, let me get in first.”
They stepped into the lounge, a child hanging off each of Joe’s legs.
“Come on, guys, leave Uncle Joe to get in the room.” Jayne leaned over and kissed Joe on the cheek. “Good to see you, big bro. How’ve you been?”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ve brought these for the kids.” He handed over the sweets to Jayne. “And I got these for you.” He held out the flowers.
“Aw, thanks, Joe. I’ll put them in water. See Aidan, flowers.” She looked pointedly at Aidan, eyebrows raised, but he just shook his head.
“Thanks, Joe. I’ve just made the bad books now. You just had to show me up.” He punched Joe on the arm playfully. “Come on, kids, that’s enough now. Bedtime for you both. Give Uncle Joe a kiss.”
Joe lifted Grace and Matt in turn and gave them a kiss and a hug. “I’ll see you again soon. Sorry I was so late.”
“It’s OK, Uncle Joe. We know you’re busy. Love you.” Grace kissed him again, and he handed her over to Aidan. “I’ll get us drinks. What do you want?” Joe asked.
“Just a beer, thanks. I’ll meet you in the kitchen. Dinner’s almost ready.” Aidan left with the children, and Joe walked into the kitchen. He grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge, opening them both.
“Clare not with you, I take it?” Jayne asked as she dished up their meal.
“No, that’s actually why I wanted to speak to you, but it can wait until Aidan comes back down. I don’t want to have to say this twice.” Joe took a deep breath. His nerves were jangling, and he felt as if his heart was going to beat out of his chest.
He handed the beer to Aidan when he came back in and sat down at the kitchen counter. Jayne handed them their food, and they started to eat. She’d cooked a tasty curry, and Joe wanted to finish it before he dropped his news.
“I might have to move in if you’re going to serve good food like this,” Joe said, wiping his mouth with the napkin.
“Wouldn’t Clare have something to say about that?” Aidan asked, laughing.
“Maybe not, and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Joe laid down his knife and fork and pushed his now clear plate away. No reason to beat about the bush. He might as well rip the Band-Aid off now.
