Page 75 of Poles Apart
“Yeah, I did.”
Jacob related his meeting from this morning and Dom squealed, telling him how happy he was and how they needed to celebrate again. In proper style, but this time, they’d use handcuffs. His voice lowered as he explained exactly what he was planning to do with said items, and Jacob groaned at the images.
“Fuck, Dom. You need to stop doing that. It’s a good job I’m on my own in the car. Now tell me what’s going on with Seb. Can I see you tonight?”
“I’m sorry, sweetcheeks, but I promised to stay here again tonight. Seb’s going to stay with his parents on Wednesday, and we just need to finalise a few things with the studio. And if I’m honest, I don’t want him to be alone again. You understand, don’t you?”
Jacob more than understood and told Dom in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t to leave his friend’s side for a minute. He was meeting with Colin later anyway and could do with a good night’s rest after their eventful weekend.
With promises to speak again either later or the next day, Jacob ended the call and made his way to pick up his sister. At least he had good news for her, and she could see that sometimes, everything did work out the way it should.
Chapter Forty-One
Dom
Monday into Tuesday was a day full of angst and worry on behalf of his friend. Monday, they’d gone over the details of dealing with Seb’s students and Tuesday should have been the day where Seb told Joe he was going away, but that it was supposed to be a temporary separation.
He’d walked Seb to Joe’s office and hadn’t expected to see him until much later in the afternoon, so he and Nat were shocked to see him tear into the studio, tears streaming down his face, saying he was going away that very day. Through his sobs, they’d managed to get some of the story from him. Clare had walked in on him and Joe, and she had threatened to ruin him and the studio. In the panic that ensued, he’d run, away from Joe and the situation both. It had been too much for him.
When Joe came through the door, mere minutes after Seb had left, Dom was ready to kick his arse like he’d promised. Where did this guy get off, offering him the world then snatching it from his grasp? But then he’d seen the state Joe was in, and his anger had dissolved. He looked as upset as Seb had, shaking his head, unwilling to believe Seb had gone, but eventually, with a lot of pleading to keep him up-to-date, Joe left, muttering to himself as he walked out.
Dom and Nat looked at each other, eyebrows raised. What the hell had just happened?
“What the fuck was that?” His voice was shaking. He couldn’t quite believe what they’d witnessed.
“I have no idea.” She seemed to be as shocked as he was. “But I suppose we should respect Seb’s wishes and not tell Joe where he’s gone exactly. I think I need a drink, but coffee will have to do at this point.”
They closed the studio and went next door to The Coffee Mill. Their faces must have conveyed the shock they were still feeling as Hayden came straight over.
“What the hell is going on? Joe steamed in here looking for Seb. Is he OK? Where is he?”
They all sat at their usual table, and Zoe brought drinks over to them. Nat explained what they knew, which wasn’t all that much.
“Well, shit. Just when they’d found each other, their happiness gets ripped away from them. I can’t imagine how they both must feel right now. I know Joe looked as if he was going to be sick. He was as white as a sheet.”
As Hayden’s words sank in, Dom chewed on his lip as he thought of his and Jacob’s situation. They both knew what it was like to lose someone. They’d lost each other eight years ago, and as he pondered this more, he decided he couldn’t go through that again. He needed to tell Jacob today how he felt, and if he didn’t return his feelings… Well, he’d know, wouldn’t he?
Hayden snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention, and Dom looked up in surprise.
“What? Sorry, I was miles away, thinking.” He fidgeted in his seat. Now the seed had been planted, it was all he could think about. Wondering how long until Jacob would be out of school, he looked at his watch.
“I think I need to go. I’ve got something I have to do.” He stood, still a little dazed from his decision, and peered at his friends. Nat was looking as confused as he felt, but Hayden nodded, seeming to know what was on his mind. He gave them a weak smile, stammering as he spoke.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Sorry to leave you, Nat, but this is important. Will you manage without me?”
“Of course. Whatever it is has you all out of sorts anyway. Go do what you need to, but let me know if you’re not going to be here tomorrow.”
“I’ll be here.” He kissed her cheek and patted Hayden on the back. He had to go home and change. He couldn’t declare his love wearing a pair of ratty dance shorts and a cropped T-shirt, as much as Jacob probably wouldn’t mind.
An hour later, he was pacing outside of Jacob’s school, suddenly worried this was the wrong thing to do and that he had it all confused in his head. How could this be love? But then he thought of the way he felt around Jacob, how his pulse raced whenever he was near, how the world dropped away, leaving just him. His Jacob.
As if to prove a point, Dom turned as Jacob walked towards his car. He drank his fill, watched how his hair, now slightly longer, was perfect for Dom to run his hands through and how his navy-blue eyes would brighten when he saw him. He thought about standing there and just watching him, but decided if he didn’t tell him now, while the feelings were close to the surface, he might never find the courage to do it.
“Jacob!” he shouted and waved as he looked his way. Jacob threw his bag in the car and jogged over to meet him.
“Hey. Is everything OK? What are you doing here?”
Dom’s voice croaked as he tried to speak, his nerves getting the better of him. He cleared his throat and tried again.
