Page 40 of Until the Day You're Mine

“It’s no excuse. I acted childish and ridiculous. But once I had begun taking my frustration out on you, I couldn’t stop. This unfounded hate seeping through me, constantly seeking you out, had captured me in a vice, moving me like a mindless puppet. I was looking to hurt someone to make my pain go away. I’m sorry, Ty. I turned a lot of your days into a shitshow because I was too messed up to fix my own life. I don’t deserve your support, but I am so grateful for it. Please forgive me. If you give me a chance, I swear to you, I won’t disappoint you. I promise to be there for you and never ever let you down.”

Ty pulls him in for another hug. At first, Sebastian’s body feels stiff and unyielding, but it takes him only a few more seconds to relax into it and to circle his arms around Tayida.

“Cyril and I, we were never together,like that.You’re not broken, Sebastian. If you want this – my friendship, my support – you got it. If you need me, don’t ever fear rejection. I will never turn my back on you again. As for Cy ––”

He chances a look at his friend, covering the small remains of their fire with dirt and clearing out the evidence of their camp. Cyril has been just as quiet and thoughtful all morning, clearly contemplating the events from last night.

Ty mutters, “His heart has been through a lot. Perhaps Cyril is the only man who can understand your pain. He doesn’t hold the power to make you feel whole again, but he’s so freaking stubborn, he won’t rest until he gives you all the tools to achieve that all on your own. God knows he saved my life all those years ago, by simply convincing me I was worth his time. That I was worthy of his friendship.”

Sebastian bobs his head in agreement, biting his lower lip, trying to suppress a fresh wave of tears. Ty pulls him to his chest again and holds him tight.

“You never have to fear losing this. Don’t ever hesitate to come to me. To come to us. I mean it. You’re one of us now.”

And just like that, they both dare to turn a new page. It seems this sudden change is the beginning of the end of all those unresolved issues lingering in the back of Tayida’s head. Insecurities like deadly whispers, that have tormented him at night when his loneliness becomes too much for him to handle. Ty feels lighter. The possibilities of the future begin to take true shape and Rian is amid all his hopes and dreams.

If Sebastian’s story has taught him anything, is that he’ll never get his chance with Rian if he keeps wasting his time looking for reasons why they shouldn’t be together.

He feels this surge of confidence. Ty is ready to tell Cyril about his feelings for Rian. Hell, he will call Ri, for the first time all on his own, and freaking say every single thing that has been on his mind ever since the first night they met. As soon as they get to the base, he will do just that.

Sebastian stays close to both of them, but he often reaches for Cy. Cyril responds to his touch-starved cravings willingly and offers his hand frequently – to steady him, to give his shoulder a squeeze, and finally to throw his arm around his waist and hold him close. They look so natural and relaxed together. Like they had always shared this easy closeness. Sebastian seems to fit perfectly, tucked closely into Cyril’s larger frame.

He looks at them again, as they are walking a few steps ahead and shakes his head, observing Cy murmuring something in Sebastian’s ear. Of course, Cy has the right words, the perfect thoughtful sentiment for Sebastian.

A small moment between them passes. Time slows down as Sebastian turns to face Cy who is slightly towering over him. Cy dips his head closer, their foreheads almost touching, and Sebastian turns to the side, brushing his nose to Cy’s cheek. Cyril smiles and murmurs something that makes Sebastian nod lightly, a smile rising on his face. His eyes are closed as he leans into Cy, allowing the other man to guide him forward as they move slowly on their way back to the base.

Ty has never seen Cy act like this with anyone else but himself and Ri. His heart soars. Now that he can observe the two men side by side, he can feel how genuine their connection is. He can’t help but wonder…how different Sebastian’s life would have been if he had Cyril in his corner? If Cyril had chosen him instead of Tayida.

He tells himself neither of them can turn back time and fix the oversight and mistakes of the past. But that thought simply rings weak and leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. The truth was, there had been signs, and he had ignored them. Making up excuses isn’t going to help him sleep at night.

He looks at the two men, now holding hands. Cyril is reaching for Sebastian’s hat, tugging it low, making him laugh. Sebastian swats him away, trying to free himself from Cy’s grasp but Cy only picks him up and throws him over his shoulder, laughing. He smacks his ass with his giant paw of a hand so hard, that Ty’s cheeks clench at the sound.

“Fuck!” Sebastian groans and all three of them lose it, laughing. Cy stumbles then slides Sebastian down and holds him in a tight bear hug for a long moment, resting his chin on top of his head, while they wait for Ty to stop laughing and catch up to them. He doesn’t hide his affectionate touch, as he slips his hand over Sebastian’s ass, massaging his bruised flesh.

To see Cyril this way with anyone is a gift. A minor miracle of sorts. The sight of his friend and Sebastian both warms his heart and horrifies him, as the base is soon going to be on the horizon, and the time they have to themselves is running out.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Tayida – Ty – Beloved One

MARCH 2017

They shouldn’t allow Sebastian to confront Harris on his own, but the reality of their fragile new understanding dictates they must support him in taking charge of his situation. They part with him reluctantly after their return to base.

Ty speaks to him quietly, encouraging him to think things through and plan his next move well. “You don’t have to rush this. Hell, you don’t have to do this at all. You don’t owe that man a single moment of your time. He’s done enough damage already. I hardly think you need to explain anything to him. I honestly believe––”

Sebastian reaches for him squeezing his shoulder. Ty quiets down. Sebastian is an adult, if this is something he needs to do to begin healing, Ty couldn’t stand in his way. However, this whole situation feels sinister and dangerous. Something is looming over this man, a catastrophic peril that will end in devastation for them all. Ty feels the dread like it’s a real breathing, living beast. He can’t explain why he is so afraid to let Sebastian go.

Cyril looks just as unwilling to let go of Sebastian. He is trying to be supportive but fails as miserably as Ty. “I’m not sure about this. I…what if we did this together. I could come with you. What if I talked to Black first? Check the hypothetical consequences of ––”

Sebastian shakes his head, “Please don’t. It will only put a target on your back.” After a moment, he mutters, “I know he’s dangerous.” He looks at Cy, then Ty, and repeats, “I know that he can…he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me. Not after everything I’ve seen.” He swallows hard, looking pale and sweaty, as sick as he had looked the day before.

“You don’t have to say it. You never have to remember or think of him again. Sebastian, please.” Cy is struggling to keep his hands off Sebastian. This is different for him. Sebastian is important to Cyril. “Please, come with me. You’ve been brave enough on your own, dealing with this nightmare for so long. Walking away from this man is not a defeat. It is self-preservation. Please come with us. I promise I won’t ever mention his name. And if you…if there is a chance that we…” Cyril is so out of sorts. He looks frantic, worried, desperate and helpless. Tayida has never seen him like this.

Sebastian breaks his composure first and takes Cy’s hand, clasping it lightly, low by his thigh. “I need to do this on my own if I really want to be free of him. He followed me here. A place he fucking hates. My phone, all my socials and my email have been hacked. It’s what he fucking does. If I don’t break free from him now, he’ll never stop.” He struggles to let go of Cy. He is still holding his hand and Cyril’s fingers curl around Sebastian’s firmly. “I need to be free. I want…I don’t want any of my old life back. I want to finally start living.”

“I understand. Trust me, I do. But…I just can’t…” Cy closes his eyes barely holding back tears.

Ty looks between the two of them. All he wants at that moment is to shield them somehow. He wants to wrap them up and tuck them away from the terrible reality they are about to face.

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