REMI
Killing myself at the gym and doing laps in the pool didn’t help much.
Even dropping by the office to get ahead on work didn’t ease the tension. Ever since I messaged Maddie, I’ve been a wreck.
Now I’m at the bar in the Blackbird, nursing a beer and trying to make conversation with Noah and Jamie. But I can’t focus. I’m way too wired.
Then the door opens.
Sebastian walks in.
And I nearly drop my glass.
Christ.
He always looks good, but tonight? He’s unreal. Dangerous, even.
And while I’m busy staring, completely overwhelmed by how much I want him, I suddenly realize, with a jolt of panic,
I’m already hard.
Shit. How am I supposed to survive the night like this?
I shift my gym bag into my lap, trying desperately to think of anything else. But then Seb flashes that soft, heart-melting smile and strolls over like he owns the room.
“Hey guys! Noah, Jamie, Remi…”
A lock of hair falls across his eyes. He tucks it behind his ear, bites his lip, glances around, and then he smiles again.That dimple. That damn dimple.
I’m doomed.
Noah and Jamie greet him warmly. I can barely choke out a sentence.
“Uh… hey Seb. How was your… day?”
He frowns slightly. “Fine, I guess… Thought you were staying in today.”
“Yeah, well… I, uh…”
I never finish.
Because right then, the door swings open again.
Francis and Anne walk in.
And behind them… Ian.
What the hell is he doing here?
Seb’s in Anne’s arms in a heartbeat. She showers him with kisses, all affection and joy. And suddenly, I’m clawed by jealousy.
There’s a voice screaming in my head: Hands off. Seriously.
I bite my tongue and keep my face neutral. What else can I do?
If any of our friends even guessed what’s going on in my head, they’d think I’d lost it.
Once everyone’s said their hellos, Ian chimes in.
“Hey, hope it’s okay I came. Anne mentioned getting the old Stratford crew back together. Maddie’s not here, obviously, but maybe she’ll join soon. Y’know, bring back the good old days.”
Oh, give me a break.
That look he throws at Sebastian?
Yeah, this wasn’t Anne’s idea.
He’s here for Seb. He wants back in.
Not happening.
“Remi?”
Francis waves a hand in front of my face. “Earth to Remi.”
Everyone’s heading to the table. Seb and Ian sit next to each other, already deep in conversation.
Anne looks delighted. Seb seems more relaxed than last time.
I can’t decide if that’s a good thing.
Francis hangs back, studying me. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine. Just a long week.”
Francis frowns. “Sure things are okay with Mads? I know the distance can be rough. I’d go nuts if I didn’t see Anne for days, not that I’d ever admit it to her.”
He chuckles and pats me on the back, but the smile fades almost instantly.
“Seriously, Remi. Is something up?”
I shake my head. “Not here. We’ll talk later, alright?”
He studies me for a beat, then nods. “Fine. But I’m holding you to that.”
We head back to the others. Francis slips into his usual chill mode, joking and laughing like always, but I know he’s still watching me.
The truth is, I barely know what’s going on inside myself.
How could I possibly explain it to someone else?
One thing’s clear, though: seeing Ian lean in close to Seb, whispering something, then dragging a hand down his back,
makes my blood boil.
Seb shifts away and shrugs off his jacket. It’s subtle, but unmistakable.
I exhale.
Then he turns.
That top. That sheer back. The tattoos.
My brain short-circuits.
He has no idea what he’s doing to me.
Or maybe he does.
God, I hope not.
I sit there, totally useless, jaw slack, eyes glued to him.
And I’m not the only one. Even Noah and Jamie are staring.
Anne claps her hands. “Seb, you look stunning! That French flair suits you. That Givenchy top? Made for you.”
Noah lets out a low whistle. Jamie elbows him, hard.
“Noah! You’re taken. And since when do you flirt with straight guys?”
Seb hesitates, just a second, then blushes.
“Actually… I think we’re playing on the same team. I’m gay.”
And just like that, Seb steals the spotlight.
There’s a beat of silence.
Then the questions start flying. Some tactless, of course, but most well-meaning.
Seb answers them all with grace, charming as ever.
But I see it, the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers twist the edge of his napkin.
He’s holding it together.
And no one else seems to notice.
Ian and I stay quiet.
He glances at me, and I can tell he’s figured it out, I knew already.
And he doesn’t like it.
Eventually, the buzz dies down. Anne leans in, chatting with Seb, who looks a little lighter now. Maybe it’s a relief, finally saying it out loud.
I didn’t expect him to come out tonight. But I’m glad he did.
Our friends reacted exactly how I hoped they would, no awkwardness, just warmth. They’ve got his back.
Still, telling Maddie? His parents? That’ll be different.
From what he’s told me, they’ve never made him feel like he was enough.
Which floors me.
He’s exceptional, kind, talented, and driven.
Any parent should be bursting with pride.
When he decides to tell them, I’ll be there. No matter what.
Anne strokes his cheek again. It stings, but I get it. She’s his rock.
Dinner rolls on. Laughter, the usual pub fare.
Ian plays it smooth, but it’s obvious who he’s really here for.
And Seb? He’s kind, maybe even flattered, but he keeps a polite distance.
Or maybe I just want to believe that.
Now that he’s out, it’s only a matter of time before someone makes a move. And the idea of anyone touching him, of anyone else getting that close, it makes me see red.
But I have no right. None at all.
Francis elbows me. “Hey, man. Be At One after this. You in?”
The club. Hell no.
Not with the call to Maddie looming over me and Ian still hovering around. Definitely not ideal.
“Dunno,” I mutter. “I’m pretty wiped.”
Francis doesn’t buy it. I feel his eyes on me, waiting.
So I turn to Seb.
“Hey… want to head home? I’m not really feeling the club tonight.”
Seb frowns, concern flickering across his face. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just tired.”
He softens instantly. “If it’s alright… I think I’ll go with the others. I can Uber back later.”
Francis jumps in before I can say anything.
“We’ve got a car. Anne and I can take you.”
I’m just about to bow out, already halfway out the door in my mind, when I catch sight of Ian’s smug little grin.
No way.
“I’ll come,” I blurt out. “It’s Saturday. I can sleep in tomorrow. Might do me good.”
Everyone exchanges a look. Francis shrugs, amused. “Alright. Let’s roll.”
As he walks past, I catch the smirk tugging at his lips.
Damn it, Francis.
Seb beams and grabs my hand. “Glad you changed your mind!”
And he doesn’t let go. He just pulls me along, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
And just like that, I’m burning again. Mind. Body. Heart.
And somewhere behind us, I can feel Ian’s eyes
watching every step we take.