Chapter 1 #2
“Rick only liked some of the things that came with the title of boyfriend.” Sebastian shook his head. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what parts the asshole had liked. “I guess it took me a while to see that being my friend wasn’t really one of them.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
Sebastian shrugged. “It is what it is.”
I didn’t like his defeatist tone. Like he’d somehow accepted that Asshole’s behavior was okay… or worse, that he’d somehow deserved that kind of disrespect.
“I hope you’re not considering helping the fucker out,” I said.
“What?” Sebastian murmured. He motioned to the chair.
“Would you like to sit? I can sit on the ground.” He made a move to lower himself to the ground but when I saw how painful the move appeared for him, I reached for his elbow.
I hadn’t noticed how stiff he seemed, but it was more than obvious now.
“Are you hurt? Did that asshole put his hands on you?” I practically snarled.
Sebastian actually had to grab me to stop me from going after the guy.
“No,” he said quickly. His hand was pressed against my chest as he spoke. Electricity beneath my skin made my heart begin to pound.
“No, Devon,” Sebastian said. “I got hurt a while back and sometimes the injury acts up, that’s all. Rick didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“Oh, okay,” I murmured.
Somehow, we’d ended up so our bodies were practically flush. My hand was on his elbow and his free hand was on my bicep.
“Maybe you should sit,” I somehow managed to say, though in truth, I kind of wanted him to stay where he was just a little longer so I could process all the sensations that were running through my body.
Sebastian didn’t seem to hear me at first. His eyes were on mine… no, correction, they were on my mouth.
And fuck if that didn’t make my dick jump in anticipation.
Anticipation of what, though?
I nearly laughed because I damn well knew what my dick was excited about.
I just couldn’t make sense of it.
“Yeah, maybe I should,” Sebastian said as he stepped back, then carefully sat down. When he extended his leg slightly, I saw him wince and realized the limb was probably where he was experiencing the pain.
“And yes, I kind of have to help the fu— Rick out,” Sebastian said softly as he watched Kirby chase a butterfly around the back yard. “I made a commitment.”
“Guy like that doesn’t deserve your time—” I began.
“Not to him,” Sebastian clarified. “I mean, yeah, he was the one who talked me into it, but that’s only because I wasn’t sure my leg would hold up.”
“What do you mean?” I asked as I lowered myself so I was sitting on the ground next to his chair. As soon as I did, Kirby came running to me with a stick he’d managed to find somewhere. I threw it for the little dog and he happily took off to chase it across the tattered grass.
“The thing tonight is a fundraiser. Rick’s company is sponsoring the event and all the proceeds from the tickets that were sold go to this shelter for abused kids.”
“He said you were the talent?”
Sebastian glanced at me, then nodded. “Um, yeah. I’m a dancer… well, I was a dancer.” Sebastian looked down at his hands and began wringing them together. “I’m supposed to do a short performance for the guests tonight, then maybe sign some autographs, I guess.”
“Autographs, wow,” I said. “Sounds like you’re one talented guy.”
The comment was meant as a compliment, but it just made Sebastian looked pained. “Still, if you’re not feeling physically up to it…”
“Truth?” Sebastian whispered. He kept his eyes downcast.
“Truth,” I urged.
“It’s not just the performance. I, um… I don’t like to leave the house these days… it’s a long story.”
I swore I saw him trembling, but I kept that fact to myself.
“And, uh, Rick’s bringing his husband… his husband who he’s been with for five years and who doesn’t know a thing about me. The husband I knew nothing about when I started dating Rick almost two years ago.”
“Aw fuck, Sebastian, I’m sorry,” I said. I made a move to put my hand over his, which he was still wringing together, but he quickly pulled them away.
“Yeah, well, it’s my fault. I don’t have the best taste in guys.
Anyway, you didn’t come here to listen to me lament over the fact that I have to go to a Valentine’s-themed charity dinner by myself and play nice with my ex and his spouse.
Sorry.” He finally looked at me. “I promise I’m not one of those neighbors.
” The last part was said with a hard-fought attempt at humor, so I forced a smile to my lips that I wasn’t feeling.
“Those neighbors?” I asked.
“Yeah, the kind who won’t stop sharing their drama with you every time they see you? I swear, you’ll hardly even know I’m here.”
“Well, in case you missed it, I’m the one in your back yard, and my dog is currently taking a piss on what’s left of your rhododendrons.”
“Rhodo-what?” he asked as his eyes searched out Kirby. The dog had found the pathetic little patch of bushes along the back fence line.
“Rhododendrons. Mrs. Fererra was very fond of them, but she wasn’t good at keeping them trimmed back and they kind of took over the entire garden.”
“That’s a garden?” Sebastian asked with a smile as he eyed the sad-looking patch of dirt.
“Yeah, more or less. You’ve actually got really good dirt…
the pH level is nearly perfect, and you’ve got a great mix of sand, silt, and clay.
If you use some landscaping cloth and a really high-quality mulch, you can cut back on the weeds.
Your rhodies need a little TLC for them to start blooming.
I’d pull a few of them, though. That way you can add some different colors to make things really pop.
Would also be a great attractant for the birds and the bees. ”
My remarks were met with complete silence. I looked at Sebastian and saw him watching me with a soft smile on his face. “The birds and the bees?” he asked.
I chuckled. “Actual birds and actual bees, though I don’t think you’d have a problem finding the other kind of birds and bees.”
It wasn’t until the words were out of my mouth that I realized what I’d said… and who I’d said them to.
“Not that it’s any of my business who you give your birds and bees to. I mean, they’re your birds and bees.”
Sebastian laughed… a deep, melodic laugh that sifted through my entire body like the sweetest of caresses.
“Well, my birds and bees are taking some time off,” he finally said. “But thank you.” He rested his chin in his hand as he eyed me. “How do you know all that stuff about the dirt?”
“I’m a landscape architect,” I said.
“Ah,” he responded with a nod. “I was wondering why your front yard looks so much better than everyone else’s. I think being able to look at your house was part of the reason I decided to rent this one.”
I smiled at that. I was obscenely proud of the work I’d put into my house.
While the little craftsman-style home might not be considered fancy, I’d fallen in love with the place despite its run-down condition when I’d first looked at it three years earlier.
It’d been a labor of love to return the small house back to its former glory, but I’d relished every moment of it.
“So you’re only renting from Mrs. Fererra?” I asked.
Sebastian nodded. “I needed to get out of the city for a bit, but I’m not sure if I’ll be staying in the area or not.
Mrs. Fererra wanted to wait a little longer for the real estate market to improve before she put the place on the market, but she also really wanted to move to the East Coast to be closer to her kids, so it kind of just worked out for the both of us. ”
I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed that his situation was a temporary one.
“What kind of dancing do you do? Is that why you’re thinking of moving? To pursue your career… once you’ve recovered, I mean?”
Sebastian was silent for several long seconds before saying, “Um, no, the dancing… my career, it’s… I had to retire.”
The guy was in his mid-twenties at best. “Had to?” I asked gently.
Sebastian’s hand settled on his knee. “Yeah. I am… was a ballet dancer. But the damage to my knee is permanent… I can’t dance anymore. At least not professionally.”
“Fuck,” I murmured. “I’m so sorry, Sebastian.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I was lucky,” he said quietly. “It could have been worse.”
I ran my fingers through my hair but before I could say anything, Sebastian was climbing to his feet. “I’m sorry, I need to lie down for a bit and maybe put some ice on my knee before tonight.”
“Right,” I responded. “Of course. Kirby and I will get out of your hair. And I’ll make sure to get the fence fixed right away.”
“No rush,” Sebastian said. He seemed to not want to look at me.
Instead, he called to Kirby who came bounding over to him.
He carefully squatted down, using one hand to support himself on the chair he’d been sitting on.
“I enjoyed the company,” Sebastian added before crooning “Bye, sweetie,” to my dog as he scratched his wiggly body.
I almost reached to help Sebastian stand up again, but I didn’t because I got the impression he wouldn’t appreciate the assistance. “It was nice meeting you, Devon.”
“Yeah, you too, Sebastian,” I said. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” I added. “Take it easy tonight, okay?”
Sebastian nodded stiffly. “Yeah, happy Valentine’s Day.”
I watched him limp through his sliding door. My fingers itched to grab him and do something… anything… to put that easy smile back on his face. But the sadness in his expression, in his every movement, seemed too overpowering to overcome.
And truth be told, I was really fucking confused as to why it bothered me so much. I wasn’t someone who typically got overly emotionally invested in people unless they were close friends.
Or, of course, my family.
But Sebastian was a stranger.
A kindhearted, sweet, gorgeous stranger, but he was still, in fact, a stranger.
Oh yeah, and a guy.
Why the hell did I keep forgetting that one particularly important fact?
And why the hell did it suddenly seem like the least important obstacle to overcome at the moment?