“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.”