Page 46 of Perfect Night

Sebastian paced his hotel suite, knowing he’d made a mistake in just walking away from Charlie. He wasn’t sure if Langdon would really have punched him, but regardless, Sebastian still should have held his ground. The man he loved had a massive panic attack. And what did Sebastian do? Leave him on his own. Okay, so he was with his found family, but Charlie amplified Sebastian’s protective instinct in a way which was debilitating. He’d had to fight hard to keep it in but seeing Charlie so defenceless as he succumbed to anxiety was heartbreaking. Sebastian knew the feeling. He’d suffered terrible panic attacks after things ended with Brandon and it had taken him years to get past it. He wanted to be there for Charlie, to support him.

It had been four hours since Sebastian had left Charlie and he hadn’t heard a thing. His friends had promised to update him once Charlie was okay, even if he didn’t want to speak to Sebastian. He wouldn’t go there. He couldn’t have lost Charlie. What would he do if Charlie didn’t want to speak to him again? It had been quick, but Sebastian hadn’t felt this way about anyone before. Brandon and Henry were the only ones who had lasted more than a couple of months. What he’d felt for themwas nothing like this. Had he even been in love before? What if Charlie didn’t feel the same way?

His phone ringing snapped him out of his spiralling thoughts. He rushed to it, hoping it was Charlie, but was disappointed to see his sister’s name. It was tempting to ignore her. She’d not been supportive of him and Charlie, but she was relentless, and he wouldn’t put it past her to jump on a plane.

He answered. “Hey, Bex.”

“Shouldn’t you be on a plane?”

“I’m not coming back today.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I just need to be here right now.”

“It’s him, isn’t it?”

“He has a name, you know.”

“Fine. Charlie. Is he there now?”

“No. He’s at his place. I’m at the hotel.”

“Did you confront him yet?”

“Jesus, Bex. This isn’t a soap opera. We’ve discussed it like adults.”

“And?”

“And it’s none of your business.”

“So, you’re just happy for him to fuck other guys for money behind your back? Come on, Sebastian, I know you’re lonely, but you can do a lot better than a rent boy.”

“Do you even know his reasons for doing it?”

“His reasons are irrelevant. Someone who does that kind of job doesn’t consider the impact on those around them. You don’t need someone like that. Come home. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. They’d both been raised to be open-minded and not judge people. Those values had come from their grandfather. Sebastian wasn’t sure why she was being so hostile. He was convinced Bex would understandwhy Charlie had made his choices, but she didn’t seem to care. This wasn’t the sister he adored.

“I’m not interested in any more of Martin’s friends.”

“This one isn’t. I met him at the gym.”

God, that was even worse. Sebastian liked to look after his body, but he was a ‘get in and get out’ kinda guy, not someone who lingered as if it were a social club.

“I doubt he’s my type.”

“You haven’t met him yet.”

“And you haven’t met Charlie.”

“I don’t want to. Unless you want me to tell him what I think of him. And I don’t want anyone like that near my girls.”

He hung up the phone in shock. What had happened? Was there something he didn’t know? It was so out of character. She called him again, but he dropped the call. He couldn’t speak to her right now.

The phone kept ringing. She wasn’t giving up. He’d turn the thing off, but he was waiting to hear about Charlie. Instead, he temporarily blocked her number. That would definitely make her jump on a plane, but it still gave him eight hours before she’d be knocking on his door. By then, he hoped to have Charlie in his arms.

Opening the door of his suite, he was happy to see Patrick, but slightly disappointed it wasn’t Charlie. It was early evening now, and still no word from anyone. He wasn’t sure if he should call someone. Jason had given him his number and said he’d be in contact. Sebastian had to trust him.

---