I need to know he’s safe. That he hasn’t been crushed by whatever reaction he faced. And for that, I need a car. Fast.
I mentally run through my options. I could call Francis, or Anne, or Ian. But asking Fran or Anne would mean a long string of questions I’m not ready to answer. Ian, on the other hand… well, he has a car. And he knows where Seb lives.
He’s not my favourite person, but right now, he’s the best chance I’ve got.
I check Seb’s phone again, still off, then dial Ian. I brace myself for a hostile reception, but he answers after a few rings, sounding surprised more than anything.
“Remi? Everything okay? I’m kind of… busy right now.”
There’s a muffled voice in the background. Oh god. I’ve interrupted something. Whatever, I don’t have time to feel awkward.
“Sorry for the intrusion, but it’s urgent,” I say, more anxiously than I mean to. “It’s about Seb.”
That gets his attention. “Shit. Is he alright?”
“I honestly don’t know. He went to come out to his parents yesterday and hasn’t been heard from since. His phone’s off. I need to go to Stratford and find out what’s going on.”
“Christ,” Ian breathes. “Yeah. Yeah, we’ve got to go. Give me half an hour to get ready. ”
“Ian,” I cut in firmly, “I appreciate it, but I need to do this alone. I know Seb might be upset that I’m showing up uninvited, let alone with company.”
There’s a pause. “I mean, I want to help. He matters to me, Remi.”
“I know. But I think this is something I need to handle one-on-one. At least for now. And please, don’t tell Anne yet. There’s no need to worry her unless things are worse than I think.”
He exhales. “Okay. I get it. You’ll need his address. And the car?”
“If you’re willing, yes.”
He hesitates for a second longer, then relents. “Sure. I’m not using it this week anyway. But you’ll keep me updated, right?”
“Of course.” I pause. “Ian… thanks. I know we haven’t exactly been friendly. But this means a lot.”
“I’m not your biggest fan, Remi,” he says honestly, “but I do believe you care about him. And if Seb trusts you, then I’m willing to as well.”
There’s a beat of silence. Then Ian adds, almost shyly, “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
I don’t even hesitate. “Yeah. I am.”
“Thought so. The way you acted around me? Made sense, in hindsight. He’s got that effect, doesn’t he? Even on the straight ones.”
I laugh, surprised. “You’re not wrong. It took me by surprise, too. But it’s not just a crush, Ian. It’s real. And I won’t let him go.”
He’s quiet for a moment, then asks gently, “Does he know? About how you feel?”
“He does. We’ve… talked about it, a little. But we haven’t figured out how to tell our friends. Especially Maddie.”
Ian whistles low. “That’s going to be messy.”
“Tell me about it. I already broke up with her. She didn’t take it well, and she doesn’t know about Seb. Yet.”
He lets out a long sigh. “Good luck, mate. You’ll need it.”
“I know.”
“Still,” he adds with a wistful note, “I get it. Seb’s… one of a kind. I chased him for years, you know? But if anyone’s going to make him happy, I want it to be someone who sees him for who he really is. Don’t screw it up.”
“I won’t.”
