I took a shuddering breath and went on. “I know I wasn’t thinking clearly, but the thought of having a psych consult terrified me. I faked being asleep, and as soon as I was alone, I got all my things and left. I took a taxi back to my apartment and sat at my piano. Whatever they had given me in the hospital had calmed down the withdrawals, but I knew it wouldn’t last. It all seemed so hopeless. I couldn’t play with drugs, and I couldn’t play without them. My reputation was in tatters. When the cravings came back, I found my bottle of Oxy and took the rest. I figured it was best. Evan had Rafael, and he didn’t need me.”
“Fuck.” This time Sean manhandled me onto his lap. It was strange because, although Sean wasn’t much bigger than I was, I felt unaccountably safe and sheltered by his body. I curled into him and let him hold me. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “What happened? I mean you’re here, so…”
I nodded. “Evan found out I left the hospital, and he tracked me down to my apartment.” I tapped my smartwatch. “I didn’t have my phone, but I had this, and he and I both have locator apps.” I shook my head, and my eyes burned with unshed tears. “Poor Ev. I hurt him so much. He thought I was dead when he found me. He did CPR while Raphael called 911. The paramedics shot me up with Narcan, and I was brought back to the hospital. I was in the inpatient psychiatric unit for ten days and then inpatient rehab for two months.”
I leaned back so I could look him in the eye. I thought I would see disdain or pity in those pretty green eyes. His gaze just softened, and he kissed me tenderly. “I’m so glad Evan found you in time.”
I closed my eyes and felt twin tears track down my cheeks. I rested my forehead against his. “I really like you, Sean O’Neil.”
He gently wiped my tears away with his thumbs. “I really like you too, Jeremy Fitzgerald.”
I nuzzled into his neck just so I could breathe in his scent. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. We sat like that for a long time. In my whole life, I had never felt so content, so much at peace. “I want to go,” I murmured into his neck after a while.
Sean lifted his head and peered at me through half-lidded eyes. “Hmm?” He gave me a lazy smile. “I was half-asleep there. You’re really comfortable.”
I kissed his nose. I couldn’t help it. He looked so cute and sleepy. “I want to go out with you and your friends tonight. I don’t have trouble going to bars as long as no one gives me a hard time about not drinking.”
“Not while I’m around, they won’t,” Sean said gruffly. “They know better.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He adjusted so he could see my face better. “I don’t drink much because of my dad. People used to give me shit for it until I reamed a bunch of them out in the middle of a party. That got everyone’s attention. They never bothered me again.”
“Okay then,” I said with a smile. “I guess we’re going to a piano bar tonight.”
* * *
Sean
Jeremy wentoff to call his event coordinator and give Maya her first official piano lesson. I went back to worrying about my hotel, although, admittedly, the worry was less when I thought about Jeremy’s plan. A knock sounded on my office door and Caitlin poked her head in before I answered. There was a deep furrow between her brows, and she didn’t smile when she came in. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
She closed the door behind her and sat in the chair across from my desk. “I fielded a call from a man who claimed to be Jeremy’s boyfriend. Someone named Pierce Ingram.”
I felt my gut twist. Jeremy had been pretty upset after Pierce called the other morning. “What did he want?”
“He wanted Jeremy’s room number. I wouldn’t give it to him, and he got really mad. He even pulled the ‘do you know who I am?’ crap.”
I let out a low growl. I knew Jeremy had blocked his number. Now the asshole was trying to go through my staff to get to him. “He used to be Jeremy’s boyfriend. He’s the one who caused the car accident. I can guarantee Jeremy doesn’t want to talk to him.”
Caitlin slumped in relief. “Good. I was upset for you, thinking Jeremy had a boyfriend and was messing with you on the side.”
I shook my head. “No. He called Jeremy Saturday morning, and Jeremy told him to fuck off and then blocked his number.”
“How did he know Jeremy was here?”
“A friend of Pierce’s happened to be here last Friday and saw Jeremy playing in the dining room.”
“Ugh. Okay.” She got up from her seat. “I’ll make sure the rest of the staff knows not to give out any guest information to anyone.”
“Thanks,” I replied. “Oh, I’m assuming you know about Jeremy’s fundraiser idea.”
She nodded. “Talk to Joanna and get her onboard with a menu.”
Caitlin smiled, visibly relieved. “You got it, boss.”
I stared out the window for a while after she left. I felt myself getting twitchy. I didn’t like this. Maybe Pierce would give up, but he was rich. Rich people had a nasty habit of playing dirty to get what they wanted, and for some reason, Pierce had decided he wanted Jeremy back. I picked up my phone and scrolled until I got the number I was looking for. He picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, Tony, it’s Sean O’Neil. I think we might have a problem.”
