“But you’re going to get out?”
“Yes.”
Henri gently tugged Sebastian’s finger and pulled his hand away from his face, revealing the evidence of Charles’s mistreatment. He lightly caressed an angry purple welt on Seb’s cheek. “No offense, but you’re not the first person I’ve known who put up with shit ’cause they were afraid to walk away. I’m your friend. Friends get to help. “
“Noted.” Seb trained his vision on something beyond the window, a shimmer in his eyes. Stubborn oaf.
“Seb, I have to be back in LA tomorrow morning.”
Seb’s only acknowledgement was a sigh.
“I don’t want to leave without you.”
“You know I can’t go. I have my life, my career to think about.” His words came out flat, so unlike Sebastian’s normal melodic tones.
No. He wasn’t going to evade. Henri maneuvered his way into Seb’s line of sight. “Then leave him. Pack a bag and get the hell away from him.” He raised his hand, intending to indicate the man’s injuries. Sebastian flinched. If Charles were here right now, he’d rip the bastard’s fucking head off for daring to lay a hand on someone else… or daring to make another person a virtual slave.
“I’ve heard you sing,” Henri continued. “You don’t need him. You’re a star in your own right. And I’m not leaving Evergreen until I see you checked into a hotel. Someplace he can’t find you.”
Sebastian nodded. “But this house….”
“Is only a house. No matter how much it means to you, it’s not worth your soul.” Of all the places Henri had lived, Seb’s old cabin had come closest to being home. If he could, he’d give all he had to buy the place, give it to Sebastian outright. But Sebastian would never allow such a gift.
“I don’t even have a way to go. He owns my car.”
“I have a rental. All it takes is one call to the rental company to add you. C’mon.”
With wooden motions Sebastian packed two suitcases and rounded up his toiletries. The sun began to set as Henri loaded the luggage into the car.
“Wait!” Sebastian ran back to the house.
Oh no! What now? Henri found him in the room where Henri had slept. “Help me!” he cried, rattling the picture frame above the headboard.
His grandmother’s painting. Together they lifted the heavy framed canvas from the wall, carried the artwork outside, and tucked it precariously into the back seat. As they pulled away, tears streamed down Sebastian’s bruised face.
* * *
“Are yousure you’ll be all right? I’d rather you come back with me.”
If he had more time, Henri would have loved to stay a few days at the hotel they chose outside of Denver, but he’d already been gone longer than he should have.
Sebastian stared blankly at his grandmother’s painting. “Go. Do what you have to. I know people here at the Central City Opera, and though it’s too late for starring roles, Opera Colorado might need understudies. They may not have the kinds of crowds I’m used to, but they’ve been after me for years. I’ll be fine.” He gave Henri the world’s most insincere smile. But he followed the lie with a kiss. “Go on. Don’t forget—I want to be in the front row when you make your comeback.”
“And I want you there. Lucas knows to let you in no matter where we are.” Henri placed his rental’s keys in Seb’s hand. “Stay here as long as you need to. I’ll catch a cab to the airport.”
“I could drive you.”
Henri glanced out the window at darkness. In twelve hours he needed to be boarding a bus with his band. “No. Call room service. Have a nice meal and a hot bath. That always works for me.” Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. Why did Henri have to leave?
“It’s not just you, you know.”His mother’s voice echoed in his brain.“Think of the band, the vendors, everyone who depends on you.”
“I am thinking. Of Seb!”he snapped back in his head.
As if reading his mind, Sebastian said, “I’d really like to be alone for a while, if that’s okay with you.” Another kiss softened the blow.
“Call me if you need anything. And I’ll try to get away next week, come see you.”
“You do that.”
