Twenty-Four
Lady Gaga?Really? Henri followed the strains of “Bad Romance” straight to his kitchen. Sebastian danced across the floor, bumping the refrigerator door closed with his hip and belting out the song.
Henri leaned quietly in the doorway, admiring a relaxed Seb. Finally he asked, “How’d it go with Dr. Worthington?”
Sebastian came to a full stop, regarding Henri with wide eyes. His momentary fright disappeared. “Fine. She helped me see my relationship with Charles in a different light. I know it up here….” He tapped fingertips against his temple. “Now to learn it here.” He tapped the area over his heart.
“That’s good. You also were doing one hell of a job with a rock song.”
A lovely flush crept up Sebastian’s cheeks. “Char… my patron scoffed at me listening to anything but classical or opera, calling popular music a waste of my time.” He studied the sandwich in his hands. “I hid your CDs when he visited.”
“You listened to my music?” Sure, Henri’d found the evidence, but they’d yet to discuss the matter.
“Yes. And I used to envy you. Instead of singing someone else’s songs, you created your own. I imagined how you’d be… someone so unlike me, never letting anyone push you around.”
“But I’m not like that. My mother controlled my life, like Charles controlled yours.”
Sebastian raised his gaze to meet Henri’s. “Yes, and now we’re both free. Would you like a sandwich? And I could really use some help backing up Ms. Gaga.” He smiled.
* * *
“How’s hedoing?” Lucas sat at the dining room table, in the same spot his son had occupied during breakfast.
“Pretty good, considering. Look, he has a lot on him, but he’s seeing Dr. Worthington. He’ll be okay.”
“Sharon’s New York friends are working on a way to expose Charles for the asshole he is, while keeping Sebastian out of the line of fire. Has the bastard contacted him?”
“No.” Henri would kill him if he did.
Lucas nodded, running his finger down his coffee cup handle. “I have a lot of making up to do.”
“Why not forget what can’t be changed and work on the future?”
“I want to be a father to my son.” A world of pain dwelled in Lucas’s eyes.
“He knows. Give him time.”
“Has he had any luck finding a new company?”
“Not yet. He’s auditioning now with a group out of LA.”
“Sharon’s friends….”
“Sebastian wants to succeed on his own.” Damned the luck.
“Stubborn, like his mother.”
Did Henri detect pride in Lucas’s tone?
After a sip of coffee, Lucas changed the subject. “Any word on your stalker?”
“No. Maybe he’s given up and gone away.” Henri could only hope.
“Maybe. Even so, I think we should consider beefing up security for your tour.”
More security, following him around. Or rather, following Sebastian, though the man might be upset to discover Arnulfo keeping a discreet but watchful eye on him. Charles could be anywhere.
Lucas opened his computer bag and pulled out his laptop. “While it’s booting up, take a look at this.” He slid a magazine across the table. “Enough bad news. Here’s something you might like.”
