Open Marriage (ON HOLD)

Chapter 28

A/N:  A short chapter, but a needed chapter.  Sets the tone for the next few chapters.  

(Friday, June 11, 2021)

"Fuck," Chris breathed out, gazing down at the tabloid in front of him.

"What?" Rachel asked, looking over her shoulder while preparing a pot of coffee.

"Paparazzi caught Zac and Y/N making out in the hospital parking lot last night," he informed, pushing the paper to his wife.

"So..."

"Look at all the pictures. They are pretty racy, and Seb isn't going to like seeing them," Chris pointed out.

Rachel walked to the island, skimming through the paper.

"Damn, girl," Rachel sighed. "She definitely didn't know anybody was there."

"Oh, no. Lynny and Zac were oblivious to the fact someone was watching," Chris chuckled. "Do you think they..." Chris raised his eyebrow at his wife.

"I don't know," the woman answered. "But you're right, Stanley isn't going to like this. He will have to get used to this. Zac is her husband," Rachel voiced, starting breakfast.

"This will just put in perspective what he has gotten himself into," Chris commented, patio door opening and Sebastian entering.

The couple watched a sleepy man enter their kitchen, heading straight for the coffee pot. Rachel gestured for her husband to hit the paper.

"Morning, Stanley," Rachel greeted, watching Chris quickly flip the paper over, sliding it out of sight.

"Morning, Lady Evans...Chris," he smiled, pouring a large cup of coffee.

Rachel and Chris exchanged looks, turning their attention to their friend.

"So good," he moaned out when the black liquid slid down his throat, leaning against the counter.

"How'd you sleep?" Chris asked, folding his hands in front of his body.

"Like a baby," he mumbled, taking another drink of the black gold.

Silence crept over the kitchen, only the sound was the sizzling of the eggs on the stove. Sebastian frowned, his eyes darting back and forth, not liking how quiet the duo became.

"Why are you both so quiet?" Sebastian asked, peering at his friends.

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked, platting food for the three of them.

"You are both too quiet this morning," he pointed out.

"No," Chris said, looking down at the plate in front of him.

"Yes," Sebastian countered, frowning. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing," Rachel assured him.

"Evans," the man called out, leaning towards his friend.

Chris chewed on his lower lip, looking at his friend than his wife. Rachel discreetly shook her head, knowing what her husband planned to do.

"Chris?!" Sebastian declared, watching the two exchange glances. "You two are horrible liars."

"He is going to find out eventually," Chris whispered to Rachel.

"Hello...he is right here," Sebastian stated, leaning further over the counter.

Rachel waved at her husband to do whatever he thought was right. Chris sighed, sliding the paper to Sebastian.

The man gazed down, confused. "What am I looking at?"

Chris grimaced, flipping it over, revealing Zac and Y/N on the front page. He watched Sebastian stare down at the pictures. Sebastian tried to remain calm, but Chris noticed his friend's jaw clench, his cheeks burn red with anger while swallowing hard.

"Seb," Chris declared, rising to his feet.

"No, I'm good," he insisted, flipping through the paper, finding the picture worsening.

"Stanley," Rachel expressed, taking the paper from his view.

Sebastian cleared his throat, looking down at the counter. "I'm fine. She's allowed to do whatever she wants. That's her husband."

"Sebastian," Chris spoke, reaching out to put his hand on his shoulder.

"No, I need to go. I have a callback that I need to prepare for," Sebastian proclaimed, moving away from Chris. "I'll talk to you both later."

Before either one could say another, Sebastian left the kitchen. He stormed out of the house, peeling as fast as he could out of the driveway. The man tried to let go of the anger and the hurt coursing through his body. He knew he shouldn't feel this way, knowing his position in all this. Witnessing it, seeing Zac and Y/N together made everything real for Sebastian.

His phone buzzed and buzzed while he drove home. He knew it was Chris, but he couldn't bring himself to talk. Truth, he didn't want to talk to anyone. If he could turn his phone off the rest of the day, he would, but that wasn't possible.

Sebastian left all messages unread all morning, answering a few that had to do with work. More arrived while he ran on the treadmill and even more during his long hot shower. He found his phone blowing up while working on his callback material.

Six missed calls; twenty-three text messages stared back at him when he picked up his phone to leave for work. He placed the device in his back pocket, grabbed his keys, leaving his house with no intention of answering one message or call. He knew he needed to reply to Chris, but it would lead to a conversation about Y/N. He couldn't be distracted at the moment. He needed to focus on killing the callback.