~The Next Day~

--Chloe's POV--

I wake up feeling extremely happy and get dressed with that same blissful feeling. After Seb left last night with promises of talking to Chris, I had went to sleep dreaming of his kiss. So, of course when I find both of my brothers in my kitchen I roll my eyes. They don't need to be here if they don't support me exploring things with Sebastian. "No, Chloe, do not loop me in with him, I'm okay with you and Sebastian. Chris is the one with a stick up his ass." Scott says, coming to hug me. I return the hug, then make myself a breakfast sandwich, and a small smoothie. "I would've been okay too if I didn't hear the damn song." Chris says, not that it's a defense. Even if it was one it wasn't very good. "The song?" I just grab Scott's hand and bring him into another room. "Sebastian sang on the song...I already promised to show you. Now, I still will but only if you want and it won't change your mind." "It won't change anything. You supported me when I came out, and I'm supporting you now."

Scott heads down towards the studio and I follow, hoping he means what he says. I go over to the computer at the sound deck and start the song. A few minutes later he looks at me and says "I can see why Chris is upset, but my opinion has not changed. I will not watch that music video though, it would be way too weird as your brother." "Fair enough." I say with a laugh. "Want me to try and talk to Chris?" "No, Seb said he would, and to be honestI don't want to talk to Chris anyway. Which is exactly what you would try and make me do if you talked to him." Scott just shakes his head at me before making his way upstairs. I send the song to the producers for my latest album and the record label, and start trying to stall for time because I don't want to see Chris. Before long, I hear shouting from upstairs, and I make a run for it. I do not need either of them breaking my shit. I get upstairs and see Chris shouting at Scott. I hide behind a wall to listen in since nothing is being broken. "-he isn't good for her, Scott! He isn't good enough for her either, but nobody is." "Chris, she's not the same baby that we took home after the adoption, she's almost 30. You need to accept the fact that she has grown up. Let her make her own decisions, and learn from the experiences they bring her." "It's not that easy, I've always been her protector. I can't just leave that to anyone. Especially not Sebastian. On some level it isn't even that either, and more that this song has so much raw sexual energy and desire. Something she shouldn't be feeling for someone like him. Because while he may be one of my best friends, I want to wring his neck out. I've known him a long time, he's a player, and he'll break her heart." "You-" Scott starts but Chris interrupts him. "She's had a crush on him for over a decade, and he has been checking her out just as long. She will be crushed if he breaks her heart, and I can't allow that." 

They haven't seen me yet, but definitely do as I storm past them to get my keys. "Where are you going?" "Out. I need some air, I need to think, and I need to eat without an asshole in my direct eyesight. None of which I can get here right now." I leave the boys in the kitchen, put on my shoes, and slam the door on my way out of the house. I walk over to my car, texting Scott that he can eat my food, so it doesn't go to waste. Then, hop into the car, start it up, and drive off. I use my CarPlay to call Sebastian. "Hi. Meet me at the diner we used to go to with Chris." I say as soon as he answers. "Chloe, I'll get there as soon as I can, you know I will. But first I need to know if you're okay. You sound really upset, what's going on?" "I'll explain later. Just...just meet me there please, and don't tell anyone. I'm turning my phone off, I'm in no mood for anyone except you right now. I'll see you there." I hang up and turn off my phone. I can't think if it's on, and it makes my anxiety worse in moments like these. I turn on the car radio, turn the music down so that I can hear my thoughts, but also not be completely submerged in silence to the point of overthinking and distracted driving. Driving away to the only happy place nobody would dare to touch right now.

Once I  get to the diner. Walk in, and go straight to my usual booth. It's a seat yourself kind of place, so if I can get it, I love sitting at this back corner table. It's right next to a window that has a beautiful view of the mountains. A mug of coffee is placed in front of me, I look over and see my favorite waitress, Mary. When we're here she treats us like she's our grandmother, she even said we could call her Mimi. "By yourself today, Sweetpea?" "No, Mimi, Seb should be here any minute." "Are you two dating yet? I'm getting old and I'd like to see if happen before I die." I give her a sad smile and a sigh. "Not yet, Mimi. But we did admit to having feelings for each other. Chris is just getting in the way." "Again? That boy has got to stop meddling in that life of yours." "Again? You'll have to elaborate on that later. But to make a very long story short, he made me pick between him, my music, and Sebastian. I could release this really good song that is pretty different from the stuff I usually make AND be with Sebastian, but then I'd 'lose' him as a brother. I could be with Seb and still have a relationship with him as my brother, but then I wouldn't be able to release the song. I could release the song and still have a sibling relationship with Chris, but then I can't be with Sebastian. I-" "I told her not to choose me." Sebastian says walking up and giving Mimi a hug before sitting right across from me. "I was and still am willing to wait." He reaches for my hand that's on the table, putting his on top, and gives it a quick squeeze. "Let me get your regular order in, and give you some space." Mimi says. She comes back with a coffee for Seb, winks discreetly at me, and then walks to another one of her tables.

"Chris says you aren't good for me. He says you don't deserve me, and will hurt me. That you're a player, checking me out while in relationships. He's wrong!" "He isn't totally wrong, Chloe." "What do you mean? He is absolutely wrong!" "I need you to stop and really listen to what I'm about to say. I was checking you out while in exclusive, committed relationships, and I don't think that I am good enough for you. I'm lucky that you're choosing to risk things and take a chance on us. All of that said, I do not believe that I am not bad for you and, I know that I am not a player. I could never give 100% to those other relationships when I had and still have feeling for you. It wasn't fair to them, it wasn't fair to me, and even though you didn't know how I felt, it wasn't fair to you either." "If all of that is true, then why have me choose Chris over you?" I tear up a little as I ask this question. Slightly afraid of his reasons changing between what he told Chris and I last night, and what he's saying to me in private right now. He squeezes my hand tighter, and I just realize he hasn't let go since he grabbed it. "If you chose me while releasing the song that bridge with him would be burned, you know that. At least this way you have a shot at getting to have everything." "I have no interest in keeping a relationship with Chris right now. That being said, I know that I'd have to have some sort of interactions with him. Not only is he my brother but he's dating my best friend for crying out loud, and knowing that you're right helps soothe the head and heart aches he has caused me by making me choose."

We sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, with Sebastian just running his thumb across my knuckles. The action itself is helping more than any of the words spoken between us, and is really helping me calm down. The tears slowly start to go away, and I can feel my anxiety slipping back slightly. We sit like this until Mimi brings over our food. While we're eating, I look up at Sebastian and see him looking at me. "What?" "You're just so beautiful." I blush slightly, and it's slightly embarrassing at almost 30 but the thought does give me joy. 

After we eat and the bill is paid, I turn on my phone. I am blown up with calls and texts from Maya and Grace, Scott texted a couple times, and I got an email from the record label. I send a mass text to Maya, Grace, and Scott explaining that I'm at the diner with Sebastian and that I'm okay. Then, I open the email from the record label and it's more specifically the album's producers. They love the song, especially the male part, and want to meet with the both of us to plan the music video. I smile, and as we're getting up to say goodbye to Mimi before leaving, I show Seb the email. He takes my phone to read it, and I hug Mimi goodbye. "Now, Sweetpea, that thick headed brother of yours just needs to actually use his brain, but I can see now that everything will be okay." She gives me what looks like a letter, and I think it might be all about the meddling she was talking about. I take my phone back from Seb, who then hugs Mimi, and walk out. 

"I'll call the label on my way home and set up that initial meeting for us." "Sounds good." Sebastian leads us around the corner to where we park, it's a hidden spot that just offers a great picnic spot in the summers if the diner is packed. Then, he kisses me, slowly and gently. I feel support and even a small fraction of love, and I kiss back trying to return his energy. It isn't a long kiss, but it's enough to go home and potentially face Chris. "You coming over?" "Yeah, but I've got to make a stop on the way there." "Okay." We get into our cars, and before I start driving I call Cassandra, the producer who emailed me about the song. "Chloe, this song is brilliant! Who's on it with you?" "Sebastian Stan. Isn't he talented?" "He's perfect on this song! When can we get you both in here to start the music video planning process?" "We both have a break in busy schedules right now, so you tell me when you're free." "You two can come in next Tuesday at 12:30. Marty and I will order some sandwiches for lunch and we'll start." "Sounds good, Cass. I'll let him know." The call ends and I smile, knowing that I'm one step closer to at least one of the things I want.

When I'm about 20 minutes from the house I get a call from Grace. I answer saying "Hey, Gracie." "Where the FUCK have you been Chloe Evans!" "I needed to get out and away from your boyfriend. I met up with Seb at the diner, I had submitted the song, and Chris was fighting with Scott so he was the person I needed in that moment." "I don't give a shit about anything other than the fact that you're okay." "I'm fine now." "Okay, I'll see you at the house." "I love ya, Gracie." "Love ya, Chlo." We end the call and I drive the rest of the way to the house. Knowing that while I might not be ready to face the chaos, I have the support of a majority of the people in that house and Sebastian will be there soon to have my back too. I get out of my car, and slowly stalk inside. "It's showtime." I murmur to myself before walking in.