Page 22 of BounBound By Scars

Seb groaned and dragged a hand down his face. “How the hell did I let it get this far? Fuck! I wanted to take you out, remember? I keep planning it in my head but forget I have to actuallyaskyou.”

He wasn’t wrong. A few mornings ago, he’d whispered something about dinner plans that evening while buttering his toast. Right in front of Kabir.

Then… silence. He never showed up. I’d found out later he was holed up in his apartment.

“You need to talk to Dr. Mendoza, Seb,” I said gently. “I’ll be here, I’m not going anywhere. But you need real help. Professional help.”

He frowned, but it didn’t look defensive. Just… worn. “It’s not as bad as it looks,” he muttered. “But I know I’m close to a full-on crash. At least I can see it coming now.”

“Awareness is step one. But there’s a big difference between knowing and acting.” I softened my voice. “Still… I’m proud of you.”

He didn’t respond. Just let the silence sit. I didn’t press. I knew he wasn’t letting himself feel proud.

Since he’d told me about his addiction, he’d been showing more of his vulnerability—delegating more, trusting Zarek to take over briefings, leaning on me without realizing it. But he never mentioned hangovers. He was simply tired. Drunk. Never hit the gym anymore either, no matter how many times I nudged him.

Maybe Logan could take over gym duty. He was the only other one who knew.

“I’ll take you out tonight.”

I blinked. “Seb—”

“No,let me.” He sat up straighter, like he’d made up his mind. “I’ll nap. I’ll flush out the alcohol. Just one evening.”

I smirked. “Seb, it’ll take more than one nap to detox your system.”

He chuckled, a little hollow but honest. “I know. But maybe a reason to show up clean is exactly what I need.”

I sighed, relenting despite myself. “Out where? I’m on lockdown, remember?”

“Shit. I forgot.” His face fell, and I leaned back, equally defeated—until something clicked. He sat up straighter.

“No,” he said firmly, “you know what? I’ll figure it out. Just be ready by six.”

I blinked, surprised, and then nodded slowly. A boyish smile tugged at his lips, warm and a little crooked.

It pulled mine out, too.

???

Shit. I was late.

It was already 5:56 PM and I still hadn’t gotten fully ready. I’d called Seb earlier, telling him I’d meet him at the south end of the courtyard at six, instead of him swinging by my side of the building. Work had taken longer than expected—Chariot had been glitching again. Or maybe not glitching. Just… being too damn smart.

This new drone was a masterpiece, sure, but it lacked something crucial—obedience. Control. The little quirks that came from my own configurations. But I didn’t say anything to Zane or even Sebastian. They’d given me Chariot as a gift. I had to figure it out on my own.

I rushed through my final touch-ups—my gloss was on in a single swipe that probably missed half my lips—and sprinted out of my room, heart racing.

And then I stopped cold.

Kabir.

He was standing in the hallway, keycard in hand, eyes already locked on me.

His gaze dropped from my face—slow, deliberate—taking in the dark green dress I’d thrown on in a frenzy. His eyes swept over the neckline, the hem, the slit riding high up my thigh.

And lingered.

It wasn’t just a glance. It was cataloguing.