part 11
It was a bit of a shock hearing that Sam had actually called Sebastian of all people, but it actually made Blaine happy. Regardless of how Kurt felt about Sebastian his other friends were actually willing to give him another chance since Blaine had. In regards to Sam's warning to Sebastian, both of them knew Kurt could be quite the drama queen so they figured it would probably blow over by the time they returned home. But still, not knowing his mental state they both knew they needed to be prepared for anything as well.
As their rehearsal went on, all of the guys were surprised by how quickly everything was coming together. The biggest thing they had to work on were their dances moves as the harmonies were coming very naturally. They had been at it so long that none of them noticed they had a visitor till Jeff stopped midway through his verse and move. "Ummm, Blaine. Seb. We've got company." Everyone's eyes followed Jeff's gaze to the doorway in which Cooper was leaning against.
"Wes." Blaine didn't have to say anything else as Wes stepped out front to keep things going with the guys while Blaine and Sebastian walked over to Cooper. The closer the two of them got the bigger Cooper's smirk got.
"We can explain." Sebastian said a bit nervously.
"I'm waiting."
"I bet you're wondering why all of the guys are here." Blaine said to his brother.
"You could say that."
"We were working on a surprise for you and Lexi." Sebastian added. "So please don't say anything to her."
"What could I possibly say that she'd believe? I couldn't believe my eyes at first. But don't worry; I won't ruin the surprise any more than I already have."
"You didn't ruin it. You getting home early did." Blaine replied with a smile. "But since you've seen part of it, what do I think?"
"From what I heard, it's great. Now, I'm going to leave so you guys can get back to work." Cooper then gave each of them a hug before leaving the room.
"Is everything okay?" Jeff asked.
"Everything's going to be fine." Sebastian said with a smile. "Cooper isn't going to tell Lexi."
"Plus, he didn't see our primary number. For all he knows this is it, so there is still that bit of surprise for him."
They went straight back to work. It was crazy how into rehearsing they could get as another couple of hours had passed and soon they all heard Cooper's voice over the intercom, warning them that he was coming up. It was a much needed break as the guys all plopped themselves onto the ground.
"What can we do for you Coop?" Blaine asked as his brother sat down next to him.
"It's more, what I'm going to do for all of you. Now, since you're all going to be here for the week I'm inviting you all out on Wednesday night."
"Where?" Sebastian asked.
"Well. My friends have decided to give me a "second" bachelor party now that Blaine is in town. Now don't worry, this isn't something crazy or anything."
"That must've been the first one." Wes chimed in.
"You are correct." Cooper said with a smile. "The plan for Wednesday is karaoke. Something rather innocent, but still allows those of us that can to drink. So, I'd like you all to come. It's my way of saying thank you."
"For?" Nick asked.
"Coming and helping Blaine and Seb with whatever they have planned. So, are you guys' game?" Cooper looked around the room at the positive nods from them. "Great. Now I'm assuming you guys will be practicing then as well so just bring a change of clothes with you." Cooper then patted Blaine on the back before getting up. "And just so you know, I just talked to Lexi. You have three more hours till she'll be home."
As Cooper walked out of the room all the guys looked at Blaine and Sebastian who both had very pleased smiles on their faces. "What are the two of you thinking?" Thad asked.
"Just how right this day has become." Blaine replied. "With as chaotic as the beginning had been, things are finally starting to feel normal." As strange as those words might be to some, all of the guys knew just what Blaine meant.
"Were you able to get ahold of him?" Artie asked as Sam sat down at the corner table at the Lima Bean.
"A few hours ago. It's exactly what I was told. All of the Warblers are in New York with Blaine, even Sebastian."
"I can only imagine his surprise hearing from you."
"He was a bit, but mostly just curious. I told him I was concerned about Blaine considering everything that's happened."
"How is he?"
"Sebastian says he's good, keeping busy. From what I could hear in the back ground they were working on something."
"What?"
"Some song. I could hear Blaine's voice. I think it's for Cooper's wedding."
"That's right; Kurt did say something during all his bitching about Cooper getting married. But why are all the Warblers there?"
"If I was to venture a guess, Blaine's singing at the wedding and called in back-up. And with everything that went down here, I can see why he didn't get in touch with all of us."
"True. I just hope he knows we're all here for him because what Kurt said was going on doesn't sound like the Blaine I know."
"I told Sebastian to tell him we were all here for him."
"Do you think he told him?"
"Actually, yes. There was something about the sound of his voice that I don't doubt it at all. As much as Kurt hates Sebastian, there is definitely a nice side to him. It's…"
"Like he's a whole different person around Blaine."
"Exactly. It's like Blaine said all along. There is more to Sebastian than we all see and that if we just got to know him we'd see it too." Artie was just about to speak when he noticed Kurt walking into the Lima Bean.
"We really need to find another place to meet. I swear he lives here." They tried to keep their heads down, but before they knew it Kurt was standing next to their table.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Actually we were just about to leave. But you're more than welcome to take the table." Artie said as he started to push away from the table.
"Can't you guys stay? It would be nice to talk to someone." Sam looked at Artie whose eyes said he wanted to get the hell out of there.
"We would Kurt, but we really don't want to listen to you bash Blaine anymore. He's still our friend regardless of what happened between you two."
"So you're taking his side? Fine, I see whose friends you really are."
"We're not taking sides." Artie blurted out. "We just don't believe that Blaine is cheated on you. If anything, I think he broke things off with you because he wasn't happy anymore. He wasn't the same guy anymore. He wasn't the guy I first met in the Dalton blazer."
"He said the same thing. But I think that's to cover the guilt he's feeling."
"Let's get out of here Sam." Sam nodded and followed Artie out. Both of them couldn't wait till Monday when they could talk to Blaine themselves, in person.
"Mind if I come in B?" Sebastian asked while standing in the doorway to Blaine's room. He looked up from his computer just enough to nod to Sebastian. He didn't look up again till he felt Sebastian sit down on the bottom of the bed.
"You don't have to sit so far away, I don't bite." There was playfulness to his voice, but just slightly. Sebastian walked around to the other side of the bed and sat down next to Blaine.
"Catching up on everything?"
"Yea. It's easier to read here than on my phone." As Blaine let out another sigh, Sebastian placed a hand on his thigh.
"You're not the person he's describing."
"I know, it's just…"
"How can someone who said they love you say those things?"
"Exactly. I know he's upset and angry, but to accuse me of all those things."
"Ignore him B. Your friends know it's not true. Remember what I told you, Sam said they're there for you too."
"I know. It's just hard accepting that."
"Why, you're a great guy."
"Thanks. It's just; they were Kurt's friends first."
"Yet they became your friends by choice. Maybe at first they got to know you because of him but if I remember correctly you spent more time with at least the guys than Kurt ever did. Did he not understand why you'd spend time with them as they were…crude?"
"Very true. Guess I really was one of the guys."
"Are one of them. There are lots of people that care about and love you Blaine. It would take a lot more than the words of an angry ex to change their feelings about you." The next thing Sebastian felt was a soft kiss on his cheek. "What was that for?"
"For being the reasonable one and helping me see what I have."
"You'd see it too if you weren't feeling so betrayed by his words." Sebastian then wrapped an arm around Blaine and pulled him against him.
"Can I ask you something Bas?"
"Sure."
"When I first got here you laughed when I said we all thought you were with your parents and you told me you'd explain but you never did. I got part of it from what Lexi said, but I'd like to hear the rest of it from you."
Sebastian let out a deep sigh. "Okay. You get that our family isn't exactly normal, right?" Blaine nodded. "Well, Lexi isn't the only one with a strained relationship with our Mom. The older I got and started to understand what was going on I stopped letting her snide comments about Lexi slide. It soon got to the point where our relationship changed. She no longer saw me as her baby, but instead as my sister's brother."
"What about your Dad?"
"He tried not to get involved as it just made matters worse. As my Mom always saw what he did as taking Lexi's side. He was in a no-win situation. He told me not to argue with her about Lexi but I couldn't help it. It reached its breaking point when we were living in Paris after I came back from a long weekend visiting Lexi. My Dad had gone out of town and somehow she found out that I wasn't with friends for the weekend but with my sister. Needless to say, shortly after I came home I was shipped off."
"I'm really sorry man. No one deserves that."
It was late by the time Cooper called it a night as he had a few calls to make to take care of some things for Blaine and Sebastian. As he headed up to bed he couldn't help notice that the light was still on in Blaine's room. Knowing just how late it was he decided to go and check on his brother. Instead of what he expected, he found Blaine and Sebastian asleep on the bed. Seeing a laptop on the bed he carefully walked in and took it off Blaine's lap so that nothing happened to it if he moved during the night.
"Coop." Blaine said softly as he felt the laptop being moved.
"Go back to sleep." He didn't say anything else and just watched as Blaine closed his eyes again. Feeling a chill in the air Cooper went over to the chair in the room and carefully placed a blanket over the sleeping boys.
The morning came much quicker than Cooper would've liked as he barely slept. As he got up out of bed Lexi was already putting her shoes on. "Morning, hope I didn't wake you."
"You didn't. You're up early."
"I've got a busy day ahead of me. So, I'm going to be leaving as soon as I talk to my brother."
"He's in Blaine's room."
"Blaine's room?"
"Yea, they fell asleep watching a movie or something so I just left them. After the day Blaine had I really didn't want to bother him and risk him not being able to go back to sleep."
Makes sense. I'll just leave Bas a note."
"If you want I can pass on the message as I don't have to be on set till later."
"Okay. Tell him Dad called and he wants him to call him back asap."
"Got it." Lexi then walked over to the side of the bed where Cooper was sitting and gave him kiss before leaving.
It was almost nine o'clock and Cooper had yet to hear a peep out of either Blaine or Sebastian. Knowing the rest of the guys were going to be there just after nine he headed upstairs to see if they were awake. When he got upstairs he saw Blaine sitting on the edge of his bed his hair wet and a towel around his waist. "Morning kiddo."
"Morning."
"Where's Bas?"
"Shower."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Surprisingly, yes." When Cooper laughed a bit Blaine threw a pillow at him. "Smartass."
"What, you two looked cozy last night."
"Nothing happened Coop." The brothers were still throwing playfully jabs at each other when Sebastian appeared next to Cooper.
"Looks like I missed all the fun." The playfully smirk on his face brought an even bigger smile to Blaine's who couldn't seem to take his eyes off of him. As Sebastian was fresh from his shower looking much like Blaine was.
"You could say that." Cooper said with a laugh. "Before I forget Lexi told me to tell you your Dad called and he wants you to call him right away."
"Got it. Well, I better get dressed and make that call before the guys get here."
Same here. I'd like to try and get some breakfast beforehand too." Just then the doorbell rang.
"Must be the stuff you boys asked for." Cooper then headed down the stairs to get the door.
"You sleep okay B?"
"Yea. You?" Sebastian nodded. As he walked back into his room he couldn't help think about how he woke up that morning. Opening his eyes and seeing Blaine sound asleep on his chest. For a day that had been an emotional rollercoaster it definitely ended on a good note.
As they came out of their rooms both of the boys were a bit shocked seeing all the stuff that was being brought up to their rehearsal space. "Cooper really pulled out all the stops, didn't he?" Blaine said before they headed downstairs.
"You could say that again."
"Did you get ahold of your Dad?"
"Yep!" The big smile on Sebastian's face peaked Blaine's curiosity so he couldn't help ask what they talked about. Sebastian told Blaine the best he could without being specific as he didn't want to chance Cooper over hearing them. "So, will you cover for me on Friday?"
"Absolutely.
"Absolutely what?" Cooper asked as he poured each of them some coffee.
"Nothing." They said in unison causing Cooper to shake his head. "What's all this?" Sebastian asked as he looked at the bags in the kitchen.
"I had the guys stop and get some bagels and stuff on their way over. Wasn't sure what you guys had planned for breakfast or if your friends would have eaten."
"You didn't have to do this Coop, but thank you."
"You're welcome." As they continued to talk, Blaine and Sebastian looked at each other after hearing music coming from way upstairs. "Forgot to tell you. My friends didn't just bring you instruments; they're willing to record your backing track for you…that is if you want them too."
"Are you serious?" Blaine asked, shocked that Cooper had done all this for them.
"Yes. You guys have too much to get done over the next couple to days to worry about getting that done as well." The next thing Cooper felt was both of the boys hugging him.
"I don't know how to thank you." Sebastian said as he let go.
"What the two of you are doing is enough. It's the least I can do after I sort of ruined your surprise." The three of them laughed knowing just how awkward they all felt the previous day. Just then the doorbell rang so Cooper went to go get it while the boys ate. Soon the kitchen was filled with their friends.
"Cooper said to let you know he's going for a run and to just call if you need anything." Wes said as he plopped down on one of the stools."
"Where's the music coming from?" Thad asked.
"Cooper got a few of his friends to come over to do our backing track for us." Sebastian replied as Blaine told the guys to help themselves if they were hungry.
"Cool!" Just as they all started to laugh about the occurrences from the day before Blaine's phone rang. "Please tell me it's not Kurt." Jeff said as Blaine reached across the island for his phone. "Yesterday was ridiculous."
"Nope, Rachel." He then excused himself and walked outside. "Hi Rachel. Sorry I hadn't called you back yet."
"It's okay. You've had a lot to deal with. Are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm surprised you still want to talk to me actually after I broke up with Kurt. He is your BFF after all."
"True, but you are my friend too."
"I'm glad to hear that, I would've missed you."
"Can I ask you why you did it? Maybe if I knew I could help him deal better because right now he's driving us all crazy." Blaine couldn't help laugh at her comment.
"Sorry about that. I did it because I just wasn't happy anymore. We'd been fighting more and more lately. And it just exploded my first day here. After a few days here I felt alive again, like myself again."
"I hoped for as much. I really didn't want to believe that you were cheating on him. Kurt seems adamant about it."
"Well, I'm not."
"Good. I just want you to be happy."
"Thank you, that means a lot to me."
"You're still my friend Blaine Anderson. So are you getting excited?"
"For?"
"The wedding silly."
"Ah, Kurt told you."
"Yes. So, what's she like?"
"She's great. Lexi and Cooper really love each other. I don't think I've ever seen my brother this happy before."
"True love will do that for you." As Rachel spoke Blaine saw Sebastian approach out of the corner of his eye. "Please congratulate him for me."
"I will. I hate to cut this short Rach but I need to get going."
"No problem, I need to go to. I've got class soon. Take care Blaine. Talk to you soon."
"Will do. Bye Rachel." After Blaine hung up Sebastian walked closer.
"Due to the fact you're still calm, I'm guessing that went pretty well."
"Yea. She just wanted to know why I did it. And she was happy to hear it wasn't because I was cheating on Kurt. Oh, and she said he's driving everybody crazy."
"What's new?" When they walked back into the kitchen they were surprised to find the guys cleaning up. "You didn't need to do that."
"Yes we did." Trent said as he set a plate in the drying rack.
"So, is everyone ready to get to work?" Blaine asked as he looked as his friends. Looks were exchanged and they soon headed up the stairs for what they were sure was going to be another long day.
"So, did you talk to him?" Kurt asked as he stared at his ceiling.
"Yes and it's like we all told you. He's not cheating Kurt. He just wasn't happy anymore."
"Bull! Something happened once he got to New York and I'm determined to find out what!"
"Why can't you just accept that the two of you drifted apart? I know break-ups suck but you can't go around making up lies about why it happened just because you don't like the truth. Now I hate that I have to do this but I need to go, I have class. Bye Kurt. Love you."
"Bye Rachel.""
When they walked into the room, Sebastian had the previous month flash before him as one of Cooper's friends spoke. "Hey SEb, good to see you man. Which one is Coop's little brother?"
"Blaine's over by the piano. The one with the curly hair."
"Wait…Blaine. As in the same Blaine that…" Sebastian's face turned bright red, so much so that Cooper's friend stopped talking for a moment. "Don't worry man. We won't say anything."
"Right, you guys loved getting on me about it that night."
"We were drunk, what do you expect? Can't say I blame you though, he's cute."
"Thanks for stating the obvious Jay. Now, how do I know you guys really won't say anything?"
"Coop said he'd kick our asses if we did. Normally we'd laugh it off but from the sound of his voice we knew he was serious. Said neither you nor Blaine needed any more stress."
"Thanks. Hey Blaine, can you come over here. I'd like to introduce you to Cooper's friends."
The introductions went smoothly, much to Sebastian's delight.
"I want to thank you guys for offering to do this?" Blaine told them.
"Our pleasure. Now, how do you guys want to do this?" Jay asked. "We looked over the score on the piano while we were waiting. "Do you have individual copies?" Blaine nodded and asked Wes to get them.
"I figured we could show you what we do first so you have an idea." Sebastian told them. "As it's not quite what you guys are used too."
"Sounds good to us."
Happily both numbers turned out much better than either Blaine or Sebastian could've imagined. For the most part, vocally they sounded strong just needed a little work and to work on some of the dance moves which was something they were used too.
"Damn, you guys are good." One of Cooper's other friends said after they finished.
"Thank you." Blaine replied as he and Sebastian approached them. "Now, I know the arrangement needs some work as I figured I'd have time to work on it as we played."
"Why don't you work with them B and Jeff, Wes and I will work on cleaning things up."
"You sure?" Sebastian wasn't quite sure as he was afraid the guys would say something to Blaine, but he knew he couldn't stay by Blaine's side the whole day.
"Yea. We'll get more done that way." Blaine agreed and went to work as Sebastian went back over to the guys.
Things were working out way better than they could've imagined. Having Cooper's friends there meant they could get much more work accomplished as the guys weren't having to try and get the track recording done. A couple of times Blaine had to have them sing as something in the arrangement wasn't quite working. But by early afternoon, mission accomplished. Backing tracks were done and Jeff, Wes and Sebastian were able to clean up the problem areas. The only thing left for the guys was to practice, practice, practice.