Chapter 21: Beginning to Spiral

One Month Later

Jeff watched as Rachel and Blaine danced to Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are." David was close to them with Clarissa, a girl who he had just met but the prince and his girlfriend stole the show at Mahiki that night. They came nearly every Saturday and Friday nights as a group, and occasionally Rachel's brother would join. Like tonight, though he and the other prince were off somewhere. He was curious about that, and briefly wondered if he was chasing the wrong prince. But, it was too late for second thoughts.

"You look… lonely," A smooth French accent said behind him. Jeff just shrugged. He wasn't looking at the guy behind him, but he could tell that his eyes were fixed on the prince and his girlfriend, dancing as if no one else mattered.

"Not at all," Jeff replied. He finally took a moment to look at his new friend. He was nice to look at. And if he was at Mahiki, he was loaded too. Or he was a freeloader, just like Jeff was at the moment. Because he knew he wouldn't be here without monetary donations from his friends. He'd pay them back soon.

"I'm Sebastian," the French said, "But you, my friend, can call me Seb."

"Jeff Sterling," Jeff replied, shaking Sebastian's hand.

"Do you like the prince?"

"We go back." Sebastian considered this, and smiled.

"Not a fan of the Berry girl, are you?"

"No, not really."

"And you want the prince for yourself?"

"Maybe."

"Is he like that? Does he like boys?" Sebastian was cautious, but he asked. Jeff shrugged and considered his answer. He couldn't out Blaine, and he wasn't sure if he could trust Sebastian. He could just be a reporter in disguise. It wouldn't be the first time that Jeff had run into an undercover reporter while out with his friends, and he would never do it again. He knew to watch what he said, lest it be taken and spun around to sell newspaper.

"I don't think so," the blonde whispered, defeated. He was beginning to wonder if this was hopeless. They'd been doing this for a month, and Jeff never got in more than a few words with Blaine before Rachel intervened. Jeff was sure that she knew. They'd been cordial the few times that they actually interacted, but it was obvious that there was friction between them. Everyone just assumed it was because of Jeff's past relations with Rachel's boyfriend and that it would go away at some point, but he knew otherwise.

If only he could get Blaine away- a night without Rachel. They usually came after her shows, everyone meeting up around 11. It worked. Rachel was always energized and ready to party. But Jeff knew that eventually, she'd be so tired that she'd have to take a night off. And maybe Blaine would come anyways. He hoped so.

A week later, Blaine brought his girlfriend a cup of hot tea while she sat on the couch with her brother. Her show had gone well, but when Blaine had met her backstage she had been complaining to Scarlett that her throat was hurting. Immediately Blaine suggested having her understudy go on for her tomorrow, and Rachel was considering it. But she had no intention on having an understudy go on if she spent the night partying, and not trying to get well. So she insisted that he take her home, and then he could go out if he wanted. Rachel wasn't sure if she was okay with Blaine being around Jeff without her, but she trusted her boyfriend. She had enough faith in him not to stray. They had started dated four years ago and not four weeks ago. She knew him well enough to think that he wouldn't cheat.

Anyways, Blaine had refused. He came every weekend to see her, not his friends from Dalton Academy. He figured a nice night with Rachel and Kurt would be enjoyable, especially if they watched a movie. He was honestly a little tired of all the partying. He could tell that Rachel felt guilty, though.

"Thank you," She said, taking the tea. Her voice sounded a little off. He pressed his lips to her forehead. She felt like might have had a slight fever, but it didn't seem like he should be worried about it unless it got any worse.

"It's no problem, Rach," He replied, smiling. "I like taking care of you. I think this is only the second time I've ever seen you sick." Rachel smiled and he kissed her forehead lightly again. She didn't object.

"Are you sure you don't want to go out, Blaine?" She asked, "Kurt's here. And didn't you say that you and David had something to talk about?"

"I can meet up with David on my way out of town tomorrow. I'd rather be here with you, love."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Rachel grinned, and Blaine took her into his arms. This was the best she'd felt in a while. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy clubbing with Blaine's friends, but it was a bit exhausting to do so every week. And she knew she could simply opt out of going every once and a while, but if Blaine went on his own then she didn't trust Jeff not to do anything. Besides, she never really got to see Blaine any more. She'd take any time with him that she could get.

"I love you," She whispered to him, looking up.

"I love you, too," He said, leaning down to kiss her. They heard Kurt scoff in mock disgust.

"I'm going to bed if there's going to be a bunch of PDA out here."

"Call Jacob," Blaine replied, grinning. Kurt tried to hide the blush on his cheeks, "I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."

"Be nice," Rachel scolded, laughing.

"I just know that my brother talks about your brother all of the time… and your brother talks about my brother all the time… so…"

"Rachel, would you be angry if I hurt your boyfriend?" Kurt asked, smiling. Rachel rolled her eyes.

"Yes." Blaine stuck his tongue out at Kurt, but Rachel give him a bitch-glare, "But I'll hurt him if he's not nice to my brother."

"I suddenly don't feel safe anymore…" Blaine said, shrugging.

"You deserved it," Kurt replied, grinning, "But it's okay. Rachel doesn't have it in her to hurt you. She loves you too much."

"And I love her with all of my heart," the prince whispered, leaning forward and crushing his lips with Rachel.

"Where's Blaine?" Trent asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Rachel's sick," David replied. Jeff, who had been with Sebastian and was hardly listening, quickly shooed his new friend away to listen. The gesture did not go unnoticed by Trent, who said nothing, even if he was now a bit suspicious.

"Is she alright?" Jeff asked, ignoring the looks he was now receiving from across the table. He couldn't let off that anything was wrong or different, because he didn't plan on being caught and cut from the group. Then he'd have no chance.

"Yeah. But Blaine is staying with her and Kurt to watch a movie or something. I'm meeting him for coffee in the morning, after he takes Rachel to the theatre."

"Do you mind if I come? " Jeff asked, quickly. "I've hardly seen Blaine at all. I just wanted to spend some time with my best friend…" Both David and Trent gave him looks, but David nodded.

"Fine. You'd better behave."

"I promise I will."

Inside, Jeff was cheering. Blaine. Without Rachel. This could be perfect. If he worked things right. And well, he'd better start planning.