Chapter 28
We get back to his hotel, the penthouse suite no less. He really is a big deal now. I’m not surprised. His talent was always there; he just needed to drop the talent show label and be himself. I meet his manager, Martin, this one’s a good one. Not the scheming shitbag Grant was.
“It’s good to meet you, Drake. Rafe speaks highly of you. I know you have a past together, but I believe Rafe when he says you’re the best. Maybe we should’ve asked you from the start,” Martin says as he shakes my hand.
“It’s good to meet you too. I hope I don’t succumb to jet lag before you’ve filled me in.
I left my very comfortable bed to be here, so what’s the deal?
” I don’t miss the glances between Rafe and Martin, but it’s something that can be discussed later.
I look at Rafe, who’s leaning against the floor to ceiling window, his arms crossed over his chest. “So, what is it you want from me, Rafe? Am I here as your bodyguard, or is there something you’re not telling me? ”
It’s Martin who answers. “Bodyguard. All we want is to have Rafe protected. There’s been some very enthusiastic fans. That’s the best way to describe them.”
“We found one girl in my bed,” Rafe says. He’s holding back a laugh, but I don’t find that in any way funny.
“Are any of them dangerous? Have you had any threats made? Where the hell was your bodyguard when this happened?” It sounds like he needs a surveillance team too.
One that can monitor his rooms when he’s not in them.
“Jesus, Rafe. You could’ve been killed. You need a team, not just me.
” I look up from my phone to look at Martin. “Where were you when all this went on?”
Rafe and Martin have a whispered argument, if the tension in Rafe’s jaw and his hands on his hips are anything to go by. “Are you two finished? There’s something else going on, so spill.”
Rafe turns to me, running his hands through his platinum blond hair, and sighs. “Can we do this later? I’ve got to get ready for my interview at a tv station, some evening chat show at midday. It’s not live, so it can often take a while to get it right.”
“Fine,” Martin snaps. “I’m going back to my room. Call me when you need me.”
I watch as he gives Rafe a final pointed look before leaving.
Not for the first time, I wonder what’s really going on.
Once we’re alone, he lets out another sigh.
He really is very worried. I walk over to him and take his hands in mine.
“Rafe, there’s something going on that you haven’t told me about.
I know we’re not in the same circumstances we were, but I still think that being honest is important. Tell me what’s going on.”
He looks away from me to the incredible view of Central Park, worrying the corner of his lip with his top teeth.
I pull his lip free, making him smile properly for the first time since he met me at the airport.
He shakes his head, his eyes brimming with tears, and pulls his hands free from mine.
“You’re going to be angry with me and probably book the next flight home. I won’t even hate you if you did.”
“I’m never going to hate you, Rafe. I’ll be pissed off if you’re keeping something important from me. Tell me.”
“I said no to a bodyguard when Martin suggested it. I never thought I’d need one, until the kid in my bed. I don’t trust anyone, not like I trust you. That’s why.”
“That’s why? What’s that even supposed to mean? I…I… Shit, Rafe. No bodyguard? You’re a bloody idiot. I would’ve come. I would’ve been your guard again.”
“You would hate being a part of this circus. It’s why we’re not together.
You couldn’t do what’s expected of me, always moving, planes, tour buses.
No privacy. People shoving cameras in your face.
Having to smile even when you feel like shit.
Are those enough reasons for you?” His voice is getting louder. “It’s not fun; it’s exhausting.”
“Then why are you doing it? You’ve made enough money,” I ask him softly, reaching out to touch him again. “Especially with this crap going on.”
“I don’t know anymore. Commitments, contracts probably.” He leans against me and lets out a long breath. “I don’t even Dom anymore.”
I think of Finn and all the ways I want him to play with my body, and guilt floods through me. I’ll ask Pops to tell him I had to go on a job. He’ll have to understand; if he doesn’t, then he’s not the man for me.
“Have you been back to the club since Rees?” He looks up at me, his cheek still on my chest.
“No,” I hesitate, but then decide Finn deserves to be mentioned. “I have met someone, a friend of one of my brothers. He’s a Dom, and I like him. I think we could be at the start of something.”
“And I’ve dragged you here. God, Drake, I’m so sorry. Look, I can get protection from any company.”
“We’re going to work it out. Not just this danger, but you too. I’m not leaving you behind, sweetheart. We can sort out all your contracts. There’s more to life than this.”
“You don’t like penthouse suites in the best hotel in New York? Boy, you’re hard to please.”
I chuckle, but I’m not happy with his cavalier attitude.
“I would’ve come if you’d asked. So, no more brushing off how serious it is.
That girl could’ve caused you so much trouble.
Shouts of sexual assaults and that brings arrests and police stations, kind of trouble.
We’re going to have that talk about why you’re doing this when you hate it, but not yet.
First, I need to get you to wherever your interview is.
Go get ready. I’ve got some calls to make. ”
Rafe nods, but his lip is being brutalised again. Once he’s wandered off to his room, I dial Pops. It’s just after six o’clock, but he’ll be up. He’s an early riser.
“Drake, are you okay? We didn’t get to finish our conversation yesterday.”
God, that was yesterday. It feels like a week ago at least. “Yeah, well, I got a call for a job this morning.” I don’t tell him what time this morning or how quickly I jumped on it. “I’ll be away for a while, a couple of months, maybe three.”
“What about Finn?” His voice is tense, his words clipped. “Have you told him? And who’s so important that you rush off at stupid o’clock? Please don’t tell me it’s Rafe.” Pops is one of the few that know about us; he knows how wrecked I was when I was forced away from him.
When I stay silent, he sighs. “Drake, my precious boy. It’s never going to have a happy ending with him; you know that, right?”
“It’s not like that, and I owe him. He dropped everything to help me after Warrior. I can’t turn away from him; he needs me here.”
“I wondered who it was, and it is great he helped. But have you considered that was his way of paying you back? That you were even.”
No, I’ve never thought that. Why does my Pops always get everything so right? My point of view was it was always Grant who did the worst thing. That we were both victims of his hatred for gays. He wanted to split us up and did it in such a hateful way, and we both suffered.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m done keeping score.
I’m in New York now and will be over here until his tour finishes.
” I feel guilty enough for deserting Finn without Pops adding to my guilt.
“Please don’t say anything about who I’m with.
But if you can get Finn’s phone number for me, without making too much of a fuss, I’d be grateful.
” Nothing’s set in stone with him and me; if he’s still interested when I get back, then we can see what happens.
I want things with him, and being here isn’t going to change that.
Both Rafe and I know that there’s nothing between us anymore.
Our friendship has evolved over the years since we were together; we know there’s nothing but love and respect for each other.
I can easily call him my best friend; I’m not sure other people around me can believe or understand this.
Rafe’s bedroom door opens. He’s in his one-hundred-percent superstar mode, and he looks stunning. I get back to my call. “I’ve got to go. Can you get Finn’s number; I’ll call him to explain. I’ll call again when I can. Love you.”
Rafe wraps a studded leather cuff around his wrist, fastening it quickly, then looks at me. “I’m ready.” Rafe calls Martin, who agrees to meet us at the lift. “The car will be waiting for us.”
Martin and I stand in the dark behind all the cameras and crew filming the evening chat show. The audience laugh and clap at the right time, and Rafe glows in the lights. It’s going well. He’s a true star; everyone loves him.
I watch as Rafe looks through the crowd of crew members, searching for something or someone, because when his eyes fall on me, he smiles. Of course, that’s noticed, and the host swivels her head to look. Her eyes widen when she sees me, then, turning back to Rafe, her next question is obvious.
“So, tell me Rafe, who’s the cutie that’s worth that million-dollar smile?”
A pale pink blush creeps over his cheeks. I’m eager to hear what says. “That’s my best friend, and he’s here to hang out for a while.”
I smile at him, glad he hasn’t put a job title on me.