Chapter 14
fourteen
. . .
Lulu
“I know things are a little messier than you planned, but I think it’s actually okay,” Henley said, as she lay next to me in the oversized king bed.
The snow had continued to fall, and I was over it.
I was also over the mess that I made. The mess that I dragged Rafe and his family into.
My best friend’s boyfriend’s family.
So, this morning when I woke up to news that Beckett had decided to use his social media platform to speak to millions of his fans about how heartbroken he was to hear the news that I was in a serious relationship, I called my best friend immediately in a full-blown panic.
Things would be even bigger now.
My family was well-known. People were interested in the Sonnet family.
But Beckett Bane’s fame was next level.
The trolls would come out. The attention would be on a much larger scale now.
Henley had come right over and found me in a heap under all the covers, where I wished I could stay and hide for the next few weeks.
“How is any of this okay?” I croaked.
“Well, you’ve been telling Beckett that you’re in a relationship for months, and he never believed you. Now you have an actual person in photos. A man who told a reporter that he was crazy about you. That changes things. The good news is, I don’t see him coming and flipping any tables now that there is another man involved.”
“A man that’s been lying on my behalf,” I sighed.
“Yes. And you’re going to go put on a show on his behalf tomorrow.” She stroked my hair away from my face after she pulled the blanket back. “He’s a grown man, Lu. He seems completely okay with the arrangement.”
“And now his family thinks we’re together. And they’re all so nice and normal,” I said with a wobbly chuckle. “I’m an awful human being.”
She reached for my wrists and pulled me forward to sit up. “Lulubelle Sonnet, you are the best person I know. You are honest and kind and fierce and strong all at the same time. You have a famous ex-boyfriend who won’t leave you alone. Your father puts an abnormal amount of pressure on you, and your family is in the public eye. You’re doing the best you can, all while building an empire.”
“Wow. When you put it that way, I sound like a badass.” I swiped at my eyes and chuckled.
“Exactly. And as far as Rafe’s family goes, I’m fairly certain that his siblings and cousins know that there’s a story here. His parents are sweet, and if Rafe wants them to think you’re dating, let it be. He’s dated women before, and the relationship ends without any drama. You’re my best friend. They will love you while they think you are together, and they will love you after. I promise it’s all fine.”
I nodded. “Okay. I just fear that the attention will get to be too much. We planned a quiet breakup, but now with the whole world watching, I won’t be able to keep any of it quiet. We’re going to be under a microscope.”
“Stop overthinking. I don’t think Rafe is in any hurry to do anything. He seems much calmer than you are about it. Easton said he’s been in a great mood. I guess his boss reached out because he saw the news online, and he couldn’t believe that Rafe had kept it a secret that he’d been dating The Lulu Sonnet.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Really? Okay, that makes me feel slightly better. I just don’t know if Rafe realizes how big this could get. And this is Easton’s family, too, and I know how much they mean to you. And you mean the world to me.”
Her gaze searched mine. “What’s going on, Lu? This isn’t like you to be so stressed out. I’m fine. Easton is fine. Rafe is fine. Your parents are on cloud nine. Why are you so upset?”
She was right. This was out of character. I dealt with the madness of dating a rock star for years.
My family was used to this kind of attention.
But Rafe was not.
Rafe was different.
“Rafe’s a really good guy,” I said with a shrug.
Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “You hate most men. I’ve never heard you call anyone a good guy, outside of your grandfather. Even when you dated Beckett for years, you never said that.”
“That’s because Beckett is a complete douchebag. I was young and dumb and thought I could do a douchebag exorcism and fix him. And Gramps is a good guy. I’ve also said that Easton is a good guy—I mean, after I threatened to cut off his balls if he hurt you.”
“Right, but that’s because Easton is my boyfriend and I love him, so you love him. But I thought Rafe annoyed you?” She quirked a brow. “Did something happen?”
I’d never lied to Henley. I’ve withheld one little thing in all the years that I knew her, and that was mainly because I was afraid of what she’d do if I told her about the day I ended things with Beckett. But showering with Rafe was not something I could share. He and I had promised we’d keep it between us, and there’d been no touching, so it was innocent. It didn’t mean anything.
“What? No. Nothing has happened outside of pretending to be dating and putting on a show. And of course, he totally annoys the shit out of me. But he can still be a good guy and annoy me,” I smirked. “I don’t want to do anything that hurts the people that you love.”
“Hey. I love you. I’m not going anywhere. Obviously, I would prefer that you and Rafe don’t make things complicated because he is Easton’s brother. I mean, unless you actually like him?” She waggled her brows.
“Hen.”
“Lu,” she pressed.
“I’m moving to Paris. And he’s got all that big dick energy. He hasn’t been in a relationship in years. I’ve been down that road, and I’m not doing it again. Plus, I like being single.”
“I get that. And if you wanted to have a fling, it’s probably best not to do it with a guy who is going to be in your life for years to come, because he’s going to be in mine.”
Good point.
But an orgasm shower is not a fling.
Even if I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“I can’t even have a fling because now I’m in a relationship with a man I can’t sleep with.”
Her head fell back in laughter. “Come on. Let’s get you dressed and bundled up and go grab breakfast at the Honey Biscuit Café.”
I pushed to my feet, and she followed me into the bathroom as I pulled my hair into my favorite periwinkle velvet scrunchie and then pulled on a turtleneck and a pair of jeans and boots.
We loaded into her SUV and drove the short distance to the restaurant.
“You know you’re going to be the topic in the Taylor Tea tomorrow with all this media attention,” she said when she put the car in park.
“I’ll be at the wedding. We’re leaving first thing in the morning, so you’ll have to call me. That’s the only newspaper I’m excited about being a subject of. I feel like I’ve really made it now,” I laughed.
We jogged inside as the snow continued to fall. When we pulled the door open, Oscar was waiting for us with his arms folded. “You two are dating brothers? Was that planned before you moved here?”
I was about to answer him, but he continued.
“Of course, it was. You’ve been seeing that man behind our backs,” he grumped.
He barely knew me, and now he was offended?
“Welcome to small-town living,” Henley whispered in my ear.
“We didn’t want to add pressure to our relationship, Oscar.” I held my chin up defensively.
I was defending a relationship that wasn’t even real.
“Leave them alone, you big jackass.” Edith came out from the kitchen. “Those Chadwicks are easy on the eyes. I’m not surprised at all.”
“No. You’re just jealous because you make a fool of yourself falling all over them when they’re here,” he grumped.
“Hey, I have no shame when I see a beautiful man, yet I still picked you, you stubborn ass,” Edith said, as she walked us to the booth in the back.
We took our seats, and she handed us each a menu before walking away. Henley’s phone rang, and I knew she was working from home today, so she told me she needed to take the call as I scanned my phone.
There was a new text from Rafe.
Rafael
Hey. I know you’re freaking out about everything, and I know you need to work today, but I want you to come with me somewhere.
I’m not freaking out. I do need to work, but I’m currently getting harassed at the Honey Biscuit Café because Oscar is furious that we didn’t tell him about our relationship.
Rafael
He just lives for giving people shit. Don’t worry about it.
Where do you want to take me?
Rafael
Oh, Wildcat. That was not the right question to ask. I could name several places that I’d like to TAKE YOU.
I chuckled as my teeth sank into my bottom lip.
Where do you need me to come with you?
Rafael
Holy shit. Does everything you say sound sexy? I could also name quite a few places I’d like you TO COME.
I’m having breakfast with Henley, you fool. Just tell me what you need.
Rafael
I’ll come over to your place in an hour and get you. It’s a surprise. You’ll love it. Trust me.
I trust very few people. We aren’t there yet.
Rafael
Dress warm, Wildcat.
I set my phone down just as Henley ended the call, and we placed our orders.
“Are you feeling okay? Your cheeks are flushed,” she said, as she reached for her coffee that had just been set down.
“I’m not flushed. I’m fine. Maybe it’s the blizzard outside that’s wreaking havoc on my skin.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Your cheeks were not that pink when we walked inside. Who were you texting?”
“What? Who was I texting? Who were you talking to?” I was the queen of deflection, and it usually worked.
“That was a client,” she said, and thankfully, two plates of pancakes and bacon were set down in front of us, so we never circled back to who I was texting.
Because if my bestie knew that my fake boyfriend was dirty texting me, she’d be very concerned.
We enjoyed our breakfast, and she told me all about the wedding plans that were happening for Emerson, Rafe and Easton’s sister.
“Well, if it isn’t the two city girls taking over Rosewood River,” the annoying dude who owned the grocery store called the Green Basket said. The guy gave me the creeps, and the way he was looking at both of us only convinced me more that my bat senses were correct.
“Hi, Josh,” Henley said, her voice cold, which was out of character for her. She’d already shared what an asshole this guy was.
And now he turned his attention to me. “I’m curious. You went from dating a rock star to a Chadwick. That’s a big slide in the wrong direction. You’re far too beautiful to settle. I think you can do better.”
Henley’s hands fisted on the table, and I saw red. “And I would say that you sound like a jealous douchebag.”
He startled at my words, as if his weren’t equally offensive. “I was just complimenting you.”
“No. You were cutting down my boyfriend, and I’m not down with that. You might want to tuck those insecurities away before everyone catches on,” I said, holding his stare.
“All right. We’ll see how long it lasts,” he smirked.
“I would say you’ve outstayed your welcome, Josh,” Henley said as she glared at him.
“Have a nice day, ladies,” he chuckled as he walked away.
“What the hell is wrong with that guy?” I asked.
“He’s a miserable asshole. But you really put him in his place.”
“I try.”
“Was that little pissant giving you girls trouble?” Oscar asked, suddenly outraged on our behalf. Apparently, he was the only one who was allowed to harass the customers.
“We’re fine. We sent him away with his tail tucked between his legs,” I said.
“Good. We love to see it.” Oscar smiled, and it made me laugh because he always appeared so grumpy.
“Ah… Oscar, you’re my kind of guy.”
“Well, I’m spoken for, Lulu. But if I wasn’t old as dirt and married most of my life, I’d ask you out for a burger.”
My head fell back on a laugh, and Henley did the same.
We finished our meal, and she dropped me off at home before I quickly changed into the warmest clothes I had. I didn’t tell Henley that I had plans, but it was only because I didn’t know where I was going.
“Wildcat, you here?” Rafe called out from my kitchen.
That bastard came in without knocking on the door once again.
I hurried out to where he was standing in a huff. “You can’t come in without knocking on the door.”
“I did knock. You didn’t answer, and I was freezing my balls off. Plus, the whole world thinks we’re in love. It would be weird if I stood outside and kept knocking.”
“You’re in the backyard. No one can see you. Everyone thinks we’re staying in the same house.”
“My point exactly. Plus, I’ve already seen you naked, so it’s not like I’m going to walk in and see something new,” he smirked.
“Where are you taking me?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“The happiest place in Rosewood River, and we’re picking up my favorite girl.”
“You’re bringing a date?” I quirked a brow.
“If that’s what you want to call her.”
He walked over and zipped my coat up to my neck before taking my hat from my hands and tugging it over my head and leading me to the door.
I feigned irritation like a pro.
But my stomach fluttered once again because I couldn’t wait to see where he was taking me.