16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Rafe
If I thought waiting to see if Luna would show up in Ireland was difficult, then waiting for my flight to land so I can see her again is pure torture.
I couldn’t manage to score us the same flight for another week, so I sent her on the first one we could get, then I took the one later in the day.
Unfortunately, I also couldn’t get a flight directly to Chatswain City, so I was stuck renting another car to get home from the opposite direction.
I can’t help feeling like fate is really putting us to the test right now, but it’s okay.
I have a good feeling we’re going to be fine, but when I reach the front door of the town house, I realize life went absolutely insane while I was gone.
I pause with my hand on the door, contemplating whether I even want to enter with the noise I hear on the other side, but I don’t have much choice. I live here.
“All I’m saying is, it might have been nice if you’d mentioned it,” Silas says. He’s sitting on the sofa, sulking, while Lev tosses his arms in the air in frustration. Mav shakes his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. Yep, this is about right.
“I don’t need your permission to propose to my girlfriend, Si. I don’t need to run it by you or check your schedule. If you want to propose to Ella, then just do it already.” Lev grumbles at his twin and heads to the kitchen.
“You proposed to Emma?” I ask, still standing in the doorway.
Lev spins on his heel and all three of them turn their attention to me. Waiting. Rather patiently, all things considered. But still…waiting.
Mav nods a little as if encouraging me.
“We’re…good. We’re working it out,” I say.
“So you’re back together?” Mav asks hesitantly.
“Yes. We’re back together, still in love, and trying to work out how we can build our lives together from this point on.” I roll my bag in and dump it at the stairs before shedding my light jacket. The guys’ gaze follows me across the room.
“And you told her about the house and the ring? Everything?” Silas asks.
“Everything, yes. We came back early so we can start seeing how real life can work for us again.” I flop on the sofa beside Silas and take a deep breath. Which is a mistake. “Gross, did you forget to take the garbage out?”
Silas groans. “No, Mav’s dog rolled in manure at the farm. I gotta give him a bath.”
“Because you took him without asking me,” Mav added. “But back to Rafe and Luna. Does this mean you’re getting married?”
“That’s the goal,” I admit, still not entirely sure when that will fit in.
I know it’ll happen. I’m confident in that now, but the when is still open.
There’s a lot to do before we get to that part—like figuring out what to do with the farmhouse, where we’ll live in the city, and relocating my business there.
Once again, Silas groans. “I’m never going to get to propose at this rate.”
“Look, I will help you plan an epic proposal if you’ll just stop whining about it already,” Lev says and sits across from us.
Silas rolls his eyes and slaps my shoulder. “Listen, I’m happy for you, big bro. When do we get to see Luna again?”
“Ah, not sure,” I admit. “She has the opening of her exhibit soon and some gala thing for the board and trustees before that. It’s a busy time for her, but I know she’ll be coming back home for a few days soon.
” I remember her promise when we parted.
Initially, she’d wanted to come back to Coldstone Creek right away, but like clockwork, real life struck the moment she landed.
A long, frustrated message from Luna awaited me when I landed.
Something went wrong—which was, according to Luna, totally not Natasha’s fault—and she had to stay in the city.
I don’t blame her, though I do wish she’d been able to come back to Coldstone Creek for a while.
No matter. After the exhibit opens, she’s going to spend a whole weekend in town visiting her parents, my family, and our friends.
I smile thinking of it, but the guys dive right into everything I missed while I was away… all handful of days.
“Ez called while you were gone. They’re doing great and should be home in the fall for a visit,” Lev says.
“Oh, Griffin finally told us why he and Melody broke up. Did you know she cheated on him?” Silas’ eyes flame, but personally, I’m not surprised.
I always had a feeling she was only in a relationship with our brother because she thought it would make her popular.
News flash—Griffin might be a pro soccer player, but he’s not that famous.
Mav scowls. “He’s still pretty beat up from it, Si.”
Silas waves him off. “I know, I’m just saying, good riddance. She’s not like our girls.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, curious for clarification since Silas has his own way of looking at things.
“You know…our girls. They’re sweet and kind, they care about other people, they have solid faith. Our girls are dependable and kind of perfect, but she was…well…not.”
Mav chuckles. “Except I don’t have a girl.”
“Minor technicality.” Silas waves him off again.
“All I’m saying is, we knew you and Luna would patch things up.
There’s not a bone in my body that thought Griffin and Melody had a chance.
” Silas raises his hand before Mav fusses at him again.
“I’m not saying I don’t feel bad for him, but I’m positive he’ll find a better woman. ”
Lev checks his watch. “Shoot, I’m supposed to pick Emma up in fifteen minutes. We’re meeting Beck and Vivien for dinner. Anyone else want to come?” Lev offers a pointed glare toward Silas, who rolls his eyes.
“No, I have to bathe a dog.” Silas pushes off the sofa and carries the smell of manure and dirt with him. He and Mav wander out the back door, leaving Lev and me alone. Lev groans when he stands and stretches.
“You sound like an old man,” I tease, though I’m not so sure I could get off the sofa if I wanted to. Several emotionally charged days and massive jet-lag are not helping me stay awake right now.
“Long hours studying for finals. You look like you need a nap.” Lev drops his arms at his sides and slides his ball cap on.
“With those two, there’s no chance I get a wink of sleep. I actually think I’m gonna call Griff and see how he’s holding up. It must have taken a lot for him to admit the reason they broke up, and let’s be honest, this family isn’t exactly subtle about anything.”
He chuckles and nods on his way to the door. “Right. Let me know if he needs anything.”
I wave him off and head upstairs to make the call.
The second eldest Thomas brother hasn’t had a single good relationship in his life, and every single one ends in his heart shattered to pieces.
Griffin is an all in, all the time kind of man, and he puts that same focus on everything in his life… even people who don’t deserve it.
The phone rings a few times, but eventually, Griffin answers.
“Back from Ireland already?” he asks. “Oh wait, or are you still there and Luna is trying to murder you?”
“Ha, ha,” I say and fall backward on my bed. “The guys told me why you and Melody broke up, and I was calling to see how you’re doing.”
Griffin sighs with a throaty grumble. “I keep thinking one day our personal lives won’t be front page news in the Thomas Family Gazette, but I guess today ain’t the day.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“Nah, it’s…it’s all right. I know you mean well, Rafe. It’s just hard, you know?”
“I do in some ways, yeah. You know I’m here for you if you need to talk about it.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’d rather hear you tell me that you and Luna patched things up?” he asks with a tinge of hopefulness laced with worry.
“We did, yeah. We worked out a lot of things and came home early to try to do it in the real world. You know, back where we have all the same stresses and things. She’s got this gala thing and the opening at the museum, then she’s gonna come home for a weekend.”
“Oh, that’s right, the museum donor’s gala. I’ll be at that. Are you coming now that you’re working things out?”
I smack my forehead. I completely forgot that Griffin is one of the museum donors. “I forgot about that. Yeah, she asked me to go. Do I dare ask if you have a date?”
“Not a chance. I’m going single and happy. For now, at least. Listen, I’m glad you and Luna are working things out. I’ve missed her a lot. Seems like we’re all sort of spreading out.”
Ah yes, Griffin’s way of extracting information from us is a little more passive than most. He’s not going to outright ask me if I’m moving to Chatswain City, but his little hint that we’re all spreading out is a clear indicator he’s thinking about it.
“Yeah, I guess so. That’s one of the things Luna and I need to work out, but it’s looking like I’ll probably be moving there. Closer to Wilder, I guess.”
“Wish I could say the same.”
There’s a sadness in his tone that I can’t miss. “What does that mean?”
Griffin lets out a long, slow sigh and shocks me. “This is my last season. My contract wasn’t renewed, and I’m not interested in moving again. I guess this means I’ll have some things to figure out, too.”
I immediately know two things about my brother at this moment—he doesn’t want to give up soccer, not yet. And he’s about to enter into a downward spiral of anxiety and depression.
He’s lost two things—a woman he loved and a career he loves.
I can’t watch him do that, not again, so I send him some encouraging words. “It’s not over yet. Play this season to its fullest, and see what God has planned for you, big bro. You just never know.”
He’s silent for a while, then clears his throat. “I guess you’re right. I’ll see you at the gala?”
“For sure. Love you, Griff.”
“Love you, too, Rafe.”
I hang up the phone with more questions than answers, really, but another thing I know about Griffin? Pushing him won’t help. Not yet.