Chapter 23
Rafe
“Laura, wait!” I hear her up ahead in the kitchen, slamming cupboards. “Let me explain.”
She whirls around as soon as I enter the room. “What the hell was that?”
“That … that was …”
“You better start explaining.” Her voice hitches, and I’m worried she’s going to cry.
“Why are you upset? We’re broken up.”
“Barely.” She shakes her head. “Is this why you were always watching him? Did you have feelings for him then? Were you guys together when we were?”
“No!” I hold up my hands and rush forward. “I swear. I never cheated on you—I wouldn’t.”
Laura eyes me for a moment, some of her anger starting to melt away. “You promise?”
“I respect you way too much for that.” I can tell she’s still confused. There’s a cute line between her eyebrows that she always gets when an art piece isn’t coming together.
“Then … please don’t take offense to this, but it just seems sudden, and considering what we went through …”
I know what she means. “Yeah, but I think this is different. And I’m sorry I couldn’t give you that—you deserve it so much. But with Cam …”
“I get it.”
That’s a surprise. “You do?”
“Yeah …” She runs a hand over the kitchen counter. “I’m starting to. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense.”
“So … you don’t hate me?”
“Impossible.”
We spend more time talking together before I bring up my plans for the day. “I’m going over to my parents to tell them we broke up.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Would you … do you think you could come?”
“You want me there?”
I nod. “I want them to know this is right for both of us. Maybe the first thing we’ve been united on for a while.”
She pulls me into a hug. “We’ve got this.”
I remind myself of that as we leave.
“You okay?” I check in with Laura as I back out onto the street.
“Yeah, now I am. As long as you’re not lying and this is only new.”
“I swear,” I say for what feels like the hundredth time. “I would never cheat.”
“I’m glad. I know we’re not together, but that still would have hurt to find out.”
“I know. But I’m not lying about it being very recent.”
She smirks. “For you.”
“Yes, fine, for me.”
“It all makes so much sense though. Him constantly annoying you … You, watching him like a creep … And, oh! Remember when we were younger and we’d all be hanging out? I swear he used to constantly send me death glares …”
I laugh. “No way.”
“Yes way. If he’s had feelings for you since then, I’d put money down that he hates my guts.” Laura slips her sunglasses on, covering her reddened eyes. “Sorry for overreacting.”
She shouldn’t need to apologize though. Her reaction proves exactly what Cam has been saying this whole time about me needing to make the breakup public.
We were lucky it was Laura who saw us and no one else, because they might not have been so ready to listen.
Having people think that Cam and I hooked up behind Laura’s back is a fast way to make enemies.
Just the thought makes me sick. I don’t want either of them dragged into that kind of baggage.
“It does hurt a bit,” she says after a lull. “That you could move on so quickly.”
I push aside the guilt that immediately tries to set in. “You know it has nothing to do with you though, right? That it’s not a reflection on who we were?”
“I know, and I know I’m being dumb, but I can’t help it.”
I shake my head. “You’re not being dumb. I’d probably feel the same way, but Cam and me … we’re …”
“Inevitable?”
A smile threatens to break my face. I like that. Thinking that we were always going to happen. “Something like that.”
“Wow.” She sighs. “If I didn’t already know we were done, that smile would have proved it.”
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t smiled at me like that in … maybe never, actually.”
“You know I think the world of you, right?”
She nods, turning back to watch the houses we drive past. “Likewise, Rafael. And I’m glad he makes you happy.”
“He really does. What about you? Anyone making you happy?”
Her laugh is loud and genuine. “No, and there won’t be. Not for a long time. I couldn’t think of anything worse than stepping into another relationship. No offense.”
“Right, because it’s not at all offensive that I’ve turned you off dating so completely that you find it laughable.”
“Exactly. Now let’s go break your mother’s heart.”
Urg. Not at all looking forward to that. Maybe with Laura there, I can chicken out and make her say the actual words, and then I won’t have to face Mom at all. I groan internally at the thought because nope, not doing that.
Time for me to put on my big-boy panties.
I pull up out the front of my parents’ house, trying not to hurl from how unsettled my gut is. Cam being here would have complicated things, but with Laura, she’ll hopefully calm the situation.
I’m hoping if Mom and Dad see that she agrees, they’ll be okay.
The house smells like something sweet, and when we step inside, I can hear the murmur of conversation coming from the kitchen down the hall.
“Mom? Dad?”
Dad’s face appears in the doorway, and he breaks into a grin. “Rafe, Laura! Come in.” He steps aside so we can pass him and enter the kitchen, where Mom is pulling a tray of cookies out of the oven.
“What’s all this?” I ask, gesturing toward the counter covered in baked goods. There are cookies, a chocolate cake, pies …
“We’re hosting a games night,” Mom explains.
“A … games night?”
“No need for that tone,” she says. “Insinuate we’re old all you like—at least we have a social life.” She places the cookies down and pulls Laura into a side hug. “When was the last time you two had friends over?”
Laura and I exchange one of those glances we’ve perfected over the years, but instead of Laura being the one to bail us out as always, I take a deep breath.
“It’s been a while, because we’ve actually been going through some things.”
“Oh, really?” Mom lets Laura go and points to the pantry. “Pass me the flour?”
I grab it out but hold it hostage for long enough to get her full attention, and when Mom looks up at me …
What the fuck do I say?
“Rafe has something to tell you,” Laura says.
I need the encouragement. I need to let the words out and stop being held captive by them. This is the first step to being with Cam properly.
Maybe if I ease her into it … if I bring it up gently—
“We broke up.”
Or just blurt it out.
Mom drops her spatula, and it clatters against the tile. Dad blinks at me as his mouth opens and closes like it’s trying to work but his brain hasn’t switched on yet.
“W-what do you mean?” She manages a small laugh like she’s trying to work out if we’re pulling a prank on her.
“We broke up. Maybe a month ago now.”
“A month?” Dad’s working again. “You’ve been separated for a month?”
“So the rumors were true?” Mom turns to Laura. “You’ve been staying with your cousin?”
“I have been. It was better for us to spend the time apart so we’d know it was what we wanted. And it is.”
“No. No, no.” Mom dives to retrieve her spatula, then slaps it down on the counter.
“No. You’re both going through something, and I just …
I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people.
As soon as something gets hard, you give up.
Are you really going to throw away ten years of a happy life together for … for …”
“We weren’t happy,” I point out.
“Nonsense. I’ve seen you.” Her voice has taken on a pleading note. “You’re both so in love. The perfect couple. If you weren’t, why would you have stayed together so long?”
“Because of you.”
She takes a step back like my words were a physical blow. “Excuse me?”
“Okay, no, that’s not fair. At first, it was high school. Then we were busy at college, and when Laura dropped out, I felt the pressure to support her.”
Laura’s attention swings my way. “You did? I never asked for that.”
“You didn’t have to. You’re talented, so I wanted to, but that made it impossible to part ways, and then when you started selling a lot, everyone started with the questions about when I was going to propose …” That familiar tightness hits my chest. “It felt like I was stuck.”
No one says anything. The silence is almost as heavy as Mom’s arguing.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve broken up,” I tell Mom. “But it will be the last because I’ve finally got the balls to tell you about it.”
“And … Laura?” Mom’s voice is a squeak. “How do you feel?”
“Really good.” She gives Mom a reassuring smile. “Trust me, this is for the best.”
“I …” Mom holds up her hands. “I don’t know, I can’t with this right now …” She turns and leaves the room.
“Fuck …” I mutter. That clearly didn’t go well. I glance over at Dad, who’s watching me with his arms folded. “Dad?”
“You weren’t happy?”
I hesitate, then shake my head.
“So why didn’t you say something sooner?”
“Really?” I point the way Mom left. “Truthfully, I’ve never been sure. There’s a lot I was confused about, but I’m not anymore. I know who I am, and I know that forcing me and Laura to play the part of a happy couple when we’re anything but isn’t fair. On either of us.”
He nods for a moment, then lets out a long sigh. “All we want is for you to be happy.”
“You’re sure about that?”
Dad glances in the direction Mom left. “She’s just in a bit of shock. You say you’ve broken up before, but to us, this has come out of nowhere, and Laura, you’re family to us. It’ll take some adjusting. But, yes, your happiness is always number one.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Dad steps forward to pull me into a hug, before grabbing Laura with his other arm. “I hope you’re never afraid to talk to me, Rafael.”
“Thanks.” I squeeze him for a second, then let go.
“Okay, well, now your mother has disappeared, who’s going to help me here?”
“That’s a no from me.” Though I can imagine Cam being here, helping them cook and eat all these sweets. My gaze lands on Mom’s lemon meringue pie. “Actually, I’ll take a slice of that if I can.”
Even though it sounds like I’m asking, I don’t wait for an answer to grab a knife and a container. There’s more than enough here for their guests tonight that they’re not going to miss one slice.
Dad watches me help myself. “Didn’t know you liked that one.”
“Eh. It’s grown on me.”
“Hmm …”
“I’ll stay and help,” Laura says quickly, grabbing one of the aprons from the back of the kitchen door.
“How will you get home?” I ask.
“Jules can grab me on her way past this afternoon. Don’t worry about it.”
I hesitate, sure I should offer to stay, and wondering if it’s weird for Laura to hang out here without me now that we’re not together. But I guess I’ll need to get used to her still being close with my parents, and I don’t want to leave Cam waiting for any longer than he needs to be.
I seal the container and go to leave before hesitating at the kitchen door.
“Leave her,” Dad says. “She needs a moment to wrap her head around it.”
I don’t want to leave with there being tension between us, but I know it’s better that I do. If I try to push Mom while she’s upset, she’ll end up more upset and will shut off to anything I have to say.
My feet drag as I head for the door, hoping she’ll appear, but she doesn’t.
The sun’s starting to set, and I’m tired from a long, emotional day.
My body is aching for Cam. It’s only been a few weeks, and already the need to be around him is strong.
The first thing I do when I pull up at home is check for Casagnoma on my front lawn. He’s missing, so hopefully that means Cam is okay. We didn’t have a chance to talk after Laura saw us, but I assumed that telling my parents took priority.
Now, there’s nothing to stop me and Cam from seeing where this thing can go.
I’m about to head straight for his place, when our conversation before I left gives me pause. I’m not sure if he’d be in the mood to romance me, as he put it, but a guy can hope, right?
A nice warm bath … his slippery skin against mine … surrounded by his arms …
I want it so bad that I almost don’t want to go inside in case it’s not waiting for me.
I’m holding my breath when I push open my front door, trying not to get my hopes up.
And when I see what’s waiting for me …
I bite back a laugh.
It’s so extra.
It’s so Cam.
Flower petals cover the floor in the hall and lead all the way up the stairs.
There’s soft music playing, and the flicker of candle lights comes through the crack in my bathroom door.
I nudge it open to find the bath running and a citrusy smell in the air, but it’s missing the one thing I really want.
I keep going to my bedroom, and a long sigh of relief leaves me to find him sitting on my bed.
“Hey …” His smile is soft. “I wasn’t sure when you’d be back, so—”
I tug him to his feet and kiss him. “This is perfect. You’re perfect.”
“Well, you set a high standard to live up to.”
“Come on …”
Cam follows me back to the bathroom. I set his pie on the vanity, and then we both work to undress each other, taking our time to let our hands wander. I love the feel of his chest hairs under my fingers, his soft middle in my palms.
His hands drop to my ass, and he gives it a solid squeeze. “How … how did it go?”
I hum against his lips and pull him toward the bath. “Undecided. Good, I think. Maybe. Mom didn’t take it well, but Dad said to give her time.”
“I can’t believe you actually told them.”
“I can’t either.” The knowledge that I did, though, gives me a boost of happiness I never would have expected. “And even if Mom sulks about it for who knows how long … it’s a huge relief.”
Cam steps into the water and turns off the tap, then sits at the end of the tub. I follow him, and the hot water rises and slops over the edge as I lean back into his chest.
“You’re finally a free man,” Cam murmurs into my ear.
I shake my head. “I’m finally your man.”
“Rafe—”
“Nope. Hush. This is when we relax.”
He doesn’t fight me on it. It’s a good feeling, lying back against him, solid arms around my middle and hard dick digging into my back.
His fingers leave light trails over my skin, breath hot puffs on my cheek. I reach an arm back and tangle my fingers in his hair.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says.
I turn my head and drag soft kisses along his jaw. “Just keeping up with you.”
Cam makes a gagging sound. “We’re disgusting. Listen to us. We’re one of those couples.”
“Sign me up for the monogrammed towels now.”
“We will never have monogrammed towels.”
“The matching pajama set, brunch on Sundays …”
“Ope.” He goes to stand. “Let me out, quick! It’s contagious!”
I yank him back down, and the water splashes onto the floor again. “Too late now. You got away from me once. It’s not happening again.”
“Creepy.”
“Eh.” I lean into him again. “You know what you signed up for.”