Chapter 26
Cam
Igrunt as I yank the blankets back toward me.
One thing I didn’t know about Rafe is that he’s a blanket hog. I’m not sure how our relationship will survive this abominable trait.
He snuffles in his sleep and wriggles closer, seeking warmth, and just the sight of his relaxed face has me changing my mind. He might be an absolute heathen in bed—and not in the preferred way—but damn he’s so cute, I’ll let him get away with anything.
Especially when he plasters his naked body to my naked side and buries his face in my neck. I trace light circles up his spine until he starts to wake.
“What time is it?” he mutters sleepily.
“Ten. We need to leave soon if we want to be there on time.”
He yawns loudly. “Yes. Fine. I guess.”
“We could stay in bed.”
“No. I have to go.” But despite his words, he attaches himself to me more firmly.
“You’re like a barnacle.”
“You’re so warm. Hold me.”
He still sounds half-asleep, but we’ll really be pushing it for time if we don’t get up and get moving. I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be trying to convince Rafe to let me go, but here we are.
Every past version of myself is disappointed in Present Day Cam.
“Circus is your friend, remember?” My lips connect with his jaw, but I quickly pull back before I get carried away. “Wouldn’t want to be late for his surprise party.”
He grunts but finally pushes himself up to sit.
I climb out of bed and go in search of pants for us both.
“You have a pretty butt,” Rafe says.
“I object. You’re the pretty one. I’m rugged and manly.”
“Uh-huh. Tell that to Leon.”
I gasp, hand on my chest, wounded by his words. “Are you saying he’s manlier than me? Oh no. I’m going to have to challenge him to a duel, aren’t I?”
“A duel?”
“Yep. That’s the only way to settle these things. My dignity must be restored.”
He yawns again. “Dramatic Cam woke up this morning, did he?”
“What do you expect? I’m offended. Much, much offended.”
Apparently, he doesn’t find me anywhere near as cute as I think I am, because he ignores me as he gets up and grabs a pair of briefs. “How about we put your offense on hold and talk about what we’re going to tell people today?”
That cuts through my crap. With Rafe and Laura officially broken up, and all his friends aware of it, there’s no reason why we couldn’t tell people we’re together.
Except it doesn’t feel right yet.
I sigh and drop back to sit on the side of the bed. “Didn’t we already talk about this?”
“Yeah, we agreed to waiting. And we’ve been together almost two months. Isn’t that long enough?”
“Rafe …”
He scowls. “Why are you so against people knowing?”
I understand Rafe’s frustration. I also understand why he doesn’t want to wait anymore. Just yesterday I heard someone mention him and Laura while I was getting lunch, and I couldn’t stay quiet. But apparently lightly breaking the news that they’re no longer together isn’t what people want to hear.
“Don’t get pissy with me,” I say gently, gesturing for him to come closer. He stands and steps between my legs so I can wrap my arms around him. “If I thought it would help, I’d claim you in front of everyone. It’s what I’ve always wanted, and you know that.”
“Yeah …” Rafe cards his fingers through my hair. “It just sucks.”
“You can think of it that way, or you can view it as us having time to work out what we are before everyone else gets involved.”
“Screw everyone else.”
I smile at his outburst. “Oh, yes. Screw everyone else. Now where was this Rafe for the last few years?”
His shoulders slump, and I feel bad for saying anything.
But it proves my point. Rafe ended up stuck in that relationship for way longer than he should have been.
And sure, some of it was because he didn’t know things about himself that he does now, but without the pressure coming from all sides, he probably would have ended it sooner. I don’t want that for us.
I want us to be completely committed to this relationship before we give anyone else the opportunity to stick their noses in.
“I know it’s hard,” I tell him. “But long term, it’s for the best. Trust me.”
“You had to pull the ‘trust me’ card, didn’t you?”
“You’re fun when you’re pouty.”
“And you’re annoying when you get what you want.”
“Better get used to it.”
He rolls his eyes. “So when can we tell?”
“Well, when people find out we’re together, they’re going to assume we’re each other’s endgame. So when we’re sure of that, it’ll be time.”
“Fine.” He’s grumbling, but he knows I’m right.
We get ready for the party, and when I suggest arriving separately, Rafe puts his foot down. Thank fuck. I didn’t want to take it that far, but I would have if it made things easier for him.
It’s not that I want us to be a secret or to hide, I just want us to have the breathing room any other couple would have if they didn’t live in this town.
I love Sunbury, but the gossip isn’t one of its best qualities.
I’m already one hundred percent sure that I want to keep Rafe forever, but I’ve had a lot longer to come to that realization than he has.
He knows where I’m at. This breathing room is to give him time to catch up.
After all, if we’re doing the forever thing, there’s no hurry. Our relationship is new and fun, and I hope he sees it that way always. I’m not naive enough to push him into more than he’s ready for.
Rowan has planned Circus’s party at Harvey’s Burger Bar, his family’s restaurant, and by the time we arrive, everyone is there but the birthday boy. It’s a Sunday, and they’ve closed to customers for the day—not that it matters when a good part of the town is here.
It looks like Piper has the day off though, with their parents running things behind the counter. She’s standing with the guy Rowan hired—Bert? Bart?—and even from across the room, it’s obvious they’re flirting.
Which is good because it means most people’s attention is on them, not me, so if I stand a little too close and hold Rafe’s eye contact a little too long, who’s to know? Except us. And us is all that matters.
“Hey, guys.”
The sight of Laura with her fresh pixie cut immediately makes me scowl, and I have to consciously remind myself she’s not the enemy.
It’s going to take a whole lot of getting used to.
Given she’s friends with all the same people as Rafe, I’m going to have more than enough time to warm to her presence. Goodie.
“How are you both doing?”
“Yeah, great.” Rafe bends to kiss her on the cheek, so I move to do the same.
Look at me, making an effort.
I’ll take my trophy now, thanks.
As with every time they’re together, I watch for any signs I should be wary of, but there’s nothing. Zero interest on either side of their mildly awkward small talk.
I check back into the conversation to catch the back end of her comment.
“… think I might take off for a while.”
“You what?”
Laura lifts an eyebrow at me. “Probably not for long. A month, maybe two. I’ve always wanted to see Costa Rica.”
“Is this because of us?” Rafe asks.
“Cute that you think you two play such a large role in my life.”
“Well, I—”
She cuts him off with a laugh. “Relax. Sure, giving you guys space falls into the pros column, but it’s something I want to do for myself. I’ve worked hard, I’ve got the money sitting there, so I figure, why not?”
“I’m happy for you.”
I can’t help but be a smart-ass. “Is this some kind of Eat, Pray, Love adventure?”
“Fuck, no.” She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “I don’t need to find myself. I just want to have some fun.”
“Enjoy.”
“I will. And you guys can have all the space you need while I’m gone.”
I cringe. “Have I been that obvious?”
“It’s basically written on your forehead.”
Rafe’s laugh cuts through the guilt that was starting to sink in. “Thank you for being so cool.”
“Things were never going to work out between us.” Laura shrugs. “It doesn’t mean I don’t want you to be happy though.”
And just when I’m comfortable in my resentment of her, she has to go and say something like that.
Fine.
Whatever.
Laura’s cool, I guess.
Other than Rafe, I’m not all that close with anyone here, even though I’ve known them all practically my whole life.
Tanner and Royce haven’t shown up because Royce isn’t feeling well, but Leon and his boyfriend are here.
Leon’s laid-back and cool, but Auggie … when they join us, he’s half hiding behind Leon, and the first words out of his mouth are “I dropped my plate on the cake and flattened one side, but if anyone asks, you don’t know who did it. ”
I snort. “Maybe you shouldn’t have told us all that, and then we wouldn’t have known anyway.”
Auggie frowns. “Ah, shit. Can we rewind? Pretend you didn’t, umm, hear that?”
“What are you going to do for us if we do?”
His face drops, gaze flicking to Leon, and it’s so hard to keep a straight face at his obvious panic.
Rafe wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me back a step. “He’s kidding. Don’t let him get to you, Auggie, or you’ll never hear the end of it.”
“You ruin all my fun.”
“Hmm, maybe not all of it.” We catch eyes, and okay, I agree. I’ll let him have this one.
It’s not until I notice the way Leon’s watching us and see his stare drop to Rafe’s hand on my waist that I realize we’ve fucked up. I quickly step away.
“So, umm, you two …”
“Friends,” I hurry to say.
“Not friends.” Rafe gives me a pointed look. “We’re dating, but we’re keeping it quiet for now.”
“Got it.” Leon somehow looks like he’s smiling without actually smiling. “I’m happy for you guys.”
“So much for not telling anyone,” I murmur as I steer him away.
“It’s Leon. He’s a vault.”
“And his boyfriend?”
Rafe glances back at Auggie. “I get the feeling Leon can handle him.”
“Really? Because I did not get that feeling at all.” If you ask me, Leon’s got his hands full with that one. “Seriously though. Are you sure you want to be telling anyone?”
“You said when the time is right, right?”
“Well … yeah.”
“And the time was right to tell Leon. Don’t you trust me?”
I give him a wry look. “You’re playing that card, are you?”
“You played it with me.”
“Fine.” I sigh. “Let’s not go overboard, but if it feels right in the moment, go for it.”
He pouts. “I really wanna kiss you right now.”
Me too. It’s reckless, but I’m too tempted.
So I glance around to make sure no one is paying us attention, then pull Rafe into the bathrooms. As soon as the door closes, I tug him close and seal his mouth with mine.
It’s fast and needy and over way too quickly, but it’s like a shot of oxygen, just enough to get me through a couple more hours.
Circus finally shows up, and once he arrives, the party kicks up a notch.
It goes well into the night, and after a few drinks, I let Rafe drag me onto the cleared dance floor in the middle of the room.
We keep our distance, but even while behaving, I can feel the electricity between us.
He holds my stare, and I can’t look away.
I don’t want to.
Ever.