7. Chapter 7
Chapter 7
C HAPTER SEVEN
RAPHAEL
"New York, your king is back!" I yelled at the entrance to the jet, my arms stretched out wide and a grin plastered to my face. The security team stood, watching awkwardly. Wind blew around us, chilling my exposed arms. I wore a pair of gray slacks and a white shirt that was unbuttoned halfway down my chest. My hair was pushed back. I hadn't bothered styling it. I was too excited to be back home.
"Get the fuck out of my way," Mason groaned, pushing past me as he headed down the steps.
I frowned, my lips pursed as I watched him leave. "Somebody misses his girl."
He flashed me his middle finger as he marched towards the car. The rest of us followed after him, with guards following close behind.
"Man, it feels good to be back," Rex sighed.
"It feels great," I said.
New York always felt like home to me. Even when we toured and visited multiple cities, there was something about the city that just pulled me back. Maybe it was the noise. Maybe it was the bustling people, the never-ending traffic, or the constant chatter that always filled the air.
I took out my phone and saw that I had a few calls from my Mom. She didn't know I was coming back soon. It was going to be a surprise.
Three cars were parked at the airport's entrance, all of them black with tinted windows. Mason and I slipped into one while the rest of the guys got into the other.
"Hey sweetheart," Mason said into his phone as I shut the door. "Yeah, I'm heading back to the house right now."
The driver climbed into the front seat, starting the car and pulling onto the road. I took a moment to admire the scenery. We were close to the city. Buildings and houses dotted the landscape and I watched the skyline grow closer. The sun was setting in the horizon, sending beams of orange light shooting out.
"No," Mason continued. "I'm not going anywhere else. I promise."
I rolled my eyes and leaned back against the seat. I admired Mason and Tori's relationship but being stuck with a person could never appeal to me.
I loved my freedom, space, and privacy.
It was why I never got too close, physically or emotionally. Sex was all I wanted. Sex and music. That's all there was to life.
"You have no idea how much I missed you," Mason cooed, his tone sweet.
"Oh brother," I muttered.
"I can't wait to see you too," Mason said. "Okay. Love you."
He hung up and glanced at me. "I swear, it's like you've never been in a relationship before," he said.
"Well, have I?"
He narrowed his eyes at me, then he looked away. It was true. I'd never been in a relationship before and that's because since I was a teenager, I knew very well that relationships were not for me. Attachments often meant that you could lose someone. I didn't want that.
I was very good at giving advice though. Before Mason and Tori started dating, there was a weird period when Mason had left her in their hometown and was oozing depression and angst. When he wouldn't text or reach out to her like I advised him to, I convinced Millie to take him back to his hometown in Willowcreek so he could see Tori.
You could say I was a coach who never got into the game.
I liked to think of myself that way.
"Please head to the Barlowe house first," Mason said to the driver. "It's easier to get to my house from there."
We drove through the city, a fleet of cars behind us. All five of us lived in different parts of the city. We had our own houses and it didn't take long for the cars to separate, disappearing into the night.
It was dark by the time we arrived at my house. My father’s mansion was on the outskirts of the city. It was huge and sprawling. We had a lot of land around it and the entire thing was surrounded by a high wall, keeping people out. About a century ago, my grandfather, Leonardo Barlowe moved to the US and quickly became one of the richest men in the country. He had amassed his fortune in various ways and became a billionaire.
His son, my father, was the same. But now, instead of just amassing the money, he had created a legacy. Even his marriage to my mother was a calculated move to help build his reputation and the Barlowe name. It was a good thing he ended up falling in love with her or I would have grown up with parents who were miserable around each other.
"See you tomorrow," I said to Mason who looked up and gave a small wave.
“Say hi to your parents for me,” he said.
“Will do,” I responded as I got out of the car. I shut the door behind me, and walked up to the door. The compound was a wide, open space. A tall iron fence surrounded the perimeter and a large fountain stood in the middle. A garden was planted around it and a stony path led around the house to the backyard.
I walked up to the door and the security guard standing at the entrance opened it.
"Welcome back, Mr. Barlowe," he said.
"Hey, Mike," I said. "How's the wife?"
He smiled. "She's doing well, thank you for asking."
I nodded. Then I stepped inside, smiling when I saw the familiar hallway. The entrance led to a large foyer, with a staircase that branched out into two. The ceilings were high, a crystal chandelier hanging above me. The walls were a pale-yellow color and paintings hung on them. A long rug was stretched out over the marble floors.
"Mr. Barlowe," a maid walked up to me. She was young and was wearing a black dress and a white apron. "I didn't know you were coming home tonight."
"Surprise," I said, winking at her. "Can you please send dinner up to my room? I'm starving."
"Of course, Mr. Barlowe," she said.
"Raphael?" a light voice called.
My heart skipped a beat. I turned to see my mom walking down the stairs, along with my father.
"Mom," I grinned, rushing up to her.
She embraced me, her small arms wrapped tightly around my body. She pulled back and her eyes sparkled as she studied me. "You're so thin," she said, cupping my face. "Did Millie not feed you well?"
I smiled. "She did."
She turned to my father. "Sammy, he looks pale," she said. Then she turned to the maid, "Angie, please make sure his chef gets him a full course meal. He looks like he's starving."
"I am starving," I said.
"And a cup of hot chocolate. He needs a warm drink," she instructed.
The maid nodded and rushed off. My father ruffled my hair. "Good to have you back, son."
"Good to be back, Dad."
"Now, let's sit down and catch up," Mom said, linking her arm with mine and leading me to the living room. "Tell me all about the concerts. I watched your last interview on YouTube last night. You looked so handsome honey, but that shirt was not your color."
I snapped my fingers. "That's what I told the stylist!"
We walked into the living room, an open space with a large fireplace and couches. We sat down and a maid came forward, serving us tea.
"Mason says hi," I said as I zipped open a bag. "And I got you gifts!"
I pulled out a jewelry box and handed it to her. She gasped and opened it, her eyes wide. "Oh, Raphael," she sighed, taking out a pair of pearl earrings.
"I thought you'd like them," I said before pulling out my father's gift, a signed copy of a book by his favorite author. "Guess who I met in Louisville."
"No way," he said, taking the book and flipping open the pages.
I laughed. My parents and I had a special bond. Growing up, I had been given every single thing I asked for. I was the golden child, the white shark, the one they dotted on. I could never blame them. I was just that special. People generally loved me. It was why I was the face of the band.
"Millie made me get Rylan a gift too," I said, tilting my head. "I'm not sure if he'll take it though."
My parents glanced at each other, uncomfortable expressions crossing their faces. I could read my parents very well and I could tell when something was wrong.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Well, Rylan hasn't been home for a few days," my mother said.
"He's been getting drunk," Dad added with a frown on his face. "He doesn't show up to the company either. I don't even understand why-"
I tuned them out. My brother and I had a different relationship. He was older, so when I was little, I looked up to him. The world thought I was special but I thought Rylan was special. That changed soon enough. As we grew up, I learned pretty quickly that Rylan could not stand me. The world still thought I was special, but Rylan didn't see me that way.
"I wish you were never born."
The words echoed in my mind and I remembered the bitterness and hatred in my brother's eyes. I replayed the scene with a sense of detachment. I had gotten very good at detaching myself when it came to Rylan. I saw him as an anomaly. Everyone else loved me. If he didn't care about me, there was definitely something wrong with him.
"So, did you meet anyone interesting while you were gone?" my mother asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I smiled and was about to respond when the loud slam of the front door sounded. A moment later, a red-faced Rylan walked in. His hair was mussed up, his eyes narrowed and his hands curled into fists. He was panting.
He spotted me and froze.
I smiled. I liked to keep things cordial when my parents were around, for their sake at least. "Hey Ry," I said, standing. "How's it going?"
"You're back," he said, licking his lips.
"Yeah," I nodded. "I just flew in. Thought I'd surprise Mom and Dad."
"Rylan, where have you been?" Dad asked in the tone he always used when he was scolding us.
Rylan didn't respond to him. His gaze was on me. He walked over to me slowly, smoldering rage dancing in his eyes.
"You," he said.
"Yeah me," I said.
Then he punched me in the face.
"Rylan!" Dad yelled as Mom gasped.
I stumbled back, holding a hand to my jaw. It hurt, a lot.
"You fucking asshole," Rylan growled. "I hate you."
"What's the problem now?" I groaned.
He grabbed me by the shirt and punched me again. Blood dripped down my nose, falling to the floor.
"Stop!" Mom yelled as Dad grabbed his arms and tried to pull him off me.
Rylan glared at me and I stared back, blood dripping from my nose and a smile on my face. I pushed him away and he stumbled back, releasing my shirt.
"Enough!" Dad said. "What the hell is going on between the two of you?"
"I hate you!" Rylan snarled, his eyes wild. "You're a fucking asshole and I hate you!"
"What did I do this time?" I asked.
"You know exactly what you did!" he yelled.
"Okay," I sighed, wiping my nose, and looking down at the blood on my palm. "I have no idea what your problem is but I really hope this doesn't leave a scar for your sake because I swear-"
"Rory," he hissed.
My breath hitched and I stilled. What did he say?
"You fucked her!" he continued, releasing himself from my father's grip. "You went after my fucking girlfriend!"
Silence fell over the room. The only sound was the pounding of my heart in my ears.
"Rylan, you're drunk," my father said, stepping in between us. "I don't know what you're talking about but go sleep it off."
"No, I'm not," Rylan said, shoving our father aside. "Tell him to deny it. You and Rory had sex before you left New York right?"
When I didn't respond, he continued, "You have zero morals, zero respect for other people's relationships and you're a selfish asshole!"
I sighed heavily. "First of all, you two weren't in a relationship anymore so-"
He punched me again and I staggered back. Rylan didn't stop. He pushed me down onto the floor and I held up my hands to block my face as he rained blow after blow on me.
"I hate you!" he yelled.
"Fuck off," I growled, shoving him back. I climbed to my feet, my heart racing. "Don't come act like some fucking saint with morals when you cheated on Rory. That's why she dumped you, asshole. Did you think she'd wait around forever?"
"She's carrying your baby!"
I froze. Rylan glared at me, panting. His face was red and his hair stuck to his forehead. My head spun.
"W-what?"
"She's pregnant," Rylan hissed.
A loud ringing filled my ears. Rory was...pregnant? No.
"You go around acting like this perfect, charming prince. Everyone fucking loves you but not me. I know who you are. I know how selfish and cruel you are."
"That's enough!" Dad shouted, pushing him off me.
"Your golden child impregnated his brother's ex-girlfriend," Rylan said to my dad. "He's going to have a child out of wedlock, which will be a shame to the family name and-"
"Enough!" Dad yelled again.
Silence fell over the room. My heart was pounding. I stared at Rylan but couldn't even say anything. Pregnant. Rory was pregnant. I hadn't even thought about her in a month and she was pregnant?
"Raphael," my mother's gentle voice said.
I turned to her and she took a step towards me. "Are you okay?"
I was fine. There was no way Rory was pregnant. That would be too crazy. The universe would never hit me with such a fucking huge slap in the face.
"How did you know about this?" Dad asked Rylan. When he didn't respond, he grabbed him by both his shoulders. "Rylan!"
"I saw her at the hospital," Rylan said, his angry gaze still fixed on me. "I overheard her and her sister talking. They mentioned her carrying a little Barlowe."
My chest was tight. I felt dizzy.
"Rory says it's not mine," Rylan finished.
"Raphael," my mother said softly. "Did you and Rory really..."
"Yeah," I said, swallowing. "We had sex."
My parents exchanged a glance.
"It was one time," I explained. "Just a hookup. I didn't think..."
Fuck. I was going to be a father.