13. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
C HAPTER THIRTEEN
RORY
"We're packed tonight," Vivan said as we stood on the inner balcony of Ember's. The dance floor was packed with people dancing, their bodies grinding and twisting to the beat of the music. The DJ was a local musician I had found last week and he was good. The place was dark, save for the strobe lights flashing and the beams of the projectors.
"That's a good thing," I said.
The energy of the club was almost enough to make me forget the shitstorm that was my current life. I had left the house shortly after Rylan did, choosing to spend the rest of the day in the club. Later, Callie showed up and while I didn't tell her about Rylan coming to visit and saying all those things to me, I had a feeling that she was able to tell that something was wrong.
Speaking of Callie, she was currently gasping in awe as Jake flipped two bottles at the same time and caught them. I shook my head and smiled. At least she was having fun.
My phone rang in my pocket and I took it out, seeing Raphael's name flash across the screen. It was too loud so I walked away from the balcony and towards the stairs, heading up to my office.
"Hello," I answered, shutting the door behind me.
Raphael's smooth voice said, "Where are you?"
"At the club."
"I'm outside."
"What?" I asked, frowning. "What do you mean you're outside?"
"Come outside, Rory. Now," he said flatly and hung up.
I bit my lower lip. What the hell was wrong with him?
I headed out of the office and made my way through the crowd and toward the entrance. People poured in still, screams and hoots filling the air.
I spotted Raphael immediately after I stepped out. He was wearing a black hoodie and gray sweats, the hood pulled over his head. He leaned against his car, his gaze on his phone. He had a scowl on his face and my stomach churned.
I crossed my arms and approached him.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
He looked up at me. "I heard Rylan came by today."
Well, at least I knew where Susan's loyalties lied.
"Why didn't you call me?" Raphael asked.
I raised a brow, wrapping my arms around myself. "Why would I? He found out I was staying at your house and wanted to see for himself."
He scoffed. "Wanted to see for himself? Really?"
"Yeah?" I said slowly. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Raphael's jaw clenched and he took a deep breath. Then he said, "Rory, if you're going to see my brother still, I would appreciate if you wait until my child is born."
I froze, stunned. His words felt like a slap to the face, like a bucket of ice-cold water dumped on me.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" I asked, blinking rapidly. "Is that really what you think?"
"You took Rylan into a room with you, in my fucking house," he said, his voice dangerously low. "Alone."
"Because I didn't want anyone to hear us yell at each other," I said. "You know what, Raphael? Fuck you and fuck your brother too. I have had enough of you Barlowe boys."
I turned and stormed back towards the club.
"Wait," Raphael called after me.
I kept moving, my legs moving faster and faster. I was almost at the entrance when a pair of hands wrapped around my waist and stopped me.
"Leave me alone!" I turned around and pushed him off me, feeling tears burn the back of my eyes. "I'm going to stay with Callie tonight."
He stared at me for a moment, his gaze hard. "Really?"
"Really," I said, clenching my fists.
Raphael took a deep breath, looking away for a second. Then he nodded. "Okay, I'll give you your space," he said, his voice cold.
"Good."
He turned around and walked away, opening the door to his car and getting in. I watched him leave, my chest racing. I wanted to yell at him.
Instead, I turned around and headed back into the club.
***
"Sleepover night!" Callie yelled, holding up a pillow as she knelt on the couch in her purple pajamas.
"Sleepover night," I echoed lamely, raising my wine glass.
"So," Callie said, taking a sip from her glass. "Did you guys fight or something? I thought you liked staying with Raphael."
"I mean, I liked the food," I said, sighing.
I was sitting cross-legged on the floor, the coffee table filled with an assortment of food and drinks. The lights were off and the television was on, a comedy show playing in the background. I had missed the coziness of my old apartment but I could see Callie's little touches all over the place. There was a new vase on the counter, a blanket thrown over the back of the sofa, and a stack of magazines next to the coffee table.
"So what happened?" Callie asked, grabbing a chip and munching on it.
"He thinks I'm still in love with his brother," I said, sipping my juice. Since I couldn't have alcohol while I was pregnant, pouring liquids into a wine glass had become my favorite way to pretend.
"Okay, first of all, eww," Callie said. "Secondly, why would Raphael be pissed about that? I mean...you're having his baby, not marrying him."
I tilted my head thinking.
Callie continued, frowning. "I mean, yeah, there's a lot of history there. You and Rylan were together for years. I wouldn't be upset if you still thought about him sometimes. It's all part of moving on."
"I don't think about Rylan at all actually," I said, licking my lips. "I don't miss him."
Callie stared at me and nodded slowly.
"I couldn't look past the hurt that came after finding out all the things he did," I said. "I'm just upset that Raphael thinks I would go behind his back and get back to his brother. Not that it's any of his business."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Callie jumped up on her feet. "Well, that's probably the pizza delivery guy," she said, hurrying towards the door. "Hold on."
I drank more juice. Then grabbed a bowl of chips. I heard Callie open the door and say, "Oh."
"Hi," Raphael said, walking into the room with a smile.
My eyes widened and I stood, staring at him. He had changed into a white shirt and light blue jeans. His hair looked wet.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Well, I'm making an attempt at apologizing," he said, holding up two huge bags. "I went by the club and they said you left already."
"What's all this?" I asked.
"Ingredients," he said, grinning. "I'm making you dinner."
"Aaaww," Callie cooed, clasping her hands together and smiling at him. "Rory, you have to let the man make it up to you. Look how handsome- I mean, sincere he is."
I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at her. "I thought you were on my side. I should have known you wouldn't last long."
"You can't come between a fangirl and one of her favorite artists, Rory," she said, shaking her head.
Raphael laughed at that. Then he turned to me, " So will you let me?"
"Will I let you what?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Make dinner for you," he said, smiling.
“No.”
I let him stand there, pouting like an injured child.
"Fine," I relented, my voice softening.
He grinned, flashing his white teeth. Then he moved straight into the kitchen. Callie and I followed him.
"You really didn't have to bring all this," I said, looking inside the bag. There were different vegetables and fruits.
"Yes, I did," he said. "I should have asked if there was anything specific you were craving but I didn't think you'd pick up my call."
I wouldn't have.
Raphael pulled out a chopping board and got to work.
"Do you need help?" Callie asked.
"No, but you can sit down and watch me," he said, grinning.
Callie squealed and sat, crossing her arms on the counter and staring at him. I rolled my eyes and sat on the stool next to her, propping my chin in my palm. Raphael moved around the kitchen, setting up the stove and placing a pan on top. He cut up a bunch of vegetables and threw them into the pan, and soon the smell of onions filled the air.
I tilted my head at him. "What are you making?"
"An Italian dish known as Pasta ai Funghi," he said, his voice low. "It's mushrooms with pasta, sauce, and herbs."
"And where did you learn that?"
He blinked at me. "Italy?"
"Of course you did."
Callie raised her hand. "Do you like to cook?" she asked.
"Well, I'm not sure. I make it my duty to be perfect at many things. It would be off-brand if I sucked at the most basic skill," he replied, winking.
Callie laughed.
Perfect.
That was the word. Raphael Barlowe was a bit too perfect.
I ran my gaze along his arms, watching as his veins moved with every motion. He was gorgeous. His body was well-built and his skin was soft and smooth. He was rich. He respected my decision to keep the baby without any complaint. He had taken time to research baby trends so he could buy the best stuff for our child and he had spoken to an OBGYN regarding what I could eat.
Raphael Barlowe was almost too good to be true.
As Callie gushed over something he did, his eyes met mine, catching me staring at him. He smiled.
I didn't look away.
When the food was ready, we sat in the little dining space by a window and ate. To no one's surprise, the pasta was delicious.
"Oh wow," I said after taking the first bite. "That's actually really good."
"Of course it is," Raphael said. "I made it."
Callie giggled, and I couldn't help the small smile on my face. "So," Callie said, twirling her fork around. "When do I get to meet the rest of the band?"
"Callie," I scolded, narrowing my eyes.
"What?" she asked, widening her eyes innocently.
Raphael laughed. "Actually, they're coming over after practice tomorrow," he said, turning to me. "Would you like to meet them?"
I avoided his gaze. "They know about me?"
"Of course they do," he said. "It would be weird if they didn't"
I took another bite out of my food. "Hmm, okay," I nodded.
"Okay," Raphael repeated, smiling.
"Can I come?" Callie asked. "Will Axel be there?"
I shook my head at her.
Raphael laughed. "Yes, he'll be there. Though, I can't promise he'll talk much."
She sighed dreamily. "I always knew he was a good listener."
After dinner, we headed to the living room to watch a movie. Raphael and I sat on the couch. Callie was sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring at the television, her eyes wide. I watched her as the opening credits played, and then I turned to Raphael, finding him staring at me.
"What?" I whispered.
"Nothing," he said. "I'm sorry about tonight."
I didn't respond. I turned back to face the TV.
"Are you going to come home tomorrow?" he asked.
Home. There was a softness in his voice when he said that. A familiarity that made my heart squeeze.
"Maybe," I whispered.
Raphael smiled. He leaned closer, his shoulder touching mine. I stiffened but didn't move away. "I think you'd like them," he said. "The guys, I mean. They're a bunch of misfits, but I think you'll like them."
I stared at him. He was so close that I could smell his cologne. The movie started and Callie's attention was diverted. Raphael's gaze fell to my lips and my breath caught in my throat.
I didn't look away.
He gave me a small smile. "Are you okay?" he asked. "You said you argued with my brother today."
The mention of Rylan made me tense. I quickly looked away, not meeting his eyes. "I'm fine," I whispered.
"Okay."
I wanted some sort of reassurance, that he didn't see me as any less of a person because I was with his brother first. I wanted to ask how he saw me, to ask him what he really thought of me. But I was too afraid to hear his answer.
Raphael was silent, and when I looked back at him, he was staring at the screen. Callie laughed at something that happened. "What the hell? Did you see that?"
He nodded, laughing as well and I took a deep breath.
For now, everything was okay and that was enough.