Chapter 18 Koby
Koby
Closing the door behind me, I pause. My eyes unfocused, but the shimmer of the sparkly wreath hanging on Rayna’s front door is dazzling. Every moment between us is charged. The smile she shot back at me warmed my heart. I’m still smiling at the thought.
“So how long have you and Rayna been together?” Aria asks from behind me, bemusement coating every word.
“Sorry?” My attention broken from the wreath as I step back and meet Aria’s smug look.
“Don’t be sorry. But don’t think no one can see. You both have had the goofiest looks on your faces since I got here. I think it’s great!”
Sheepishly, I shrug and follow after Aria to the garage.
Talking over Rayna’s car. “Do you really think it’s great? Not too soon?”
“Are you asking me if you think that both of you being single for over a decade and finally being together is too soon?”
“Guess when you put it like that,” I concede, stepping into Rayna’s car.
“Honestly, Dad. I think it's an excellent thing. You both have so much history together. It makes sense. I’m so happy for the both of you.”
“Thanks, sweetpea. It means a lot to me that you are okay with everything.”
“Of course.”
“But maybe don’t mention anything to your mum or anyone back at the house? I think Rayna wants to keep things quiet. I’m sure she hasn’t told Louie yet.”
“Oh, he’ll be fine with it. He’s twenty-five years old. I’m sure he has more things to worry about than his mumsy and her best friend being an item.”
I can’t help but laugh. She’s right. It’s not like Louie is a child anymore, and I’m sure he would handle the news fine. But I’d definitely leave it up to Rayna and what she is comfortable with.
“I won’t say anything. I love Rayna. Plus, it’s not my news to share.”
“Thanks,” I reply.
She places a hand on my arm and squeezes. “I’m really happy for both of you.”
We chat for the remainder of the drive, and she’ll let me know when to pick her up or if Courtney will drop her off.
Enjoying the quiet drive back to Rayna’s, going the longer, scenic route. Appreciating the placid Christmas Eve traffic and letting my thoughts get away from me. I meander my way back to my house and decide to pop in and see what I might need to pick up and take over to Rayna’s.
Reaching the house, I’m surprised to hear power tools and music going. Knocking loudly so I don’t startle anyone, I hear Liam call out. “Come in!” And the sound of weighty machinery being placed on the ground.
“Koby! Wasn’t expecting you,” He beams around his dark brown hair, wide smile and bright green eyes.
“I could say the same about you, mate. It’s Christmas Eve. Don’t you have plans?”
“Nah, my mum and older brother are over in Germany with his girlfriend. I might as well keep going here and get you back here as soon as I can.”
“On your own?”
“Yeah, I gave everyone two weeks off over Christmas and New Year.”
“I’m sure they appreciate it.”
“When they straggle behind to make sure I can handle the work on my own, I know I’ve done something right.”
“Absolutely. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”
“Honestly, either back here or lying by the beach.”
“Well, I am sure Rayna would insist that you have an open invite to Rayna’s for lunch if you’d like to hang out with people. Rayna has a great pool and a big spread organised. We’d love to have you there.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it, and I’ll honestly keep it in mind.”
I nod and pat his shoulder. “Now what are you up to that couldn’t wait until the new year? Did you need a hand with anything?”
He takes me through what he has been up to.
It’s impressive what he has been able to achieve on his own.
He surprises me. While he looks like your typical surfer, you could easily discount him and stereotype him as a slacker or a flake.
But he has great attention to detail, stellar ethics, and a positive attitude.
He gets me to help him with a few areas that need an extra pair of hands to hold things in place but then shoos me off. To which I reply that I also want him to knock off and enjoy some quiet time. Which I am happy he listens and leaves with me.
Driving back to Rayna’s, I’m both joyful and sullen. All I want to do is embrace her when I enter the house, but I’ll have to play it cool and pretend we are just friends.
Entering the house to a burst of voices and music as I open the front door, I hear the radiant laughter of Rayna and know that her heart is full right now. She has missed this.
I greet everyone before heading to the kitchen for a drink.
Rayna comes over and stays a respectable distance from me, and it kills me. I wish I could reach out and take her hand.
“Everything okay?”
“Absolutely. I popped by the house to see if I needed anything, and Liam was there, working on his own. Hope you don’t mind, but I offered an invite here tomorrow as he doesn’t have any family here to spend it with tomorrow.”
“Yes, of course. I’m going to message him right now and insist he come.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and starts typing away.
“I told him you’d insist,” I tease, at which she playfully slaps my arm.
“Okay. I messaged him. I hope he comes, so he isn’t alone for the holiday.”
“I’m sure he will. Joey and Mack also called on my way back here. Their flight has been cancelled because of a new cyclone warning, so they’ll stay put but send their apologies.’
“Fingers crossed it doesn’t hit land.”
Nodding, I notice two glasses on the bench. I raise a glass to offer her. “Refill?” She takes it and her fingers linger on mine as her eyes stay locked with mine. Electricity passing through. Compelling our eyes to lock.
Our hands break contact, and I pour water into her glass and then mine.
“Thank you,” she replies, taking a sip, keeping eye contact.
My phone dings, and I hate having to take my eyes off her. I take a gulp of water and drag my phone out of my pocket.
“Aria. She’s going to be dropped off.”
“Great. Did you want a stronger drink if she doesn’t need a pick up?”
“Sure.”
She heads to the fridge, which is behind me.
I turn so I’m standing close to her side.
My breath brushes down her neck as the cold air from the fridge hits our faces.
Fuck. All I want to do is grab her head and kiss her so hard.
But there is a house full of people who do not know about us and were just pushing her to date someone.
Alright, so I know they will be okay with her seeing someone.
But would they be okay with that someone being me?
“Beer is a good idea!” I hear Teddy approaching the kitchen.
Stepping backwards, away from Rayna to ask. “Teddy! Forgot to ask you. Been working with some new crew members? Anyone potentially ready to progress?”
Distraction successful as I exhale subtly. Trying to get the overwhelming thoughts of sitting Rayna into the opening of the upside down fridge, pushing myself against her and revel in listening to the sharpness of her breath as I press her back up against the cold containers and shelves.
She pulls out some beers and hands them around to us. Opening hers and taking a long pull. The pink in her cheek, giving away her current thoughts. I beg myself to listen to Teddy. Wanting to hear this information. But I’m lost in the cocoon of her presence.