Chapter 7 Andrew

Andrew confidently strutted in front of his closet's mirrored doors, ready for any occasion in his snug-fitting jeans, paired with a button-down shirt and a tie. He went down the stairs and just as he walked out the door, his phone rang, filling the air with a familiar ringtone. There was no mistaking the caller's identity; he knew it instantly.

Not now. Nope. Not answering. No one is going to ruin my date with Rafael.

When he neared Rafael's neighborhood, he carefully parked his car around the block to keep his presence hidden from any nosy neighbors. He went to the back of the house, through the gate, then to the back door. He knocked and Rafael answered immediately, quickly pulling Andrew inside. The touch of Rafael's lips against his own was like a feather, soft and gentle, sending a tingling feeling throughout his body.

"Where's your car?"

"Around the block."

"Good thinking. Let's go."

The black custom Jeep Wrangler embodied Rafael's bold and commanding presence. The passing scenery was a blur outside the car windows. Rafael drove with one hand on Andrew's knee, his touch a reassuring closeness and a turn-on. Rafael's hand moved slowly upward with each stop, causing a chill to travel down Andrew's spine.

"You're getting close to my…" Andrew said.

"Are you complaining?"

"Nope!"

The restaurant was an hour's drive from Foggy Basin. Andrew relished sitting beside Rafael, appreciating his presence and these stolen moments they were sharing.

Andrew had always admired other restaurants since he owned a diner. Nestled in the city's heart, this establishment boasted an inviting ambiance and a lake view.

Fireflies, like winking stars, dotted the twilight sky above the lake. Andrew watched them dance, his nervous energy mirroring their erratic movements. Across the checkered tablecloth, bathed in the warm glow of fairy lights strung overhead, sat Rafael. He looked even more breathtaking than usual. His gorgeous dark hair, usually hidden under his police officer's cap, was available for Andrew to admire. A few strands framed his sun-tanned face. Here, on the outskirts of a charming lakeside town, miles away from the suffocating judgment of Foggy Basin, Andrew dared to dream about them living together.

Rafael had immediately ordered two beers on tap. Seated by the lake, they sank into the comfort of padded chairs, enjoying the serene view. The server caught everyone's attention with her vibrant red miniskirt and charming red and white striped tank top. Her matching sandals completed the stylish ensemble. Andrew couldn't help but shift into employer mode and make a mental note that the "Cal/OSHA Guide to Restaurant Safety" cautioned against wearing open-toed shoes as a safety precaution, even though the state had not issued a specific regulation on the matter. He preferred to follow OSHA's guideline.

She handed them menus, which they studied closely.

The air was thick with the scent of sizzling steak and the promise of a summer night. Andrew took a long swig of his beer, the coolness a welcome contrast to the warmth blooming in his cheeks.

"This place," Andrew started, his voice barely a whisper, "it's perfect."

Rafael laughed, a low, melodic sound that sent shivers down Andrew's spine. "Agreed. Feels a million miles away from everything." His smile, though genuine, held a hint of sadness.

The server appeared beside them again.

"Two New York strips, medium rare, with mashed potatoes and a side salad?" Rafael double-checked with Andrew. They had discussed the menu, and Rafael had recommended the steaks, which Andrew was in the mood for tonight.

"Perfect," Andrew confirmed, his throat suddenly tight.

As Andrew felt more confident, he sat up straighter and took a deep breath. This was it. "So, Rafael," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "This…this is amazing. Sitting here with you, under the stars, after all this time…" He trailed off, not sure how to express the whirlwind of emotions churning inside him.

He continued, his voice firming, "Since last night at the mixer, I…" He trailed off, the weight of unspoken feelings heavy in the air.

Rafael set down his own beer, his brown eyes holding a heat that sent a flutter to Andrew's stomach. "Me too, Andrew. Honestly, since you…" He hesitated, a trace of pain crossing his face. "Since you said what you said, I can't stop thinking about it."

Andrew's heart leaped. "You mean…"

Rafael's smile faltered. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on a passing dragonfly. "Andrew," he said, his voice soft, "you know things aren't easy back home."

Andrew's heart sank. He knew. He knew their families, steeped in generations of bitter rivalry, would never accept them. Never accept their relationship. But tonight, here, under the vast summer sky, he wanted to believe, to hope.

"I know," Andrew said, his voice thick with emotion. "But that doesn't have to mean we can't…this. Us."

"Yeah." Rafael laughed, a touch bittersweet. "I've wanted this for a long time, too. But…" His voice faded, his brow furrowing as he stared out across the lake.

"But what?" Andrew pressed.

Rafael turned to him, his eyes pools of concern. "Look, Andrew, as much as I want this—as much as I want you—we can't just pretend everything is normal. Not with our families. They…If we do this, if we even consider this, it can't be out in the open."

Secrecy. Andrew hated the thought of it, of hiding something so beautiful, so true. But he understood. Foggy Basin was a small town. Secrets traveled on the wind.

"So, what then?" Andrew asked, the question hanging in the air.

Rafael sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. "We see each other like this, stolen moments away from home. Dates under the cloak of darkness, whispers in the dead of night. It's not ideal, Andrew, but it's all we can have."

Andrew stared at the flickering flames of a nearby candle, his mind a battlefield of emotions. The joy of finding someone who saw him, who understood him, warring with the despair of a love shrouded in shadows.

"It won't be easy," Andrew admitted, his voice barely a croak.

"No," Rafael agreed, his hand reaching across the table, his fingers brushing against Andrew's. "It won't. But maybe," he continued, his voice laced with a desperate hope, "maybe it's worth it."

Rafael's brow furrowed slightly, a trace of something Andrew couldn't read crossing his face. He took a long sip of his beer, then set the mug down slowly.

Rafael leaned back in his chair; his gaze fixed on a distant point on the lake. "Maybe," he repeated. "But there's something you need to understand, Andrew. If we do this, if we choose this path, it has to be on my terms."

Andrew felt a knot tighten in his stomach. "Your terms?"

"Complete secrecy," Rafael said, his voice flat but firm. "No one. Not our families, not our friends, not a single soul can know about this. Never."

Andrew swallowed hard. The weight of Rafael's words settled on him, heavy and suffocating. A relationship built on a foundation of secrecy and lies was not what he'd envisioned. Yet, the thought of never seeing Rafael again on this level, of losing this chance at happiness, was unbearable.

The silence stretched between them, thick with the weight of the decision. The fireflies continued their frenetic dance, oblivious to the turmoil in Andrew's heart. He looked at Rafael, his face illuminated by the fairy lights. It was a gamble, a dangerous one, but for Rafael he was willing to take it.

"Alright," Andrew finally said, his voice barely a whisper. "Secrecy it is."

"This also means we are exclusive." Rafael locked eyes with Andrew, searching for a sign of agreement.

"Absolutely." Andrew nodded.

After that, their conversation flowed as smoothly as the beer they sipped, each confession of hidden affection bringing them closer. They shared stories of moments when they had almost spoken up, of glances that lingered too long, and of the fear that had held them back.

After finishing their meal, Rafael whispered, "Tonight, we're going to hit the motel for a few hours."

Andrew had longed for this moment for what felt like an eternity—finally, they would be together, just as he had always dreamed.

"I thought you'd never want to do that." As his excitement built, Andrew could feel his cock thickening.

"Do you mind if I top most of the time?" Rafael asked.

"Not at all. The thought of you topping excites me more than you know. But are you open to changing it up sometimes?"

"With you, yes."

"I can't wait to feel you inside."

"And I can't wait to…" As Rafael was in the middle of his thoughts, his phone rudely interrupted him with its loud and persistent ringing.

The intimate bubble they had created away from Foggy Basin burst. He excused himself from the table and found a spot nearby to take the call. Rafael's expression turned serious as he listened. Andrew watched, his heart sinking as Rafael's brows furrowed.

Does he have to return to the police station? The police officers in Foggy Basin had a reputation for being dependable, always ready to lend a hand when needed. Gabriella had told him her brother worked long shifts and often had to cover for others.