Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Rafe

Me: Just an FYI, I have a surprise for everyone tonight, Emmy.

Emmy: A good kind of surprise? Or, more like I need to duck behind furniture kind of surprise?

Me: Somewhere in-between. But I need your help with West.

Emmy: Uh-oh, now I’m worried. Why?

Me: He might not like it.

Emmy: That’s unhelpful, Rafe. What’s going on?

Me: You’ll see soon. But I’d rather not end up dead tonight.

Emmy: Don’t you trust me?

Me: I do. But it’s not just my secret to share. Please, Em. Will you keep West from murdering me?

Emmy: I’ll try, but I can’t make any guarantees.

Me: That’s good enough for me. Thanks, sis.

Emmy: You’d better bring some macarons with you, then. I’m craving them, and Avery can’t make them yet.

Me: Wait, are you pregnant?

Emmy: No! I just want some fancy cookies.

Me: Consider it done. See you soon.

T he drive to my sister’s house had felt like an hour instead of fifteen minutes. Not just because of dreading West’s reaction to Abby and my news, but also because I was both hesitant and looking forward to finally seeing Abby again.

Since our kiss the day before yesterday, I hadn’t talked with her in person for more than a few minutes here and there at the training center. Oh, we’d finalized our story over the phone. But even then, it’d lacked the playfulness from before I’d nearly made her come on my lap.

Fuck, just remembering her hot mouth and tongue twirling with mine as she pressed against me made my dick stir. It’d been one kiss, just one, and we hadn’t even been naked. And yet, I’d dreamed of it both nights and spent way too much time wondering what would’ve happened if I hadn’t stopped it.

Which had been the right thing to do. I wasn’t about to take advantage of Abby, especially after what that bastard had done to her.

And yet, her sweet moans and her taste and the feel of her ass in my hands made me want her every second of every day. How the fuck had one kiss changed her from my sister’s best friend—attractive, but just another woman—into the person constantly invading my thoughts? I craved Abigail Wolfe like nothing I’d craved before.

Oh, wait—Abigail Mendoza.

My wife.

Maybe I should eventually claim my wife?

No, don’t do it. Don’t make things complicated.

Thankfully, I pulled up to my sister’s place before my thoughts could turn dangerous again. She lived in the same white, two-story house we’d grown up in, which sat a short distance from the red barn where Emmy held most of her wedding receptions. I turned off the ignition and stared at the house, one where I’d been loved and cared for and had never thought I’d be thirty-six years old and without either of my parents.

Parents who were dead because of me.

I’d been here a few times over the last four months or so, but it never got any easier. Even though Emmy had redecorated the inside, making it her own, each room still held a ton of memories. Happy ones that only twisted the knife of guilt in my heart even more.

As I took a deep breath and willed myself to get my ass out of the car, my sister’s new stepson, Wyatt Wolfe, bolted out of the front door toward me. He’d been quiet and a little shy at first, but now he was a lot more open and always asked questions about my soccer career. Ever since I’d helped start up a local soccer team for him and his friends, he’d seen me as some kind of hero.

I opened the door, and Wyatt skidded to a halt. “Uncle Rafe, you came! Emmy said you would, but Dad said you probably wouldn’t. I’m glad you did! Did you bring the jersey? Did you?”

I couldn’t help but smile. Usually, Wyatt’s twin sister was the outgoing one. Wyatt only seemed to get like this around me. After reaching over, I picked it up and held it out. “Here you go.”

He held up the red and white jersey of the Manchester Dragons, but on the back, it had “Wolfe” for the name.

“Thank you, Uncle Rafe!” He tugged it over his head. It was a little too big, but the boy was in his growing-like-a-weed stage, and I’d wanted to play it safe.

“Glad you like it, Wyatt. Is everyone here already?”

I took out the container of macarons and shut the car door. Wyatt replied, “Yeah, you’re the last one. But you’re still on time, it’s just everyone’s early tonight. Something about Aunt Lori bringing fancy wine and Katie bringing fancy cheese and they didn’t want to miss out.”

Given how the Wolfe siblings always acted like they’d never eaten before in their lives when they got together for meals, it didn’t surprise me. “Well, then let’s join them.”

Wyatt plucked at his jersey. “This is awesome. I can’t wait to show my friends. Asher has a San Jose Earthquakes jersey with his name on it, but this is way better.”

“A friend of mine plays for the Earthquakes.” I lowered my voice. “But the Dragons are better.”

Wyatt put his arms out like wings and shouted, “Roar!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Normally, I hated talking about my time as a pro soccer player—I loved the game and hadn’t done it for the fame. But Emmy had confided about how Wyatt had struggled to make friends at first, after moving to Starry Hills. But the jersey I’d given him for his birthday had started talk with some of the students and he now had a best friend.

The front door opened just as we reached it, and Wyatt’s twin sister, Avery, stood there. “Another jersey? Why, Wyatt? You have too many already.”

“This one is better.”

“It’s still boring and ugly.”

“Just like your face.”

“Wyatt!”

He laughed, and she chased him outside, around the front yard. I watched them for a few seconds before my sister’s voice made me turn around. “Thank you for getting him that personalized jersey, Rafe. He’s talked about nothing else for days.”

Before I could reply, she hugged me and I awkwardly patted her back with one hand.

When she stepped back, I handed her the container of macarons. “Just like you asked.”

“Wow, these are from a fancy San Francisco bakery.”

“Only the best for my sister.”

Her gaze met mine, and she narrowed her eyes. “Amber makes amazing ones, too. I think you’re buttering me up for something.”

I placed a hand over my heart. “Never.”

“Okay, now I definitely know you’re up to something.” Her face sobered, and she whispered, “It’s not going to ruin the night, is it?”

“I…hope not.”

Before my sister could say anything else, Aunt Lori—she made everyone call her that, even me—appeared next to Emmy. “Rafe! I’m glad you came, lad. Come on. Everyone’s waiting inside.”

After looping her arm through mine, she tugged. Given how she was over a foot shorter than me, it was almost comical, but I followed her lead.

She added, “You somehow always end up being the last one to arrive. But I made them wait to start dinner. A young, strong man like you needs his food.”

I studied the woman in her sixties, her black hair streaked with gray, and tried to determine if Abby had told her about us being married yet. But her expression was merely amused and smiling, and I couldn’t tell.

We reached the dining room, and everyone fell silent as West and I stared at each other.

I no longer harbored any bad feelings toward the man since he clearly loved and worshiped my sister. And yet, he refused to accept my apologies for how I’d treated him and Emmy, saying I had a long way to go before I made things up to my sister.

As if I didn’t know that. Even now, thinking about how she’d thought I’d stayed away because I blamed her for our parents’ deaths made me feel about two inches tall.

I decided to break the tense silence. “Hello, West.”

He grunted and replied, “Hi.”

The one syllable was filled with anger and loathing. Not for the first time, I missed my friend growing up.

This is your own fault, Mendoza. So just accept it and stop wishing it was different.

Emmy rushed to her husband’s side. “Why don’t you sit down while I check on Beck, Sabrina, and Abby in the kitchen? Dinner should be ready.”

Aunt Lori shook her head. “I’ll go.”

She left just as Avery and Wyatt entered the room. Wyatt plopped onto a chair and gestured to one at his side. “Sit next to me, Uncle Rafe.”

Avery pouted. “But he sat next to you last time. It’s my turn.”

Katie—who sat next to Nolan—laughed and said, “How about if he sits between the pair of you? That would make everything easier.”

The twins grumbled, and Avery sat one seat away from her brother. I’d wanted to sit next to Abby, but as the kids looked at me expectantly, I slid into the empty chair. Nolan was across the table from me and asked, “Want some wine?”

I nodded. “White, please.”

As he poured, I hated how fucking tense and silent the room was. Because of me, the outsider.

It reminded me of just how much Abby was sacrificing to see our deal through—more awkward dinners and get-togethers as people tried to figure me out.

That’s your own fault, asshole. So fix it.

It’d been easier to charm in the UK, where no one had known about my past or my parents, let alone how I’d pretty much abandoned my sister as a kid.

As I tried to think of what to say, Emmy asked, “How’s work going at the training facility?”

I sipped my wine and replied, “We’re on schedule, which is good. And…” Even though Abby had said it was fine to share, I hesitated before continuing, “Abby’s going to head up the tutoring center.”

Katie clapped her hands. “That’s amazing! She’ll be great at it, the best. Some people are just meant to be teachers, and she is one. She definitely has more patience than me.”

Zach chuckled. “And me. I’d probably get distracted and turn the classroom into some kind of playground instead.”

Avery chimed in. “You’d be a fun teacher, Uncle Zach. But you should probably stick to being a substitute one. That way, you won’t get into too much trouble.”

Everyone laughed, even Zane and West. Zach nodded. “You’re wise beyond your years, Avery. At least now I have a backup plan, if I ever need it.”

Abby’s voice came from behind him. “Why do you need a backup plan?”

I turned, and for a second I forgot about everyone else in the room. Even though she was in jeans and a nice top, she’d piled her hair atop her head, revealing the soft skin of her neck. Her shirt also dipped just low enough to show a hint of cleavage, but not too much.

And then she walked by me and gave me a view of her ass, hips, and soft thighs encased in form-fitting jeans.

Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to have them wrapped around me as she cried out my name as she came.

“Uncle Rafe? Uncle Rafe? Are you going to answer?”

Avery’s voice snapped me back to the present.

Everyone stared at me, including Abby, clearly waiting for my reply. “Er, sorry. I was lost in thought about a problem at work.”

West narrowed his eyes before glancing at Abby and back at me again. If anyone would notice my gawking at Abby, he would. Damn former best friend and his perception skills.

Emmy, thankfully, came to my rescue. “We were just curious if the tutoring center would open at the same time as your training programs or not.”

Abby leaned over between me and Avery to lay something on the table, her scent of warm female and vanilla driving me crazy.

Focus, Mendoza. I cleared my throat and replied, “I’m not sure. I only hired Abby a couple days ago, and she has a lot of work to do still. Plus, there’s the construction and getting the supplies and spreading the word. I don’t want to rush it. Abby will have the final say about when she’s ready to open.”

And there I went, rambling.

Beck, Sabrina, and Aunt Lori entered the room with the rest of the food. Before anyone else could speak, Abby did. “This is going to be an awkward dinner if I don’t share something.” She glanced down at me. “Ready?”

Well, leave it to Abby to get straight to the point.

I nodded, and she placed her hand on my shoulder. I quickly covered hers with my own and squeezed.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Abby had convinced me earlier to let her share the news, and so I waited. She took a deep breath and said, “Rafe and I are more than co-workers. In fact, he’s my husband.”

After a few seconds of silence, all hell broke loose.