Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Abby

Me: I wish you could be at dinner to help and give me support.

Amber: I know, and I totally would. But if you want Zach there, then I can’t come.

Me (typed but deleted): Is it really that bad? What happened? Because I know something did.

Me (actual reply instead): Am I crazy for even agreeing to this plan?

Amber: We already went through all the pros and cons! Rafe can not only give you some big favor, he’ll take care of Travis once and for all. And I know he will, too.

Me: How can you be so sure?

Amber: Because I remember the teenage boy who carried you back home after you twisted your ankle without complaint. He may have grown up, but I can’t believe Rafe changed that much.

Me: Well, in for a penny, in for a pound, I guess. No turning back now. Wish me luck!

Amber: Good luck! Even if West gets pissed, your family will accept it. I know they will. And I’ll always be here for you. Love you. heart emoji

Me: You’re the best, Amber. And right back at you. heart emoji

W hen I walked into the dining room and saw West glaring daggers at Rafe, I knew I needed to share the news and settle everything as soon as possible. My eldest brother was going to be the hardest one to win over, but at least with his kids and wife in the room, he wouldn’t kill Rafe.

Probably.

Plus, if Rafe kept staring at me as if he were stripping the clothes from my body, everyone would guess anyway. Better to have the truth out now than later be asked why I kept it secret even longer than I had.

So when Rafe stopped rambling, I placed my hand on his shoulder, asked if he was ready, and willed my racing heart to calm down a little. When Rafe squeezed my hand, I got the courage to say, “Rafe and I are more than co-workers. In fact, he’s my husband.”

After a few beats, the room erupted. West demanded to know what the fuck was going on as he charged toward Rafe. Katie and Emmy blinked at me as Avery and Wyatt cheered. Beck and Zane frowned while Zach grinned, winked at me, and gave a thumbs up.

As I tried to figure out how to calm the room and stop West from killing Rafe, Aunt Lori tapped her wineglass with a fork and said, “Calm down and sit your butts back in your chairs. Now.”

She didn’t even need to shout. We knew from growing up with her that you obeyed before Aunt Lori got angry. It was better for everyone that way.

Aunt Lori pointed to West’s empty chair. “I mean it, West. Sit your butt down or I’ll make you sit down. I may be older, but I’m strong enough to still twist your ear like the best of them.”

West pointed at Rafe. “Why the fuck are you on his side? You know what he did to Emmy.”

Aunt Lori clicked her tongue. “Watch your tone, lad. You’re not too old for me to put you in time out.”

West blinked, and I nearly laughed. Glancing down, I saw Rafe’s bewildered expression and I wished I could explain things to him. But in our family, Aunt Lori was the Queen. Her diminutive size meant nothing.

West stared but eventually sighed and threw up his hands. “Fine, I’ll sit.” He glared at Rafe. “But we’re going to have words, Mendoza. So don’t even think of running away.”

Rafe’s muscles tensed under my hand, and I knew he was restraining himself. For me.

Emmy moved to West’s side and took one of his hands. “Come on, West. Let’s listen to their story before jumping to conclusions. I, more than anyone, know not to do that again.”

She’d assumed for years that Rafe had blamed her for their parents’ death—and West knew that—my brother sighed, kissed her, and followed her back to his seat.

Once everyone was seated and quiet—even Avery and Wyatt, which was quite the miracle—Aunt Lori sipped her wine and gestured toward me and Rafe. “Tell us what happened, dears.”

Especially since you told me you’d never marry, Abby , was left unsaid.

Rafe whispered something to Wyatt, and he left his seat to sit on the far side of the table. I slid next to Rafe, and under the table, he took my hand and squeezed. I glanced at him, and he raised his eyebrows in question, offering to explain and take the heat. But I gave a nearly imperceptible shake of my head. If I didn’t explain myself now, my family would interrogate me later anyway.

So I focused on killing two birds with one stone. “Well, I think everyone knows I had a crush on Rafe as a kid. And while it faded over time, when he came back, I started talking with him again. And despite our arguments, my crush sort of came back.”

It wasn’t a complete lie, although Emmy raised her brows, which said she’d be asking me more questions in private later.

I quickly continued, “At any rate, I was struggling to figure out my life, and I decided an impromptu trip to Vegas might help. I had a friend from college I wanted to see who’d moved there, and I headed out. Except my car broke down before I’d even left Starry Hills.”

This much was true, and something I’d remembered in the days since waking up married to Rafe.

I looked at my husband. “Rafe saw me on the side of the road and…”

My throat tightened. I still couldn’t remember exactly what we’d said or why I’d gone with him, and I hated lying to my family. Could I really do it?

Rafe searched my gaze, must’ve seen something there, and picked up the story. “She’d been crying, and I asked her what was wrong.” I blinked, but Rafe didn’t give me a chance to ask if that was true as he barreled on. “I won’t break her confidence, but I offered to take her to Vegas and get her car fixed while she was away. She argued but eventually got into my car, and I drove her there. She offered to buy me dinner as a thank you, and we argued again.” He chuckled. “We do that a lot, but I don’t mind.”

Amusement danced in his gaze, and I rolled my eyes. Rafe merely shrugged and said, “Eventually the argument turned heated, we kissed, and well…we ended up in a chapel and got hitched.”

West frowned and opened his mouth, but I beat him to it. “When I woke up and remembered what we’d done, it was definitely a surprise. However, there’s something between Rafe and me, and we decided to give this marriage a shot.” I glanced around the table. “But I want to figure out if our marriage can work without any meddling.” I peered hard at Aunt Lori. “I mean it.”

She put up her hands. “I wouldn’t dream of it, child.”

I narrowed my eyes, but my aunt had the most innocent expression on her face.

Oh no. She would meddle, no question.

Emmy spoke up, her voice quiet. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Since she’d lived with my family after her parents had died, we were a little closer than the rest of the BFF circle. Emmy had been my sister long before West had married her.

And right now, the hurt in her eyes was like a stab to my heart.

I wasn’t a coward, though, and spoke the truth. “I didn’t want to ruin your honeymoon period with West. Besides, it was still new, and Rafe and I needed to figure out our future. But I’m telling everyone now.” I moved my gaze to West. “And I hope you’ll at least try to be happy for us.”

West and I stared at each other for what felt like an hour but couldn’t have been more than thirty seconds. His gaze darted to Rafe and then back to me. “I’ll tolerate him, but that’s the best I can do right now, Abby.”

As I struggled to respond, Katie—bless her—raised her wine glass and said, “I think congratulations are in order. To Abby and Rafe!”

She smiled warmly at me, and it helped to settle my nerves a little.

Everyone—even West, once Emmy elbowed him in the side—raised their glasses and cheered.

Once I’d sipped, or more like gulped, my wine, Rafe spoke up again. “I’d like to have a big party with family and friends soon, to celebrate our marriage. I hope you all will come.”

Zach spoke up. “Have karaoke and beer, and I’m there.”

My brother winked at me and mouthed, “Nice catch.” I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head.

Avery said, “Can we do karaoke and try some wine? I’m eleven now.”

West snorted. “Nice try, but no. You’re not trying wine yet. Maybe in a few years, since my parents let me try some at fourteen.”

Beck snorted. “Let you? More like you stole a bottle and got pissed-face drunk.”

West replied, “Not as bad as you. I swear you threw up for days.”

Avery scrunched her nose. “I don’t want to throw up for days.”

Aunt Lori spoke up. “That’s only if you have too much, and a sip or two won’t do that to you, child. Keep at your dad, and he’ll let you try it, at least. Whether you’ll like it or not, we’ll see.”

West grunted. “Don’t encourage her.”

Aunt Lori shrugged. “Your family runs a winery. I can’t see the harm. And if we don’t let her try it, she’ll do it on her own and might end up like her father, passed out in the barn, using a pile of horse crap as a pillow.”

Zach laughed. “I barely remember that. Weren’t you also mostly naked? I always felt bad for the horses.”

West growled. “I didn’t touch the horses, asshole.”

Zach whinnied, and West threatened him again. As they bickered, Rafe leaned over and whispered, “I think it’s going be okay.”

The heat of his breath on my skin nearly made me shiver. Once his hand squeezed mine under the table, I decided to ask quietly, “Did you really find me crying when my car broke down?”

He paused and then said, “Yes. I remembered a little more from that day, but not all of it. We can share what we each remember once we’re alone.”

I nodded, and a tendril of hair escaped the bunch settled at the top of my head. Rafe’s eyes traveled to where it lay against the top of my breast. Even though he wasn’t touching me, my nipple beaded and my heart raced. What would it feel like to have him take me into his mouth? Torture me with his teeth and tongue? Make me squirm, and then repeat it all over again on the other side.

I made a small noise before I could stop myself, and Rafe’s gaze met mine again. At the heat there, I leaned forward a little and parted my lips.

Zach’s shout prevented me from replying. “Do you two need a room for some newlywed alone time? Because there’s an empty guesthouse out back you can use. Much closer than racing home or trying to make it work in a car—it’s not as easy as it sounds.”

West sighed. “My children are here, Zach.”

“What? I didn’t swear or anything.”

West shook his head, but before he could speak, Emmy pulled his head down and gave him a kiss.

Katie said, “Oh, good idea,” before kissing Nolan.

To my surprise, Beck kissed Sabrina, and Katie kissed Nolan again. Before I could debate whether to follow suit, Rafe gently turned my head, lowered his lips, and pressed his mouth to mine.

It was soft, gentle, and not the all-consuming type of kiss from earlier. And yet, heat rushed through me and the urge to climb onto his lap again was strong.

Wyatt made gagging sounds and said loudly, “Ew, stop it! No kissing at dinner! I don’t want to puke.”

It snapped me back to the present, and I pulled away. However, I caught Rafe’s eyes, unguarded for a second, and noticed they were filled with longing. But what for?

His expression quickly shuttered, and he answered Wyatt, “One day, you’ll probably have your own person to kiss.”

He made gagging sounds again. “No, thank you. I’d rather play soccer.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing, which became even harder when Avery sighed dramatically and blurted, “I want to be kissed again soon.”

Her father’s brows went up. “Who the fuck are you kissing now?”

Avery waggled a finger. “Language, Daddy.”

As he argued with his daughter about not kissing anyone until she was at least thirteen, my phone vibrated, and then again. Usually I tried not to look at it during dinner, but it kept going off and I debated what to do. Then a piece of roll landed in my lap from Aunt Lori’s direction. After I lifted my head and met her gaze, she held up her phone and gave me an expectant look.

Since she’d probably keep throwing food at me until I saw her texts, I discreetly pulled it from my pocket and read her messages:

Aunt Lori: I knew you two would end up together. heart-eye emoji

Aunt Lori: His gaze always turns hungry when he looks at you and he thought no one was looking. overheated emoji

Aunt Lori: And don’t worry, I’ll work on West. He and Rafe were close once, and I think they could be friends again. hugging emoji

Aunt Lori: But no matter what, I’ll hug your new piece of man meat every chance I get and make him feel welcome. That lad needs a family to love him, no matter what he might say. heart emoji

The words blurred a little as I reread her final text. And just like that, my aunt welcomed and accepted Rafe, no questions asked.

Finally meeting her eyes again, I mouthed, “Thank you.”

She nodded, and then Zach tossed a pea at Zane, and Sabrina laughed as Zane dumped his water glass over his twin’s head.

Wyatt tried to do the same to his sister, but Emmy stopped him and laid out why someone shouldn’t pour water on another person’s head at the dinner table.

Amidst the chaos, I glanced at Rafe. He must’ve felt me watching him because he looked at me and whispered, “Is this normal?”

I smiled. “This is what it’s like when it’s just family. They were putting on more of a show in front of you before.”

He grumbled, “I’m not sure which is better.”

I lightly swatted his arm. “Be nice.”

His lips twitched. “But being bad can feel so good.”

He waggled his eyebrows, and I snorted. “So now you’re spouting corny lines?”

“How can I think properly in the face of such beauty?”

I rolled my eyes, but he continued, “You must’ve dropped from heaven because you look like an angel.”

I batted my eyelashes, pretending to be a big flirt. “And you must be the devil, tempting me to sin.”

After he moved my hand to his chest, he leaned down and murmured, “No, you’re the witch who’s entranced me.”

Avery sighed and said in a loud whisper right next to me, “You’re so lucky, Aunt Abby. I can’t wait until you have a baby and then I can be like a big sister to him or her, even though I know I’m just a cousin.”

Her words were like dumping cold water over my head. “Baby?”

She nodded. “Kissing can lead to being naked and sex. Sex makes babies. So have lots of sex.”

Nolan choked on his wine, and West’s voice boomed, “Why are you talking about sex and babies?”

Avery answered matter-of-factly. “I’m not a little girl any longer, Daddy. Besides, I’ve seen bulls go at it for as long as I can remember. Although taking the cow from behind didn’t look very comfortable. Do humans do it that way too?”

Zach, devil that he was, said, “Maybe you should write down all your questions for your dad, Avery, and he can answer them. Knowledge is power, after all.”

West glared at Zach, but I couldn’t help but snort. Which also earned me a glare from my oldest brother.

Beck sighed. “Can we maybe not talk about sex at the dinner table? Do we really need to make that a new rule?”

Katie said, “Ah, you’re no fun, Beck.”

West looked to be at the edge of his patience, but Emmy whispered something into his ear and he visibly relaxed.

Jealousy rushed through me because I’d never have that kind of relationship—where one person knew you better than you knew yourself and could help when needed, be it surviving a disaster or just a few words to ease your worries.

No, I’d never have that because my marriage to Rafe was just pretend.

And after Travis, I wasn’t sure I could trust a man ever again.

Aunt Lori clapped her hands and said, “No more talk of sex at the dinner table. Now, let’s dig in before the food gets cold. And while we eat, we can plan Rafe and Abby’s celebration party. Or, a belated wedding reception? Hmm, maybe we can call it the Vegas Marriage Bash. We should make it unforgettable and then we can turn their story into a book!”

I glanced at my aunt. “You’re a writer now?”

She winked. “You don’t know what I have on my laptop.”

My siblings and I all groaned. But Katie asked Aunt Lori what she wrote and if she could read it, until eventually Nolan murmured something into Katie’s ear and the conversation turned back to Rafe’s and my party.

As I ate, I watched Beck, West, and Nolan with their partners, and tears pricked my eyes. It was petty and childish, but it was unfair how they’d all found love despite scoffing at it most of their lives.

Life is unfair. Travis taught you that. However, don’t let that dickhead’s actions ruin the rest of your life.

And if that meant being friends with benefits—and having a fake marriage—for a year to figure out my future on my terms, I’d take it. Because one thing I’d finally admitted to myself this evening was that I wanted Rafe naked and inside me. And if I couldn’t get my happily ever after with love and marriage and children like I’d wanted for so long, then I’d take what I could get.

Once we were living together, it was game on.