Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Rafe

I ’d waited for this question to come up. While I’d talked with my sister about our parents and why I’d stayed away, Emmy hadn’t shared those conversations with anyone but her husband.

Not that I’d revealed everything to my sister. But she knew enough.

However, as Abby’s gaze searched mine, the usual desire to run away to forget about the past didn’t appear. I wanted to walk toward her, hold her, and maybe even share a little of myself.

But that would bring us closer, and given my track record, I’d end up hurting her.

It was best to keep my distance. “You know what it’s like to lose your parents. If given the chance, wouldn’t you run away from the place that reminded you of them and never come back?”

“That’s a bullshit answer, if I’d ever heard one.”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Starry Hills might remind you of your parents, but Emmy was here, too. Unless you’re saying that to avoid memories of your parents, you’d be willing to never see your sister again? Because I thought you loved her.”

“That’s not fair.”

“You promised to be honest with me, Rafe. So tell me: did you miss Emmy while you were away?”

“Of course I did.”

“Then why did you stay away so long? Yes, coming back would’ve been painful, but you could’ve managed it. Remember, I lost my parents too. I know how much it hurts to walk through their favorite spots, eat at their favorite restaurant in town, or even keep up holiday traditions.” She paused, searched my gaze as if debating something, and then added softly, “Some of my brothers ran away for a while, abandoning me and the family. But even if they didn’t come back for a long time, they still kept in contact. Something you never did with Emmy.”

“It was better that way.”

She frowned. “Why?”

I could tell her that I hurt anyone who cared about me.

But then she might decide to cut her losses and walk away. And greedy bastard that I was, I didn’t want her to run away from me.

Not wanting to think about why, I replied, “I was young and wanted to see the world. You can’t expect a teenager or guy in his early twenties to think about his little sister.”

She studied me for a few beats before asking, “How am I supposed to believe that you’ll help me, let alone trust you enough to live with you for a year, if you keep lying to me?” She twirled, picked up her purse, and looked over her shoulder. “Text me when you’re ready to be honest.”

With that, she dashed out of the room and soon the front door slammed shut.

I stared at where she’d been standing and ran a hand over my hair. Abby was no fool, and I’d known that. She—rightly so—wasn’t going to put up with my crap.

However, as I stood there trying to think of my next move, one thing she’d mentioned replayed inside my mind: Some of my brothers ran away for a while, abandoning me and the family.

So many people had abandoned Abby over the course of her life, even if they hadn’t all been intentional.

Her parents. Her brothers. And even the guy who’d supposedly loved her had used and discarded her.

And me, at the end of this.

No. I wouldn’t completely abandon her. I’d do whatever I could to help her, ensure she could have the future she wanted, and protect her for as long as she needed.

And what about the truth? Will you share that too, no matter what?

With a sigh, I rubbed my face. That would be a dangerous slope indeed. Because I couldn’t get too close to Abby. If I did, I might start wanting something I couldn’t have.

To distract myself, I went and made another cup of coffee, downed it, and got ready to visit my training center. Burying myself in work would help me forget about my wife and the future I might have with her if things were different.

As I strode into my other head trainer’s office, Mark Shelton looked up from his desk and whistled. “What the fuck happened to you? You look as if someone just kicked your dog.”

I growled, “Nothing.”

He raised his black eyebrows. “Look, I’m not going to pry as long as it doesn’t affect your work. But the second it does, you’re going to tell me.”

I plopped into the chair in front of Mark’s desk and picked at the armrest, trying to decide just how much to tell him.

As teens, we’d been close. But while we were business partners now—he’d lost his chance to play professional football because of a college injury and had become a high school coach, and I’d headhunted him to help with my training facility—we were still trying to figure out the adult versions of each other.

His voice filled the room again. “Why the hell are you wearing a wedding ring?”

Fuck. I’d put it on after Abby had left and must’ve forgotten to take it off. “No reason.”

“Some people might smile and nod and never question your famous-ass self, but I remember when we were seven and you ran screaming from Mr. Winter’s possessed goose.” He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “So tell me what happened, Rafe. Because you’d never just wear a wedding ring for no reason.”

I noticed the firmness of his jaw and the glint of determination in his dark brown eyes. That look hadn’t changed from when he was a teen, which meant Mark wasn’t going to let this go.

Well, you need to start practicing your story anyway. Test the waters with Mark before trying it on Abby’s family. “I got married, that’s why.”

He blinked and then shook his head, as if to clear it. “I need to know more than that. Start talking.”

“Why? It won’t affect my work. Well, mostly. My wife’s going to head the tutoring center.”

“Wait, what? I’m your partner, Rafe. We’re supposed to decide that kind of shit together.”

Even though I could’ve afforded to fund this place myself, Mark had insisted on investing and having a share of the business. I’d offered him a ridiculous salary just to sign on, but he’d refused. “You’re right, I’m sorry. But my wife is a qualified teacher, and I know she’ll be good at it.”

“Okay, now I’m intrigued. Who is she?”

I hesitated before deciding what the hell, and answered, “Abby Wolfe.”

Mark’s eyebrows shot up. “Abigail Wolfe, as in West’s younger sister? That one? She’s what, fifteen years younger than you?”

“Ten. And yes, that Abigail Wolfe.”

“I didn’t even think you were dating anyone.”

Well, here goes. Time to try out our story. “It was kind of unexpected. It started with a near-kiss and we ended up married in Vegas.”

“Do you love her?”

I shifted in my seat. “Since when do we fucking talk about love?”

“Because that’s the only way her family isn’t going to kick your ass. I’m sure they’ve heard about your actions over the years, while you were playing soccer in the UK. Her brothers aren’t going to like it.”

“I can handle her fucking brothers.”

“You still didn’t answer the question.”

I blew out a breath. Best to stick as close to the truth as possible. “We care for each other and are giving it a shot. I’m sure once Abby explains it, her brothers will calm down a little.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

I growled. “It’s not like I’m some criminal. So I have a past and was wild when I was younger. By all accounts, so were you.”

“I partied in college, like everyone else. And I couldn’t care less about your past, as you’ve worked hard to get this place up and running, and I admire that.” He leaned forward. “But Abby has had a hard time. You’ve heard the rumors, I’m sure.”

“Don’t fucking listen to the rumors.”

He put his hands up in front of him. “I’m sure most of them are bullshit. But over the last year or so, her family has been circling around, trying to protect her. And if even a smidgen of the rumors are true, she deserves far more from a husband than giving it a try.”

I knew that, of course. But I could help Abby with her ex problem, which might give her a better future.

Not that I could tell Mark any of that. As much as I trusted him, I wouldn’t share Abby’s secrets.

“We decided together to try and see if this marriage could work. And there’s so much about her that I do like—she’s smart and sexy and devoted to her family. Plus, since we grew up together, she knows me better than any other woman in the world.”

Mark searched my gaze before eventually nodding. “It’s not my job to meddle, although I can’t speak for my wife.”

His wife, Ashley, had been trying to fix me up ever since I’d returned to Starry Hills. And now that I had a wife? She’d probably suggest romantic things I could do to win Abby over. “I can handle Ashley, don’t worry.”

“I’m more worried about the Wolfe brothers. And yes, I know you said you can handle them. But you weren’t around when Abby was in high school. My wife’s cousin was in her class, and that poor girl…the Wolfe brothers scared the shit out of most of the guys in her year and above.”

Not wanting to wonder if they’d also protected my sister just as fiercely—Emmy had moved in with the Wolfe family when she was ten—I replied, “If I can deal with entire countries being pissed at me for making a mistake on the field, then I can handle some overprotective brothers.”

“If you say so.” Mark studied me and then shrugged. “I’ll leave it alone for now. As for our meeting with the contractors later today…”

As Mark went over his concerns and proposed some possible changes, I focused on my business and what it needed. This was my new purpose, something to give my life meaning after soccer had been ripped away from me, and I wasn’t about to fuck it up.