Rafe
“I told you to leave me alone, Rachel and I meant it, what the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to see if you have gotten over yourself and are ready to talk about us?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
He was once more reminded of why things had fallen apart. She was a viper, and a hateful one at that. She smiled at him moved in front of him, running her hands up his chest making him sick.
“No Rachel, there is no “us” I told you that when I found you in bed with my friend. I’ve already got the paperwork ready, just sign the damn thing already.”
“Rafe, don’t be ridiculous, what would you do without me. Not to mention there is all the money to think of.”
He hated her, and everything she stood for. Marrying her had been a fool's move and he had regretted it almost instantly. She had painted a picture of a happy home, all the while spending his savings and then borrowing more money from a shark in uptown. Charging it to him of course.”
He was paying it back, but it was taking forever, and what he really wanted to was to be rid of the entire situation.
“I’m paying Louie back Rachel; I don’t have to be married to you to do it.”
“That’s true Rafey, but I take him the money, keeping you safe. If you don’t have me then they will know who got the money in the first place.”
“I don’t care anymore, Rachel, just tell them.” He was serious and he waited, watching the expression on her face change as she finally started to believe him.
“You don’t mean that, Rafe.” She swallowed hard.
“Yes, I do, besides, I never saw any of that money, it was you’re doing not mine. I’m paying it off because somewhere along the twisted path you and I have been on I loved you once.”
“You love me now Rafe, I know you do.” She moved to touch him one more and he grabbed her wrists before she had a chance to take it any further.
“No Rachel, I don’t. Go home.” I love someone else. He felt it but wouldn’t hurt her unnecessarily.
When she was gone, he thought hard about why may happen when she did tell them where he was. She wasn’t lying when she said she was keeping him safe, in fact, she had likely kept him alive. Now, however, he wanted more… and wanted it with someone else. He felt something stir deep down as he thought of Lacey, and the look on her face when Alice said his wife was there. She had been hurt there was no masking that.
Without looking he heard the slam of the front door as she left, followed closely by the squeal of tires as she flew out of the driveway and down the street. It was complicated but he had faith, it would all work itself out, and he would take the next big step… talking to Lacey. He made his way downstairs, carefully glancing around the room until he heard a shuffle from the kitchen. He made his way inside, knowing that regardless of who he would find there… he would face the music.
Alice was sitting at the bar, glass in hand, waiting for him. “Come on in Rafe, come eat with me.”
It was more of a request and less of a question. He moved into the room slowly, waiting for her reaction. Even at 17 he knew better than to push his luck with his step-mother. He settled into the chair across from her.
“I’m sorry Alice, about Rachel. It’s not what you think… not even close.”
“I’m less concerned about Rachel than I am about Lacey, Rafe. How could you let things get out of control?
He sighed loudly. “I don’t know how any of this happened Alice. I never meant to…” He trailed off.
“Well, you did, and now she is as much a mess as you are.” She sipped from her glass looking out the window. “I thought your relationship was more brother and sister, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised by all of this Rafe.”
“Trust me, I am just as surprised as you are. “He glanced around the room. “Where is she anyway?”
“Lacey needs some time Rafe, time to figure out who she is, what she wants or something like that.”
“What do you mean she needs some time, where is she? I have been trying to get her to talk to me for a week and nothing.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Rafe, I know Lacey more than anyone. She has feelings for you, that much is obvious, but she needs to figure out what she wants and take a break from it. Give her some time.”
He leaned back in his chair in frustration.
As the weekend went on he knew he would have to go home, and start his new contract. It wasn’t far, only a 4-hour drive, but it was far enough to make it hard to leave. Alice walked him out the morning he was leaving and he hugged her tightly, once more thankful that she had been a part of his life.
The days flew by and week after week he couldn’t seem to think about anything else but Lacey. He called Alice who reassured him that Lacey was fine, but it did nothing to comfort him… or to make him feel better about his situation. He wanted her… even now he thought about how beautiful she had been that day.
He glanced down at the work on his table and swore, knowing he was getting nowhere. He had to see her… to find her and set the record straight about so many things. He crumbled the forms in front of him, throwing them into the basket at the end of his desk. Tomorrow was Friday, he would just drive to wherever she was… if Alice would tell him. At least he would know where he stood once and for all.