Going Hard: Boys of Fall (14 page)

V
alentine’s day
was for suckers. And so were Valentine’s day dances. All they did was make people feel romantic and think about coupling up.

Rafe stared at the tickets in his hand and had to resist the urge to reach up and loosen his bowtie. He was being an idiot. It was too soon.

Obviously, it was too soon, because Hollie had called him at the last minute and made up some story about running late at the library so she’d have to just meet him at the community center. He knew she worked on Saturdays, but not this long into the evening. Clearly, she was just trying to blow him off.

After the fundraiser Thursday night, he’d been sure things were moving along well. He’d chatted amiably with some of her co-workers, made jokes at the appropriate time, and done his best to help Hollie shine. It wasn’t difficult, because she did that naturally. Everyone seemed to like her. She made people laugh.

God knows she made him laugh, except when he was churned up with nerves.

She’d made him feel a whole different emotion as the fundraising dinner had wound down to a close. He was pretty sure he’d never forget that night for the rest of his life.

Her tugging on his hand, pulling them away from the planned tour of the library’s new wing. The rest of the group had continued on, and she’d given him her own very personal tour of the stacks.

His dick was still humming two days later.

The successful night—hell, successful week—had made him take a huge leap and call his travel agent on Friday. Okay, so he hadn’t actually had a travel agent until Friday, because why would he have needed one? He never went anywhere.

That was going to change.

He was tired of living in a box of his own making. It was time to bust down the walls and expand his field of view. Go hard or go home.

Well, he’d spent enough time at home. Now it was time to just go, with a hopefully willing partner to chase adventure with right by his side.

Assuming she showed up at the dance, so he could show her the tickets and tell her everything he’d been stuffing down since probably long before last summer.

She brightened his life in so many ways. She was like a torch that illuminated even the darkest corner, making him see everything in a new way. She didn’t let him take the easy route, ever.

The only route he wanted to take for the rest of his life was the one at her side.

Yeah, it was soon. Too soon maybe for her. He knew there was so much she wanted to do, and settling down wasn’t part of that for a long while. That was okay by him. Her timetable was just fine. He’d go at whatever speed worked for her, as long as they kept moving.

Speaking of moving, there was Charli and Wade, and it was time he do just that. He had more than just Hollie to speak to tonight.

“Hey guys,” he said, coming up behind them at the punch bowl. He looped an arm around each of their shoulders. “Got a minute?”

He only had a few until Hollie was due to arrive, and he’d be damned if he would be late to meet her. But this was too important to wait.

Charli’s brows lifted as she glanced back. “I was just planning on cutting up a rug or two over there with some line dancing, but they should be at it for a while yet. Sure. What’s up?”

“Not here.” Rafe glanced around. “Is there somewhere quiet we can go?”

Wade frowned. “Did your arm slip around my shoulders on accident? Because I can’t remember the last time you intentionally included me in a private conversation. You’re more apt to want to kick my ass.”

“Yeah. You’re right to be wary. I’ve been an asshole to you, and I’m sorry.”

Wade glanced at his wife. “Has he been at the punch bowl before now tonight or what?”

Charli shrugged. “Don’t ask me. He’s been all secretive and out of touch the last two weeks.” She gave Rafe a secretive smile and reached out to fuss with his bowtie. “Wonder why that is?”

There was tiptoeing around the situation, easing all of them in one toe at a time. Or there was manning up and taking care of business in the most expeditious way possible.

“I’m in love with your sister,” he said to Wade, meeting his gaze for a moment before he shifted his focus to his own sister. “And it’s probably partly your fault.”

“Really?” Charli squealed and launched herself at him. “Oh Rafe, that was just what I’d hoped would happen when I pushed you two together.”

“Hold on just a second, Char.” Wade cupped Charli’s shoulder and tugged her back, then stepped closer to Rafe. “Think you better get to explaining yourself right quick, before we have a repeat of what happened on my parents’ porch not all that long ago.”

So apparently they were doing this right here. Good times.

Luckily between the music and laughter, there wasn’t a large chance of them being overheard by the crowd dancing on the other side of the room. A crowd that happened to include most of their family and friends.

“I had no right to punch you back then,” Rafe said evenly.

Wade flexed his own fists. “Is that because you’re trying to lessen your chances of me punching you right now?”

“Another man might deny that, but I can admit I have a big meeting on Monday I’d rather not show up to with a shiner, if it’s all the same to you.”

“Don’t recall you giving me that same courtesy.” The tips of Wade’s boots bumped Rafe’s shoes. Alligator, for luck. “Get talking.”

“It started last summer,” Rafe began, keeping his voice low.

“Last summer?” Charli burst out.

“Yes. We…” How to word this delicately? “Had a night of intimacy.”

“Fuck, you slept with my sister? My baby sister?”

Yeah, so much for the delicacy part.

“Yes. She told me about a party she was going to, and I showed up there because I was worried she might need a designated driver.”

“So responsible,” Charli said approvingly, patting his arm.

“Then, what, you decided to steer the car home with your dick?”

“Wade, watch your mouth.” Charli hip checked her husband. “Okay, so things happened. Fast forward. Get to the good stuff.”

“Last fall at Coach’s party, we reconnected.”

Wade crossed his arms. “Another dick comment would be redundant, so I’ll refrain.”

“Appreciate it.” Rafe cleared his throat. “We reconnected, and we kissed, and we fought. And that was that.”

“It’s not that was that when you sleep with my little sister. You better intend to do right by her.”

“Wade,” Charli said, rolling her eyes. “She’s a grown woman. Chill. They obviously moved beyond their fight or he wouldn’t be here making his stand, now would he?”

“That’s true.” Wade narrowed his eyes on Rafe, then shifted his focus to his wife. “What, exactly, did your sister have to do with pushing you two together?”

This was sounding worse and worse. But there was nothing left to do except tell the truth.

Rafe rubbed at the tension in the back of his neck. “She came to my office after the handcuff incident and asked me if I’d keep an eye on Hol, as a friend. Make sure she was safe, give her someone to hang out with and have a good time. Just for a couple weeks until the dance.”

“That explains why you were reluctant to say yes when I asked. Now it all makes sense.”

For an instant, he went still. Then every part of him seemed to come alive at the sound of her voice.

Waking him up as it always did.

He turned and stared at her. She stood behind him in a bright red slip dress that hugged her curves, her face an emotionless mask. Just her eyes showed her pain, and only because he knew what every one of the emotions that passed through her gaze meant. He’d spent far too many years studying her, wondering what her busy brain was thinking or what insanity would pop out of her mouth next.

Now all she was giving him was silence.

That was all he deserved for not telling her about the stupid thing he’d halfheartedly agreed to He’d never believed it was a good idea, and it hadn’t ever influenced his spending time with Hollie. Other than giving him that first push and that stupid deadline of Valentine’s day, as if two weeks would ever be enough for her to get her need for adventure out of her system. Two weeks wasn’t long enough for anything.

But somehow it had been. Two weeks had been enough time for him to fall in love. Or for him to finally acknowledge it. Either way, the last two weeks had been a priceless gift. One he would never trade for the world, even if Hollie was now staring at him as if he were a stranger.

“Hol, it’s not like you think.” Rafe took a step toward her and curled his hand around the tickets he still gripped like a lovesick dolt. “Let me explain. Please.”

“Of all the things that used to annoy me about you, there was one thing I could always count on. You would never lie to me. Not about anything.” Hollie took a shaky breath. “Not like I lied to you. As much as I teased you, I always believed you were a much better person than me. But you’re a liar too, aren’t you, Rafe?”

She spun on her heel and walked out. And he let her go, because she’d lied to him. He didn’t know about what. It probably didn’t even matter. He had things to say to her, and she was going to listen.

He loved her more than he cared about some stupid lie.

Wade’s hand clamped down on his shoulder. “Hang on. Give her a minute.”

“I can’t. She thinks the wrong thing. It wasn’t like that.” Rafe turned toward Charli. “Wait a second, you said that you’d hoped this would happen when you pushed us together. What did you hope would happen?”

“I saw you two kissing the night of Coach’s party. I came outside to get some air, and you two were together. Kissing and arguing, and I slipped back inside before you could catch me peeping on you. But I wasn’t spying. I was just so happy.” She moved to Rafe’s other side and dipped her head to his shoulder. “All I ever wanted for you was for you to be happy like I am. And if it’s with Hollie, that’s even more perfect. We’re practically like
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
, except, well, there’s only two of us.”

Rafe had no reason to laugh. His whole world was crashing down on him. There was no joy to be found right now.

But he still had people who loved him. People who he adored more than he had words to say.

He looped his arm around his sister’s shoulder. “So you were playing matchmaker, huh, squirt?”

“Maybe a little. More just pushing opposing forces together and seeing if they made sparks or burned out completely.” Charli glanced up at Rafe. “Guess we see what happened, huh?”

“So this is partially your fault,” Wade said slowly, gazing hard at his wife. “You knew I was concerned about Hollie, so you nudged her toward Rafe. The only person I’d—”

“Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Enjoy your moment of gloating. I read you the riot act about being with Charli, so now it’s your turn to bust my balls. Well, go ahead.” Rafe stretched out the arm not wrapped around his sister. “Take your best shot. I’m standing right here.”

“Never did let a man speak.” Wade shook his head. “What I was trying to say was that she nudged my baby sister toward the only man I’d ever trust with her. The best man I’ve ever known, far better than me.” Wade stepped closer and gave Rafe a one-armed hug, somehow managing not to disconnect Rafe from his sister. “Welcome to the family, man. You’ve been missed.”

Rafe glanced at Charli, who was smiling at them with tears in her eyes. “See, Rafael? You always think the worst, and sometimes it’s not so bad after all.”

Swallowing hard, he nodded. “I won’t let her down. If she’ll have me, I’ll treat her like gold.”

“Don’t let her bark scare you away,” Wade told him. “Explain what happened, tell her about your sister’s matchmaking ways, and lay it all on the line. She loves you too.”

Rafe loosened his bowtie and shoved it in his pocket. He needed to breathe more than he needed to worry about being well dressed for Hollie’s benefit. “How do you know?”

“Easy enough,” Wade said, reaching for Charli’s hand. “It’s all in her eyes.”

H
ollie slid
down the wall outside the room where the dance was being held. Just slid down like rain and puddled on the floor in her pretty party dress.

She couldn’t think. Couldn’t process. How had the one man she’d believed in above all others have lied to her?

Because she was a project, and whoa boy, had he taken his role seriously in protecting her from a potentially dangerous date. He’d gone above and beyond. His sister probably would’ve balked at the lengths he’d gone to. Somehow spanking her seemed a bit over the top, considering she was just a spoiled little girl that everyone thought should be sheltered away.

Maybe they were right. Look what happened when she ventured out into the world and tried to make things happen? Near arrest and utter chaos.

Heartbreak.

Heartbreak had definitely happened.

“Hey there, young lady. Think you lost your way to the party.”

She glanced up at Coach and rubbed the heel of her hands over her cheeks. “Oh hi there. No, not lost. Just got a little Valentine’s Day emotion going on. It’s a tough holiday to be alone.”

“I imagine so, if you really were.”

She pushed herself to her feet. “Look, I know my brothers both came to you when they were having love life troubles. I can assure you that’s not the case with me. I’m as single as single can be.”

“Oh, is that so?” He scratched his chin. “Funny, because I could’ve sworn I saw you and Rafael necking in the front seat of his car right after I got takeout at Rosa’s last weekend. Must’ve been a trick of the light. Never mind then.”

Hollie frowned. “What are you, an all-knowing swami? You seem to see everything and have advice for every situation. That’s not possible. Surely you’ve screwed up a few times in your life too or else you wouldn’t be human.”

Coach laughed. “I’m very human, and I’ve made my share of mistakes. One of the biggest was not cherishing every minute I was given with Lorelie’s mom. She was taken far too soon, and I’ve had a lot of years to regret all those nights I spent at work and not with her. I love my boys of fall, but I loved her most of all.”

Inexplicably, tears popped into Hollie’s eyes again. “I’m sure she knew that. You’ve taken such good care of Lorelie. I can’t imagine you taking shortcuts with anything or anyone.”

“We all do, honey. Life is so busy and sometimes we forget that every moment is precious.”

She didn’t say anything. Already she was starting to feel bad about not letting Rafe speak. About not giving him the benefit of the doubt.

He was a good man. The best. She wouldn’t love him otherwise.

God, she loved him so much.

“But my girl can tell you a thing or two about being overprotected. She probably did a few unwise things to try to make some room for herself too. And in spite of all our attempts to shelter her, she’s also found someone to love. Maybe that’s happened for you too. If you don’t run away from it.”

“Who’s running?” She huffed out a breath. “I’m allowed one time to act like a wuss. I’ll go back and talk to him. And I’ll also kick his ass if need be.” She lifted her foot and wiggled her foot clad in a bright red heel. “I’ve got good aim, Coach, don’t worry.”

Coach laughed. “I’ve never worried about you. You’ve got twice the sense of your brothers and three times their toughness. Go take him down.”

But she didn’t have to, because Rafe had just walked out of the hall where the dance was being held. And he was staring straight at her.

Noticing Rafe, Coach patted her arm. “If you need any backup, you know where to find me.”

“I do. Thanks, Coach.”

Coach walked over to Rafe. “Good luck, son.”

“Thanks,” Rafe echoed. He waited approximately ten seconds before crossing to Hollie. “You’re going to hear me out, Hollie Bennett.”

She nodded. “Yes, I am. But first I’m going to tell you straight out that I knew Wade was leaving town and I didn’t tell you.”

“Yeah, I know. Because you promised to keep his secret.”

“Not only that. I was afraid you’d go with him, Rafe. He was the only one who made you let loose and relax. With Wade, you always had fun. That cloak of seriousness that always seemed to weigh you down disappeared when you were in his presence.” She swallowed and dashed at her cheeks. Dammit, they were still wet. “You were a different guy with him, and I was scared you’d leave town too. That you’d leave me. So yeah, I hid it from you, and I guess I’ve been waiting all these years for that Rafe to come back." She stepped closer and grabbed the lapels of his jacket, shaking him. “And you know what? He did. These last couple of weeks, he did, and it had nothing to do with Wade.”

“You’re right. Did it ever occur to you that I acted that way because of you, not him? When he left, you closed down too, Hol. You missed him so much. I knew I was a poor substitute. I was just your stupid friend, the one who nagged you to do your homework—”

“The one I wrote my name beside in my diary inside of a heart, you jerkoff.” She hauled his mouth down to hers.

“What?” he asked between kisses.

“You heard me. And you know what? If it took your sister to shove you toward me, she must be smarter than both of us. We’ve had all these years to get this right and we never have.” She bit down on his lower lip. “Maybe I’m not going to let you go so easy. What about that, Rafael Martinez? What if I don’t run?”

“I say thank God.” He eased back and cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her lower lip. “I love you, and I’ll explain everything if you’ll just give me a chance. I had some pretty heavy issues with my dad I’m only starting to work through.”

“Issues like what?”

“He was rough with my mom, and she was concerned I’d turn out like him.” He waved it off. “We talked things out, and we’re trying to work through all of it. But my dad fucked me up for a while. I was worried about losing control.”

All of a sudden, she knew exactly in what way he’d held himself back. Why the night he’d spanked her and fisted her hair had given him some tough moments.

“Oh Rafe. You could never hurt me in a way I didn’t want. Unless you turned away from me. That would hurt. Nothing else you could do.” She pressed a kiss to his jaw. “I trust you implicitly.”

He nodded. “I’m starting to believe that myself. To trust myself. I’m just trying to explain why I held myself back with you and with others. These last two weeks, I’ve started to work through some of it but it’s going to be a long road. One I want to take with you, if you’ll do me the honor of looking at these and saying yes.”

She was still reeling from all of what he’d said—his dad had hurt his mom? he’d admitted he loved her?—when he slapped an envelope against her chest. She took it with shaking fingers and opened it up, withdrawing two tickets.

“An all expenses paid, two week trip to anywhere in the world you want. The time is already cleared with work,” he murmured. “Will you go on an adventure with me, Hollie?”

She couldn’t think straight. Only three words stood out to her. Well, four. Everything else was just noise.

He was the best man she’d ever known, and they’d have a lifetime to figure stuff out if that was where their adventure took them. Together.

“I love you too.” She pressed herself against him and fisted a hand in his shirt. Already she couldn’t wait to get out of this dance and get him naked. “And my answer is yes. It’s always going to be yes, Rafe.”