Page 118 of Rafferty's Rules
‘That’s not fair—it’s not that simple, either.’
‘Nothing about this is simple or fair. That nut job has fucked us both, stolen time from us both.’ He leans forward and claps his hand on my shoulder. ‘It ends now, Tee. No more. I don’t care that you fucked her, or where you fucked her, or why. If you’d only told me, we could’ve cracked open a couple of beers in celebration of both our close calls. What I care about is that you couldn’t tell me. Anyway,’ he says, throwing himself back in his chair. ‘Enough of this, I have a wife to kiss and you have a girl to chase.’
‘If you heard about Becci, you heard all the other shit.’
‘Exactly. The other shit is all shit.’
‘It’s all pretend.’
‘Don’t be a dumb fuck. The way she looks at you, it’s clear she thinks you hung the moon and stars. Christ knows why. If you let her go, you’ll just prove my point.’
‘Even if she does like me—’
‘Jeeesus.’Right there, that’s my brother, rolling his eyes like a teenager. ‘Come on, use your big boy words.’
‘Even if shelovesme, we live in different parts of the world. She has her family and shit, and I’ve got you lot and my new business.’
I’ve barely got the words out when By begins to make a yappy motion with his hand.
‘Trains, planes, and automobiles. Good job we live in the age of technology, eh? Stop making excuses. If you want her, this might be your one chance. These obstacles you’re yawning on about? They’re bullshit. If you can’t imagine ever being without her, you’d bust a nut to make her yours. Because without love, what’s it all for?’
I’m out of my chair before he’s finished the words.
Chapter 37
ALYSSA
Dancing with Roman was fun, but it was only meant to be one dance, along with being a distraction from him teasing his brother. I like Roman, he’s fun. But he’s a persistent one when a little drunk.
One more dance. Go on, you know you want to. These hips don’t lie!
One dance became two, and two became another. But it’s been a long day and after boogying with Rafferty and then his brother, I was ready to call it quits when we were joined by Amber and Byron. And you can’t really ditch the bride and groom, can you? But I take the opportunity to escape as the pair leave to mingle with their guests.
‘Ah, Lis, come back,’ Roman calls, wiggling his hips while makingcome hitherhands. ‘The night is but young and we’re not finished dancing yet.’
‘I am,’ I call over my shoulder, my eyes sweeping the space for Rafferty.Will he have gone straight the cottage?Along with the thought comes a beat deep inside my body. Champagne and a naked Rafferty sounds like a little slice of heaven.
And then afterwards, I think I’ll initiate my plan.
‘There you are, love.’ Sally’s expression is wide and happy, and I’d say a little tipsy. But if you can’t get merry at the wedding of your son, when can you? ‘Come and meet some friends of mine, I was just telling them about out shopping trip ... ’
Drat and double drat.
Ten minutes of polite conversation later, I’m on my feet and looking for Rafferty again.
‘Where are you off to in a hurry?’ Large hands rest on my shoulders. I look up and up again into Tom’s surprised expression.
‘I didn’t realise you were so tall.’ Was that rude? I hope not. He may not be my favourite person but there’s no need to be rude.
‘Maybe I’m not tall. Maybe you’re just undersized. Have you thought about that?’
‘You might have something there,’ I answer. Heart problems will sometimes make a person bite sized. ‘Have you seen Rafferty?’ I ask as he slides his hands into the pockets of his pants.
‘He’s over there.’
He nods his head to where Rafferty and Byron sit some ways behind me, deep in conversation. It’s hard to tell how serious it is, their profiles detailing only half expressions.
‘Best leave them. Sibling business,’ he adds portentously. ‘Come on. I’ll get you a drink.’
