Page 78 of All That Remains
"Oh, mate, you've done it now!" he snickered. "Seriously Rafe, mate, what the hell were you thinking?! We were worriedsick, yeah? John lost it! Mare and I went driving after you—couldn't find you anywhere, you bloody wanker. I ought to slap you silly!"
"Shit...sorry, mate. I didn’t mean to make anyone panic, I just couldn't be there anymore, y'know? I just had to get out."
"Hey, listen, I hear ya. Vi seems like a handful,if you know what I mean.”
"Trust me,I know. I've been juggling that handful foryearsnow."
"But you're ok, right? You're alright, Rafe? You alone? Need me to come get ya?"
"No, no, I'm good, mate. Thanks. I'm just at a friend's." I bit my lip. The statement was so disingenuous I couldn't stomach it.
"Say, listen, I wanna see you before we head back, alright? Get some grub, you know? We've gotta catch up on a few things, you and I. Mare's missing you too. I told her we'd all have dinner the other day and it fell through. She was gutted. The three of us haven't sat for dinner since we've been here, and that’s unlike us."
"I know, I know... I'm really sorry, mate. Tell Mare I love her, please. I adore her.”
I missed us all spending time together when I roomed with them in the early days of Invicta. I’d moved out of the flat I shared with Alex, straight into their sprawling north London home, despite having purchased a house of my own. My place was under heavy renovations at the time, and they’d offered me room and board for months, free of charge. That period in my life with the Winstons could easily be credited with keeping me grounded, no matter how explosive the band became. And at times the money and adulation and demand had become dangerously difficult to contend with at my age.
“I intended to set aside time today,” I muttered. “But, uh, I might not be able to make it ‘til tomorrow. Don't hate me, ok?"
"Well, listen, just let me know, alright? Whatever works. I'm all yours. I'll listen out for your call."
"Thanks, mate. Talk soon."
"Take it easy, Rafe. I mean it. I don't like to see you upset. It's not like you to react that way."
"I know..." I conceded. "Again, m'sorry. Appreciate you all stopping by. That made my night...before everything went down."
Later, as I checked my screen, I noticed Rome had texted. My stomach flipped when I read: “Hey? Is that you outside?”
How the fuck did he know? Had he seen me? Had he wandered out in the night and saw me lying there, drooling and spooning a massive bottle of booze? I face-palmed hard, allowing my hand to smack my face repeatedly.Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck fuck.
Then suddenly, it dawned on me.Security cameras.Some stealth surveillance system must’ve captured the car.
Mortified, I simply replied: "Yeah."
Rome: "Rafe, wtf??"
"I'm sorry...I guess I needed to talk."
Rome: "Fuck Rafe..."
Rome: "...not like this."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
Rome: "Idk..."
"I need you. Seriously, mate, I’m losing my mind. I just need to talk, ok?Please, Rome..."
No response.
“Please, baby.”
“Rome?”
“You coming out?"
Rome: "Yeah, give me a sec."
