Page 36 of Love at First Rep

“Surprised he got the drop on you,” Garrett said to Lucas as he was pushed into a seat at the table.

“Only because I figured you must have known him, since he brought groceries into your home. Not typically a thing intruders do. Still, that’s the last time it will ever happen,” Lucas said while leveling a teasing glare at Rafe.

“Do you ever spar? We should spar sometime,” Rafe said excitedly as he brought a large bowl filled with mussels, clams and pasta to the table. How did Rafe remember seafood was the way to Garrett’s heart?

Garrett didn’t stand a chance. At this point, it was almost a certainty Rafe would break his heart again. At least he’d have Lucas to help him pick up the pieces. Plus all the guys at the gym. He’d be okay… eventually.

“Honey, I don’t think you could handle me, even if I have absolutely zero fighting experience,” Lucas said as he followed Rafe with a bowl of salad, the two of them taking seats around the table. “Who needs that when I have rage to drive me?”

“You’re not touching Lucas,” Garrett snapped at Rafe, not expecting the venom in his warning.

Rafe’s smile only grew, and Garrett cursed himself internally. “Don’t worry, my hands are all yours.”

“Yes! I love this,” Lucas squealed. “Okay, tell me everything. Starting with where the hell you’ve been for the last twenty years and ending with what your intentions are with my Garrett.”

Rafe’s smile dimmed, and he turned to Garrett, questions clear on his face.

Is that okay with you? Can I tell him everything?

Garrett nodded. Lucas and him didn’t have secrets, except private information about his cases or about Lucas’ students. They were locked vaults. But everything personal? That had always been fair game.

Rafe took a sip of his wine as they filled their plates. Garrett twirled the linguini on his fork before spearing one of the mussels and yanking it out of the shell. When he took a bite, he couldn’t help the moan that escaped his body. His eyes snapped open, not even realizing he’d closed them, and he took in Rafe’s satisfied smile.

“Yes, it’s delicious,” Garrett conceded.

“I’m glad you like it.”

The soft smile on Rafe’s face faded as he faced Lucas.

“So you know we were in the Navy together…”

Garrett wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to think about that time without getting choked up. Even as Rafe unraveled the tale for Lucas, he couldn’t help the tears welling in his eyes. Lucas reached for his shoulder and squeezed it as Rafe breezed through the night of his recruitment, not wanting to dwell on that part but knowing Lucas wanted his side of the story. Once he got to his work with the CIA, the more obvious it was that he was holding back lots of details. It was understandable, as most of the work Rafe did was classified and he was in enough shit already.

It still wasn’t clear what happened to Rafe between leaving the CIA and showing up here, and Lucas narrowed his eyes at the missing pieces.

As Rafe reached their current drama, he checked in with Garrett again to make sure he shouldn’t give up all the details of their current predicament. Like with all his previous cases, Lucas couldn’t know all the shit Garrett was going through. But he also wanted Lucas to be careful and keep an eye out for anything strange in case everything got worse. Garrett taught Lucas enough tricks over the years to avoid trouble, and he was thankful he had.

Rafe kept it simple and said he was in town to get Garrett’s help with a case.

“…and that’s pretty much where we are,” Rafe finished. He’d taken small bites of his meal as he told his story, but now he stuffed his mouth with a large portion of the pasta.

Lucas simpered.

“That full mouth of yours is only delaying the inevitable. I still wanna know what happens next. What are your intentions?”

Garrett shook his head, a small smile on his face at the vehemence in Lucas’ voice. He wondered how any kids ever misbehaved in his classroom under his stern gaze. He was convinced even the devil would quake in his boots if Lucas leveled him with that look.

Rafe nodded as he chewed, and Garrett huffed.

“I think,” Garrett said, “Rafe might be afraid of you, Lucas.”

The way Lucas brightened comforted and disturbed him all at the same time.

“Good,” he said, keeping his eyes on Rafe.

The man in the hot seat finally swallowed, and Garrett couldn’t help thinking of stuffing his mouth with something else for him to swallow. He had to shake off the thought. Now was not the time to get distracted by his need for Rafe. He wasn’t sure if it would ever be the time for it again.

“I sort of answered that before you got home,” Rafe said cautiously to Garrett.