Rafe (8 page)

Chapter 8

Rafe

It’s been three weeks since Lucy told me about naming the baby Shane. That night me and the boys stayed up pretty late jamming and talking about the summer; a lot was hashed out. We talked about Dad, about Phoenix Records. We talked about Lucy and Ryder’s run in with Laurie’s husband. Lucy and I text and have talked on the phone. We had coffee a few times. Well, I had coffee and Lucy had tea or juice.
We did manage to go to the movies a few times. It was hard to spend more time together as she was working or I was but we did the best we could. I worked part time at the local garage, ‘Raider’s Repair’ on cars and bikes. Just some of my loves. I love working with my hands, hence why I play guitar.

Lucy and I have gotten closer over the last few weeks, going to the movies
and eating out when we can. Just chilling being Lucy and Rafe, but I feel that we are closer to taking the next step. Reeve seems to think that we will stay in the ‘friend zone’ and that’s something that I’m not used to. It’s getting harder to be her friend when I want so much more from her. Brax has booked us into the new club we opened for a while back. So I text Lucy.

Me:
Afternoon Snowflake. U miss me?

It doesn’t take Lucy long to reply.

Snowflake:
Afternoon Phoenix. Not really. U miss me?

Me:
Always baby, u know that. Listen Brax booked us a new gig, we've been there before. You wanna come down and join us for the weekend?

Snowflake:
Sounds like a plan Mr P. When do we leave?

Me:
Friday after my last class about 2.30

Snowflake:
Who is coming with you?

Me:
You!!

I smile at my reply, I want to take the next step with Lucy, and I want more. It’s not just about sex with my Snowflake.

Snowflake:
#PervAlert you really want to go there babe?

Me:
Please? We can take it slow Snowflake, I promise.

Snowflake:
We will talk Friday, I have things to do ;)

Me:
Friday isn't gonna come quick enough. Later SF

Lucy doesn't reply, so I place my phone in my back pocket and head out to my car. I have one class today but I have work straight after. As I'm walking across campus to my class, I hear my name being called. I look around but can't see anyone I know, so I keep walking. I check my Facebook and Twitter; I wonder if Snowflake has a Twitter account? I know she has a Facebook account because she added me as a friend. I hear my name louder this time so I stop and turn in the direction of the voice. I feel my body tense up when I see Danielle jogging towards me, her boobs almost falling out of her top. Eyefull much? Danielle is a pretty girl until she opens her mouth. She has big everything- hair, boobs, attitude. Long supermodel legs. She is most guy's wet dream except mine, or any Phoenix brother for that matter.

"Hi, Rafe I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you doing, babe?" I shiver and not in a good way when she calls me 'Babe.'

I keep glancing at my phone because I'm kind of bored of her presence already, but I answer her as my mom raised us boys to be somewhat gentlemen.

"I'm doing well. How about you?" I look down at my phone again and see that Lucy has sent me a text and I can't stop the smile from breaking out over my face.

Snowflake:
It will come soon enough Rafe ;)

Me:
Oh you will definitely be coming baby

I look at Dani, who is trying to read my phone so I quickly lock it and place it back in my back pocket. She is running her bright pink fingernail across the top of her dress. I cock an eye at her and she smiles.

"Well, school is going good. I broke up with my boyfriend because he told me I was too high maintenance for him. Can you believe it, Rafe? Me really? You would know how to handle me, wouldn't you, baby?"

I'm distracted by my phone beeping, I pull out my phone checking and praying at the same time the text is from Lucy.

Snowflake:
Again #PervAlert

"Who is Snowflake?" I pull my phone close to my chest then lock it again.

"My girl, she..." I don't finish the sentence as I hear my name being called by the most harmonic voice that I love so much. I look at Dani and turn to see Lucy as she gets closer. I feel Dani place her hand on my arm; I see that Lucy sees the action just as I'm removing Dani's hand. "Get off Dan. Please don't touch me."

I pull away. I turn towards Lucy, who is thankfully not looking pissed at me but glaring at Dani. I close the gap towards Lucy, praying she plays along. "Hey baby," I say hugging her, then kissing her quickly. She smiles at me.

"Hey, baby. You just going to class?” I nod. “I'm meeting Maisey for some lunch." She kisses my neck and I can't help but shiver. She turns to face Danielle. "Oh hi, Dani, sorry didn't see you there," Snowflake says, while going up on her tip toes to kiss my neck again. This time I wrap my arms around her and pull her even closer. I nuzzle her hair, shit she smells good.

"Ummm hello? I'm still standing here." We both turn to look at Dani. "Since when have you two been a couple? I only talked to you like a few weeks ago and you were more than happy with my company." She smirks at Lucy as I feel her body tense next to me.

Lucy steps out from my embrace towards Dani. “Do you know what, Danielle? You may have had Dallas and to be perfectly honest with you doll, you did me a favor. But where Rafe is concerned, you will never have him again, do you hear me? Never. Now stay the fuck away from both of us.”  She tries to drag me away but I need to clear something up before we go anywhere.

“Hang on, Snowflake.” I stand my ground and pull Lucy back into my body. “First off, Dani, I talked to you at Max Point and that’s it. The boys were there so fuck if anything happened.” I glance down at Lucy “Okay?” She nods.

“And secondly, Snowflake, I have never had Dani and I never will, baby. Only you, babe.” Lucy looks shocked by my response. With that we walk away from Dani and head towards the big brown double doors leading in the campus building. We make our way to the student lounge and see Maisey sitting on Gunner's lap at one of the tables with some of his baseball team mates.

“Hey guys,” I say. As we get closer, I see a few of the guy checking my Snowflake out. Oh hell no, she is mine and I’m not sharing. Lucy leans over to say something to Maisey and I see Eli check out her ass. I wrap my hand around Lucy’s wrist and pull her into my lap. She lands with a yelp and everyone laughs.

“I saved you a seat, baby,” I say, while I nuzzle her neck.

“What the hell, Rafe? Keep your hands off my girl.” Gunner punches my arm from the seat next to me. I wink at him and correct him.

“My girl now, Gunnerson.” I place my hand on the back of Lucy’s head as she buries her head in my neck.

“Since when? Why wasn’t I informed if this union? She is my BFF I should have been told about this.” This came from Maisey, who looks a little pissed, if I do say so myself.

Snowflake lifts her head and looks at me with her amazing smile. “I take it our Friday talk is happening sooner rather than later?” She smirks at me.

“Yeah, Snowflake,” I lower my voice so that only she can hear me, “I need you. Not just as friends. You okay with that? I know we said that we would be just friends but I don’t think I can, Luce, I’m sorry.” She just sits on my lap and stares at me. God, she is killing me with her silence “You okay, babe? Shit, Snowflake say something?” A small smile creeps across her face.

“It’s only been a short time, Rafe. I’m scared to try and date again. I don’t want to be hurt but you or anyone. Dallas hurt me enough to last me a lifetime.” She looks down at her hands sitting in her lap. I place my hand on hers and gently squeeze. I get what she is saying but I need her to know that I would never hurt her, not on purpose anyway. I move Lucy off my lap and stand up, while picking my bag up off the floor and slinging it over my shoulder. I catch a look at look on Lucy’s face and she looks scared. She looks at Maisey and Gunner, who then look at me. Gun looks pissed, just like his girlfriend.

I lace my fingers with Snowflake's. “Baby, let’s go for a walk, yeah?” I turn to Gunner. “Tell Professor Daniels that I won’t make class today. Tell him I’m ill or whatever you want.” I really don’t care.

I pull Snowflake back out to the parking lot. I open the passenger door of my car for her to climb in and then I jog around to my side. We sit in silence for a few minutes. I turn my body to face Snowflake and use my two fingers to lift her chin to face me, I need her to look me in the eye to see how much I mean what I’m about to say.

“Lucy, Snowflake. I know what Dallas did to you, I was there. I know that you hurt so bad that you fled and went God knows where...” She interrupts me.

“I went travelling and ended up in South Wales, UK.” A ghost of a smile appears on her beautiful face.

“OK South Wales, is it as cold as they say?” She nods and smiles. Just by that smile I can see how much she loved being there. “I bet it’s beautiful there just like you, baby. Look at me, Snowflake. I know he hurt you but you also know me and you know my ways. I can understand why you are scared to take a chance with a Phoenix boy. I haven’t been with anyone in months. I have told you that I only see you, baby. Isn’t it worth the risk to see what happens? These are the moments, these are the times, let’s make the best of our lives, Snowflake.” I have a huge smile on my face as Lucy whips her head up to face me with her amazing smile on her face again. I can’t help but laugh at her expression.

“Oh My God, Rafe. Did you just quote ‘The Calling,’ you nerd? I love that band.” I smile at her and nod.

“I know, babe. I think I have their album on here somewhere.” I dig into my back pocket for my iPhone and start flicking through my albums on the iPod app. I find the album and hit play. We sit listening to a few songs when ‘Wherever You Will Go’ comes on and Lucy starts to sing.

Fuck. Me. My Snowflake can sing.

I sit there listening to her sing and I’m completely blown away. How did I not know that she could sing like this? Once the song finishes I turn the volume down so we can talk.

“Snowflake... Baby, look at me.” I wait for her to turn and face me once again.

“Why do you call me Snowflake, Rafe? It’s a weird nickname.”

I smile and I feel my cheeks heat up a little. “Like I said that night with Gunner and Maisey. You are unique, Luce. A solid black snowflake means a solid soul. There is only one of you, baby, no-one can compare.” Wow, I’m turning into a freaking girl.

“Are you blushing, Rafe Phoenix? Oh wow, you are. Awww bless. I didn’t think the Phoenix boys had it in them to blush.” She is laughing at me! Okay baby, game on. I pounce across the center console and start tickling Lucy. She is laughing hysterically while thrashing around; she reaches for my car door. The door swings open and she makes a run for it across the grassed lawn. Lucky for me that my Snowflake was wearing flip flops. She stumbles, but I catch her by the waist and she screeches. We both tumble onto the grass but I manage to swing us so that I hit the ground and not her. We lay there breathing heavy for a few minutes. I turn my head and see people watching us, some are smiling but I see a few girls scowling at us also.

“You okay, babe?” Lucy lets out a big breath and shifts so that she is straddling my hips, she settles herself. I’m sure she can feel my hard on but she doesn’t show it. She removes her flip flops and sets them next to my knees. Her hair hangs like a perfect blonde waterfall around her shoulders and face. I reach up and brush her hair off her shoulders. A strand falls forward so I tuck it behind her ear; she has such small ears. Very sweet. I rub her earlobe between my thumb and forefinger; she has little peace sign studs in today. She finally looks at me, while trying to slow her breathing down.

She smiles at me “I’m good, Rafe. You okay? I landed on you.” I can’t help myself as I lift my hips, which causes Lucy to fall forward. She braces herself by placing hands on the ground next to my head. I reach up again and tuck her hair behind her ear, fuck she is truly beautiful. She has sparkling blue eyes. I lift slighting until my lips touch her lips, which are soft, and the instant taste of cookies and cream hits my tongue as I run it across her glossy lips. I rest my hands her hips and squeeze slightly as Lucy deepens the kiss and tightens her thighs at my hips. Doesn’t she realize what she is doing to me? Everything fades out, people talking, cars in the parking lot. It’s just me and my Snowflake. Lucy breaks the kiss first.

“Rafe, I think we should stop, we are in the middle of campus and we are giving everyone a free show.” She smiles at me and blushes. See, so damn sweet. Just at the moment we hear them. Cat calls, whistles. Just fucking great.

“Well what do we have here then, bro? Free peep show. I thought you were holding out for Lucy Cooper?” I smile at Lucy while resting up on my elbows. I turn to see Reeve, Ryder and Skeet, who is Reeve’s best friend, all standing there with huge grins on their faces. Lucy is still smiling at me.

I wink at her, “I told you this for real for me. I’m worth the risk.” I kiss her once more and she pulls back and sits directly over my raging hard on. Thank God the boys don’t see, but I know Lucy feels it because she sinks her groin down into mine just to let me know. I would never live it down if the boys saw this. Lucy tucks her hair behind her ears and turns to the boys, who are still smirking.