Page 21

CHAPTER 21

Tempe

T he morning light spills into the hall as I knock on Rafferty’s door. It’s still early, barely past eight, but after hearing the false accusations made against the man I care so deeply about, sleep eluded me. I tossed and turned all night, my mind spinning a thousand different solutions and yet none of them seemed attainable. When I woke up this morning, I knew I had to see him, to offer whatever solace or strength I could. I didn’t tell him I was coming, the last communication from him being a short text message around one a.m. that said he’d landed safely and would call me later.

But I couldn’t wait.

Farren answers the door, her expression tight, eyes a stormy mix of anger and worry. “Tempe,” she breathes, and I hear her relief that I’ve come.

“Is he awake?” I ask, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

“In the kitchen,” she says, her response laced with frustration as if she’s itching to do something—anything—to fix this mess. I start to move that way but her hand rests on my arm. Her head tilts toward mine as she whispers, “I’ve never seen him like this.”

“Like what?”

Her eyes bore into mine. “Like not Rafferty. He just got off the phone with our parents, and he seems so… defeated.”

“What did they say?”

“Just all the encouragement they could give. They offered to fly here but he put them off. He doesn’t want to burden them any more than is necessary.”

The message is received loud and clear. The man I know to be fun, engaging, genuine, open, kind and humble is still trying to protect the people he loves, despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders. I’m not sure how to handle that, our relationship being so young, but I know I have to give it my all.

I head into the kitchen, vaguely noting Farren following me.

Rafferty’s standing by the window, a mug of coffee forgotten in his hand as he stares out at the cityscape with a distant look. The sight of him—so vulnerable, so besieged—tightens my chest.

“Raff,” I say softly, approaching him.

He turns, and the strain on his face shifts into a faint smile as he sees me. “Hey, babe,” he murmurs, setting his cup on the counter. He wraps me in his arms, burying his face in my hair and I can feel how relieved he is to have me there. In the strength of his embrace, the gentle sigh deflates his chest.

“I’m here, okay? We’ll get through this,” I assure him, feeling his nod against my shoulder.

Farren, leaning against the doorframe, folds her arms. “I want to go kick Tansy’s ass,” she declares, a growl of barely contained fury.

I want that too, but it’s not an option.

Rafferty pulls back slightly to look down at me, a bitter chuckle escaping him. “There’s nothing to be done until they sort through the fake evidence she planted and clear my name,” he says, his frustration palpable.

Releasing me, he motions to the coffee pot. “Want some?”

I shake my head, pulling a stool back from the island and sitting on it. “What if there’s something we could do?” I ask tentatively.

All those sleepless hours gave me a lot of time to think and while it’s not an optimal idea, I think there could be a better course of action than simply waiting.

“What’s that?” Rafferty asks. I can see he’s probably discounting any suggestion I have because he’s already feeling defeated, but a bit of hope sparks within his beautiful eyes.

I glance at Farren, who pushes off the doorframe and walks around to the other side of the island. My attention goes back to Rafferty as he stands stiffly beside me. I reach out, take his hand. “What if we go to Brienne Norcross? Tell her everything, the truth.”

Rafferty’s face is a mask of indifference.

Farren’s brows knit together. “That could ruin everything for you,” she says to Rafferty, the worry in her voice a clear indicator of the stakes. “That’s Tansy’s cousin. You have to tread lightly.”

“But what’s left to lose at this point?” I argue, feeling a surge of boldness. “Brienne has the resources, and she seems fair. Besides, Rafferty’s going to test negative for the drugs, and ultimately they’ll find out it was a hoax. So why wait? Tansy’s been the one in charge this entire time. She’s been the one calling the shots and now that you’re not willing to play her game anymore, she’s turned this into something very serious. In fact, I’m banking on the fact that she thinks you’re just going to sit there and take it.”

I’m heated, my anger for the injustice of it all rising hotly. I want Rafferty to get pissed again the way he was last night when I talked to him. I want him to go on the offensive.

Rafferty runs a hand through his hair, the skepticism on his face slowly giving way to reluctant consideration. “It’s a gamble…”

“It’s one worth taking,” I press, sounding stronger than I feel. I could be ruining his career if this pisses Brienne off. If her loyalty is to Tansy, she may be unwilling to believe Rafferty.

Farren moves closer to her brother, and his eyes lock onto her. “Raff… this needs to be handled delicately. I think prudence is called for.”

His sister is not wrong and I appreciate her playing devil’s advocate. I’m heartened, though, when I hear a hint of the old Rafferty come out as he teases his sister. “That’s a little weird coming from a woman as impetuously bold as you, sis.”

“Yeah, but I don’t care what happens to me,” she retorts. “I very much care about what happens to you.”

A soft smile plays at his mouth. “I love you too.” His gaze then shifts to me. “But I know Tempe cares about me too and she wouldn’t suggest doing this if she truly thought it would put me in peril with Brienne.”

I hasten to make sure he understands that I don’t know if this is a good idea. Just an idea. “I could be wrong. This could piss her off.”

“But what do I have to lose?” he repeats my prior words. “And besides… the truth will come out. Whether we can prove it was Tansy behind this is an unknown, but I know my drug test will come back negative and I’m assuming we can show those reports and photos are all fake.”

“Yes!” I exclaim. “That’s the spirit.” Then I immediately feel wary because Farren is so against this, so I turn her way. “I think you need to be okay with this too. Your opinion matters.”

“It does,” Rafferty agrees, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “So what say you, sis? If I go to Brienne Norcross, and ultimately get fired, will you support me financially?”

There’s a moment of heavy silence and then Farren starts laughing, a wry expression on her face. “I can’t afford to support you, but I suppose we could move back in with our parents.”

Determination shines through his eyes, in the hard set to his jaw. “Then let’s do this.”

Pulling out his phone, he puts it on speaker and we all gather around as he calls Callum Derringer, who answers on the second ring. “Rafferty… what can I do for you?”

Eyes pinned to mine, Rafferty says, “I need to meet with Brienne, as soon as possible. It’s urgent.”

There’s a pause on the line. “How urgent?”

“I have some important information about these faked drug allegations and I have to talk to her in person.”

Callum sounds skeptical. “I’m not sure I can get her on a Sunday. Are you sure you just can’t tell me?”

“I think you should be there as well, but Brienne has to hear it. It sort of has to do with her.”

We can’t see Callum on the other end of the line, but I can almost feel his shock by the heavy silence. It’s evident he’s now taking this seriously when he says, “Hold on. Don’t hang up. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh shit,” Farren mutters. “This is moving fast.”

“Do or die,” Rafferty says, stroking his jaw in contemplation. I reach out and put my hand on his hip, just a touch for him to know I’m here.

We wait in silence, staring at the phone in Rafferty’s hand. It seems like an hour but can’t be more than a few minutes, and Callum is back on the line. “Brienne will meet you at her office at the arena. She’s heading there now,” Callum says, a note of surprise in his tone. “I’m on my way too.”

“Oh wow,” Rafferty breathes out, and I can hear his relief. It’s a scary prospect, but I know he’s glad that everyone is taking this seriously. “I’m on my way too.”

The call disconnects and Rafferty heads to his front door, nabbing his keys off the small table there. I follow him, grabbing my purse from the floor where I’d dropped it when I entered. He looks at me in surprise.

“I’m coming with you,” I advise.

He looks unsure, worry on his face. “I don’t know, Tempe. It’s business—”

“I’m a witness, Rafferty. I know the entire story and I can attest to the crazy-ass shit she’s done. You need me to corroborate.”

“She’s right,” Farren says, standing a few feet from us with her arms across her chest. “Having Tempe there will bolster your story.”

Rafferty nods. “Yeah… you’re right.” He then turns to me, grabbing me by the waist and jerking me closer. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have by my side in what might be one of the scariest things I’ve faced.”

“I’ll always be by your side,” I assure him, reaching to touch his cheek. The words of long-term commitment feel so right and good. “I’ve got you.”

“And I love you,” he says. There’s no describing the punch of euphoria that sweeps through me.

“You love me?”

“I do,” he says earnestly. “Seems like it’s a day for truths, so I might as well lay that out there.”

I hear Farren sigh, a dreamy sound, and I know exactly what she means. I don’t have time to revel in the unfettered way my heart bounces around like a puppy. It’s time for my own truth. “I love you. Not sure when it happened, but I’ve been feeling it for a while. And if it took all this craziness coming to light for us to put our feelings out there, then I’m glad for it.”

“Me too,” he says, bending to kiss me. “Now let’s go shed some light on that crazy bitch’s schemes and clear my name so we can get on with our lives together.”

With one last affirming kiss, we grab our coats and head out the door. We’re solid.

United.

Ready to confront whatever lies ahead, fully strengthened by our confessions of love.