I didn’t want to be rude but I also didn’t want to listen to another person tell me that the lust they saw in Rafe’s eyes was something else. I wanted it to be something else, even more than they did. It took me a while to figure it out, but it was true. “There’s nothing to screw up Nina. In case you missed it, Rafe is inside flirting with a doctor who moonlights as a supermodel.”
She brushed off my words and shook her head. “That’s not Rafe. That’s those damn matchmakers, they are all determined to be the one who matches the last Hometown Hero standing, and to make sure it happens, they’ve brought women in from as far away as Dallas. At least that’s why I overheard.” She looked so proud of herself I didn’t have the heart to tell her she was wrong.
So I shrugged it off and turned back to the sky.
“I guess you missed him stretching his neck like a giraffe all night waiting for you to arrive?”
“Nina, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but seriously it’s a lost cause.”
“Janey I swear you are determined to make me forget that this town and Preston have turned me into a good person.” She pushed off the wall and invaded my personal space just to make her point clear. “He’s already been tried and convicted in your eyes, I suppose?”
“No. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He is being exactly who he has always been. The problem is that I shouldn’t have started anything with him in the first place because I knew how it would end.” With me heartbroken and the whole damn town pitying me.
“Just remember that this release party and this calendar were your idea Janey, and then think about what you actually saw.”
“Are you actually taking his side?”
Nina shrugged. “Since I had to watch nearly a dozen different floozies drool all over my own man, yeah I am. Preston smiled and flirted a little while he signed autographs and took photos and I hated every fucking minute of it. But like I said, I’m a good person now and this is all for a good cause. Remember?”
It was for a good cause and if Nina and all thee other women hooked up with a Hometown Hero could deal with it, so could I. “The difference is that Preston loves you and everyone knows that. Those women pose no risk to your relationship.” Realizing I said too much, I shook my head. “Never mind. You’re right. I’m being crazy.” I pasted a smile on my face and shrugged. “No big deal.”
She rolled her eyes and grabbed the door handle to signal she was done with this conversation. “Just do me a favor, will ya?”
“What’s that Nina?”
“Don’t be an idiot.” With a sympathetic smile she pulled the door open and disappeared inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Those thoughts made me want to cry because I jumped into a situation I wasn’t equipped to deal with, had no way of knowing I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I let myself be swayed by lust and a pretty face. Then the first tear fell and I swiped it away with a promise to let myself indulge in a good old-fashioned cry session. Later.
Right now I had responsibilities.
After twelve months of hard work there was no way I would drop the ball now, so I straightened my spine and squared my shoulders, ready to go back inside and face…whatever.
Except when I pulled on the emergency door, the first face I saw belonged to Rafe. “We need to talk.”
I shook my head and blinked back tears. “No, we really don’t.”
“Janey. Dammit, Janey listen to me.”
I couldn’t. I was too weak right now. If I gave in now, I’d never get over him. “There’s no need, Rafe. I know what I saw and honestly, I’m not all that surprised. I guess I just thought you’d end things with me first but I guess I was dead wrong,” I told him, throwing his words back in his face.
His blue gaze darkened and his jaws clenched in anger as he grabbed me by the shoulders. “You are so damn determined to be stubborn about this, aren’t you? I want you Janey. Badly. More than I’ve ever wanted or craved a woman but you’ve already decided who I am and what I want, haven’t you?” His tone was harsh abut there was a hurt swimming in his eyes I didn’t think him capable of.
It shocked me, honestly. “I’m just being realistic Rafe.” And trying to protect myself.
“Bullshit,” he spat. “Realistic would have been at least considering that I might actually like you Janey. That I might be falling for you, if you’d give me a damn chance.” He shrugged. “Of course that never occurred to you. I actually thought there was something here to fight for. Guess I was the one who was dead wrong.” He shook his head in resignation and walked away.