Page 34 of Love at First Rep

“Okay, sailor, I promise not to do any harm to you or your balls unless you deserve it. So you can relax.”

Rafe returned his bright grin with a small smile. He had a hunch he and Lucas would get along great, if he could just be a little less afraid of him.

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Lucas was officially Rafe’s second favorite person in the world. And he didn’t think it was the wine talking.

He learned Lucas was a math teacher at the local middle school. He had tons of wild stories about dealing with young teens, plus some fun ones about Garrett.

They were in the kitchen working together to finish dinner, one bottle of wine already gone, and his abs were sore from laughing so much.

Rafe couldn’t wait for Garrett to join them. He still hadn’t seen a genuine smile from him. He could tell Garrett fought against them when Rafe was around, but maybe Lucas being here would help Garrett unwind enough to let one slip. It had been too long since that bright grin was aimed at him, and he made it his goal to see one by the end of the night.

Maybe Lucas could give him the edge he needed.

“Any tips on winning Garrett over?” Rafe asked as Lucas opened the second bottle of wine while Rafe strained the linguini.

“Let me think,” Lucas said as he filled each of their glasses. He gave Rafe another perusal even though Rafe thought he’d analyzed him plenty earlier. “He’s not a big fan of liars and criminals, which makes sense with his job.” He leered at Rafe. “Are you a good boy, Rafe?”

Rafe couldn’t help but blush. Not because Lucas’ words turned him on, and not because Lucas made him uncomfortable. No, it was because he hadn’t been a very good boy over the years. He wasn’t very good these days either, but he fought for the greater good, for the people who couldn’t help themselves. The question was, would Garrett understand once the truth finally came out?

Rafe hated the subterfuge, but if he wanted to keep Garrett in his life for the long run, it was a necessary evil.

“When I need to be,” Rafe hedged.

Lucas chuckled and took a sip of his wine as he checked on the shellfish.

“Well, your best bet is probably to get to know Garrett again, let him get to know you. Take an interest in his interests. Show him you’re here to stay,” Lucas said, pausing for a moment. “That’s probably the biggest one, now that I think about it. Everybody in Garrett’s life left him, including you. Prove to him you won’t do it again.”

Rafe nodded as he took in Lucas’ advice. It hurt thinking how right he was. Garrett grew up in the foster system after losing his parents, and he had no other family. Until Rafe, anyway. He hated how he added to the list of people in Garrett’s life who left him. The only way Rafe would leave Garrett now was over his dead body.

Before he could fall into another spiral of guilt, the front door opened. A wide smile took over his face as he peeked around the wall of the kitchen to see Garrett hanging his car keys on the hook by the door and taking off his shoes.

“You’re home,” Rafe said, not caring that he pointed out the obvious. He couldn’t help it. He was excited.

“Yeah, sorry I’m later than I thought I’d be. I—”

Before Garrett could finish his sentence, Lucas walked into Garrett’s view.

“Hey, bestie. Have there been some life developments you forgot to fill me in on?” Lucas asked. With his hip popped and the cute pout on his face, Rafe sensed Lucas had Garrett wrapped around his finger like Rafe already was.

13

PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY at the end of a shift used to give Garrett a sense of calm. As a homicide detective, it was hard to avoid bringing his work home with him, especially when he struggled with a difficult case. Years ago, when he got his promotion, he made a vow to himself that he wouldn’t let any of his failures, mistakes or issues infiltrate his safe space at home.

It was a difficult task, especially when he sometimes worked from home, but he compartmentalized as best he could.

At least, he had.

He locked his car and walked to his front door, wondering what fresh hell Rafe might have brought to his door today.

Rafe had his reckless moments when they were in the service together—Garrett swore the guy had no fear—and he couldn’t help but worry his recklessness would cause further chaos in his life.

His return had completely thrown Garrett’s world off its axis, and he was distracted way more than he should be. He had to wonder what surprises loomed around every turn.

Faint laughter came from inside his house as he unlocked his front door and stepped inside, welcomed by a delicious aroma wafting from his kitchen. He’d completely forgotten he’d been promised a home-cooked dinner as a thank you for dealing with the wrecking ball that was Rafe Hernandez.

Hanging his keys on the hook by his door and toeing off his shoes, Garrett turned to see a grinning Rafe poking his head out of the kitchen.