Page 9 of Love at First Rep

“So, does that mean you’re gonna help me?”

The drumming of Garrett’s fingers on the seat cushion settled Rafe’s nerves. That drumming meant he was thinking, and if he was thinking then that meant he would help Rafe. Thank fuck. He had no clue what he’d do if Garrett refused. Maybe he’d annoy him until he changed his mind?

“I can do some digging into records and try to find some evidence of the mole,” Garrett said, his head spinning to do a quick check of their surroundings, likely to make sure they were still alone. “What are you gonna do in the meantime?”

Rafe was elated. Garrett was in. He would have his best friend’s help in this mess and together they would succeed. Now, to initiate phase two of his plan: win back Garrett’s friendship.

He let a wide grin take over his face. He could have sworn some pink settled onto Garrett’s clean-shaven cheeks.

“I reconnect with my bestie, of course!”

“Why does that scare me?” Garrett said.

“You’re full of shit. You’ve never been scared of anything.”

Garrett turned away from him for a moment, but when he turned back there was nothing but acceptance on his face.

“Fine, where are you staying? I’ll drop you off on my way home.”

The wide grin remained on Rafe’s face, and he let that answer Garrett’s question for him.

“Fuck me.”

In due time, my friend. In due time.

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Rafe felt a little guilty as Garrett pulled into the driveway of his two-story house.

A normal person who had been reunited with his best friend after two decades of being apart would be excited and bright-eyed.

The difference was Rafe had already seen Garrett’s house. Multiple times. He was familiar with the yellow marigolds planted in his flower beds when it wasn’t thirty degrees out. He even knew the five different wreaths Garrett rotated on his front door throughout the year. Keeping tabs on Garrett had been simple, and he’d visited him more often than he’d like to admit, stopping by every time he was stateside. It was easy to live as a ghost when everyone thought you were dead.

Coming back to life? That was the real obstacle.

“Thanks for letting me in, man. I know you didn’t have to, but I’m thankful you did.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Garrett huffed as he climbed out of the car, and Rafe quickly followed.

Rafe walked to the back of the car to pop the trunk and removed his duffel bag.

As he walked to the front door, where a scowly Garrett waited, he couldn’t help the happy bounce in his step.

“How exactly did you get in my car, by the way?”

Rafe opened his mouth to answer, but shook his head instead. “You know better than to ask questions you don’t want the answers to.”

When Rafe reached him, Garrett grunted and spun around to unlock his front door.

Rafe crossed the threshold into Casa de Pearson and gave himself a pat on the back. In all the times he’d stealthily visited Garrett, he’d not once succumbed to his temptation to sneak inside. Garrett willingly inviting him in was the best thing that had happened to him since he’d left Garrett’s life all those years ago.

“I have a guest room you can stay in upstairs. I have to go to work in a little while, but when I get home we can start diving into your cartel issues,” Garrett said as he hung their coats in a neat closet by his front door. He seemed nervous all of a sudden, not meeting Rafe’s eyes at all. “I’m gonna shower, so, uh, you can make yourself at home.”

“Sounds good,” Rafe said, trying to sound normal. “How about I follow you upstairs to drop my bag in the guest room?”

“Yeah, sure. Follow me.”

The stairway ended right by the front door, where Rafe stood. When Garrett moved toward him, his eyes finally met Rafe’s, and he froze. Rafe stood silently, waiting, wanting Garrett to handle this however he needed to.