Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Rafe stormed to the door and whipped it open so hard it banged against the wall.
“He was right. I was skeptical, but it’s true. You are a better man than I am.”
It wasn’t Roland’s words that stopped Rafe so much as the tone of them. He sounded pleased. “That was a test?”
“I had to be sure.”
“Why?”
He tore Rafe’s check into shreds. “Because, like you said, he deserves better than I gave his mother.”
* * *
Outside, Rafe buttoned his coat and looked at the bright blue sky. Sun reflected off the snow banks and made it feel about ten degrees warmer than it actually was. It was the perfect winter day to spend with someone special.
And here he was, free but alone.
He’d finally gained his independence but it didn’t feel like a victory. Now he knew the thing he needed above everything else was Hop, but it was too late.
He’d accused him of being selfish, but that was so far from the truth. Since they’d come back into each other’s lives, all Hop had done was give and give and give. An uncontrollable tornado and he’d bowed at Rafe’s feet. Hop had given him the ultimate gift and, idiot that he was, Rafe had tossed it aside as if it were nothing.
Rafe had created the maze they’d found themselves in and then he’d blamed Hop when he couldn’t find the way out. He’d thought he’d given Hop everything but he hadn’t.
He’d never risked his pride.
What a stupid coward.
He didn’t bother with the heat when he started the car. The chill kept his mind clear. The greatest puzzle he’d ever faced needed solving, because he’d decided there was no way he could live the rest of his life without Hop.
Now he just had to jump into the storm and hope Hop caught him.
Chapter Forty
“We missed you yesterday, bitch.” Z nudged him as he sat on the dressing table.
“Sorry, I wasn’t up to it.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Well, I don’t want to sound boastful, but I totally got out of bed today.” When Ansel had called to ask if he was available that night to fill in for Ramona, Hop had jumped on the chance to get out of the house.
If he’d hoped to catch a glimpse of Rafe at Switch, who would blame him? He was willing to get whatever crumbs he could. His heart was greedy like that.
“How are you feeling tonight?” Tam asked.
“I no longer feel like I’ve been run over by a train, so that’s an improvement.”
“I meant about the other stuff.”
“Oh.” Hop twisted the cap on his mascara and stuffed it back in his makeup bag.
“Like you’ll never be whole again?” Ansel asked.
“Like you lost a piece of yourself that you’ll never get back?” Z asked.
“Like the world lost all color overnight?” Tam asked.
“Like life has no meaning?” Jae asked.
Hop looked at his friends’ understanding faces. “Yep, all of that.”
They enveloped him in a group hug. “You’ll be okay,” Ansel said.
“I know.” Not really.
“He’s an idiot, you deserve better,” Z said.
“Thanks for trying to cheer me up.”
“You should have come to dinner last night. We have some amazing news.” Ansel bounced.
Attention caught, Hop turned toward his friends. “Spill. I could use good news.”
“Do you know the designer Parker Prince?”
Hop stilled. “Uh...yes.”
“He wants us to open his show during fashion week.” Ansel made the announcement with a huge grin.
“Isn’t that fucking amazing?” Z asked.
“Can you believe it?” Tam asked.
With the exception of Jae, who was oddly silent, they all spoke at once. Hop tuned them out. His pulse roared.
“What did you say? You haven’t agreed, have you?”
“Are you nuts? Why wouldn’t we want this?”
“There are things you don’t know. Tell me you haven’t signed anything.”
“We were waiting to talk to you first.” Ansel studied him. “What’s going on?”
Hop didn’t have another choice. He told them everything, even though it hurt.
“I can’t believe you kept all that from us, bitch.” Z scowled.
“I’m sorry.”
“None of that matters now,” Ansel said. “We need to know where things stand. If this gig falls through, we need to blow this Popsicle stand before it implodes.”
“We can’t do that. Rafe needs us.”
“Are you kidding us right now? Even after he pissed all over you, you’re still willing to fight for him?”
“He’s a good man.”
“Still so delusional,” Z scoffed.
“You don’t know him like I do. He saved me too many times for me not to help him now.”
“I’ll call my contact and see what the situation is.” Ansel walked off, cell in hand.
“He’s still got you wrapped around his finger.” Z shook his head.
“There may not be a future for Rafe and me, but I won’t stop loving him.”
Jae nudged him. “I never would have guessed you to be romantic.”
“Romantic tragedy, maybe.”
Ansel came back, still on the phone, his face grim. “Let me fill them in and I’ll call you back.” He hung up. “So, apparently Prince wouldn’t sign because of Rafe’s ties to your dad, but it was Rafe’s suggestion that prompted Prince to ask us to open his show.”