Chapter 27
Rafe
Rafe’s Thanksgiving meal wasn’t as delectable as his grandmother’s. It was missing her magic touch. But that being said, he still managed to cook edible food that tasted good, if not great. Every guest at the table complimented his culinary skills, and Rafe would have to take their word for it because he was not in the mood toeat.
Justdrink.
Rafe poured himself his third, or fourth, glass of red wine. Allison had brought a bottle, and Rafe had pretty much kept it all to himself. He didn’t need liquid courage. He needed a liquid therapist, something to calm his nerves about Eamonn spending his first Thanksgiving withNathan. Drinking, fucking, laughing about that idiot Yank Baxter who dared to think he’d actually found a guy who wanted him but scared him away. The Baxter had gone to war, and the Baxter hadlost.
What did Eamonn mean in his text that Nathan needed help? Before he hit glass number three, Rafe was concerned for both of them. Maybe there was an accident, but then wouldn’t Eamonn have said as much? As the alcohol worked its way through his system, he began realizing that “help” could be another ruse Nathan pulled to get Eamonn close. Eamonn could be having second thoughts about Rafe staying—he sure seemed that way—and gladly took whatever help Nathan wasgiving.
“It looks like we’re out of stuffing. I’ll get us more stuffing!” Rafe jumped up from his chair, which fell to the floor. He swiped the empty bowl of stuffing from Heath’s hands, who was scooping out the last bits, and charged into the kitchen. He kicked open the swinging doorCharlie’s Angels-style.
“I’ll be rightback!”
And the door swung back in hisface.
“Rafe!” Louisa ran to hisside.
“I really like that you got dressed up for Thanksgiving. That means a lot to me,” Rafe said to the multiple Louisas in front ofhim.
“Up you go. On yourfeet.”
Rafe did as she commanded, with help from her and Heath. They each hoisted him up, and he found some semblance ofbalance.
“Thank you,” he said to both of them. “I’m fine. I need to get more stuffing foreveryone.”
“Do you need help?” Louisaasked.
“Nope. I can do it all, like a gay June Clever. Do you know who that is? I don’t either, but my parents like talking about her.” Rafe swung the door open slowly, keeping his hand on it until he made his waythrough.
Rafe liked to believe that Eamonn went to see Nathan with good intentions. Like maybe Nathan said he needed a kidney or something. And then bam! Nathan seduced him like a twenty-something IanMcKellen.
He wasn’t so drunk as to forget putting on an oven mitt, fortunately. Rafe scooped out more stuffing from the roasting pan. He tossed some bits into his mouth since no one waslooking.
He heard the kitchen door swing open, and his heart crossed its aortic fingers hoping it wasEamonn.
“Y’alright?” Louisaasked.
“I’m fine. We needed more stuffing. So I put more stuffing into this bowl.” Rafe held up his accomplishment. He couldn’t stand her reaction. “I’m not drunk! I’m just a little tired and anxious about everything goingokay.”
“Everything is smashing. You are a brilliantchef.”
Louisa poured him a glass of water and handed it over. He traded it for the bowl of stuffing. He still couldn’t fathom how she could drink him under the table and show zero signs of beingdrunk.
“He’ll be here soon.” She rubbed his shoulders. It felt nice, but it still couldn’t get rid of the dread coating hisstomach.
“That American girl you invited is really nice. She’s from California, and she’s giving me the whole scoop! I want to visit there sobadly.”
“I’m glad everyone is getting along.” Rafe wished he had his wine glass withhim.
“She seems friendly with Heath. Maybe he’ll pull her if he’s lucky,” shesaid.
“Oh, he already has.Ow!”
Louisa’s hand dug into his shoulder. “Sorry.” She let go. “What do youmean?”
“They had sex. Twice.” Rafe wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a secret or not. Alcohol was like a skeleton key that opened alldoors.
