“They’re mostly healed, Rafe. My ribs barely even hurt anymore,” I argued.
“Maybe, but you can’t move that shoulder correctly, and you’re still dealing with headaches and dizzy spells from the concussion,” he pointed out, with a lift of his eyebrows, as if daring me to argue.
“I’ll be fine,” I sighed as I walked over to the leather sofa that sat under the picture window and slumped down onto it tiredly. It was the most comfortable sofa in the house. I knew because I had sat in there with Rafe several times, and once with Dio, just reading a book as they were working. They didn’t seem to mind, and I needed to not be alone sometimes, not that I had told them that.
“Yes you will, because Dario and Arran are under strict instructions not to allow you to push yourself too hard,” he said with some satisfaction.
“Sometimes having a protective older brother is a real pain in the arse, you know?” I groaned, with a roll of my eyes.
“I dare say, but better get used to it,” he teased back, making me smile. “Are you still going out to dinner later?”
“Yeah, but not until six. Arran suggested I get some rest, but I can’t face all of the stairs. Can I sleep here for a while?” I asked.
Rafe knew as well as I did, that my excuse was bullshit, but he didn’t question it.
“Of course, sweetheart. You can sleep in here whenever you need or want to. I know I’m not home much, but I like having you close when I am. I feel better if I glance over and see for myself you really are here and safe,” he admitted.
“You shouldn’t worry about me so much, Rafe,” I sighed.
“I’ll always worry about youGioia. It’s my job as your pain in the arse big brother,” he chuckled as he got to his feet and opened the bottom drawer of the fancy sideboard beside his desk. “I bought something for you the other day. You looked chilled the last time you sat in here with me.” Rafe pulled out a thick knitted blanket. It was a deep shade of red and looked soft and warm. He also pulled out two large decorative, but soft looking cushions. The covers were grey to match the colours of the office, but they had red piping around the edge which matched the blanket perfectly. He’d obviously put so much thought into picking them, and realising that choked me up.
“You didn’t need to do that,” I sputtered.
“I want you to be comfortable, wherever you are. Plus, I was hoping if I made it more comfortable in here for you, you might keep me company a little more often,” he explained. I just sat staring at him as he came over and set the pillows down beside the arm of the sofa. “Lie down, sweetheart.”
“I’m a little sweaty from the gym. I don’t want to ruin the things you bought,” I argued.
“They’ll wash,” he chuckled. “Just lie down and stop arguing with me.”
I kicked off my sneakers, then lowered down onto my side, resting my head against the fluffy, soft pillows with a sigh as I felt my body relax a little.
“That feels good,” I sighed, closing my eyes and settling in.
Rafe draped the thick blanket over me, and I’d been right – it was wonderfully soft and smooth. The weight of it surrounded me and felt oddly comforting.
“Just sleep now. I’ll be at my desk the whole time. I won’t leave you alone,” Rafe whispered. I opened my eyes, ready to argue that he could leave me alone, that I’d be fine, but when my eyes met his, I knew any argument would be pointless. He knew the truth of my fear of sleeping, even if I hadn’t openly mentioned it to him.
I didn’t know what to say, and I was feeling emotional, so opening my mouth seemed like a bad idea anyway. It would likely lead to tears. Instead I just smiled tremulously, then closed my eyes. I felt him softly kiss the top of my head, then he moved away, back to his desk.
By the time the sound of Rafe leafing through some pages reached my ears, my eyes were already heavy, and moments later I was out, knowing Rafe would keep his promise to stay with me.
***
I couldn’t hold in my smile as I walked hand in hand down the street with Cal. I was feeling a ton better after getting a couple of hours of sleep in Rafe’s office, and I was just excited and feeling amped up to be out of the house.
Arran and Dante were walking together in front of us, the both of them on the look out all around them, even as they laughed and joked between themselves.
Dante had wanted us to drive one of the armour plated cars, but the restaurant was less than a ten minute stroll from the house, and Arran had suggested we walk so I could get some fresh air. I wholeheartedly agreed, especially since it was a pleasant evening. The rain was holding off and the air was crisp with the icy chill of winter. Wrapped up as I was in my coat, hat and gloves, and feeling secure and happy with the others surrounding me, I embraced it.
The main street in Kensington that we were ambling down was bustling. It was lit up with bars, pubs, and restaurants. People were spilling in and out of brightly lit takeaways and late night convenience stores. I faltered as I saw the well known symbol of the London underground, then marvelled at the historic building that was Kensington Tube station. It was housed beneath an ornately decorated historic building that I wanted to stand and admire for hours, just so I could take in every little detail. All around it were other old looking buildings, and outside the entrance a busker was playing guitar and singing a version of aSam Smithsong with which I was familiar. All around us were couples, groups, and families, smiling and having fun, mixed in between people in work clothes or uniforms, hustling to and from the tube, likely after long shifts.
The whole place was alive, but in a way that was completely different from the bustle of the city I was used to in Chicago. Itwas captivating, and I resolved to come back and sit outside the cute little patisserie shop, which I could see across the road, one day soon, just so I could people watch and take more of it in during the daytime.
“Come on, babe. Dante will lose his shit if we get behind,” Cal told me as he pulled my hand.
“Sorry,” I told him once I was back at his side, looking up at him with the biggest and most genuine smile I ever remembered feeling. He looked so cute in his heavy coat, navy beanie, and his cheeks aglow from the cold.
“Never be sorry for anything that makes you that happy. What were you looking at?” he asked, seeming amused.
