That actually throws Julien for a second. He stares between his favorite brother and his fling.“Et tu, Brute?”
“Relax, he wanted to apologize. He had my number for the private chef gig.” Matthieu shrugs. “Honestly, I feel like you should hear him out.”
Julien might not get along with Thomas, but he’s always had a soft spot for Matthieu. If Matthieu thinks he should hear Rafael out, maybe he should.
“Sorry, Hugo,” Julien says, struggling against his strong grip. “Rain check?”
Hugo hesitates before his hand falls back to his side. “See you in Imola?”
“Yeah, see you.”
Hugo casts one last discerning look at Rafael before pulling his phone from his pocket. “Very lovely to see you all again. I better get back to my hotel.À bientôt!”
Maman gently waves at his quickly retreating back.“It’s so strange to hear a Quebecois here,”she says under her breath.
“Makes you wish he only spoke English, huh?”
“Maman, Papa!”Julien chides.“Bonne nuit.I’ll see you guys in a couple of weeks.”
Julien hugs his parents and Matthieu goodbye, but by the time he resurfaces, Thomas and Sam are long gone.
Thank God. Nobody wanted to suffer through that awkward exchange.
“Hey.” Rafael is still here, though. “Thought we could go for a walk or something.”
With a wave of his hand, Julien motions for the bigger man to lead the way, even though he’s the local.
After a couple of hesitant steps, they wander towards the docks, further away from the crowds and the strangers who hold phones up to their faces.
Once they reach the harbor, the duo strolls along the water silently. It’s a little bit frustrating, considering the whole point of Rafael being there is to talk.
“Are you fucking him?” That doesn’t sound like an apology. “I thought we were exclusive, but if you’re seeing other people I need to know. For my health.”
Julien scoffs. “I don’t fuck every man I eat dinner with.”
“Yeah, that looked like a normal casual dinner with yourentire familypresent.”
“Listen, I didn’t want Thomas there either.”
Rafael glares instead of answering.
“Hugo was my roommate. We raced together. This isn’t the first time he’s met my family or eaten with them.” Julien slows, his heels catching on the pavement. After everything he’s suffered through today, he’s too drained to drag this on. “What do you want from me, Rafael? Did you come all this way to talk about Hugo?”
“No, I—” Rafael grunts low in his throat. “How am I supposed to ignore that, though?! He had his hand around you, acting like he belongs there. Youknowhow I feel about you.”
“Do I?!” Julien snaps back. “All you’ve told me is you don’t love my brother. And how am I supposed to believe that when he goes crying into your arms whenever he’s upset?”
“We’re still teammates.”
“Then what are we?!” Even after Julien explains why he’s upset, Rafael goes right back to defending Thomas. “If I wear Ferraro and drive Ferraro andfuckFerraro then why am I still worthlessthan him to you?”
“You’re not less than him, Julien. You’re not.” Rafael ducks and scratches the back of his head. “I get it. I’m sorry. In that moment, on the sidelines, I was just comforting a friend. I thought it was the right thing to do.”
“That moment is fine—it’s whatever.” It’s not fine, but whatever. “But why are you defending his radios?! Do you think it was wrong of me to win?”
“Of course I don’t.”
“That’s how itfeels!”It’s gauche to yell in public, but Julien can’t claw his voice back down. “That’s how itfeelswhen you comfort him and validate him. Why are you helping me—why are youfuckingme—if you’re still going to take his side?!”
