Rafe Read Free Page A

bartender asks me with a full panty dropping smile.
    “Bottle Coors please, no glass.”
    He nods, “Coming right up” As he walks away to get my drink, Monty and Gunner are talking to female bartender. She is pretty little thing, so I look around the room while waiting for my drink. I feel cool fingers slide down my arm that’s resting on the bar, so I turn back to the bar and I notice it the hottie bartender getting my attention.
    “Hi again and thanks,” I say taking my drink with a wink.
    “So, what’s your name? Not seen you in here before, you new to Cali?” I look at him with his bleach blonde short but shaggy hair, sparkling blue eyes- full surfer dude.
    “I’m Lucy. Not been to this place before but I’m from Cali. I just moved back here a few weeks ago after traveling for a while. A few friends of mine go to SoCal. And you are?” Maisey elbows me and smiles before walking away. God, I love this girl but can she be any more obvious that she likes that the bartender that is hitting on me? “So?” I look at him still waiting for a response.
    “I’m Jackson. Lived here all my life. I work here part time and I’m a part time surf instructor. So if you’re not a student, what do you do here?” I smile, very nice indeed.
    “Nice to meet you, Jackson. I work in a small clothing store. I had better go and join my friends at their table. I’ll catch you later?” He nods while licking his lips, watching me walk away.
    I spot Monty and Gunner, sitting at a table seated between the bar and stage, where the band’s equipment is already set up. There are girls already filling the dance floor and crowding the stage. There are two microphones and two guitars set up and a black and silver drum kit at the back of the stage. The main bass drum has a silhouette of a black phoenix and the name Inside Noise in red. As I take in the picture, a shiver runs through me. OK, where did that come from?
    I suddenly have a bad feeling about this band. The lights dim and three figures appear on stage and the crowd of girls goes wild. Another shiver runs through me. I rub my arms and Gunner mouths, “Are you okay?” I nod and we go back to watching the band start. A steady beat from the drums starts, and then the guitars start up. The girls go crazy. The beat builds and builds and then the lights hit the stage. I freeze.
    Fuck. Me. That summer hits me all over again. Panic sets in, I can’t be here. They can’t see me. Fuck.
    Inside Noise are the Phoenix triplets. Reeve, Ryder and Rafe. Shit.
    I stand to leave but Maisey taps my arm. “Where you going? You okay?” I look from Maisey to the stage and I see 3 pairs of eyes on me. They look at me then at each other, except for Rafe. He keeps his eyes locked on mine.
    “I can’t be here Maise, I can’t.” I look back at the stage and catch Rafe still looking at me.
    He shakes his head ‘no’ and mouths “Sit”. I stand for a few seconds and then sit. I thought I had escaped my old life but evidently not.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 2
    Rafe
     
    My day started out awesome. I cleaned the apartment, even managed to complete an assignment that isn’t due yet. I got to work on my car for a few hours and went for a job, taking Cane with me. He is our dog, Cane is short for Hurricane because he is a freaking crazy running around the apartment. My day was great until I set my eyes on her.
    Lucy Cooper.
    I haven’t seen Lucy in quite some time but by fuck do the feelings come flooding back. I see my brothers look between Lucy and me but say nothing. They can’t we are on stage. It’s a shock, as we haven’t seen her in a while. Well, since she took off traveling after she lost the baby. We lock eyes and she looks at Gunner and Maisey and then back to me. She stands to leave but I shake my head ‘no’ and mouth to her to sit. She obeys but she doesn’t look very happy.  I don’t have to sing for the first few songs so I get to look over at Lucy, who is