Oral Care

Chapter 8: Memo

*** Rafael's POV ***

I toss back my drink and beckon for a refill. I'm in need of some liquid courage for the crazy thoughts running through my head. I glance over to see Evelyn doing some line dance alongside Marlee, Wilma, and other wedding guests. She tosses her head back at something Marlee says to her. She looks so relaxed with my family.

Tara would never loosen up, seeing them as only an obligation. She didn't understand that my siblings were my best friends for the most part. She was jealous. But Evelyn? Evelyn is embracing them as her tribe.

"Is it true you found her at the spa?" Christian asks, walking up and signaling the bartender to bring another of what I am drinking for him.

"Crazy, right?" I reply. I watch as Evelyn's shapely body moves to the music. Even though I just has her exactly as I wanted a few hours ago, I'm ready to go again.

"You're not usually one for flings. You doing okay with the Tara stuff?" Christian observes.

I tear my eyes away from Evelyn to look at my older brother. He'd be the one to understand this the best. "I just feel like Tara was hoping that I'd miraculously pick her over Marlee and Dane. She knows better or at least she should have. It makes me wonder if she wasn't looking for something that she knew I wouldn't budge on so she could end things and blame me."

Christian claps my back and squeezes my shoulder. "Want to know what I think? I think she's going to wake up and realize just how good she had it with you and us."

"Thanks, man." I appreciate his attempt to make me feel better. I decide to bounce my crazy idea off him. "I actually wouldn't mind getting to know Evelyn better. We have this intense chemistry."

"Yeah. We all noticed your absence and your partial dress upon return." He teases.

"I mean, yeah the sex is next level, but it's more than that." I glance over to see my mom and a few of my brothers have joined in on the dance floor. Someone is taking a photo and Evelyn is trying to get out of it. Mom and Marlee rope her back into it. She smiles for the photo, then immediately gets pulled back into dancing.

"Doesn't she live someplace ridiculous like Texas?" Christian presses.

"Yeah." I sigh. "And this was really only ever supposed to be one night."

"That turned into two and meeting the whole damn family. You're doing something right." He points out.

"Do you think I'm nuts to ask to see her again?" I question.

"She's seems like the type that will tell you what she wants rather than what you want to hear if you aren't on the same page. Do you have a sense of whether she'd want something with you beyond this weekend? " He volleys.

I consider his question carefully, turning it over in my mind and looking for any potential fault lines. I need to be careful. She initially resisted to making this more than one night, but then again, she showed today and wasn't just going through the motions. As if to reinforce that thought, I hear her laughter ringing out above the din of the reception.

"I don't know, but I think I need to ask." I resolve. "I'll regret it if I don't."

Christian clinks his glass with mine. "Well brother, I wish you luck. I'll be around for the show regardless."