Oral Care

Chapter 10: Conflict of Interest

*** Rafael's POV ***

I am actually happy to be back at work Tuesday morning. The weekend was a real mindfuck after Tara showed up. I still don't quite understand where the fuck we stand with one another. I went into the weekend wanting her to show up. Then Evelyn happened and I didn't give Tara's absence a second thought. And then Tara strolls in, out the blue, and after the damn wedding I might add.

I let into her. It takes a lot to push me to that point but I am just fed up with her bullshit. She broke down. She cried. She promised things would change. I didn't give her a clear indication that all was forgiven, but I did let her stay in the room. She fell asleep in the bed so I moved to the couch. I was reeling from our conversation, knowing it was on me to decide our fate once and for all. But instead of focusing on my future with Tara, all I could think about was Evelyn.

When I came back empty-handed, well except for my tie, I read into it and I let Tara back in, physically at least. It was a terrible decision that I regretted instantly. I wore my guilt at brunch with my family the next day, although most everyone read it as melancholy over parting ways with Evelyn. Christian and Kevin, however, saw right through me.

"You didn't ask her, did you?" Christian wagered.

"I didn't really get a chance." I muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kevin analyzed my dodginess.

I sighed, knowing that I couldn't keep it from them forever and also needing their advice. "Keep your voices down. Tara showed up late last night. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to Evelyn."

They both stared at me with their jaws hanging down to the table. I could feel their silent judgment and I hated it. I knew I let something precious go with Evelyn, and their expressions told me everyone else in my family would think so too. "Please don't say anything to anyone else yet."

"So are you two back together?" Christian asked.

I shook my head. "But she asked for another chance."

"If you're passing on Evelyn, do you mind giving me her room number?" Kevin asked. I couldn't tell if he was joking but jealously flamed up in my chest.

"I do mind. And it doesn't matter. She's gone." I explained that I headed over there earlier in the morning to find that she had departed.

"Look, I can sense your regret over Evelyn, but don't let that drive you to do something stupid with Tara." Christian stated.

"Christian's right. Let the gift of the time you spent with Evelyn be a reminder that you deserve better, bro." Kevin added.

I nodded. I made it through brunch, barely touching food and only sullenly sipping on a coffee that made my already uneasy stomach burn. Most of my family was headed out afterward so we said our goodbyes, agreeing to meet up soon back home. I was staying through Monday since I normally didn't work Mondays. I had no clue what Tara planned to do.

When I returned to the room, she was showering. I was tempted to just head out and avoid her the rest of the day, but I knew I would need to face her sooner rather than later. She emerged a while later, her face melting into a smile. She walked over and went to kiss me, but I turned my head so all she caught was my cheek.