RARE (THEROCKAFELLABOYSSERIES#1)

NIGHTMARES

Zoey Kagel

I walk straight past Luke towards the kitchen, tugging open the fridge for Jules to settle the cake box in there. My heart thrashing hard enough to send my breath away.

"Zoey," Luke's voice makes me jump, my hand pushing the fridge door closed with a hard slam. "Zoey?"

"What Luke?" I snap, spinning around to see his drawn face.

He gulps. "It's so good to see you."

I'm not proud of how childish it feels to storm away from him, but the emotions that come with him turning up here feel suffocating.

Maeva catches my eye, holding her hand out to me. "I had no idea he was coming here."

"It's not your fault." And I won't bring my drama to her birthday. "Give me a few minutes, okay?"

Her nod is subtle, eyes crinkling with worry. "Okay."

I take the stairs two at a time, scrunching my fingers into fists when they shake. Luke is downstairs and I have no clue how to act.

The bed looks inviting for me to climb inside, the duvet slipping over my head. My eyes sealing closed to shut it all out. A darkness surrounds me, slow footsteps echoing in the distance.

Luke is knocking at my door, opening it gently when I murmur a yes to him. I sit up, our eyes catching as the duvet falls from my face. We stare for a while, and in actually getting a good look at him, I notice how sad he looks.

I take in his scruffy face, wild hair that curls in all directions and the huge dark circles which mark his under eyes. It sends a nasty pang to my belly, guilt among other things setting me off.

Shaken, I can only stare at him.

Luke fidgets around nervously, both of our eyes zooming towards the door when Oliver stomps his way in here, calling for me with his hands up in the air.

Luke swoops in to lift him into his arms, giving his belly a little tickle before dropping him into my arms where the sweet baby nuzzles my face until I cuddle him close.

Maeva is suddenly at the door. "Do you mind him in here?"

Which one? Luke or Oliver?

"No." I throw her a gentle smile, knowing she means her son. "I don't mind at all."

She smiles back, giving Luke her best stink eye. "Okay then. You shout if you need me. Olly protect your Aunt Zoey, buddy."

"I will," I say on a laugh, smiling through it when Oliver throws his mum a cheesy grin that's all teeth and spit particles.

Luke clears his throat. "Are you feeling better? Physically?"

I nod, looking down at the bed sheets. "Yes."

The sigh he lets out is gentle, arms folding over his chest before he releases them to shuffle a small step forward. "I am so sorry. The things I said to you and the way I acted was unforgivable."

"I don't want to keep going over this, Luke," I say, my walls going up as my head shakes.

It's too painful.

The memories of that horrid time putting me back to square one.

"I think it will help to talk things out. I've come here tonight for a reason," he responds, shutting up when I cut in front of him.

"We will never be more than this. Do you hear me?" I shout, cuddling Oliver in apology when he jumps.

A raw emotion comes over him. "That's just not true."