RARE (THEROCKAFELLABOYSSERIES#1)

Love is in the air

Zoey Kagel

I can feel Luke in every fibre of my being. I'm acting like a complete coward. I could pretend not to know why I go to him every night, push aside the burning warmth that consumes me when he's near, but I know very well why I do it. It's the only thing that brings me peace right now.

Poor Maeva is in such a bad state, not having been able to rest properly for days and now she's gasping for air as Leo admits this baby could be his after all.

"Get out!" she shouts, pale face draining even more. "You lying bastard, get out of my house!"

Leo bursts into tears, begging with his hands touching her. "No, no, no, please! I can't lose you."

Using all of the strength she can muster up, she wriggles the diamond ring off her finger to launch it at him. "It's over! You will never lie to me again. This is the last time I let you!"

They were engaged?

In a state of shock, Leo stumbles back a few paces with wide eyes. "You are my world! I love you to death. Please don't do this to us."

"Do this to us?" she hisses when she sits forward in the bed. "You were the one who got a girl pregnant but swore it could never be you! I have nothing to do with it. This is all on you."

"We have to wait for her to agree to the paternity test first before we can do anything," he cries.

My heart crushes at the sight of Maeva's pain. It's so very obvious as she attempts to take a few steadying breaths, deep ones that don't quite reach her lungs.

She chokes out. "I just lost my baby and you're getting a new one. I never want to speak to you again."

"Baby," he pants out the words, looking like he's about to pass out. "You can't... no ... please. We have Olly to think about."

"Oliver will stay with me until we can get custody sorted," she responds, so cold in her actions when she turns over to face him with her back.

Luke steps in then, coming to life to guide him out of the room. We catch eyes, both of us feeling the same thing for our friends. It isn't until a dazed Leo leaves the room that Maeva really breaks down.

She cries so loudly it echoes, my knees rushing across the mattress so I can hug her when she sits up. My arms wrap around her shoulders, tugging gently until she lays her head on my chest.

"I can never forgive him," she says, letting out a loud sobbing noise. "This is my last straw."

I stroke her head a little. "I understand why."

"Of all the times he hurt me, this is too much. It's not like he's never slept with someone in front of my nose. But getting them pregnant and lying? That's a new low for him," she spits, the anger settling in now.

I edge back, wiping the tears from her face. "There's still a chance the baby is not his yet."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Zoey. We all know it's going to come back positive," she says, rubbing her face.

I don't know. If only she could see the love he has always held for her. Ever since meeting them, their connection has been earth shattering. I'm just not convinced he slept with someone else.

"But, what if it doesn't?" I have to ask.

She blinks down. "Then he still lied. I'm so sick of his lies. I'm done."

...

It's warm out today. The sun beaming down on the Chateau's beautiful, lush garden. I'm out the back, resting on the lounger with a book in hand. An ice tea on the table beside me. Luke laying on my other side.