Bound By Lies - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 46

Rafe's POV

I'm sprawled out on the couch, staring blankly at the TV screen, but I'm not really watching. The past few days have been hell—pure, unrelenting hell. Every time I close my eyes, I see her face—tear-streaked, full of pain.

It's killing me, tearing me apart piece by piece. I've called her more times than I can count, sent texts I know she's ignoring. I've driven past her house, hoping for just a glimpse of her, anything to convince myself that there's still hope. But nothing.

The silence is suffocating.

My phone buzzes on the table beside me, and I almost ignore it—another call from Barry or one of my dad's lackeys, probably. But then I see her name flash across the screen, and my heart nearly stops.

Teresa.

I fumble to grab the phone, my pulse racing, a million thoughts running through my mind. Is she okay? Is she calling to yell at me again, to tell me she hates me? Or... is she calling because she wants to see me?

"Teresa?" I answer breathlessly, my voice shaking with a mix of hope and fear. "Baby, is that you?"

There's a pause on the other end, and I hold my breath, waiting. Then, her voice comes through, soft and uncertain, and it feels like a lifeline being thrown to a drowning man.

"Rafe... can you come over? I... I think we need to talk."

My heart leaps into my throat, my breath hitching in disbelief. I scramble to sit up, my mind reeling. She wants to talk. She wants me to come over.

"Yes—yes, of course," I stammer, my voice choked with emotion. "I'll be there. Just tell me when."

"Now," she says quietly, her voice wavering. "Can you come now?"

"Yeah, I'll leave right now," I say quickly, already grabbing my keys, my hands trembling with a wild, desperate excitement. "I'll be there in ten minutes, okay? I—thank you, Teresa. Thank you for giving me a chance to—"

But she cuts me off softly, her tone strained. "Just... come over, Rafe. We'll talk when you get here."

"Okay, okay," I breathe, nodding even though she can't see me. "I'm coming. I'll be there soon. I—"

Before I can say anything else, the call ends, leaving me staring at the screen, my heart pounding.

She called me. She wants to talk. That has to be a good sign, right? She didn't sound angry—well, maybe a little—but it wasn't the same as before. There was something else in her voice... something I can't quite place.

It doesn't matter. I don't care why she called—all that matters is that she did. She's giving me a chance, even if it's just to talk.

I shove my phone into my pocket and practically run out the door, my mind spinning with a heady mix of anxiety and hope. I've never been more excited, more terrified, more desperate in my life.

I've barely slept. Barely eaten. Hell, I've barely even breathed without thinking about her. And now, I'm standing here, practically vibrating with anticipation as I stare at her door.

My heart feels like it's beating out of my chest as I stand on her porch, staring at the wood grain of the door, just willing her to open it.

I finally hear it. The soft click of the lock turning, and then the door swings open.

There she is.

My Teresa. The girl who's held me together and torn me apart all at once. The girl I'd do anything for. She's right there, standing a few feet away, looking at me with those big, beautiful green eyes. And God, she looks as broken as I feel.