Ronan: To the Moon and Back

23. "Not A Date"

No calls, no texts, in fact Rae's phone seems to be shut off. The pictures come out the day after the little pap fiasco, plastered on gossip websites with horrible, written up lies. No body should believe print articles anyway. No, Louis does not have a love child, bloody fucking hell.

During the week, his fingers itch to contact Rae. His week is shit. He tries contacting his girlfriend, but she avoids him, probably because they both know what's coming and they both don't know how to really go about it. He and the boys are scolded for going out without their bodyguards and if they do it again next time, they can kiss the Hospice visitation goodbye. Which is a little extreme in Louis' opinion. He stops by the diner, only to see Liz who informs him that Rae has taken the week off for Ronan.

"Good on her too. She works herself to death, that one. She needs a break." Liz tells Louis, as she, ironically, serves fucking Diner Guy.

Louis just glares daggers at Diner Guy, and only revels in the fact that Diner Guy won't see Rae either. He's got something to tell her, and he could always just show up at her house, but he can't do that, not after last week. So instead, he asks Liz if she could just mention that he stopped by and would like to talk to Rae whenever she gets in. Liz agrees with a sad sort of smile on her face.

***

It's on the tenth day of no contact does Louis finally, finally see Raelyn. She's at that hole in the wall cafe, where he met her the second time, eyes a little tired, but not at all guarded like the last time he saw her. He's relieved and happy for all a split second, before he realizes just who is standing next to her. Louis seethes as he watches the same guy, Diner Prick Guy, with the grace of a slimy snake, wrap his arm around her shoulders. He can hear him talk from where he's standing.

"Did you need a ride? I can take you home." Fucking Bloody Diner Guy offers, smiling sweet like the syrup they pump in the coffee. Sickly sweet.

Maybe he's just being nice...Louis doesn't care for nice. Doesn't care for the way he is looking at Rae like she's on of the pastries on display. He feels something like fire coil hotly in his stomach, and abruptly his legs are moving without his doing and he's suddenly standing next to them.

"I think she's good, thanks." Louis nearly sneers, but keeps his cool, no matter how hot the fire burns. He brings his own arm up around her shoulders, knocking Eric...Ethan or whoever's arm out of the way. "I'm sure if she wanted, she'd ask."

Rae's shock lasts for a second before she shoots Louis a look. If looks could kill. "No, thank you." She declines the prick's offer kindly.

The bloke holds his hands up in defense. "Didn't mean to flirt with your girlfriend mate." He says to Louis. Smiles and thanks Rae, then leaves the cafe.

Louis steers Rae out of the shop, and doesn't let her go until he is opening the door of his car. He could practically feel the anger coming off her. He gently closes the door after Rae is settled and buckled in. He gets in himself and drives off. The car ride is quiet save for the faint music from the radio. Rae breaks it first.

"Did you even consider that I could have possibly driven myself?" Rae seeths.

"Did you?" Louis ask curtly, eyes on the road.

A beat. "That's not the point." So she didn't drive. "You were rude, and I can take care of myself. Jealously doesn't become you." She chides, calling him out.

"I am not jealous. I just don't like him." Louis scoffs.

"You don't even know him."

"Don't have too." He answers hotly. "You seemed to be doing that for the both of us. Probably has your number now." He mumbles the last part, but Rae still hears.