Music And Silence- A Reylo AU

Chapter 24- Round One

Rae sat in the back of Hux's car silently. No music had been put on, and no one was saying anything, but occasionally, Rae could see Phoebe turn slightly to check on her. So Rae got her headphones out and put some music on, music that allowed her to wallow in her thoughts- Arctic by Sleeping at Last and You are a Memory by Message for Bears. Questions swirled around her head, and none of them were good. Ben's expression as she'd left the apartment swum in front of her closed eyes, frightened, crestfallen and full of something she couldn't pinpoint. Guilt? Shame? She wasn't sure. Was he seeing that woman? Was he cheating on her? Could it be classed as cheating when they hadn't even kissed? She turned the volume on her phone up to full, despite her phone warning her about damaging her hearing if she listened to music at such high levels. She wanted to drown out all her questions. She had to trust him. Rae knew she could trust him, and although he'd spoken to her harshly, she had to trust he had a good reason and in due course, he'd explain himself. She sat and inhaled and exhaled deeply as if meditating. She was brought out of her meditation by the engine stopping, and she opened her eyes; they were home.

Rae turned her music off and started to put her headphones back in her holder and into her bag. Phoebe had turned around and was watching her.

"Tea! Come on, Hux, you too!" Rae said as she exited the car and went into the house.

Rae headed into the kitchen and put the kettle on, and the others followed her sheepishly. They watched her nervously as she got three cups and a teapot and threw in tea bags.

"Rae?" Phoebe questioned.

"Who is she, Hux?" Rae asked without looking at either of them, just watching the kettle boil.

Hux eyed Phoebe nervously and then looked in Rae's direction.

"My stepmother, Lucinda."

Rae stood, absorbed that information, leaned on the worktop, and looked at Hux.

"And what is your stepmother to Ben?"

Hux looked awkward and brushed a hand through his hair as both girls eyed him, waiting for a response. He blew out a long breath.

"I don't need details, Hux. Ben can tell me that himself; I want the basics. Is Ben fucking her?"

"No, no!" Hux exclaimed.

"OK, then." Rae went back to pouring water into the teapot, feeling reassured. Phoebe was staring at Hux, knowing he was keeping something back.

"Hux? Spit it out!" she demanded, hands on her hips.

Rae turned to look at them, and Hux looked anxiously from Phoebe to her and back again.

"Hux?" Rae queried. Had he just lied to her?

"Ben and Lucinda were..... involved," Hux said nervously, clawing at his beard.

Rae gawked at him, frozen in mild disbelief.

"Involved?" Phoebe responded, "What do you mean involved?"

Hux's face agonised as he responded as much as he dared.

"She's a siren, a serial seducer of men, a wanton adulterer, and Ben is just one of her many conquests."

Now Rae was shocked. Ben, her Ben, who was currently refusing any physical contact of any kind until he was absolutely certain how she felt about him, had engaged in an affair with an older married woman. Not just any woman, his best friend's stepmother. It made total sense when she thought about it; it explained many of his reservations and social awkwardnesses. Hux could clearly read her thoughts from her dropped expression.