“How are you so calm through all this? The man you’re falling in love with is falling apart at seeing his ex, and yet here you are, by my side. You’re the only reason I haven’t collapsed yet, but yet if you were anyone else, you’d be running the opposite direction.”
I understand his question. Truly. I’m sure it does seem weird to outsiders that I would want to love a man who clearly still has some lingering feelings for his ex.
But for whatever reason, Callum’s love towards Rafe only makes me fall for Callum more. Their tension, despite Rafe being a dick, showed me the love that they once shared. No one is that angry at the other unless they cared first. I can picture the beauty that was in their relationship, and I don’t want to destroy that, but fix it. My entire life I’ve felt unloved and lonely, and I’ve come to cherish any small forms of affection, even if it’s between others.
What I won’t mention to Callum is how surprisingly hot that tension between them made me. When they were quipping at each other, I half wanted one of them to shove the other against the wall and make-out, punishing each other with their lips. And if I happened to be pressed between them…
“Elia?”
I realize I haven’t answered Callum’s question, lost in my own fantastical thoughts.
I lick my lips, buying time as I try to figure out the best way to respond.
“Rafe is a part of you,” I state simply. “And I’m falling in love withyou. Which means every part of yourself, Rafe included. I would never take a part of yourself away.”
“I don’t want to mess up what we have, Siren. I don’t want to do anything that will push you away.”
“You won’t. Take this opportunity to get the answers you need from Rafe, and we’ll take it from there, okay?”
Callum comes over to kiss me. “I don’t deserve you. But I’m so thankful that you’ve come into my life.”
“As am I.” I touch his lips once more with mine before the door swings open.
Rafe is back from escorting Ginna.
“This is my place, if you wouldn’t mind keeping the PDA out of it,” Rafe spits.
I arch an eyebrow up at him. If I’m to help mend Rafe and Callum’s relationship, I need to start first with Rafe.
“I thought we already established that thiswasn’tyour place, actually. Because if it was, the ring would be here, you’d have given it to us, and we’d be on our way once more.”
Rafe stares at me as if he’s seeing me for the first time. I have no doubthe dismissed me as soon as Callum declared I was his girlfriend, and I wasn’t about to let our relationship ruin fixing theirs.
“Fair enough,” Rafe agrees begrudgingly, tone lighter than it was.
No one speaks. The raucous conversation from downstairs and the occasional crackle from the fire is all that fills the air.
Rafe braves sitting on the stained rug, legs spread out with his arms propping him up behind him. He tries to pretend he’s staring at the ceiling, but he fails in his attempts. When he thinks no one is watching, I see him sneaking glances at Callum.
The silence reminds me of the carriage ride between Callum and I that was months ago now. We’ve come so far from that memory, with Callum trying to make awkward conversation with me.
I figure it’s time I repay him that favor.
“Why Sevrin?”
Annoyance crosses Rafe’s face as soon as I break the silence.
“What?”
“Why did you come here? Not that this isn’t an…interesting place, but it’s quite the contrast to Ashven.”
Callum’s still sitting, one leg crossed over the other, palms rubbing over his thighs, but I can tell he’s listening. He’s as curious as I am.
“Why do you care?”
“I am merely trying to make friendly conversation.” I throw Callum’s words to me in the carriage back at Rafe. “Plus call me curious.”
Rafe seems to be debating with himself on whether or not to answer.
