Page 22 of Running Winter

"What about her?" Rafe asked in a guarded tone.

Was he trying to keep his voice down because of Rayna?

"She wants me to take her out tonight," I sighed as he made an amused noise.

"So it's you she wants. I can handle that, being second to you."

"For real? You're cool?"

"I gotta go, just about to take Rayna for a ride on my bike. But yeah, man, I'm cool.”

Rafe twisted the phone, and I heard him mutter to Rayna that I was taking Heather Herrod out tonight.

Great.

Rafe chuckled before turning his attention back to me.

"Listen, be careful. I don't trust Herrod as far as I can throw him."

"You still out tonight? Just wondering where to go," I yawned as he cleared his throat.

"Well, not exactly. I'm kinda getting up early."

"Football practice doesn't start until ten, Deacon. Hardly early.” I snorted.

"Yeah, no. It's not that. I'm going out with Rayna to sketch."

I felt like he had socked me in the stomach, but then I heard him add:

"If that's okay?"

What could I say exactly? I had no option but to agree.

Rayna didn't see me in that way.

"Behave yourself. If you fuck with Rayna, I'll kill you," I muttered as Rafe laughed.

"It's art, bro."

"Yup. Of course, it is," I muttered, trying not to sound as pissed as I felt.

"Have fun, Fallon.” Rafe laughed.

"You too, Deacon, you too."

R A F E

"Ever been on a motorcycle?”

Rayna grinned before sliding her helmet on. She even managed to make that look hot.

"Yeah, my cousin worked his ass off to get a Yamaha R3 not so long back. It was a powerful ride." Rayna grinned as she admired my bike. "Nothing compared to this beauty."

She climbed on behind me, slipping her arms around my waist as I started the engine, allowing it to roll before I checked behind me slightly.

"You good to go?"

"Yeah, I live about two streets away from Chase," Rayna called back over the roar of my engine.

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