Page 53 of Running Winter

My face heated up, and I rolled my eyes. Trust Mom to know that.

"Yeah, we went sketching by Little Burg Lake, that's all. No crazy hidden love story here, Ma."

"Rafe," Mom said, leaning forward to gaze at me. "I'm your mother. Of course, you can try lying to me, but I've been used to it since you were this high."

She held her perfectly manicured hand out to show me she was referring to when I was tiny.

"I never lied—" I protested as she arched a brow. "—White lies. Never anything real," I grumbled.

"I'm surprised. She isn't your normal type," Mom smirked, clearly not giving up on her little Rayna theory.

"Mom, Chase—”

"I know. Really likes her. Has anything happened between them?"

I shook my head, moving my leg out of the duvet for cooler air.

"I told him to tell her, and he did. It Seems she wants to experience the world first while he seeks out his 'Fallon fairy tale,' as she calls it," I hid my smile as Mom laughed lightly.

"Cute. The Fallon fairy tale. It is more of a curse if you ask me," Mom commented, gazing at her ice white fingernails.

I wanted to delve, but I knew Mom would tell me anyway.

She usually does.

"You can't help who you fall in love with, the family motto."

I nodded, knowing Mom was referring to my dad.

She’d met him at a young age, and although we never spoke about it, Mom had been a target because of Dad most of her life. He protected her; always, but she couldn't go anywhere without him or a guard.

Mom was so free-spirited.

It made me feel sad for her.

"Which is shit, Rafe. Isn't it? Because here you are, trying to prove otherwise. That you can help who you fall in love with."

"I don't follow," I said, noticing my heart rate increase.

"You are stepping out of the equation with Rayna for Chase," Mom said simply. I let out a laugh of disbelief before rolling my eyes.

"Ma, I'm telling you now, I don't feel anything for that girl."

Mom stood up then walked towards my door. She turned back to me, her eyes softening with sadness as she did.

"White lies again, Rafe. Good luck convincing yourself of that one."

With that, she left, closing the door shut behind her.

I closed my eyes, a vision of Rayna at the lake filling my eyes, her carefree smile, and her fuck me eyes. But then those eyes are wide in shock, and they were watching me fuck Heather Herrod in the bathroom of a club.

Even if Chase weren’t a factor—which he was—I would never be an option for Rayna now. Not that it mattered, because it wouldn't ever happen.

But part of me wanted to ask Rayna why the fuck she was resisting Chase.

He was every woman's wet dream, for fucks sake.

He would be the most faithful, loyal man any gal could wish for, yet he looked like a fucking angel. I knew Chase, and I knew he would be upset.

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