My Silver Lining: A Small Town, Fake Dating Romance (Rosewood River Series Book 2)
My Silver Lining: Chapter 25

“According to Easton, the ref said that you need to tone down your shit-talking during pickleball,” I said over my laughter as we walked up the walkway to my house. The kitchen remodel was supposed to be done today, and I wanted to check on it.

“What a bunch of babies. If they can’t take the heat, then get the hell out of the kitchen, am I wrong?” She paused dramatically in front of my door. “Oh, wait. I’m right… I’m Gary Rite.”

I barked out a laugh as I pushed open the door. “You’re right, Wildcat. I think your skills do all the talking, but you definitely know how to get into their heads when you talk about their manhood.”

Now she was laughing as she glanced around the space. We’d come several times to check out the progress. We’d been spending a lot of time together since she invited me into her bed two weeks ago. We slept together, we showered together, we played pickleball together, and on the days I didn’t go into the office, we worked from home together. She also introduced me to her martial arts training, and I’d taken her to the gym at the club where I worked out.

To say the gray area had taken over our current situation was an understatement. I didn’t know what we were, and I didn’t fucking care.

I’d always been a guy who lost interest fairly quickly, but that was not the case with Lulu.

I was all in.

Sure, I knew she was leaving, but I wasn’t holding back.

I didn’t want to.

“Hey, Mack!” I called out.

“I’m in the kitchen. Come check it out.”

We came to a stop and took it all in. The large, sleek black island sat in the middle, with white quartz countertops. The rest of the cabinets were a rustic wood and stained walnut.

“Wow. The white countertops really pop against the dark wood and the black, and when you add in the copper, it’s so chic.” Lulu ran her hand over the copper hood, which had been her suggestion.

“Yeah, this turned out incredible, Rafe. With the wood floors and all the natural light coming from the windows in this great room, it’s magnificent.” Mack finished washing his hands and then dried them off with a few paper towels. “How are you doing, Lulu? You were the talk of poker night yesterday.”

She quirked a brow. “Is that so? What were they saying?”

“I play cards with a few guys from the club, and they were talking about how the Chad-Six brought in two ringers with you and Henley,” he said over his laughter. “Apparently, you’re dominating at pickleball. But they said you really get into their heads with your smack talk.”

“Let me guess. The Cocks brothers and Gary Rite are in this card group?”

“Wilcox,” I said, as I barked out a laugh and hooked an arm around her waist to pull her close.

“Whatevs. They are ridiculously whiney. Let me give you a little tip, Mack. All you have to do is reference the size of their package, and they freaking fall apart. It’s too easy.”

Mack covered his mouth with his hand to contain his laughter. “I’ll keep that in mind. They also warned the other guys not to mess with Rafe, or they’d get the wrath of Lulu.”

I waggled my brows. “What can I say? My girl is very protective.”

Lulu turned around in my arms and pinched my cheeks, making me yelp. “Hey. You’re my pickleball partner. You have to have your partner’s back.”

“You sure that’s all it is?” I nipped at her ear.

“Yep. Come on, Rafael. Let’s check out these appliances.”

We spent the next thirty minutes looking at everything in the kitchen. The floors were also down throughout most of the house. The bathrooms were next, and the new slider would open up the entire wall to the river in the backyard.

When we were done checking out the house, we said our goodbyes to Mack and made our way over to the club to get ready for pickleball.

“The house is really coming along. Sounds like you’ll be back in right around the time I’m leaving,” she said, as she grabbed her duffle bag from the back seat when we pulled up to the club.

“Yep. Mack thinks it’ll be right around then.”

“That’s exciting,” she said, bumping me with her shoulder.

“Yeah,” I said, but there was no real passion behind the word. Yes, I was looking forward to finishing my home. No, I wasn’t looking forward to Lulu leaving.

“Hey, Rafe,” Jolie said as she walked toward us. I’d gone out with her a few times more than a year ago, and she played a lot of tennis up here. I’d introduced her to Lulu more than once, and she continued to act as if she didn’t see her standing there.

“Hi. How are you doing? You remember Lulu, right?”

“You must. We’ve met multiple times, and I’m not that forgettable,” Lulu said, not hiding her irritation, and her smile looked forced.

“I wouldn’t say you’re forgettable either,” Jolie smirked and then moved her hand in front of her as if she were drawing an invisible line around Lulu. “There’s a lot going on here.”

“Oh, I see. You’re that girl.” Lulu crossed her arms over her chest, her lips turning up the slightest bit.

“And what girl would that be?”

“The kind of girl that cuts others down to feel better about herself.” Lulu quirked a brow. “Next time, just say hi. You can put the claws away. I’m leaving in a few weeks, so I’m not a threat to you. It’s not that deep. But the way you’ve treated me, I’d say you’ve shot yourself in the foot. Rafael is a very loyal guy. He won’t forget.”

Jolie’s eyes widened. “I, er, I should have said hello. Sorry about that.”

“Thank you.” Lulu sighed and then left me standing there as she walked toward the locker room to change.

The woman was so bold and fierce, and I was in awe of her most days. She lived the way we all should.

No bullshit.

“So it’s not that serious between you two, then?” Jolie asked, and I forgot she was still standing there.

“What?” I asked.

“You and Lulu. She said she’s leaving soon. So I’m guessing it’s not that serious between you two. And, I’m not sure if you heard, but Josh and I broke up. I’m back on the market,” she said, waving her hands in the air. “Single and ready to mingle, Rafe Chadwick.”

“She was right about me being a loyal guy, Jolie. You’ve been really rude to my girl, and I’ve noticed.” I shrugged. “And for the record, Lulu might not think it’s serious, but seeing as I’m all in, I’d call it about as serious as you get. Have a good night.”

I changed into my gear and tried to shake off the fact that her words had pissed me off.

What about this wasn’t serious?

It was fucking offensive.

I tossed my bag over my shoulder and walked out to the courts, where Lulu was bent over stretching. We were the first ones here, and I stalked in her direction.

“Hey, why’d you say that back there?” I asked, not hiding my irritation.

“Seriously? Because she’s rude. If you want to date her after I’m gone, go for it. Hell, if you want to date her now, just tell me and go back to the guesthouse. No one is watching us anymore, so you don’t need to stay in the house with me for appearances.”

The fuck?

“I’m not staying there for appearances. And I’m not talking about dating Jolie. I have zero interest in her. I’m talking about the fact that you said what we have isn’t serious. Or that it isn’t that deep. Whatever the fuck you said, it’s fucking offensive,” I hissed.

She narrowed her gaze, hands on her hips as she tipped her chin up to look at me. “That was a lot of fucks. You’re offended by that comment?”

“Well, it’s offensive, so yes. I am.”

Her lips turned up in the corners, and she flashed me those white teeth. “Sorry, Rafael. I just meant that I’m leaving, so things can’t get too deep when we both know that there’s an expiration date.”

I groaned. “I’ve never met someone that talks more about an expiration date. So fucking what? Most relationships have expiration dates; they just don’t know it at the beginning. I think that we’re lucky because there won’t be any surprises. What we have right now is great. And I don’t appreciate you demeaning it.”

She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m sorry. I’m very happy with what we have right now. It’s been the best surprise about coming to Rosewood River. It’s been my silver lining.”

“Thank you. It has been for me, too.”

She stepped back. “But it is going to end because I have plans, Rafe Chadwick.”

“For fuck’s sake. I am more than aware. And I want you to go chase your dreams. But you’re here now, and I’ve got plans for you these last few weeks. Because…” I let out a breath. “I like you, Lulu Sonnet.”

I like you way more than I ever thought possible.

“I like you, too, Rafe Chadwick. So, what are these plans?”

“Pickleball. Sex. River rafting. A few new Netflix series. And of course, we’ve got my sister’s wedding, which will be several days of activities. So we’ve got lots to do before you leave. Don’t be running for the hills just yet. And stop reminding me that you’re leaving.”

She smiled, her eyes looking a little wet with emotion before she slipped her sunglasses back onto her face.

“I’m all yours for a couple more weeks,” she said, before pushing up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek.

I intended to enjoy every last damn minute I had with her.