CHAPTER 12- RAPHAEL'S HOME WITH A GUEST

The coffee shop was warm and bustling, the smell of fresh pastries and espresso cutting through the morning chill. Liam pulled the chair out for Emma with a smooth smile, the kind that had worked on plenty of girls before. She gave him an appreciative look as she sat, her summer dress riding up her glowing legs.

"Oooh! A gentleman." She cooed appreciatively.

“Ladies first. Can’t have you thinking hockey players have no manners.”

Emma laughed, twirling her hair in her finger. “Smooth, Lannister. I like it.”

Marcus grinned across the table. “Told you he cleans up nice.”

The waitress came by quickly. They ordered — lattes, cappuccinos, croissants, avocado toast, and a couple of breakfast sandwiches. While they waited, Liam leaned back in his chair, arm draped casually along the back of Emma’s seat.

“So, Emma,” he said, voice low and charming, “Marcus tells me you’re into sports. You play anything, or are you just here to watch us look good on the ice?”

Emma’s eyes sparkled. “I played soccer in college. Midfielder. Fast on my feet. Think you could keep up with me, Captain?”

Liam smirked, letting his gaze linger just enough. “I like a challenge. Maybe we’ll test that theory sometime.”

Gwen leaned into Marcus. “Look at them already flirting. This is going well.”

The food arrived, and conversation continued. Marcus was talking about they met. Liam kept up the playboy act effortlessly on the outside, complimenting Emma’s laugh, teasing her about her coffee order (“Extra shot? Bold choice. You don’t strike me as someone who needs help waking up”), and sharing funny locker room stories that made the girls laugh.

Inside, it was a completely different story.

Why the fuck am I thinking about Raphael’s ass right now?

Every time Emma touched his arm or laughed at something he said, his mind flashed back to the shower — water streaming down Raphael’s back, the firm curve of his ass, the casual confidence in every movement. It made his stomach twist with shame and something hotter he refused to name.

Focus, you idiot. She’s right here. Hot. Into you. Normal.

“You okay?” Emma asked at one point, tilting her head. “You zoned out for a second.”

Liam recovered with a quick smirk, reaching over to brush a stray hair from her face. “Just thinking how lucky I am that Marcus dragged me out today. Would’ve been a shame to miss this.”

Emma blushed a little. "You and your smooth mouth Lannister.”

Marcus kicked him under the table with a grin. “See? Told you he’s good at this.”

The conversation continued — stories about college, embarrassing hockey moments, favorite foods. Liam played his part perfectly on the surface: charming, attentive, flirty. He even fed Emma a piece of his croissant when she eyed it, earning laughs from the table. He was finally letting himself relax and enjoy the moment when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He glanced down, expecting anyone else but who appeared on the chat head.

Raphael: Hey Cap! So... I have a guest at home. Might be loud. Text me before you come back so I know when to keep it down.

Liam stared at the message. A guest? Who was he bringing to our house? His fingers typed furiously.

Liam: A guest who?

Thorne's reply came seconds later.

Raphael: Do you really wanna know ;)

A fucking winking emoji?

Liam’s grip tightened on his phone it almost cracked. Was Raphael Thorne banging a girl...or guy in our...my house?! Was this some kind of twisted payback?

The thought made something ugly and hot twist in his chest. Jealousy? No. That was ridiculous. He didn’t care what Raphael did. He was on a date with a beautiful girl right now.

“You good, man?” Marcus asked, noticing the shift.

Liam forced a smile. “Yeah. Just house stuff.”

But the vibe had changed. His charm faltered. He became quieter, distracted, answering Emma’s questions with shorter replies. She noticed, her smile dimming a bit.

Marcus smoothly covered for him. “Cap’s head is always on the next game. Guy’s a perfectionist. Don’t take it personally.”

Emma nodded, but the energy had cooled.

They finished breakfast and walked the girls toward the bus stop a few blocks away. Emma stayed close, chatting, but Liam’s responses were half-hearted. His mind kept drifting back to that text. Who the fuck is at my apartment right now? And what the fuck are they doing?

At the bus stop, goodbyes were exchanged. Emma gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Text me later?”

“Yeah,” Liam murmured, forcing another smile. “Definitely.”

As the bus pulled away, Marcus clapped him on the back. “Not bad, right? Emma seemed into you.”

Liam just grunted. He really didn't care if she was.

He needed to get home. Now.

Why though? Did he really want to walk in on them making out?

Ewwwww no! Liam defended. He just needed to make sure they weren't doing it on his couch. Yes, that's it.

The walk home felt longer than usual. His steps quickened without him realizing it. By the time he pushed open the apartment door, his jaw was tight and his pulse was elevated.

He stepped inside and froze.

Raphael was on the couch in a black t-shirt and sweatpants, controller in hand, laughing at something on the TV. Sitting right next to him

, too close and comfortable in Liam's opinion — was a good-looking guy around their age, also holding a controller, dark hair and an easy smile.

They were just playing a video game. Nothing more. Nothing more Liam

But the sight still hit Liam like a check into the boards. Why did they look so chummy?

Raphael glanced up, smirk already forming. “You’re back early, Captain. Date go well?”

The other guy waved casually. “Hey, man. I’m Alex.”

Liam stood there, keys still in his hand, feeling ridiculous and angry and jealous all at the damn same time.