Chapter Text
They say you should marry your best friend. The person you like and love the most in the world. Kiara Aaliyah Carrera didn’t understand what that actually meant until she was in her late twenties. However, by the time she was twenty-six years old, her best friend in the whole entire world, and the man she was secretly in love with, was announcing his engagement to another woman.
“We’re getting married!” Sophia Delgado, now apparently soon to be Sophia Cameron, announced holding up her hand to show off the biggest diamond ring Kiara had ever seen in person.
Everyone close in their friend circle looked on shocked for a few seconds before offering their congratulations. Rafe and Sophia had only been officially dating for about six months.
“Oh, wow!” Sarah Cameron looked at the ring then to her twin brother and back to his fiancé. “Wow!” She repeated, lightly grabbing the other woman’s hand to get a better look at the ring. “That is one large rock you’ve got Sophia.” Sarah made eye contact with her twin again. “How much did this rock set you back Rafe?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Rafe told his sister calmly before taking a long drink of his scotch.
“Two hundred fifty grand!” Sophia was all smiles.
Kiara came out of her thoughts at the sound of that, coming to stand next to Sarah taking a look at the ring for herself. “I’m sorry. Did you just say this ring cost a quarter mill?” She looked up at Sophia with surprised eyes.
“Yes!” The other woman beamed practically vibrating with joy.
“Gold digger" Cleo Anderson said through a fake cough. She was one of their closest friends who hadn’t had any problem making her dislike for Sophia known. She had tried to warn Rafe when the couple first started dating that Sophia only wanted him for his money.
Sophia rolled her eyes at the other woman, but didn’t let Cleo's words ruin her good mood. Turning to Rafe, she grabbed his free hand as he downed the rest of his drink. “Come on baby, let’s dance. It’s your birthday after all.” She stated pulling him along to the dance floor.
“Why'd she have to announce it at y’all’s birthday party?” Kiara thought that was tasteless and rude.
“Because she’s an attention stealing little-" Cleo was interrupted by Pope as he came up and asked her to dance before leading her out to the dance floor.
Sarah’s husband John B. held his hand out to her. “May I have this dance, Birthday Girl?” Placing her hand in his, she let out a giggle as he twirled her around.
“Come on, pretty lady.” JJ told Kiara. He was already moving to the beat as he motioned for her to follow him.
Kiara let out her own laugh as she started to dance with him. JJ was indeed one of her best friends. The two had even dated for a little over a year until the romance side fizzled out and they both realized they were better as friends. Still JJ Maybank was one of her ride or dies until the end.
The song changed to something a bit slower, and the two friends stepped closer, wrapping their arms around each other without hesitation.
JJ looked down at her. “I take it you haven’t told him yet?”
Shaking her head, Kiara shrugged, glancing across the way at Rafe as he held his new fiancé close swaying to the beat. “What’s the point anymore? He’s with Sophia. He’s happy.”
“You sure about that?”
Kiara looked back at the blond in front of her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
It was JJ's turn to shrug. “The happiest I’ve ever seen him is when he’s with you. With Sophia, he’s just…indifferent.”
“You mean content.” Kiara corrected. “Not indifferent.”
JJ thought about it for a split second. “No, I mean indifferent. That’s when you don’t care one way or another about something. Content is when you’re at peace with what you have.”
Kiara took a step back, smiling. “Look at you, Maybank, learning new words.” She teased.
JJ playfully rolled his eyes. “I can be smart when I wanna be.”
“I can see that.” She continued to smile as they kept dancing.
Across the way, Rafe’s attention was on the two as Kiara’s laugh sounded at something JJ had said. A bout of jealousy ran through him, however it left as quickly as it came. He had no right to be jealous. Rafe had just gotten engaged, plus it was his birthday. He should be happy.
“Can I talk to my brother for a second?” A twenty-one year old Louisa Cameron or Wheezie as everyone called her, asked as she stood to the side waiting for the couple to separate.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate us on our engagement?” Sophia frowned, looking at the younger woman expectantly.
Putting on her best fake smile Wheezie added, “Congratulations!” Turning to her older brother, she grabbed his arm pulling him along. “You’re coming with me.”
Surprisingly, Rafe went without a fight, though he was getting tired of the women in his life telling him what to do.
Wheezie led them to the women’s restroom. When the two walked in, Sarah was there waiting. She locked the door having kicked anyone else out beforehand.
“What is this?” Rafe looked between his sisters.
Sarah started pacing. “Is she pregnant?” That was the only logical reason she could think of why her brother was now engaged of all things to a girl he had only known for six months. “You knocked her up, didn’t you?”
Rafe looked at her offended. “No, Soph isn’t pregnant-"
“And, we thought you were going to propose with Mom's ring whenever you actually decided to marry someone.”Wheezie interrupted. “What happened with that, Rafe?”
Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes. “She doesn’t deserve Mom's ring.”
Rafe sighed, taking a piece of gum out of his pocket and popping it in his mouth. He had been trying to quit smoking. Chewing on the gum, he ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t exactly propose-"
“What do you mean you didn’t propose?” Rafe was once again interrupted by Sarah this time. “She has a ring…y’all are engaged according to her.”
Sighing again, Rafe continued with his sisters looking at him expectantly. He could really use a smoke. “The other day, I was watching the Warriors/Knicks game-"
“What does basketball have to do with this Rafe?”
“If you let me finish Wheezie, I will tell you!” He was getting really tired of being interrupted.
Wheezie huffed. “Sorry, go ahead.”
Sighing again, Rafe continued. “Like I said, I was watching the game with the guys, and you know how it gets when a good game is on. Anyway Soph came and stood in front of the TV, said we should get married, and I said yeah, sure, so she would move outta the way before we missed a play. I didn’t think she was serious.”
Both girls blinked at him before they burst into laughter.
“I’m sorry.” Sarah spoke holding up a hand as she held in more giggles. “She proposed to you.”
Rafe rolled his eyes, chewing on his gum harder to keep his jaw from ticking. “Technically, yes.” It was times like this he wished he had brothers instead.
“What about the giant rock on her finger?” Wheezie added.
“She picked it out herself, and I gave her my card.” Rafe told them with a shrug.
“How romantic.” The sarcasm coming from his youngest sister kind of made Rafe proud in a way.
“You’re getting a prenup.” Sarah stated linking arms with her twin. “She has no right to what Mom left you. Plus your business is doing great now. She’s not taking any of that from you.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a pessimist, Sarah Cameron?”
Scrunching her face up at her brother’'s words, Sarah added, “Only when it comes to certain people.” In all honesty, she loved her brother and didn’t want him to get hurt. He had been through a lot in the past few years. She was only looking out for him.
“Sarah’s right.” Wheezie agreed linking arms on Rafe’s other side. “Get a prenup.”
“Aww, you girls do care about your big brother.”
“You’re barely older than me by two minutes.” Sarah protested.
“Still older.” Rafe countered wrapping his arms around both girls shoulders and giving them each a kiss on the cheek. “Are we done with this girl talk now? I need a smoke.”
Both girls frowned as they headed out of the restroom. “I thought you were quitting.” The youngest spoke up.
“I am quitting, just- look cold turkey isn’t working for me alright. I’m down to once a day.”
Both sisters glanced at each other but neither said anything not wanting to get in an argument right now. They both went back to the party as Rafe headed outside.
When he stepped outside, the cool air hit. Summer was turning to fall as it always did this time in September. It felt good to him as he was hot most of the time now. A side effect of his new medication.
Barry was off to the side smoking a cigarette.
“Let me bum a smoke Barry.” Rafe came to stand next to the other man.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, Barry took out the pack and a lighter handing them to Rafe. “Thought you was quitting.”
“Trying to anyway.” Tapping the bottom of the box then pulling out a cigarette, Rafe placed it between his lips, lighting it. Taking a deep inhale in, he let it out with a sigh.
Barry took the rest of the pack and his lighter back, placing them in his pocket as he continued smoking his own cig. “Congratulations, I guess.”
Rafe snorted. “Thanks.”
“Now, I ain’t think you and La Vida Loca was that serious, but I guess I can be wrong every now and then.”
Letting out a low laugh, Rafe shook his head. “You ever gonna call her by her actual name?”
Barry shrugged, chuckling. “It’s fun coming up with nicknames for her.”
“Sophia hates it.”
“I know, but if y’all are getting married, Chica Loca'll get used to it.”
Shaking his head, Rafe added, “Why you always gotta call her crazy though, man?”
Taking the last hit, Barry threw the butt on the ground crushing it with his boot. “She crazy ain’t she? Askin’ you to marry her in da middle of a game. She knew what she was doin' standin’ in front of da TV. But I guess if you love her, go ‘head and lock it down.”
That’s the thing, Rafe didn’t know if he loved her that much. Though the $250,000 rock on Sophia’s finger suggested otherwise. He continued smoking his cigarette not saying anything in return.
“I guess this means you ain’t ever gonna tell Kie you was feelin' her like that.”
Rafe shrugged. “Doesn’t matter anymore. She was looking real cozy with Maybank anyway.”
“Yeah, I saw that. They back together?”
Rafe shrugged again taking another nice long inhale before letting it out.
“Thought y’all was besties. Shouldn’t you know all that stuff?”
“Kie usually just tells me things. Guess she will when she’s ready.”
“Maybe she forgot to tell you like you forgot to tell her you engaged now.” Barry added. “I saw the surprised look on her face at that little announcement you and Chiquita Banana made. She had no idea.”
Rafe sighed. Maybe he should have told Kiara beforehand. They were supposed to tell each other everything.
Kiara must have sensed she was the topic of conversation because she was the next person to walk outside. Walking over to Rafe and Barry, she swiftly snatched the cigarette from between Rafe’s lips, tossing it to the ground and stomping it out with her heel. “You’re not supposed to be smoking.” She told Rafe firmly, eyeing him.
Barry chuckled, shaking his head. “Tried to tell ya.”
Rafe rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything.
“Not like you’re a very good example Barry.” Kiara narrowed her eyes in his direction.
“He a grown man, Kie.” Barry protested. “He wanna smoke, that’s on him.”
Kiara huffed, crossing her arms as she stood in front of Rafe looking at him. “You also shouldn’t be drinking.”
“It was one drink.” Rafe protested. “And it’s my birthday, I’m allowed to live a little.”
“Well, I’d like for you to live a long time -"
“Imma leave y'all two alone.” Barry spoke up not wanting to be a witness to their bickering. They were like an old married couple sometimes. Barry thought that was funny considering. “Besides I’m finna find that little pretty piece of brown sugar Miss Cleo and see how she doin'." He added with a smile.
“She has a boyfriend.” Kiara added.
Barry shrugged. “That ain’t never stop me before. Plus my granny always said you single ‘til you gotta ring on it. Ain’t that right Rafe?” Rafe waved him off. “Whatever Imma catch y’all later. Gotta go shoot my shot.”
As Barry headed back inside, Kiara focused her attention back on Rafe. “I’m mad at you.”
Leaning against the brick wall, Rafe stuffed his hands in his pants pockets meeting her eyes. “I should’ve told you beforehand about me and Sophia. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you should’ve told me you jerk.” She shoved him lightly. “Getting married is a big deal.”
“I know.”
It was quiet between the two for a bit. Kiara moved leaning against the wall as well, their shoulders touching.
Finally acknowledging the gift in her hand, she held it out for Rafe. “Happy Birthday"
Taking the box, he opened it finding an autographed baseball. His eyes widened reading the signature on it. “No way.” He quickly looked up at her then back to the autographed ball. “No freaking way! Is this real?”
Kiara smiled at his excitement. “It better be. I paid a pretty penny for it.”
Hall of Famer, Nolan Ryan, was Rafe’s favorite baseball player of all time. Pitching for 27 seasons with 324 game wins including 7 no-hitters and 5,714 strikeouts.
As a kid, Rafe had planned on beating that record during his baseball career, however that dream was lost when a car accident shattered his shoulder when he was nineteen.
Kiara listened to her best friend ramble about baseball stats for the next few minutes. Her smile never waned.
Once he was finished, he pulled her in for a hug. “Thanks, Kie. It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten.”
Kiara hugged him back, tightly. “Top 5?”
“Definitely Top 5” They pulled apart, and Rafe closed the box before looking back up at Kiara in thought. “Will you be my best man?”
She looked at him confused. “What?”
Rafe looked confused himself, not knowing how to phrase it. “For the wedding, I mean.”
“Uh-"
“I mean, I know you’re not a guy…best woman I guess?”
Kiara’s face scrunched up. “Isn’t Sophia technically your best woman? I mean she’s gonna be your wife.”
“Right" Rafe agreed. “I don’t know Kie, you know what I’m trying to ask.”
Kiara decided to put him out of his misery. “Yes, I’ll be your second in command for the wedding.”
Rafe smiled. “Awesome”
“I’m not wearing a tux though.” She warned.
Rafe shrugged. “Wear whatever you want. I don’t care.”
“Sophia might have something to say about it.” Kiara added. “I can’t believe you’re actually getting married. My little Rafey is all grown up.” She teased.
“Shut up.” Grabbing her in a headlock, Rafe gave Kiara a noogie as she let out a fit of giggles.
“Get off me!” She brought her hands up, tickling Rafe’s sides. He squirmed and let out his own laugh, but didn’t let her go.
“Rafe!”
The sound of Sophia's voice broke the two out of their little bubble. Both looked up at her. Sophia looked between the two, her hands on her hips.
“Everyone’s waiting to sing happy birthday and cut the cake.” She told them.
Rafe and Kiara broke apart. Smoothing her dress out, Kiara moved to head inside feeling Sophia’s eyes staring daggers at her.
Moving to head inside as well, Rafe slung an arm over his fiancé’s shoulders.
Sophia frowned. “Were you smoking?”
“Barely, I had half a cig.” Rafe leaned in for a kiss, but she took a step back.
“Not with smoke on you.” She glanced at the box in his hand. “What’s that?”
Rafe handed it to her before taking gum out of his pocket. “Birthday present from Kie.”
Hiding her dislike, she opened the box. “Why didn’t she just put it with all the other gifts on the designated tables?” Reading the chicken scratch autograph, she added, “Who’s Nolan Paul?”
Rafe looked at her like she was crazy. “Nolan Ryan”
“But that looks like a P-"
“It’s not a P, Soph.” Rafe argued. “Nolan Ryan is my favorite baseball player.”
“Oh" She added dumbly. She didn’t care much for sports, so whenever Rafe talked about it, she zoned him out. “That’s nice, I guess.”
Taking the box back, Rafe started talking about baseball again only for Sophia to cut him off. “That’s nice, babe. Let’s go inside before Sarah blows out all the candles. You two should have had separate parties.”
Rafe frowned. “We've always celebrated our birthday together with one party.”
She shook her head as they walked into the building. “Well that’s going to change next year. The two of you are too old for that now. It’s so juvenile.”
When they made it back to where everyone was, the crowd of friends and family started singing happy birthday. Not leaving Rafe time to protest Sophia’s previous statement.
Sharing a birthday with Sarah wasn’t juvenile. They were twins for goodness sake and always would be. Besides they both enjoyed celebrating their birthday together with all their family and friends together in one place.
Maybe some things would change within the next year, but birthday celebrations definitely wasn’t one of them.