Rayne's POV

I tucked Michael in his crib for the night, kissing his forehead and heading to my empty room. I missed my husband, I had been sleeping in an empty bed for a week when it was only supposed to be a weekend. All I had was his photo and his voice whenever he called. After Camille's birthday, he was busy at the studio or so tired he'd forget to call that night and call really early in the morning. I was okay with that because that meant he was getting sleep without having to use medicine.

I kiss my fingers and touch his photo, getting myself comfortable for a nights rest before my phone rang. "Well hello, I wasn't expecting a call from you tonight." I answer excitedly.

"You probably weren't because this isn't who you think." The voice chuckles.

I frown "Andre? How'd you-"

"Well I had asked you for your number but, after your son flashed the girls you forgot. So I just got it from Derrick.. was that ok?"

"Yeah.. that's fine. I um, I meant to give it to you." I reply.

"I'm surprised you even answered, I thought for sure you'd be on the phone with your husband.. seeing as how you're happily married." He chuckles

I give a giggle, "I don't usually talk to him until maybe 5 in the morning. He's in New York so he's 3 hours ahead. Why are you awake?" I ask

"Well, you were on my mind so I just decided to try my luck..." I can hear his grin over the phone. "So what does a woman 'happily married' with two beautiful kids do when your husband is out of town?"

I chuckle, "She takes care of her kids until her husband gets back."

"So you're a house wife, do you ever go and have fun? Maybe out with a friend?"

"When I want to.."

"Would you want to go out with me one day? Just as friends, no funny business. We could catch up from high school."

I debated my answer, I didn't see anything wrong with having a friend. I go out with Derrick all the time. Maybe hanging out with Andre would be fun. "Yeah, I don't see why not.."

"Ok, we'll plan a day, I'll come swoop you up.."

An awkward silence washed over us and I cleared my throat to break it. "Well, I'm gonna go to bed. I'll talk to you later Andre, thanks for the call."

"Somebody's gotta call you late at night to make sure they're on your mind. If it's not your husband, why not me? Sweet dreams."

I hang up quietly, it sort of bothered me that Michael didn't call at night to at least say goodnight but I couldn't be upset because I knew he was tired, I'd rather him call in the morning than stay up all night. I laid in bed shutting my eyes tightly and sure enough the first vision in my dream was Andre.

I dreamed he and I were in the middle of having sex, I saw his back muscles flex with every movement and my body responded with pleasurable moans and movements that were unfamiliar to me. My nails grazed against his bronze skin as he let out a hiss between his teeth. "Can your husband do this?" He whispers bitiing his lips. My eyes locked with his as I looked at him and uttered the words "What husband?"

I turned my head in the heat of passion and found Michael in the doorway, his eyes seethed with anger and he yelled my name with heartbreak. "Rayne?!"

"Rayne.." I hear again clearer as I woke up to see a big grin over my face.

"Michael?" I frown sitting up.

"Daddy's home! He came home early!" Camille startled me, hopping the bed.

"Mike what are you doing home so early." I ask, His lips pecking my forehead.

"I cut the studio session short, I missed you guys." He smiles, his mood was so light compared to my dream. I was still trying to snap back to reality, confused about what I was dreaming. "You don't seem so happy that I'm home.." he says jokingly.

"No, I am.. I'm just still waking up. I'm sorry" I giggle, rubbing my eyes. I peck his lips sweetly, stretching my arms and glancing at the clock to see 10:15 am. "Why are you not at school?" I look at Camille.

"Daddy told Leon he was keeping me home today because he was coming home."

"Oh, alright.." I said. "I guess you want breakfast."

"I already made it for her. You can rest, I know you've been taking care of the kids while I've been gone. You've gotta be tired." He smiles, as he rubs one of my feet.

I smile, "why are you so good to me?"

"Cause you're good to me." He replied kissing me. The phone interrupted us as Michael reached over to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is Rayne available?"

"Sure.. who's calling?" He frowns.

"An old friend.. Andre."

My eyes widen, "I know who he is.." I grab the phone away. "Andre, good morning." I say nervously. Michael heads out to check on our son as I sit on the phone.

"That must be Mr. Jackson.. he came home early."

"Yeah, he missed me and the kids so, he cut his trip short. Why are you calling?"

"I wanted to treat you to breakfast, it's my last day in town.."

"I can't.." I respond, "Michael just got home, the kids haven't seen him. It's a family day today."

"Okay, got it.. Next time.." he says before hanging up. I head downstairs with the kids and Michael watching television.

"So who was that?" Michael asked.

"Andre, we went to high school together in Detroit. That's the guy who's art gallery opening, you missed." I snap my fingers while referencing him.

"Oh ok..I would've congratulated him if I'd have known."

"I'm sure you'll get a chance, he'll be back around." I wave off.

***

Michael's POV

As soon as I got home Camille was hounding me about the trip I promised her for her birthday. I had no clue where I would take her, I hadn't even asked, but after a week of work I was looking forward to spending time with my kids and wife. She didn't seem to be so thrilled that I was home. She barely held a conversation with me before her mind drifted off.

"Are you sure everything is ok?" I ask leaning on my side to look at her.

"Everything is fine Michael, I really wish you'd stop asking." She sighs.

"I'm just wondering. You're so quiet.. like you're distracted."

She pauses and turns to me, her agitation on her face. "I'm not upset, I'm not distracted..I'm just quiet."

Something about her was off, I didn't know what but I didn't like how she was acting towards me. I decided to let it go for the night and try and get some sleep.

The phone rang around 2 in the morning, Rayne grabbed it and answered in a sleepy mumble "hello?" I shifted a little and drifted back off before waking an hour later, leaning over to place my arm around Rayne, I felt she was no longer in bed.

"Ray?" I mutter, flickering my eyes open. I head downstairs to see her still on the phone giggling on the couch. "Ray you're still on the phone?"

She nods, a grin still plastered on her face. It was a familiar smile, a smile she's only given me. "Is that that Andre guy again?" I ask irritably. He's called every night since I've been home.

She nods again a little more annoyed, "mike I'm on the phone.."

"Yeah at 3 in the morning.." I groan, letting my thumb rest on the button to hang up.

"Seriously?" She shouts. "What makes you think you can-"

"Who is Andre to you?" I ask

"A friend, I told you this already. What is going on with you?" She stands, placing her hands on her hips.

"He's been calling every night and he's gotten your undivided attention.. I can't even get a full sentence from you.."

She stammers a few words to herself, "I told you he was an old friend."

"Yeah but I feel like you're not telling me something... what's really happening here?"

"He might have a crush on me.. but I'm just talking to him as a friend. He knows I'm married." She says coyly, ducking her chin into her shoulder.

"He has a crush on you?" I look at her for a while, my teeth grinding against each other. Her eyes widen with innocence, and well with tears.

"Michael I swear nothing is going on.. he's just a friend. Why would I ever do something like that to you?"

"Rayne, I've known you for 20 years.. something isn't right... I'm not saying anything is happening. But you're not giving me a reason to believe anything different.." I sigh.

She was upset, that was clear. But I couldn't tell if she was mad at me or herself. I just hoped that I wasn't losing my wife.