Alive | Rafe Cameron

Part 12

*the next morning*

I sneak into JJ's room, which used to be my father's office. We have since moved his things out to the shed so JJ could have more space. JJ and I are working a shift together at Terry's Boat Services. He is still sleeping, I climb onto his bed and start jumping up and down like we did as kids. Giggles erupt from me as he opens his eyes and a grin appears on his face. He grabs my leg, pulling me down onto the bed, I collapse beside him.

"Time to get up." I tell him, he groans in response before rolling out bed.

We get ready and then hop into my Jeep and start the short drive to work.

"I call bullshit." JJ says out of the blue.

"What?" I ask with a chuckle.

"That story about saving baby sea turtles with Kie. John B might have bought it but you ain't fooling me."

I glance over at him then back at the road. In this moment I hate that he knows me so well.

"So where were ya?" He asks with a grin on his face. I stay silent. "Who is he?"

My eyes go wide and I pull into a parking spot as we arrive at the dock. I turn the car off and look down, not being able to meet his eyes.

"You can tell me." He assures.

I shake my head no, but I realize he is not going to let it go.

"Rafe." I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Rafe." I say louder this time.

He pauses. "Rafe Cameron?! What the hell, Liv."

"Look, it's not like that, JJ, I swear. I was just trying to be nice and help him through a rough time but I'm done."

He just looks at me. "Did you forget he was a Kook?" He asks still in disbelief.

"He's not just some random Kook, he's Sarah's brother. I was trying to be nice. But don't worry, I learned my lesson. He just stood there and watched as Topper harassed me."

"I'm gonna fucking kill them both."

Anger starts to wash over me again as I think about the recent event. JJ sees that I am getting worked up and he pulls me into a hug. He drops the subject and we walk over to the dock and begin our day.

I mostly just clean the boats but JJ is able to do some of the maintenance work if needed. There are a few other guys that work here as well but it's just me and JJ outside today. The owner, Terry, is in the shop doing paperwork.

I've just finished cleaning a small boat and step off onto the wooden dock. I start gathering up some of my supplies as I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around expecting to see JJ, but as I turn around and look up I am met with a familiar set of blue eyes.

Rafe approaches me and is noticeably upset.

"Liv, can we please talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about, Rafe."

"Yes there is. Please, I'm sorry about yesterday, okay?"

I just look at him.

"I tried to tell him to leave you alone but he wouldn't listen to me, Liv."

"Yeah, I can tell you tried really hard ." I reply sarcastically. "I don't have time for this, I'm working." I add and start to walk away from him.

I feel a hand wrap around my upper arm as he places himself in front of me to stop me from leaving.

"I'm sorry, alright?" He pleads with a hint of anger in his voice. "I thought you were going to help me?"

"Why should I help you at the point? It's clear you only care about yourself?" The anger I felt earlier starts to flood back. I attempt to push him away and free my arm of his grip.

"That's not true." He argues as his grip is getting tighter on my arm.

"Rafe, you're hurting me." I plead.

"Please, Liv." He pleads, not letting go of his grip. I look in his eyes and can see a mix of sadness, anger, and something else I can't quite figure out. I notice a redness in the whites of his eyes and I'm pretty sure he is high.

"Hey man, you're hurting her." I hear JJ shout.

Rafe lets go of me and seems to snap back to reality.

JJ pushes him back. "Get the hell out of here."

I just stand there staring at Rafe. He is looking at me as he starts walking away, I can tell he immediately regrets what he has done. He mutters one more 'I'm sorry' before leaving.

JJ quickly turns to me. "Liv." is all he says as he wipes away a tear that I didn't even notice had formed.