Last Summer

Topper

Rafe and I going to the cafe in the country club was a common occurrence. We did it multiple times a week. Nothing was ever different. We went, sat at the same table, ordered the same food, drank the same drinks, then went back to my house to get drunk. He did coke, I drank. That's what we did. Nothing ever changed. The same thing happened even when I started dating his sister.

"Country club?" I turned my head to Rafe. He sat on the couch in my living room, scrolling on his phone.

He nodded and stood up, "Let's hit it." Rafe grabbed my keys off the coffee table and headed out the door.

"No way, man." I chuckled, snatching the keys to my Jeep out of his hand.

"You're a pussy." He replied, climbing into the passenger.

He's been my best friend since we were in elementary school, even though he's a year older. He's always defended me and I him.

When we got to the country club, there was a line at the door, which was unusual. We walked in the door and the host turned his attention to us. He was helping a red haired woman who I'd seen before with Ward Cameron.

"Hey fellas, it'll be just a minute. We're super busy today." The host, Michael, said, continuing to check the woman out.

"Yeah, no problem man." I replied.

"I fucking hate waiting." Rafe complained.

I chuckled and rolled my eyes, "Chill."

"Alright, same table?" Michael asked, menus in his hand.

Rafe nodded and followed the waiter.

"Man, look at that girl." Rafe tapped my shoulder then pointed at a black haired girl sitting at a table near ours.

She had her arms crossed. The girl sitting with her stared at Rafe and I.

She was fucking gorgeous. Dark hair and light eyes. I wanted her. I didn't know her, but I wanted her.

I watched her eyes follow Rafe through the restaurant and for some reason, I got jealous. He looked back at her. Any chance I had was gone, once he showed interest in her.

"Woah, dude." I replied once we sat down.

"You're with my sister." Rafe chuckled back. He kept his gaze on her while she talked to the red haired woman from the cash register.

She didn't look at me once, Rafe had her full attention.

..........................................................

Sometimes, I drink too much and make an ass out of myself.

That's exactly what happened the night of the bonfire at the Boneyard. I don't remember much from the night besides stumbling up to Rafe, who had his arm around the girl from the cafe. It pissed me off that he got what I wanted.

Fuck this dude, how did he always get what I wanted, I thought to myself, a mai tai in my hand when I walked up. They were facing the fire, talking to the red haired girl who sat with her at the table.

"So, who's this?" I shouted. They turned towards me, confusion on the girl's face. She looked at Rafe, awaiting his answer just as I was.

"River, huh? Rafe, is this the girl from the cafe?" I questioned.

"Yeah, man." Rafe replied.

I stumbled forward.

"What about her?" I slurred, pointing at the red haired girl.

"That's my sister." River replied. She looked annoyed. 

"Hey, why don't you find Sarah so she can take you home?" Rafe suggested, placing his hand on my shoulder. He wanted me to leave.

"Yeah, I will, man." I scoffed and walked off, looking for Sarah.

He pissed me off, made me feel like a fucking joke. I wanted to knock him in his jaw.

I found Sarah, talking to some lowlife Pogue. I fucking hated Pogues.

"Sarah, can I interest you in a tasty Milwaukee beverage?" JJ flirted.

Sarah laughed, "No."

"Are you sure?" JJ asked, offering her the drink again.

I lost it. I flipped the drink in JJ's face. He shoved me backwards then grabbed my shirt. John B pulled him back, trying to get him to calm down.

"Dirty Pogues!" I yelled at them.

John B turned quickly and shoved me backwards.

Game time, I thought.

I swung, connecting my fist with his face.

"Babe, babe, babe!" Sarah yelled, trying to pull me back.

John B fell into the water, he turned and came back towards me, tackling me into the water.

We both stood back up, tossing punches at each other. He stepped quick and wrapped me up, tossing me into the water again.

"Topper!" I could hear Sarah shouting.

"Come on, man!" I challenged, waving my hands. He ran towards me. Thankfully, all my years of wrestling kicked in. I reached down, hooked one arm between his legs and the other over his shoulder. With one swift movement, I picked him up and flipped him into the water, landing with my knees in the sand.

I held his head under the water, "You want to drown like your old man did?" I threatened, keeping his head down as he thrashed.

Suddenly, I felt cold, hard metal against the back of my head, followed by a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, you know what that is." JJ laughed. I raised my hands off John B, standing up slowly.

"We're good, we're good." I told him, my hands still up.

"Kiara, can you check your psycho friend please?" Sarah screamed behind me.

"JJ!" Kiara's voice was loud and obnoxious.

He let go and turned towards the rest of the party.

"Listen up!" He screamed, "Get the hell off our side of the island!" He followed the command by two gun shots. I grabbed Sarah and took off towards the parking lot.

"What the hell, Top?" Sarah chastised once we were in the car, "You almost killed him."

"He's a Pogue." I replied, staring at the road.

"JJ had a gun." Sarah's face was shocked.

I decided to blame Rafe for the way things went that night. If he hadn't pissed me off, I wouldn't have gone after JJ.

I fucking hate those stupid Pogues. Lowlives from the South side. They need to stay in the Cut where they belong.

I would get Rafe. I didn't know how, but I would.