ROCK BOTTOM ~ Rafe Cameron // OC // JJ Maybank

NINETEEN.

tw: violence, mentions of past abuse, slight sexual content

Bexley was so exhausted from the past few days that she just wanted to lay on the beach all day. Doing nothing. Just laying down.

So that's exactly what she did.

And it's what Rafe did, right beside her, not leaving her for a second.

The only time they parted was when he brought her food off the boat. Other than that, he stayed right next to her, acting as though she'd disappear forever if he took his eyes off of her for even a moment.

They didn't talk about the night before. Bexley just needed a day where she wasn't stressed. That was hard to get now.

And then, at the end of the day, Bexley and Rafe watched the colors of the sunset hitting the water, and she fell asleep again. She slept in Rafe's arms again. Not that it'd be easy sleeping apart. She doubted he would have an easy time keeping away from her, even if she wanted him to.

But she didn't want him to.

She liked how he would touch her just to touch her. How he brushed his fingers over her shoulder and hair while they laid down.

Before that day, she never knew how romantic it was just to be with someone. Just sitting, laying, speaking about listless things.

And Rafe didn't mind any of it. Because he just liked being there, besides her.

Bexley liked the way that Rafe didn't complain about when she fell silent, or when she just wanted to close her eyes.

She was so used to just working and sleeping that any other task felt exhausting. She knew someone socially active like Rafe didn't take entire days just sitting on the beach.

But he did that day, with her, without complaint.

And then they fell asleep again, at night, her still in his arms.

Calm, and happy.

The abundance of rest allowed Bexley's body to wake up naturally early the next morning.

She sat up slowly, sand falling from her messy hair. Her eyes fixated on the sunrise.

"You okay?"

"Jesus!" she flinched, and looked down at Rafe. She smiled, catching her breath. "You scared me. I thought you were still asleep."

He shook his head. "No. I'm up."

She kept the smile. "I've officially kept you here for twenty-fours hours, Rafe Cameron."

His heart skipped a beat, every second of their time flashing over in his mind.

"I'm sorry if it was too long."

It'd never be too long.

"I didn't mind it," he said, immediately. "You can lay down again if you want."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I'm good. I'm awake." She wiped her eyes, and yawned. "What time is it?"

Her phone had been in her back pocket. Rafe's eyes fell to it, lingering on the area for a moment before reaching out and grabbing the phone. Bexley jumped, whipping around, her eyes wide.

"A little past six thirty," he told her. She grabbed her phone, putting it back in her pocket.

"You're jumpy," he told her, with a smile.

"Well, I didn't expect your hand to be on my butt," she mumbled.

His eyes casted that way again. He smiled. "Just grabbing your phone, Bex."