The Sinner

32

Upon gathering Rafe's stuff I decided to stay quiet.

I didn't have the motivation to speak to him right now after he just yelled at me. He completely changed, turning into someone I didn't recognize. He was irritable, moody, rude, and quite frankly someone who I didn't want to be around if he keeps this act up.

He was acting as if all of this was my fault.

Or maybe deep down he knew it was his fault, but wanted to take his anger out on me. I will not be a man's punching bag.

Not again.

"You can drop me off," Were the first words exchanged after a while. I notice him peek over at me out of the corner of my eye before staring straight ahead again. He was driving fast, although not as fast as before, which I'm sure was due to the fact that his anger had subsided.

"What about your car?" He asks.

"I'll get it a different day," I explain shortly. My arms are folded and my attention is fixed on the side window. I didn't want to look at him since I knew he'd simply real me back in. I could never be angry with him, or at least stay angry.

"Okay," He agrees after a minute or so. I roll my lips together, attempting to hold in the tears as I stare at the open road. All that could be heard was the hum of the car when he would hit the accelerator.

When he pulls into the open broad road, I recognize the familiar street as my neighborhood. He pulls into the driveway, the black metal gate opening after a few seconds. He drives up to the house and puts his dad's suv in park. Maggie was already waiting for me at the front entrance, wiping her hands on the apron that my mom used to wear.

I sigh at the sight, before undoing my seatbelt, "Do you want to be alone?" My hand rests on the handle to open the door. The cool sensation sending a chilling feeling up my spine.

"Yeah," I say shortly.

"Are you mad at me?" He asks. I let my eyes stay on my lap, ignoring his burning stare into the side of my head.

"Yeah," I repeat. I hear him sigh, before I pull back on the silver metal handle.

"Wait," He says while putting his hand on my thigh. I listen. "I don't want to leave us like this angel."

Angel.

"I don't care to talk to you right now," I say while opening the door. I hop down from the SUV, slamming the door shut. I cross my arms as I keep my head glued to the pavement, and I roll my eyes when I hear the car shut off.

"What happened?" Maggie asks, her face full of concern.

"A lot," I respond with shakily. She tilts her head at me solemnly, opening the door wider for me to walk in.

"Wait," I hear Rafe call out. I close my eyes as I step into the house, the cool air from the air conditioner crawling up my skin. "Angel, please wait."

"I don't think it's a good time right now Rafe," Maggie speaks up for me. I walk away from the door, and up the stairs.

"Corrine!" Rafe shouts after me. "Come on Maggie, let me through to talk to her." My feet carry me away from the scene downstairs, echoing throughout the house as my shoes tap on the hardwood floor.

"She seems like she needs space," Maggie's voice carries through the house despite the distance. "You know how she handles these things better then anyone."

Does he?

"I can't leave her like this, I won't be able to sit still knowing she's upset," He says. I shake my head as I hover near my doorway. He was the reason I'm upset. "Please Maggie, she doesn't deserve to sit in her room and cry alone."