Bad Influence (Rafe Cameron)

Chapter 19

I wake up in an odd sense of peace. I'm normally never peaceful when I wake up. I feel like I should be panicking about something right now but nothing comes to mind and so I just get out of bed to brush my teeth and shower.

Halfway through my shower it hits me and I stand frozen like a statue under the water. Memories of last night play through my head and my knees go weak underneath me.

The call plays through my mind as recollections of his pants and moans run through my ears. My entire body heats up in both embarrassment and something else I'm too ashamed to admit.

I quickly get out of the shower and change before grabbing my phone and checking for any new messages from Rafe.

Of course, there's none and I sigh in relief. He's probably already regretting last night and is too embarrassed to say anything about it. It's better that way. I'd much rather he goes back to ignoring me.

I decide to go on a walk and clear my head. A lot of things have been going on lately and I just need a bit of time to myself.

I run downstairs and go right out the door without telling Topper where I'm going. I think he's in his room and I don't feel like bothering him right now. He can text me if he needs to know where I am.

I walk into town and the entire time I feel content just looking at the scenery and feeling the fresh air flow against my face.

As I walk further into town though, I start to get a little weary. If I were to see Rafe or JJ anywhere, it would be here.

As if he could hear my thoughts, JJ suddenly walks out of the pawn shop I'm passing by and runs right into me.

I begin to fall but he catches me swiftly in his arms before releasing me just as quick, keeping the contact to a minimum.

"Sorry about that." He says, already turning to walk away.

"JJ. Please. Can we talk." I ask him softly.

I wasn't sure he had heard me, but then he stops in his tracks.

After a couple seconds he turns around and looks at me and there's a pained expression on his face.

"I wish I could, but uh, I'm really busy and I've gotta go and do something super important. Maybe some other time though." He tells me, before turning and walking away quickly. Well, actually more like jogging away, based on how fast he's trying to get away from me.

I sigh and turn back around to continue my walk when I see Rafe coming out of the coffee shop across the street with Kelce.

I internally groan at the irony of this situation and just keep walking with my head down.

I hear my name being called and it sounds like Rafe's voice but I refuse to turn my head. Instead, I just start walking faster, hoping I can get out of this situation.

Unfortunately, just as I'm about to turn the corner I feel a hand grab my shoulder and stop me from moving.

I turn and look up to meet Rafe's eyes and right when I see them last night's phone call plays through my head again and I can feel myself blushing profusely.

I take a deep breath and forget last night before shaking his hand off of my shoulder and looking back up at him, this time in more control of myself.

"Yes Rafe?" I ask calmly, trying to act completely normal.

"What are you doing out here today?" He asks with narrowed eyes and a down turned mouth. I can tell that's not originally what he wanted to ask me and I'm curious as to what he was actually going to say.