The Least Favorite Cameron

Chapter 18

We got to tell each other everything that has happened to us in the past few weeks in our ride back to OBX. Apparently there's a woman in Charleston that can clear John B's name with proof that she showed to Pope. Only thing is that the man chasing them when we found them, works for her and wanted to kidnap Pope in order to get some key. If we didn't give her the key, she wouldn't give us the tape that she has to clear John B's name. I'm also noticing some weird vibes between Kie and Pope, something I'll have to ask her about when we're alone. We finally are getting into familiar territory as we approach the Chateau.

"Welcome home you two," JJ says as we ride up to the dock and start securing the boat. It feels surreal being back here. I was never sure I'd even see OBX again after the night of the storm.

"You okay?" Kie asks and I notice she's extended her hand out to me to help me get off the boat.

"Yeah, all good, it's just-"

"I know, it's a lot," She says finishing my sentence for me

I look over at John B. who seems to be taking it all in as well. He looks happy to be home but reluctant at the same time, I was too. The happiness we had on the boat for those hours faded as our reality set back in again. John B. was wanted here, and we were in a lot of danger just by being here. After trying to get the gold back, I know Rafe must hate me.

"I think my parents are gonna kill me," Kiara says and Pope agrees. I wish that my biggest worries with my parents were about missing a curfew instead of murder.

"Before you two run off, I have an idea," JJ starts to say and we all exchange looks of worry. I love JJ with my whole heart but whenever he has an idea its either really good or really dumb.

"No one knows we're here right now, and you guys won't get in any more trouble for showing up later than you already are. I say we throw ourselves a little party to celebrate this reunion," JJ says with a big mischievous smile on his face.

"I'm down," I say and return JJ's smile. John B. looks happy about the idea as well but Pope and Kiara seem hesitant.

"Come on you guys, I was shot, the least you can do is have a drink with me," I say laughing and everyone else laughs too.

"Oh sure, pull the old "I'm shot" card to get us to stay. You've gotta come up with a better guilt tripping method, Gracie," Pope says sarcastically.

When we get inside the Chateau I immediately rush to the sink and take big gulps of water from the faucet. I then splash the cold water over my sunburnt skin and for the first time in weeks I actually see myself in the mirror. My hair has gotten much lighter from the sun, and my skin has become darker but also sunburnt. There wasn't much sunscreen on the boat so John B. and I got toasted pretty badly. My lips were so chapped they hurt and I dug through the cabinet till I found a small container of Vaseline. I look down and finally take a long look at the stitches in my side. The wound is red and tender and the black thread poking through my skin reminds me of a zombie movie. The extra bandages the doctor had given us have been long gone so I searched for more in the cabinet and found some antibiotic ointment as well as some gauze. As I stand here securing the gauze with some medical tape, I can't help but think of my brother. The same boy who used to find me the prettiest seashell on the beach when we were little turned into a murderer. It wasn't by his own accord though, our father is the one to blame, always making him beg for his approval and attention. He knew Rafe already had problems from a young age but no, instead of helping him he made them worse, much worse. And now both of them were probably sitting in our house with Sarah and Wheezie and Rose figuring out what to do now that they know I'm alive and know the truth. I need to see Sarah, I missed her so much and Wheezie too. But I didn't know what to tell Wheezie, she's still so young to be involved in this.