ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

unit

"What at first sight seems to be a contrast can evolve into an unique unit."

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 "Have you paid all your debts?", I ask Rafe worriedly as I see Barry's name pop up on his phone once again. I hate this guy. He tried to fool us and at the same time, he got Rafe into troubles. Plus, I'm not a fan of coke dealers. "I'll be right back", Rafe excuses himself when Barry even calls him. "No, Rafe-" "Just a second", Rafe interrupts me softly, "I promise that I'll be fine. It's not about coke."

I roll my eyes as I let go of his hand so he can stand up to talk somewhere in private. My eyes follow the way he's going but he goes around the corner so I can't see him anymore. I decide to follow him just to make sure he's okay. I haven't seen them together often but two times out of three, Rafe was being fooled by Barry.

The only time that I've seen them together without fighting was when they fouhgt against us. Anything's possible. They might plan something against the pogues. I just need to make sure that- "Come on, Simon. I was a good waiter except for my outburst. I'm sorry about it." That's JJ's voice. I'm excited to but also afraid of seeing him.

It sounds like he's somewhere close and when I turn around, I find that I was right. I'm on the inside at one side of the room and a few meters away, JJ is talking to the club manager. Now that we're back and have no idea how to find the gold, he might want to get his job back. It doesn't look like he's succeeding.

Simon likes me as a club member, that's why he stood up for me earlier when I raised my voice. Plus, he likes the money he gets. JJ might have a better chance if I talk to him. I don't hesitate but approach them quickly. No matter how much JJ would ever hurt me, I'd always help him if I could. He was my best friend after all. He wouldn't do it differently if he was me.

"Hey, J. Are you alright?", I ask casually and lay my hand on his arm in a friendly way. "Iz, you're here", he notices surprised but nods, "I mean, of course you're here. It's figure eight." "J, I'm having dinner. This is not a spectacular kook party", I state not liking the judgmental part of his voice, "What are you doing here?" "Trying to get my job back", JJ sighs.

"As I've told you, JJ, I can't let you work here after your presentation a few weeks ago." "It's been two months, Simon", JJ corrects him annoyedly but turns to me, "I wouldn't have to ask a kook for work if you hadn't told Sam that I've stolen Rafe's boat." "What?", I exclaim calmly, "I've never spoken to Sam. I've got no idea why he would say that but he doesn't sound like a good boss anyways."

I haven't spoken to him but it's about Rafe's boat.. what if? God, Rafe, one day I'm going to kill you. "Yeah, sure. As if you didn't want to take revenge on me and-" "Simon, I appreciate your services here and I know that JJ's a good staff member", I interrupt JJ turning to his boss and back, "You wouldn't regret it." "Ms. Scott, I-"

"Babe", Rafe speaks up next to me suddenly and lays his arm around my waist. He also gives me a kiss on my cheek like he did when JJ and John B stopped at Tanneyhill when I was hanging out with Rafe, Topper and Sarah. I still look at JJ waiting for him to react. He simply nods and grins the way he does when he's disappointed but tries to hide it. "JJ, it's not-"

"Good to know who the actual reason for your outburst is. Kie and I were just an excuse for you not to be honest", JJ laughs at me lightly, "You know what, Simon? I'd rather stay on the cut forever than to work for princess kook. And Rafe, the kookiest of all, make use of it. It's fun with her."

Without thinking about how I feel about JJ's comment, I quickly step in front of Rafe so he couldn't attack JJ as he leaves the club. "Get the fuck out of my way, Bella", Rafe hisses at me raising his arm to be able to beat JJ up as soon as he reaches him but lay hand on his arm. I use all my power to make him stay where he is.

"Rafe, stop it, please", I beg him. Thank god Simon helps me calm down Rafe and luckily, Simon looks at us understandingly. "He's left, Rafe, please drop it. We wanted to have dinner. I don't want them to throw us out." "They won't", Rafe quickly replies laying his arm around my shoulders and guiding me back to our table, "It's the only thing that I'll never understand. Why would you be with someone like him?"

"It doesn't matter anymore, Rafe", I sigh and take a sip of my drink. I didn't expect this to be so chaotic. "I swear I could-" "You won't hurt him, alright?", I try to make clear and hope that he would listen to me for once, "JJ didn't mean it like that. He was hurt because someone - this someone sits in front of me - pretends to be my boyfriend."

"Sounds like you wouldn't want it", Rafe shrugs and acts like he doesn't understand why I wouldn't want it to happen. "This is not what it's about and you know that exactly. I hate it when you're being so possesive as if you need to prove something to someone. You don't have to do that. You know, we might have never broke up if you didn't feel the need to be who people want you to be."

"You broke up, not we." "You're a pain in the ass, Cameron", I sigh. "And you've got a great ass, Scott", Rafe chuckles grinning back at me so I roll my eyes. How can someone be so indecisive? His mood changes are freaking me out most of the time.

"Maybank was right with one statement", Rafe tells me softly and lays his hand on the table hoping that I'd take it, "Actually, he was right about everything. I just didn't like the way he was talking. You're my kook princess and it's fun to be around you." I give in laying my hand in his and smiling back at him lightly. "You're such a kook, Rafe", I giggle.