Golden Hearts | Rafe Cameron [1]

60

August 6

I just took my bike out of the garage. Today, I've planned to spend the day by myself and ride around the island a bit. Just to get some alone time and think about other things for a while. I think that's something everyone needs sometimes.

My mom comes out with a frying pan in her hand. "Are you going out?" she asks.

"Yes," I say as I get on my bike.

"Just be careful with the bike," she says before going back inside.

Of course, I'll be careful. I wait for her to close the door behind her before I quickly ride away so she doesn't see that I'm not wearing a helmet. She wouldn't be happy about that.

I quickly start to regret choosing this path to ride on because it's very hot here, and there's no shade anywhere. There's also no wind today, so it gets really hot. But I'll just have to try to ignore it.

I ride quite a distance until I need to cross a road with a lot of traffic. I usually avoid riding here because there are always so many cars, but now I have no other choice. First, I look around to make sure no cars are coming, then I push off and start riding across the road. I'm halfway across the lane when I suddenly see a car coming toward me at high speed. So fast that I don't have time to get out of the way before it drives straight into me, and everything goes black...

When I wake up, I'm in the hospital. I look around and see my parents and Rafe, but also Sarah, standing outside the room I'm in. What exactly happened? I have no memory at all.

A nurse comes into the room and smiles at me when she sees that I'm awake. "You can come in now, she's awake," says the nurse and waves my family, Rafe, and Sarah into the room where I'm lying in a hospital bed.

They all look worriedly at me, and I almost feel guilty for surely worrying them a lot. Although I don't know what I could have done differently. Maybe ridden with a helmet as my mom said or just chosen a different route.

Rafe and Sarah hug me immediately, and I feel the pain when they hug me.

"Ouch," I say. They let go of me right away, and I meet my parents' worried gazes. My dad doesn't look as worried though. More thoughtful.

"Adeline, I was so worried. Why weren't you wearing a helmet?!" my mom says anxiously.

"Sorry," I whisper.

"You've broken your wrist and have a big bruise on your chest" the nurse says "You can go home later today since there's nothing serious except the pain."

I nod. My arm and my stomach just below my chest really hurt.

"I'm really so sorry," I say. "I didn't mean to worry you. Not at all."

"Addie, it's not your fault, you know that," Sarah says.

"We're glad you're okay," Rafe says.

"Thanks," I say.

I don't know why, but it almost feels like my dad is acting differently. He looks nervously around the room, everywhere except at me or Rafe. I don't know if he's just worried about me or if he's actually thinking about something else. But I try not to think about it too much as the pain starts to take over again.

"Where were you even going?" asks Sarah.

"I just wanted to ride my bike to get some alone time, but that didn't work out so well," I say with a little laugh, but I immediately feel pain when I laugh.

Rafe places his hand on mine when he sees me in pain. "It'll get better soon, angel."

I almost melt at his words and smile at him. I look at the others for their reactions since they've never heard Rafe say anything like that to me before. Sarah looks very disgusted but still smiles at me. My mom looks like she's about to cry, and my dad just stares blankly at the floor.

"So sweet that you're official now," my mom says.

"Yeah," Rafe says quickly before I can open my mouth.

My dad finally meets my gaze before clearing his throat and quickly glancing at Rafe, then looking elsewhere. "I have to go, there's a meeting I need to attend. Glad you're okay, Adeline," he says, waving his hand before leaving the room.

Sometimes I almost think he wishes I had never been born. He's always treated me differently compared to Nathan. Especially this summer, it's been extra noticeable. So I don't know what his problem is, but I don't like it.

I just wish I had a dad who loved me like a real dad should.