𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐓 ― rafe cameron

εβδομήνταοκτώ ; 78

song of the chapter:
IT WILL RAIN ; bruno mars

As the door swung shut behind Rafe, Margarita's heart still hammered in her chest, and though she leaned into JJ, she couldn't stop the flood of emotions that hit her all at once—fear, guilt, uncertainty. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around JJ's hand, seeking the warmth and reassurance he provided, but her mind drifted elsewhere, back to the nights spent tangled up in Rafe's chaos.

"Hey," JJ's voice pulled her back to the present, his hand cupping her chin to lift her gaze. "You sure you're okay? We don't have to stay here if you're not feeling it."

Margarita looked into his eyes, and for a moment, she almost wished she could take his offer, run somewhere far away where Rafe and the mess of her past couldn't reach her. But that wasn't an option. Not now. Not after the way Rafe had looked at her, like something inside him had snapped.

"I'm fine," she replied softly, managing a small smile. "I just... didn't expect him to be here." She paused, her eyes flicking toward the bar where Rafe had been moments ago. The empty stool was a stark reminder that even though he was gone, his presence still lingered like smoke after a fire.

JJ sighed, pulling her a little closer, his arm draped protectively around her shoulder. "Yeah, I figured. Look, I know Rafe's a touchy subject, but if he gives you any trouble, you know I've got your back, right?"

Margarita nodded, leaning into him more fully. "I know," she whispered, but the knot in her stomach didn't loosen. If anything, it grew tighter. Because no matter how much she wanted to believe that things with Rafe were done, a part of her knew that Rafe wasn't the type to just walk away. He would fight for what he wanted, and right now, it seemed like that was her.

They ordered food, but the usual lightness that accompanied her moments with JJ felt distant. Margarita tried to focus on their conversation, on the jokes he cracked and the easygoing smile that made her feel safe. But every time the door opened, her eyes darted toward it, half-expecting to see Rafe coming back, ready to finish whatever unspoken battle had begun earlier.

"You're quiet," JJ noted, his tone gentle but probing. His thumb brushed the back of her hand, grounding her once again. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

Margarita exhaled, pushing her hair behind her ear as she glanced down at the table. She didn't want to ruin this moment with JJ, didn't want to let Rafe invade this space too. But keeping it all bottled up felt impossible. "I just... I didn't expect things with Rafe to be this complicated still. I thought..." She paused, searching for the right words. "I thought he'd moved on. But seeing him tonight, it's like he's still—"

"Still holding onto something that's over?" JJ finished for her, his expression softening.

"Yeah." Margarita nodded. "And I don't know if I'm ready to deal with that. Or what it'll even mean when I do."

JJ leaned back slightly, his eyes studying her face, but there was no judgment there, only understanding. "Look, I get it. Rafe's a lot to handle. He's not just gonna let go because he sees us together. But you're not alone in this, okay? Whatever happens, I'm with you."

Margarita's chest tightened at his words, a mixture of relief and guilt swirling inside her. She wanted to believe that being with JJ could make everything better, that he could shield her from the storm brewing in her past. But she knew, deep down, that this was a battle she couldn't avoid.

The rest of the night passed quietly, the food only half-eaten, the conversation light but strained. JJ kept trying to pull her out of her head, but Margarita couldn't shake the feeling that everything was on the edge of unraveling. When they finally left The Wreck, JJ's arm still wrapped securely around her waist, she felt like she was walking away from one storm, only to step into another.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Margarita's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, her breath catching when she saw the name on the screen.

Rafe.

Her heart pounded as she stared at the message notification, the tension from earlier slamming back into her chest with full force. JJ glanced over at her, his brow furrowing when he saw the look on her face. "Everything okay?"

Margarita swallowed hard, her fingers hovering over the screen. "Yeah," she said quickly, locking her phone before he could see. "Just... Hermés checking in." The lie felt heavy on her tongue, but the last thing she needed was for JJ to know that Rafe was still trying to get to her.

They walked in silence for a few more minutes, the weight of the unspoken words between them pressing down on her like a boulder. Margarita's hand found its way into JJ's again, squeezing it as she tried to shake off the anxiety bubbling up inside her.

But as they reached the end of the dock, the moonlight reflecting off the water below, Margarita knew that Rafe wasn't going to let this go. And sooner or later, she would have to face him—whether she was ready or not.

--- end of chapter