𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄. - 𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧

010. divorce papers

A POUNDING HEADACHE awakes the Rhodes girl from her deep sleep. She grimaces at the pain in her forehead, grasping her hand over it. A mixture of a groan and a yawn is let out of her mouth as she stretches around her bed. What sounds to be paper next to her crumples around when she moves her hand away.

Tatum finally opens her eyes to find a bright orange envelope placed next to her on her bed. This immediately gets her to sit up even though the quick movement doesn't help with her intense headache.

A small gasp escapes from her mouth, picking up the envelope. She pulls out the stapled papers inside which is already on the page of the signed signatures of Rafe's are. He actually signed them. Her fingers hover over his signature in disbelief.

The girl doesn't remember much of last night besides the part that included JJ. There's amends she needs to make before leaving for New York. The thing she came to Outer Banks for has now been given to her and there's really no point in staying longer.

So Tatum gets herself up and going.

—

IT'S NOW LATER IN THE afternoon and Tatum has found her way to the pergola swing. With her worries off of her shoulders, there's time for her and her clear mind to take the break it deserves. Just earlier today she went to the post office to mail the signed papers to her lawyer to finalize the divorce.

The wind has picked up a bit stronger than usual ever since this morning when she stepped out. So here is Tatum sat in one of her old sweaters from high school. She takes a slow breath in and releases out, smiling a little.

She doesn't remember the last time she's felt at peace. It's been a very long time for her. Another person appears in her peripheral vision, tall and built. Tatum has a feeling it's Rafe.

The only person who ever really comes near this area besides her. This swing has always been their place. And everyone who knew them knew that. Even till this day no one has sat here besides Rafe after Tatum left.

"I didn't expect to see you out here." He stands to the side, keeping his hands in the pockets of his opened gray jacket. Tatum looks up at him with a sense of feeling for him that there's finally closure between them.

"I just needed a place to breathe. My bad, I should've told one of you guys in advanced—it was more of a in the moment kind of decision." She stands up, feeling a little bad about it.

"No, no." Rafe holds his hand out in protest. "Feel free to come here anytime. You're always welcome no matter what."

Tatum doesn't hesitate to take a seat back down. Rafe watches her do so, contemplating the next thing he wants to ask her. "Do you mind if I take a seat as well?"

"No, go ahead." Tatum scoots over a little, making room for him next to her. Rafe sits down, letting out a breath. "View here never disappoints."

"Mhm." She agrees.

The two sit there once again in silence, allowing nature to overtake the space between them. Birds chirp from the trees above as the cool breeze blows through their bodies. Bits of sunlight shine through the trees, shining over their heads. And Tatum hides her cold palms in the sleeves of her sweater, waiting for the right time to speak up.

"Thank you," she finally speaks, "for signing them. And I also came here to apologize for acting up last night. One drink led to another and... I don't know, I haven't consumed beer like that in forever—it got out of hand. And don't worry, I already visited JJ and talked to him about the things I said to him. You don't know how much it means to me that those papers got signed."

Rafe turns his head to look down at her with sympathy. He knew she didn't mean any harm with what happened last night and for her to put amends immediately has him feeling relieved of the kind of person she is. And Tatum did deserve for those papers to be signed. He doesn't know why he's kept himself from doing it.

"It's no big deal and I'm glad you got things cleared up with JJ. I'm sure he didn't mean by his words about you as well." He gives her a nod, smiling a little.

"Rafe, thank you for everything and I really mean it." Tatum fixes her position to face her body towards him. "I know... I know this isn't how both of us imagined how our lives would be four years ago, but I think it happened because it was supposed to. Don't you think so?"

Rafe takes a second to reflect on what she's just stated. Maybe, or maybe not. I don't know, Tate. Was it supposed to go this way? He hears his inside voice speak in my mind. "Yeah, I think so too." That's a total lie. But he can't make her change her mind about her amazing life now.

Tatum innocently gives him a smile, believing his words. "Can you promise me something, Rafe?" Her eyebrows rise up.

"What is it?" He grows a little curious, drawing his eyes together.

"Can you promise me that we can keep this new relationship with each other on good terms that in the future whenever we see each other, there's no bad blood between us?" Key word: relationship. What they have with each other isn't quite a relationship, but it's better than nothing.

"Anything for you, Tate." He hides his pain with a smile. "Can you promise me something as well?" Rafe sits up, leaning his arms down on his lap and Tatum nods her head.

"Can you promise me to never feel like you're not welcome back here? I know with being one of the best designers up in New York can keep you busy, but with any chance you can get, visit back? Not for me, but for Sarah and Wheezie." The brunette girl is in awe.

She definitely didn't expect him to ask such a thing. "Of course, Rafe. I have a lot of regret never coming back to see everybody... This is the one place I've ever known as my home. I'm so sorry." Tatum's voice breaks down a little.

Rafe sits up straight, wrapping his arm around her back, pulling her in for an embrace. "Don't be. You had every right to live out your dream. And everyone here that knew you knows that."

"I don't know how you don't hate me, Rafe." Tatum wraps her arms around his waist. She sniffs. "If I were you, I'd hate me for ever leaving."

"You had your reasons and no one—not even I—could blame you for that." He shuts his eyes, refusing to let any tears from forming. Rafe is tough to hide his true feelings, but when he's with Tatum, shes what breaks the barrier for him.

He hasn't felt her in his arms like this in forever. Rafe's forgotten how much he's missed this. And this will probably be the last in a long time. Tatum's arms are still wrapped around his body, but Rafe doesn't dare to pull back until she's ready.

But when she finally does, Tatum gulps. "You're a good person, Rafe Cameron. And whoever is lucky enough to score you will forever be under the care and love of a kind man like you." She wipes her tears with the sleeve of her sweater.

Rafe releases out a chuckle. "Thank you, Tate."

"I'm, uh, leaving later tonight. But I'll come and tell everybody bye before heading to the airport." Tatum stands up, feeling it's time to go and finish up packing back at her parents' house.

Rafe's mouth drops down a little. She's leaving so soon already. He shoves his hands inside the front pockets of his jeans, licking his lips. "Okay, that sounds like a plan. I'll let everyone else know." He nods his head.

Tatum curls her lips up, smiling. "Great!"