WILD RIDE (Rafe Cameron x OC) *COMPLETE*

Chapter Ten (Alana)

CHAPTER TEN

Alana

I circled the car to go to the backseat but when Rafe opened his door and saw me opening the one behind his he looked at me confused. "You opening that for Topper or Kelce?"

"I'm opening it for my damn self."

He shut the door and used his body to back me up and away from the vehicle. His chest was puffed as he was breathing heavily. "You're sitting front seat. Shot gun."

"I don't want to intrude more than I already am."

Rafe laughs. "They're cool, I swear."

"Yeah right. If looks could kill I'd be dead." I reach for the door to the backseat again and he grabs me by the hand and pulls me around the front of the car and to the passenger seat. Opening my door for me and waving his hand for me to get in.

"This is just new to them. Especially after some shit that's been going on because of your people." Rafe mutters. "They're just a little in shock but I swear they're cool." He repeats and I don't know if he's trying to get me to believe it or if he's trying to believe it.

"You swear it?" I put my bag on the floor between my legs and watch as a smirk curls onto his lips.

"Scouts honor, Routledge."

Rafe gets in the car and Topper and Kelce follow suit. I move the seat up and Topper still feels the need to press his knees against the back of my seat and moving them every five seconds.

The car ride is silent for most of it. No one's talking at all until I decide to be the bigger person and break the ice-cold silence. "I brought snacks." Stupid but it gets Kelce to say something.

"What'd you bring?" His voice is low but curious. "Anything good?"

I pass him my bag and he sees all the types of chips and candy inside.

"Damn! Jackpot!" He pulls out one of the bags of candy and then shows Topper everything that's inside.

Topper peers in slowly and moves some of the stuff around but then he pulls out my book that I'd been reading since after my shower while I waited for Rafe to get ready and come and yell at me to go already. Which, he didn't. He was calm which threw me off.

He flipped through it and then put it back in the bag and handed it to me. "So," Topper starts. "Your boyfriend put a gun to my head. You choked me out. And... Your boyfriend and friend sank my boat."

"To be fair you were drowning my brother." Everything else has nothing to do with me. I watch as Rafe becomes tense, his knuckles turning white as he grips tighter onto the steering wheel. Gritting his teeth and looking into the rearview mirror.

"Your brother ran his mouth." Topper argues.

"Top." Rafe grits.

"Your boyfriend is a fucking menace. How the hell did he even get a gun? Him and Pope owe me for my boat. I'm going to be pressing charges so you can tell them that and you know what? Rafe said to be nice to you but I don't think I will be. You're a nasty Pogue and you're ruining our boys only night."

"Topper." Rafe hit the breaks at the stop light. "I told you-"

"You're breaking code, Rafe. You even let her sit in the front seat."

I'd had enough. I unbuckled and whipped the door open. Walking the rest of the way down the street to the movie. My blood was boiling through my veins at everything Topper had said.

I'm a filthy Pogue. I'll never be more than that. No matter where I end up in life I'll always be seen as the girl from the Cut. The girl with the dead dad who got lost at sea because he cared more about treasure hunting than he did his kids. The girl with the psycho gun carrying boyfriend. The girl with no mother to show her how to love and be loved.

Rafe drives the car with the hazards on and his speed matches my walking. He rolls the windows down and I can hear him yelling at Topper to apologize. Topper gives me a half assed apology.

"She's stubborn. I'll give her that." Kelce says with a smile on his face.

"Routledge, get back in the car." Rafe demands. "Now."

"I'm not getting back in that car. I'm not even going to sit with you guys, I'll sit alone. Just leave me the fuck alone." I argue back.

"Alana." I've never heard Rafe say my name before. "Get in the car, now. I'll even say the magic word."

"Don't bother."

"Avocado." He stops the car completely and my own legs betray me. I stop and turn to face the car and Rafe is staring right into my soul. "I said the magic word. Now get in the car."

Damn it.

I get back in the car and Topper reaches his hand and puts it on my shoulder. I recoil at his touch but he doesn't take his hand away. "Listen, I'm sorry. It's not your fault and I shouldn't blame you for the actions of others. Can we start over?"

I glance to Rafe who looks as though he had forced those words to come out of Topper's mouth. Rafe gives a single nod and I turn to look at Topper. He removes his hand and I reach mine out to him.

"Hi, I'm Alana. Nice to meet you... And you are?"

Topper is shocked for a moment then smiles. "I'm Topper Thornton, the pleasure is all mine."

"Good. Now that we're all friends," Rafe turns onto the next street over and pulls into the parking lot. There's already a good load of people here which makes me nervous but I know I can just keep my head down and hope that no one says anything.

I get out of the car and Topper goes to the trunk with Rafe. The two whisper back and forth and Topper looks like he might shit a brick. Kelce comes round to my side but leans against the side of the car with his arms crossed.

"I don't know how you managed it."

"Excuse me?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." He waves his hand up and down my body. "You're not one of us and yet... You look like one. You act like one... And Rafe is wrapped around your fucking finger. How did you manage that?"

"Rafe Cameron is not wrapped around my finger. Plus, I know my place. I know I don't belong here and I certainly don't have a place here with you guys. Mr. Cameron just feels bad for me, that's all this is." I explain softly to defend myself. "And... I have a boyfriend."

Kelce looks toward the grass where the giant screen is set up and people are bringing their blankets and lawn chairs. His brow twitches and his mouth tightens for a split second before his eyes land back on me.

"Did you happen to tell Maybank that you were going to be here?" Kelce asks.

I shake my head silently. "You're about to tell me he's here aren't you?"

"Yep. Straight ahead past you... He's with Pope and Kie."

I shut my eyes for a moment and try to swallow the burning bile that's rising in the back of my throat. Tears threaten to prick at my eyes but only a stinging sensation fills them. I blink away the pain and finally exhale.

My eyes catch sight of a blanket in the back seat. I grab it and cover myself with it like a child watching a movie on a rainy day. Kelce covers his mouth to hold in his laughter. I then grab his sunglasses and put them on so I'm completely unrecognizable as we find out way to a spot on the grass.

At least I thought I was unrecognizable until I heard Kie point me out to JJ from across the yard. "Look! It's Alana!" I wanted to find a hole and bury myself into it.