I Can Fix Him (no really I can) || Rafe Cameron

10. Crossed Paths

The night air is thick with tension as we make our way down to the marina, footsteps quiet against the gravel. It's just me, Kie, Pope and JJ. Since John B and Sarah disappeared, rumors have spread through the island like wildfire. People whisper about how John B killed Sheriff Peterkin, about how he dragged Sarah down with him. It feels like everyone's looking at us like we're guilty by association.

As we walk, I feel the weight of it pressing down on me, the fear that comes with being one of the only people who knows the truth. Sheriff Peterkin wasn't murdered by John B. She was murdered by Rafe Cameron. But trying to convince anyone of that would be like screaming into the wind.

"You good?" JJ murmurs, nudging me with his elbow. He's trying to sound casual, but I can see the tension in his jaw.

I nod, swallowing hard. "Just... trying to keep my head down."

Pope lets out a quiet scoff. "Doesn't matter if we keep our heads down. They'll still come after us. Ward's making sure of that."

We're almost at the docks when we hear voices- loud, cocky, unmistakably Kook. I freeze, glancing at Kie and Pope. We don't have to say anything; we all know who's waiting for us.

JJ tightens his grip on the metal flashlight he's been carrying, his knuckles going white. "Guess it was only a matter of time."

The Kooks- Topper, Kelce and Rafe- are leaning against the edge of the pier, waiting. Rafe's the first to spot us, his mouth curving into a smirk that sends a chill down my spine. He looks as sharp and dangerous as ever, his eyes dark and hollow, the same ones that have haunted me since we fell apart.

"Well, well," Rafe calls, his voice carrying over the quiet water. "If it isn't the murderer's little fan club."

I grit my teeth, ignoring the spike of pain in my chest. It's been months since I last spoke to him, but seeing him here, looking at me like that... it's like reopening a wound that never quite healed. I don't let myself look away. "Get out of our way, Rafe."

He laughs, the sound harsh and mocking. "And let you go so easily? Not a chance."

Kelce steps forward, crossing his arms. "People are saying your buddy John B killed Peterkin, you know. Probably because he did."

"John B didn't do it," Kie says fiercely. "But I'm sure you guys know that already. Maybe if you stopped worshiping Rafe for five seconds, you'd see the truth."

The air feels like it's about to crackle and spark. Rafe takes a step closer, his gaze flicking between each of us, lingering on me just a second too long. "Funny how you all keep defending a guy who's nowhere to be found. Guess that makes you just as guilty."

JJ squares his shoulders, moving forward until he's right in Rafe's face. "You think you scare us, Cameron? You're nothing without daddy's money and your fancy houses. That doesn't mean a damn thing out here."

For a moment, Rafe just stares at him, his jaw clenched. Then he steps back, giving us a long, icy glare. "You think you're safe just because you're in the Cut? Keep dreaming. You're gonna pay for what you did."

Pope lets out a laugh, a hint of defiance in his voice. "We didn't do anything. And you know that."

Rafe's expression darkens, and he grabs Pope by the collar, yanking him forward. "Maybe you should watch your mouth, Pouge."

My heart pounds as I see Pope struggle, fists clenched but staying silent, his face inches from Rafe's sneering one. "Let him go, Rafe," I say, stepping forward. "We all know you're full of it."

Rafe's gaze snaps to me, and for a second, I see something flicker in his eyes. It's gone as fast as it appeared, replaced by a cold, empty look. He shoves Pope back, watching as he stumbles slightly before finding his footing.

"We're not scared of you," I say, keeping my voice steady. "And we're not guilty of anything."

Rafe scoffs, crossing his arms. "You should be. Peterkins blood is on all your hands, whether you pulled the trigger or not. And one of these days, you're gonna realize you're just as responsible."

Without another word, he turns, heading back down the pier, Topper and Kelce following behind him. For a long moment, none of us move, our breaths hanging in the air like ghostly puffs of smoke.

Finally Kie breaks the silence. "They're just trying to scare us. That's all they have."

But as I watch Rafe's figure disappear into the shadows, I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over- that he's just getting started.