This is Me Trying ⭑ Rafe Cameron

forty nine

CHAPTER FORTY NINE
[49]
song: itch by nothing but thieves

The dial tone rang in her ear again, the sharp, mechanical beeping almost mocking her impatience. It had been over an hour since she'd last heard from anyone, and Cassie was beginning to feel the weight of the silence press down on her. This was the fourth call— they were probably still diving, she reminded herself. But still, she couldn't shake the anxiety clawing at her chest.

Cassie dialed the number quickly as she pulled the Twinkie off the road and down the gravel driveway. She hadn't heard from anyone for over an hour, and while she blamed it on poor connection— they were out on the ocean— she couldn't help but get antsy.

As she pinned the phone to her ear, and navigated through the dark threes to the house, she brought the van to a screeching halt seeing Rafe's bike stood just a few feet in front of their front porch. Cassie's stomach sank as her gaze locked on the tires, the familiar black-and-red frame, its wheels still.

She hung up the phone quickly, sure she wasn't going to get an answer anyway. Not even turning off the van, almost forgetting to put it in park, Cassie swung the door open and jumped out.

"Rafe!" Her voice echoed across the property, sharp and raw, like it had been building for hours. Maybe even years.

She was fueled with anger, so much of it she didn't even consider the fact that she might be in danger. She was the only one home.

She felt like her privacy had been violated. He didn't belong here. This was her house. He had no business showing up here like he owned the island.

Her head was on a swivel, scanning the property for any sign of him. "Rafe!" She screamed again, her throat burning with the force of it. She felt her anger, her fear, and the frustration of the last few weeks all mix together into something raw. This is was her house. This was her place, her last piece of peace, and he had no right to be here.

She sees him walking up from the dock in the dark, as he enters the light, he appears just as angry— if not more. Flinging his arms out to the side, like he was expecting an answer, he spoke. "What the fuck—what are you doing?" Rafe's voice cracked with fury, his hands flinging outward, as if she owed him some explanation for just existing.

"You're trespassing!" She points a finger at him.

They were charging toward each other, their feet pounding in sync, and for a moment, Cassie almost thought they might collide—two forces unwilling to back down, too proud, too stubborn. Neither one willing to concede.

"Oh, we— we're talking legality? You just stole a three hundred thousand dollar boat from me—"

Cassie lets out a loud scoff as she shakes her head, coming to a quick halt before he about ran her over. "You'll get your damn boat back, relax." She snapped the words out, her voice firm, though the two of them were inches apart— practically breathing the same air— neither of them were willing to step back.

His eyes widened, looking at her like she was crazy. "You— where is it?! You sell it— or some shit?! Here, here you can—" he quickly shoves his hand in his pocket, ripping out his wallet, and tearing a hundred dollar bill out before throwing it at her. "—you need money?!"

Cassie frantically flung it away like it was a fly. "You asshole!" She screamed, her voice going coarse. "Who do you think you are?!"