WILD RIDE (Rafe Cameron x OC) *COMPLETE*

Chapter Eighty-Eight (both)

CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT

Rafe

Trying to climb the wall to the statue and realizing I can't fucking do it with this hand. It's still raw and bloody and now the makeshift bandage that Alana wrapped around my hand is filled with sand and it's all rubbing into the wound.

I seethe through my teeth and can still taste sand on my tongue even through the bandana around my face. The goggles are dusting up and I can't see much either. Trying to wipe with my sleeve does not a damn thing and my head is stinging from the intensity of the sand whipping in the storm.

For years I complained about the hurricanes but.. I think I'd rather deal with flood and no power and a storm surge from the water before I ever want to experience being out in a sandstorm ever again. This shit? This shit is fucking intense. How can anyone live this way? More power to them. Because I'm too pussy for this.

"I can't get up there with my hand like this!" I tell JJ as he approaches with Kie. "Not unless you've got some rope or gloves or something?"

JJ shakes his head. "I've got to do this. I've got to start what I finished, right, Rafe? Like you said?"

Fuck. He's using this shit against me now. "Don't go being an idiot trying to be some hero, man. We can just go find John B and the girls and wait this storm out."

"No way!" JJ argues. "There's no time! Lightner and Dalia and the others are right behind us! Tailing us! They'll take and then what was the point in all of this? If I knew Sarah was pregnant I wouldn't have dragged her here. If I knew Alana was gong to end up hurt the way she is and if I knew everything I know now... I wouldn't have dragged a single one of you into this."

I clap his shoulder. "To be fair, you didn't drag me or Alana. We came to save your asses willingly. And I promised her I'd save you again. I've got your back, Maybank. Like you said we're uh.. Tongue brothers now?"

JJ nods and laughs. "Yeah, tongue brothers. Artichoke."

"It's uh.. Avocado." I correct him.

"Eh," JJ shrugs. "I like Artichoke better."

"Artichoke it is, my brother."

"And don't worry Rafe, you'll get your cut." JJ says before going to climb up the statue. "I know you said you don't want it but consider a gift from Uncle JJ to your little girl. Alright? Give her a gift from me and we'll call everything even."

"You can gift it to her then." I tell him as I watch him climb up the statue.

Slipping a little from the slick sand, something I never thought in my life I'd hear in my own damn head. I back up and stand down by Kie, who's shaking and a mess. JJ almost slips and I run back under to spot him but he steadies himself and gets back to climbing. Finding a safe spot to rest himself against.

"Fuck," I grunt. "Almost gave me a heart attack."

"Since when do you care so much?" Kie scoffs. "You and him never got along. That sappy apology you two gave each other earlier? It's bullshit and you know it. There is no truce. You stole JJ's girlfriend from him-"

"And you fucked him behind her back." I counter. "Precious little Princess Kiara of Kildare... Always wanted to go against Mommy and Daddy's wishes. Mommy and Daddy who did anything and everything for you. They loved you and they treated you so well your whole life and you always defied them. Betraying them and everyone else around you. I cared a lot about you Kie, and during your Kook year? I really thought we had something. But I see you for all that you are now."