Always you

Chapter 31

Rafe left the house as dusk began to settle over the Outer Banks. The sky burned in streaks of amber and pink, a tranquil contrast to the turmoil brewing in his mind. After his tough conversation with Sean earlier that afternoon, he needed time to process everything. As he leaned down to kiss Sasha goodbye, his hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin as though to memorize the moment.

"I'll come back soon," he whispered, his voice softer than usual, masking the weight of his thoughts. "Just... get some rest, okay?"

Sasha watched him walk away, her chest tightening with worry. He hadn't been himself since the ordeal with the gang, and his reaction to her father's call had only added to her unease.

Later that evening, Sarah arrived unannounced, carrying a takeout bag of Sasha's favorite food.

"I figured you could use a distraction," Sarah said, placing the bag on the kitchen counter.

Sasha smiled faintly. "You didn't have to do that. But thanks."

The two settled in the living room, plates balanced on their laps. Sasha picked at her food, her appetite dulled by everything that had happened. Sarah, perceptive as always, noticed.

"Alright, spill," Sarah said, setting her plate down on the coffee table. "I know that look. What's going on?"

Sasha sighed, debating whether to confide in her. After a pause, she relented. "It's... everything. Last night. This morning. My dad called earlier, and it was bad. Sean must've told him what happened, and he was furious."

Sarah's brow furrowed. "At Rafe?"

"At both of us, really," Sasha admitted. "But mostly Rafe. He doesn't think I should be with him. He banned me from seeing him."

Sarah's jaw dropped slightly, but her expression quickly turned to one of understanding. "That sounds like something your dad would do. He's always been... intense about protecting you. But that's not fair to Rafe."

"That's exactly what I said," Sasha replied, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "But he didn't want to hear it. He said I wouldn't have been in danger if Rafe wasn't in my life. And then Rafe heard the whole thing."

Sarah winced. "Oh no."

Sasha nodded. "He started blaming himself. He tried to convince me that it's better if we..." Her voice trailed off, the thought too painful to finish. "I told him we'd get through this together, but he looked so... broken."

Sarah leaned forward, her voice firm. "Ward was furious at Rafe too. I've never seen him so mad, Sasha. He was yelling about how Rafe keeps dragging everyone into his messes, how he hasn't changed, how he's a danger to you. He was relentless."

"Great," Sasha muttered, her tone heavy with sarcasm. "More guilt for him to carry around."

Sarah sighed, her expression softening. "You know how much Rafe loves you, right? But he's always had this tendency to think he has to solve everything himself. And now, with everything that's happened, he's probably feeling like he's failing you."

Sasha stared down at her hands. "I just wish he'd see that he's not failing. He saved me, Sarah. If it weren't for him, I don't know what would've happened."
                                                                                                                                                 ~

The heavy atmosphere at Tannyhill seemed to darken as Ward stormed into the living room, his expression a storm of fury. Rafe followed reluctantly, his own frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. He had barely set foot through the front door before Ward had cornered him, and now there was no escape.