angel - rafe cameron (outerbanks)

15 - take your pick

chapter 15
take your pick

angie couldn't ignore the weight pressing down on her chest as she walked the short distance to the cameron house. the brisk morning air did little to cool the heat of her swirling emotions. she needed to tell sarah. the guilt had settled deep, its claws embedded in her heart, and it was tearing her apart. but every step closer to the grand front door made her question her decision.

when she arrived, she hesitated, her hand hovering over the ornate knocker. but, before she could lose her nerve, the door creaked open, revealing ward cameron. he wore a solemn expression, his usual authoritative air subdued.

"angie," he said, his voice low and measured. "sarah's in her room. topper just left." his lips tightened as he leaned against the doorframe. "they had a bit of a disagreement. things didn't go down too well. she's a bit upset."

angie nodded, her throat tight. ward's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, searching, before he stepped aside to let her in. the familiar luxury of the cameron house felt oppressive today, the high ceilings and polished wood echoing with an unspoken tension. angie's steps faltered on the staircase, her heart thudding against her ribs. she's already upset. did she really want to make it worse? the thought stopped her briefly, but she steeled herself and continued up. sarah deserved the truth, didn't she? or was that just angie's guilt trying to absolve itself?

when she reached sarah's room, she tapped lightly on the door.

"come in," sarah called, her voice muffled.

angie pushed the door open and found sarah sitting cross-legged on her bed, her hair messy from running her fingers through it. her eyes were puffy, rimmed with red, and her face was blotchy from crying. she was holding a tissue, twisting it in her hands.

"hey," angie said softly, stepping inside.

sarah's lips quirked in a weak attempt at a smile. "hey. sorry, i look awful. it's been a night."

angie perched on the edge of the bed, her palms damp against her jeans. "ward said topper was here."

sarah let out a humourless laugh, shaking her head. "yeah. he came over to 'apologise.'" she made air quotes with her fingers, her expression twisting in disgust. "but then he just ended up making everything worse."

"what even happened?" angie asked, her voice steady despite the knot forming in her stomach.

sarah's jaw tightened as she glanced toward the window. "last night at the tower, he pushed john b." her voice cracked, and her eyes glistened with fresh tears. "pushed him. he fell and broke his arm. topper's lucky that's all that happened." she let out a shuddering breath, her voice rising with anger. "and for what? because john b wouldn't fight him. because topper's an insecure idiot who thinks violence is the only way to prove something."

angie stared, shocked. "wait, what? topper pushed john b?" she couldn't hide her disbelief.

sarah nodded, her hands clenching the tissue tighter. "ward said john b could stay here for a bit, just to recover. honestly, i don't even know what's going on anymore. topper's losing it, and i don't know why i even—" she cut herself off, her voice choking with emotion.

angie reached out instinctively, placing a hand on sarah's arm. "i'm so sorry, sarah. that's awful."

sarah sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "yeah, well. that's my life. one giant mess after another." she leaned back against the headboard, her gaze drifting up to the ceiling. "sometimes i think about just disappearing."

angie's heart ached at the vulnerability in sarah's voice. she wanted to tell her everything, to lay bare the truth about rafe, about what had happened the night before. but as she looked at sarah, so fragile and raw, she couldn't bring herself to do it. not now. not like this.