𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐃─𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

one hundred fifteen.

─☼☼☼─

THERE WAS STILL no sign of JJ by late-afternoon. No texts, no phone calls...nothing.

Charlotte and Kiara were both on the verge of going crazy. They'd called him so many times, Charlotte was pretty sure her phone company was going to call and ask her if she was okay after dialling the same number close to a hundred times in a few hours.

But alas, the phone was held to her ear once again as she struggled to carry a box of inventory up the stairs of the shop. The two sisters had taken the opportunity to make sure everything with the surf shop was in order before shit hit the fan, because surely it would.

"Hey, it's JJ─" Charlotte let out an exasperated groan as she rested the box on her hip, hanging up the phone with her free hand. She shoved it into her back pocket, resisting the urge to pitch it across the room.

She knew JJ had been going through some shit, she wasn't entirely sure what, but he'd seemed off for a while. She wasn't even sure if he knew what he was going through. But this, this was yet another careless act that jeopardized all of them. He couldn't run off on his own like that, causing everyone else to split up. Charlotte was immeasurably angry at him, but she was also pissed off.

A deep exhale fell from her lips as she neared the top of the steps, prepared to ask Kiara if she had somehow miraculously got in touch with JJ. But before any words could leave her mouth, Charlotte froze. Someone was in the shop, and she recognized the voice instantly.

"I'm just lookin' for my sister, alright?" Rafe stated dismissively.

Charlotte quietly set the box down, leaning up against the wall so she was further out of sight. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop on her sister and Rafe, but part of her couldn't resist.

Kiara was quick to respond. "She doesn't want to see you, Rafe."

This time when Rafe spoke, there was a hint of defensiveness in his tone. "Well, she's my sister, okay? I can come have a little chat with her if I want." Charlotte inwardly cringed, signs of the old Rafe slipping. He was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "You know this place is on the chopping block, right?"

"You don't say," Kiara answered, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let me guess, you're behind it."

A small laugh came from Rafe. "Uh...I...I could be, but no. It's not me." Relief flooded through Charlotte at his words. She knew that if it was Rafe behind all of it, he would have taunted Kiara with the fact. "You know, I came to give you a heads up, actually." Rafe continued. "Do do you a solid, to try to be a good brother, and a good friend to Charlotte. And I wanna...I wanna be better. But I already got you snapping at me as I'm trying to help, as usual."

Charlotte couldn't see them, but she could imagine the scowl on her sister's face. "Charlotte isn't your friend, Rafe." She bit out. "I know what angle you're working with her, and you need to stop. Leave her alone for once in your damn life."

Rafe was silent for a moment, and Charlotte could feel her heart pounding in her ears.

"You know what, Kie? I get it. I've given you a million reasons to hate me, and after what I did to your sister last year I don't blame you." Rafe responded, his voice more level.
"But like I said, I'm doing better, better for her specifically. So put away the claws, Kie. I'm not hurting your sister ever again." He let out a breath.  "And I did actually come to talk to her as well. Is she around?"