deflagrate || rafe cameron

Chapter Seven

Two Days Later

I woke up to my phone ringing next to my head. Without looking at the caller ID, I picked up. "What?" I groaned. I heard a small sob from the other end of the phone. Quickly, I sat up and looked at who I was on the phone with.

"Rafe, what's wrong? Where are you?" I asked. I grabbed the jacket next to me and rushed to put my shoes on.

"I'm- um, I'm at the Glisson's," he choked on tears. He told me the address. I tip toed into Topper's room, taking his car keys. Without a second thought, I got into the car and drove to the address Rafe gave me. Looking at the clock, I realized it was one thirty in the morning. I pulled up to the house and I ran to the front door.

"Rafe! It's Skylar," I shouted. When he didn't answer, I turned the doorknob and thankfully it was unlocked. I walked around the big house until I found Rafe sitting on the floor in a bedroom. "Rafe, what's going on?"

He looked up at me with tears streaming down his face. I dropped to my knees, pulling him close to me. His arms wrapped around my torso as he cried into my chest.

"Come on. Let's get you into bed. Just focus on my voice. That's it. You're okay. We're okay," I whispered as I helped him into the bed.

I wasn't sure whose house we were at, but I didn't really care. Rafe was clearly in pain. He needed someone to comfort him. I lie down and let Rafe lay on me. Eventually, his breathing slowed down, signaling that he had fallen asleep. I reached for my phone to text Topper and let him know that I was okay and I was with Rafe. When I woke up in the morning, I was alone in the large bed. I got up and walked around to find Rafe sitting on the balcony.

"Hey," I said softly, hoping not to scare him. I took a seat next to him, putting a hand on his.

"I'm sorry, Skylar. I didn't mean to scare you last night. I shouldn't have called," he said, avoiding eye contact. I reached for his hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Talk to me. What happened last night?" I asked him. Rafe looked down at our hands.

"I tried to take money from my dad. So that I could pay off the money I owed Barry. Barry is the guy I get drugs from. I was quitting, Sky. I- I was going there to pay him off and never see him again. My dad caught me, so I had to tell him what I took the money for. He drove me to Barry's and told me to stay in the car. I didn't listen. My dad was beating up Barry. And then...and then when I told him I'd pay him back, he told me to leave. He kicked me out. My own father kicked me out," Rafe explained, choking on tears.

I placed a hand on his cheek to make him look at me. He instinctively leaned into my hand, closing his eyes to prevent any tears from falling. I wiped away a stray tear, leaning forward to kiss his cheek.

"Skylar, I'm not good enough for you," Rafe whispered. He opened his eyes and they instantly met mine.

"Don't say that," I shook my head. A piece of hair lay on his forehead. I brushed it out of the way and searched his face. "I came here because I care about you," I admitted. Rafe looked down, biting his cheek. He looked back up at me, his eyes wandering around my face before landing on my eyes.

"Hi," I whispered, a small smile forming on my lips. Rafe matched my expression and leaned in to kiss me. Our lips moved simultaneously, making me lose my breath. His hands found their way to my waist. He pulled me over so I was straddling him. We pulled away from each other. I ran my hand along his jaw, admiring him.

"You're making me crazy, Thornton," Rafe said, throwing his head back. Still on his lap, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him.

"Skylar?" Rafe murmured, running his hand up and down my back.

"Hm?" I mumbled.

"Will you be my date to Midsummers?" He asked. I had heard some things about Midsummers, but I wasn't completely sure what it was. I knew it happened every year and was a night where all the Kooks dressed up.

"Of course," I smiled into his shoulder.