Allison woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over Rafe's room. Her head pounded, and her body ached, remnants of the previous night's chaos. The foggy memories of what had transpired were vague, but the overwhelming shame and regret were painfully sharp.
She felt the weight of Rafe's arm draped over her, his body warm and reassuring next to hers. For a moment, she allowed herself to simply feel safe, to let the warmth of his presence shield her from the emotions threatening to pull her under. Her gaze landed on the glass of water on the nightstand, and she reached for it, drinking it down quickly to soothe her dry throat. As she set the glass back down, Allison rubbed her temples and groaned, the dull pain in her head making her wince.
Beside her, Rafe stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He looked at her with a groggy smile, his voice still thick with sleep. "Morning."
"Morning," she replied softly, turning on her side to face him.
Rafe's smile was faint, a shadow of the usual confidence he exuded. "How did you sleep?"
"Better now that you're here," Allison said, though his eyes betrayed the unease he felt. The tension in his body, the way he held onto her just a bit tighter, told Allison that something was weighing heavily on his mind.
"What about you?" she asked, his hand gently stroking her arm as if he needed to keep touching her to reassure himself that she was okay. His smile fell down when he thought about how he couldn't tell her what happened, she couldn't know that he killed Sheriff Peterkin. He was awake for most of the night, worrying about what he did and what happened to Allison.
"I didn't." Rafe confessed, his voice trailing off.
"You were worried about me? I'm sorry Rafe." Allison said, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes, "I didn't mean to scare you."
"You did scare me.." Rafe replied, his voice tightening with emotion. He paused, struggling to keep his composure before continuing, "But I'm glad you're okay now."
Allison's heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She had never seen him like this, so open, so raw. It made her realize just how much he cared for her, and it made the guilt of what she'd done weigh even heavier on her chest.
"I want you to go try and get some sleep, please." Allison whispered, her head resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. "Thank you." she added, her voice barely audible.
"For what?" Rafe asked, his hand still stroking her hair.
"For taking care of me last night." Allison said, her voice full of gratitude. She snuggled closer to him, letting the warmth of his body envelop her.
Rafe kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering as he whispered, "You don't have to thank me. I'll always take care of you." He felt the need to protect her and take care of her because they came to a point where most days all they had was each other.
For a moment, everything else faded away. The world outside didn't matter, the chaos of their lives didn't matter. All that mattered was the comfort they found in each other. The steady rhythm of Rafe's heartbeat was like a lullaby, lulling Allison back into a sense of calm. She could feel the tension in his body slowly easing as he held her, and she allowed herself to believe, if only for a moment, that everything would be okay. His words wrapped around Allison like a promise, one she desperately wanted to believe in.
As they both drifted back to sleep, their bodies intertwined, it felt like a moment of peace in the midst of a storm.
・ • ・ • ・
Much later that morning, the soft chirping of birds gently pulled Rafe from his slumber. He opened his eyes to find Allison still nestled against him, her leg draped over his and her head resting on his chest. The warmth of her body, the feel of her soft breaths against his skin, made him want to stay in that moment forever.
But as he lay there, the events of the previous day came rushing back with a vengeance. The fear, the guilt, the overwhelming dread of what he had done hit him all over again. He had killed Sheriff Peterkin, and no matter how much his father tried to assure him that it was taken care of, Rafe couldn't shake the fear that it would all come crashing down around him. He was terrified of what would happen if Allison found out if she knew the monster he had become.
What if someone snitched on him? His sister Sarah or one of the Pogues? Kie had a reputation for having a big mouth, and the thought of her telling Allison made his stomach churn.
His grip tightened around her instinctively, as if holding onto her could keep the truth at bay. The movement caused Allison to stir, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked sleepily up at him, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Did I wake you?" Rafe asked, his voice rough from sleep and the lingering tension in his chest.
"No, no, it's fine," Allison replied, her voice still thick with sleep. She yawned, stretching slightly before asking, "What time is it?"
"I have no idea," Rafe answered, not really caring. He didn't want to think about the outside world, didn't want to face the reality that was waiting for him. All he wanted was to stay in this bed with her, where things felt safe.
Allison shifted to reach for her phone on the nightstand. "It's—Holy shit," she exclaimed, her voice suddenly sharp and alert. "I just got the news. They're saying there's a bounty on John B because he killed Sheriff Peterkin." She quickly turned around, holding her phone up in front of Rafe's face.
"Yeah, yeah," Rafe nodded, his stomach churning. He had known this was coming, but hearing it out loud, seeing the words on the screen, made it all too real. "I actually saw it with my own eyes."
"Wait. What? Why didn't you tell me?" Allison asked, her eyes wide with shock.
"I wasn't going to talk to you about that last night," Rafe said, trying to sound calm. "When he killed the sheriff, he wanted to kill my dad, but I stepped in and saved him." The lie rolled off his tongue easily, the guilt of it immediately settling in his gut like a stone.
"So that's why he let you come back here," Allison said, trying to piece it all together. Rafe nodded, hoping she wouldn't ask more questions. "But why would John B do that? Your dad let him live here."
Rafe shrugged, feigning indifference. "I don't know. He's a Pogue and a maniac. That's why I told you to stay away from them."
"And I did," Allison said, her voice quiet.
"And you should continue to do so, especially now," Rafe told her, his mind racing with the possibilities of what could go wrong if she got too close to the truth.
"I will. It's not like I want to see them again," Allison said.
"Good," Rafe replied, leaning towards her to kiss her, but Allison stopped him by putting her hand over his lips.
"No, I have to brush my teeth first," she said, her tone light, trying to bring some normalcy back to the moment. Rafe groaned in frustration as she slid out of bed, but he couldn't help but smile at her. Even in the midst of all this chaos, she still had the ability to make him smile.
"It's not the first time we kissed in the morning," Rafe muttered, trying to coax her back into bed.
"Did you forget I puked last night? That's disgusting," Allison replied, her voice teasing as she grabbed her toothbrush from the backpack Rafe had brought for her and made her way into the bathroom. The events of the previous night still clung to her like a heavy fog, but the familiarity of brushing her teeth offered a small comfort. She began the motions absentmindedly, the minty taste a stark contrast to the bitterness in her mouth.
Rafe watched her go, his smile fading as the weight of everything pressed down on him again. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, and the stakes were higher than ever. But as long as he had Allison by his side, he felt like he could keep going, keep fighting to hold onto the life they had built together.
He followed her into the bathroom, unable to stay away from her for long. As she leaned over to rinse, she felt the warmth of Rafe's body behind her. His arms wrapped slowly around her waist, and his chin came to rest gently on her shoulder. His presence was grounding, a silent promise that he was there, that he wasn't going anywhere.
She looked at him through the mirror, her eyes softening as she leaned into his touch.
"Don't do that again," Rafe's voice broke the silence, a quiet plea filled with more emotion than she had expected.
Allison paused, her eyes meeting his reflection in the mirror, she swallowed hard before asking, "Do what?"
"What you did last night," Rafe's voice was laced with concern, and a hint of something deeper—fear, perhaps, "I can't lose you, Allison."
Allison's gaze dropped to the sink, her hands clutching the edge as if to steady herself. "I know. I wasn't really in my right mind after I talked to my dad."
Rafe let out a soft sigh, his breath warm against her skin. "I get it," he muttered, his lips finding her shoulder in a series of soft, lingering kisses. Each kiss seemed to speak volumes, conveying a tenderness that words couldn't capture. He trailed his kisses up toward her neck, his affection palpable.
But Allison, despite the comfort his touch brought, couldn't escape the gnawing ache in her stomach. "I'm kinda hungry, Rafe," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rafe paused, pulling back slightly, though his hands remained on her waist. "Yeah," he agreed, the spell of the moment broken but not forgotten. "Get changed while I brush my teeth, and then we can make something." He unwrapped his arms from around her, giving her a quick, almost instinctive kiss on the lips before stepping back.
Allison's heart fluttered briefly at the kiss, but she turned away, heading back to the bedroom. She rummaged through her things, finally deciding on one of Rafe's t-shirts, which hung loosely over her frame, and a pair of shorts. The soft fabric and the faint scent of him on the shirt brought a small smile to her face—a reminder that she was safe here, with him.
Once dressed, they headed downstairs together, the morning light filtering through the windows casting a warm glow on the familiar surroundings. The kitchen was already occupied by Wheezie, Rafe's younger sister, who was busily making waffles. The aroma filled the air, a welcome distraction from the unease lingering in Allison's chest.
"Mmm, that smells good," Allison remarked, following Rafe into the kitchen. The sight of Wheezie brought a sense of normalcy, grounding her further in the present moment. "Hey, Wheez."
"Hey, Ali. Didn't know you were here," Wheezie greeted her with a bright smile, her usual youthful energy a stark contrast to the tension between Allison and Rafe.
"She's staying here," Rafe interjected, as he and Allison took seats at the island. His voice was casual, but the declaration carried a weight that made Allison's heart skip a beat.
"She is? Like for a day, or moving in?" Wheezie asked, her curiosity evident as she glanced between the two of them.
Allison looked at Rafe, letting him take the lead on this one. His answer felt important, a defining moment that would set the tone for whatever was coming next. "More like moving in," Rafe admitted, the words hanging in the air like a promise.
Wheezie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You two are moving fast," she observed, her tone a mix of surprise and something else—perhaps approval, perhaps concern.
"It's not like that," Allison quickly clarified, though she couldn't help but feel a bit defensive. "It's complicated."
"Oh, okay," Wheezie responded, her curiosity satisfied for the moment. She returned to her waffles before offering, "Do you want some waffles?"
"Yes, please, I'm so hungry," Allison replied gratefully, her stomach rumbling in agreement. Rafe got up to grab two more plates, placing one in front of her along with a glass of water.
"So, are you from here or...?" Wheezie asked as she continued cooking, her voice light and conversational.
"No, I'm actually from New York. I came here over the summer. But I'll probably stay a bit longer," Allison explained, a small smile playing on her lips as she caught Rafe's eye.
"Thanks, babe," she added, her tone softening as she accepted the plate he handed her.
"This is so weird," Wheezie remarked, her attention now fully on the conversation.
"What's weird?" Allison asked, taking a bite of the waffles, which were as delicious as they smelled.
"Rafe having a girlfriend," Wheezie replied bluntly. "At least you're prettier than others."
Rafe shot his sister a warning look. "Shut up, Wheezie. Like you know who I've been with."
Wheezie smirked, clearly enjoying the banter. "So, you don't think she's prettier?" she challenged, her tone teasing.
Allison propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand, a playful glint in her eye. "Yeah, Rafe. I'm curious, what do you think?"
Rafe rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated but unable to keep a small smile from tugging at his lips. "No, they're not prettier or hotter or anything else," he admitted, his tone grudging but sincere.
Wheezie and Allison giggled together, the tension that had gripped them earlier finally easing. "Good," Allison said, feeling a warmth spread through her as she took another bite of her waffles. This moment of levity was a welcome relief, a reminder that despite everything, there were still moments of joy to be found.
After breakfast, Allison returned to Rafe's room to take a shower, allowing the hot water to wash away the remnants of the previous night's turmoil. The steam enveloped her, and for a brief moment, she could pretend that everything was okay. That she wasn't still reeling from the conversation with her father.
When she finished, she found Rafe sitting on the bed, having taken care of whatever it was that needed to be done in the room John B had stayed in. He looked deep in thought, the usual confidence in his posture replaced by something more subdued. Allison sat beside him, reaching for her phone to distract herself, but Rafe quickly snatched it from her hands.
"Who are you texting with?" Rafe asked a hint of possessiveness in his voice that made her look up at him.
"What the hell? With Jessica. I was telling her what happened last night," Allison replied, her tone tinged with irritation. She reached for her phone, but Rafe held it just out of her grasp.
"How about you tell me what happened with your dad?" Rafe asked, placing the phone on the nightstand beside him. His eyes bore into hers, a mixture of concern and curiosity flickering in their depths.
Allison sighed, the weight of the conversation with her father settling heavily on her shoulders once more. "I think I told you last night."
"Yeah, but what else?" Rafe pressed gently, his hand resting on her knee, a small gesture of comfort. "Why would you jump off and run to see him if you knew what would happen?"
Allison hesitated, the truth lodged in her throat like a thorn. "Because I thought he cared about me more than my mom and he wanted to believe me, but he just came here so he could prove to himself that Mom was right," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "We are not a happy family as everybody thinks we are."
Rafe's brows furrowed in confusion, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
Allison took a deep breath, the words she was about to speak heavy with years of buried pain. "No one knows this, not even the Carreras, but my parents are in an open marriage because they weren't happy with each other, and they both cheated," she revealed, her voice trembling slightly. "My dad is rarely home, and when he is, they sleep in separate rooms. When we're at some important event, they act happy and in love, and it just breaks me inside."
Rafe listened in silence, his heart aching for her. He hadn't known the full extent of the pain she carried, the deep-seated fear of ending up like her parents. "That's probably one of the reasons I started doing drugs and why I never wanted a relationship," Allison continued, her eyes pleading with him to understand. "I don't want something fake like they have."
Rafe swallowed hard, the weight of her words pressing down on him like a leaden burden. How could he promise her honesty and transparency when he was drowning in his own lies and secrets? But the desperation in her gaze, the vulnerability she had laid bare before him, made it impossible for him to do anything but nod.
"Promise me, Rafe," Allison whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "No cheating, no lies, no secrets between us?"
Rafe felt the words hit him like a sledgehammer. The weight of the secrets he was harboring pressed down on him even harder now, but as he looked into her pleading eyes, filled with hope and fear, he knew he couldn't shatter her at this moment. The silence stretched between them, heavy and charged with unspoken truths.
"I promise," Rafe finally said, his voice low and steady, but inside he was anything but calm. The lie slipped out effortlessly, yet it clawed at him, deepening the pit of guilt in his stomach. He knew that what he had just promised her was a fragile hope built on a crumbling foundation. But what else could he do? Telling her the truth would destroy her, and he couldn't bear the thought of seeing the light in her eyes dim because of him.
Allison's face softened with relief, a small, trembling smile tugging at her lips as she gazed at him with unfiltered adoration. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace, burying her face in the crook of his neck. The warmth of her body against his was comforting, but it also made his heart ache with the knowledge of what he was hiding.
"I don't know what I would do without you," Allison whispered into his ear, her breath warm against his skin. She placed a soft kiss on his neck, her lips lingering there as if she could transfer all her fears and hopes into that simple gesture. "You're the only one who makes me truly happy."
Rafe's heart twisted painfully at her words, but he forced himself to push the guilt aside. He couldn't allow himself to break down, not now. Instead, he reached up and gently moved a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch tender and affectionate.
"I feel the same way, baby," he murmured, his voice thick with the effort to keep his emotions in check. He met her gaze, his blue eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
Allison's smile widened, the love she felt for him filling the room, warming it with a brightness that seemed to chase away all the shadows that had been haunting her. In that moment, all she saw was Rafe—her protector, her confidant, the one person who made her feel like she wasn't broken beyond repair.
She pressed her lips to his, the kiss slow and deep, filled with all the emotions she couldn't find words for. Rafe kissed her back with equal fervor, his hands sliding up her thighs and slipping between her legs. He could feel the heat radiating from her, the way her body responded to his touch without hesitation. Allison moaned into the kiss, her hips instinctively grinding against his hand as he began rubbing her clit through her clothes.
The kiss grew more urgent, more desperate as if they were both trying to lose themselves in each other, to forget the pain and fear that had plagued them both. Rafe's hand found its way under her shorts and panties, his fingers sliding against her bare, wet skin, eliciting a gasp from her. The sound sent a thrill through him, his heart pounding as he continued to work his fingers over her clit, his touch both gentle and insistent.
Just as Allison was on the verge of losing herself completely in the sensation, Rafe's phone began to ring. The shrill sound cut through the haze of pleasure, jolting them both back to reality. Rafe looked down at the phone, seeing Kelce's name on the screen.
"Don't answer," Allison pleaded breathlessly, her voice tinged with desperation as she clung to him, not wanting to lose the connection they had just forged.
Rafe hesitated, but the call of duty, the need to know what was happening, won out. He grabbed the phone, but as he answered, he began to rub her clit faster, his way of both comforting and distracting her.
"Be quiet," Rafe instructed softly, his voice firm yet gentle as he brought the phone to his ear. "What's up, bro?"
Allison buried her face in the crook of his neck, biting down on his skin to stifle the sounds of pleasure that threatened to escape as he continued his ministrations. Her body trembled against his, every nerve ending on fire as he brought her closer to the edge.
"Hey, I got John B trapped inside my house. Thought you would want to know," Kelce's voice crackled through the phone, the urgency clear in his tone.
Rafe's movements faltered for a split second, the news pulling him partially out of the moment. "Seriously?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though he could feel the shift in his focus.
"Yeah, man. I'm about to call the cops," Kelce replied, the situation clearly escalating.
"Okay, I'm coming," Rafe said before quickly hanging up the phone, his mind racing with the implications of what Kelce had just told him.
Allison, sensing his distraction, grabbed his arm, trying to regain his attention. "Where are you going? Don't go now," she begged, her voice tinged with frustration and longing. She moved against his hand, seeking the release that was just out of reach.
Rafe smirked, allowing her to continue moving, but his mind was already halfway out the door. "Kelce has John B trapped in his house," he explained, his voice low and laced with a mix of anticipation and urgency.
"Cops are going to handle it," Allison argued, her voice breathy and desperate as she clung to him, unwilling to let the moment slip away. A moan escaped her lips as she continued to move against his hand, the pleasure building again.
Rafe looked at her, the conflict clear in his eyes. He wanted to stay. He wanted nothing more than to just shut the world out and hold her close. But he couldn't. There was too much at stake, "As much as I like seeing you like this," Rafe began, his tone affectionate but resolute, "I have to go and see it with my own eyes." Reluctantly, he moved his hand away from her, the loss of contact drawing a frustrated whine from Allison. Her frustration was palpable, her body still aching for the release she had been so close to. "Stay here and wait for me, needy girl," Rafe teased, his voice softening as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, his affection for her clear despite the urgency of the situation.
Allison watched him go, her emotions a tumultuous mix of longing, frustration, and unease. The room felt emptier without him, the warmth of their shared moment fading quickly in his absence. She laid back on the bed, trying to calm the storm of feelings swirling inside her, but the echoes of Rafe's touch lingered, making it difficult to find peace.
Rafe, on the other hand, was already slipping into another mindset—one that was calculating, cold, and ready to face whatever lay ahead. He pushed aside the guilt, the fear, and the tenderness he had just shared with Allison, focusing instead on the task at hand. There would be time to return to her later, but for now, he had a job to do, and it required every ounce of the ruthless determination he had been taught to embrace.