010, southern cowgirl

( the tenth chapter )

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Olivine leaned over the counter of the country club's café, tying her apron securely as she wiped a spot of condensation off the marble surface. Across from her, Daniela sat perched on one of the high stools, a virgin mojito in hand, a teasing glint in her eyes as she listened to Olivine recount the events of the previous night.

Next to Daniela sat Eliora, radiant as always in her fitted baby blue sundress that complemented her warm brown skin. Her strappy kitten heels dangled lazily off the stool, while her younger sister Magdalene, in denim shorts and an oversized white top, scrolled aimlessly on her phone, occasionally glancing up at the conversation with a raised eyebrow.

"So, let me get this straight," Daniela said, swirling the mint leaves in her drink with the straw. "He didn't just send you three bouquets of peonies, but he also took you out for frozen yogurt and opened up to you? You're telling me Rafe Cameron—the human brick wall—decided to talk?"

Olivine shrugged, her cheeks warming as she busied herself with reorganizing the sugar packets. "It wasn't like that. He didn't spill his deepest, darkest secrets or anything. We just... talked. About life. About how he feels like he's always trying to prove himself, even when he's not sure who he's proving himself to."

Daniela let out a bark of laughter, causing a few nearby patrons to glance their way. "That's so him. All brooding and mysterious, like he doesn't care, but we both know he does. I mean, come on, Liv. The guy's practically bending over backward for you, and you're still acting like it's no big deal."

"It's not a big deal," Olivine muttered, focusing on reorganizing the display of napkins.

Eliora finally looked up from her phone, her soft voice chiming in. "It kind of sounds like a big deal. Flowers aren't exactly a casual gesture, especially peonies. Those aren't cheap, Liv."

Magdalene snorted, her first contribution to the conversation. "Yeah, definitely not something you do for just anyone. Sounds like someone's got it bad."

"I don't know why you're all making this a thing," Olivine said, exasperated. "It's Rafe. You've all seen how he is. He's reckless and closed off and... frustrating."

"And hot," Eliora interrupted, raising her glass of cherry cola in mock cheers.

"So hot," Magdalene agreed, nodding solemnly as if stating a universal truth.

Olivine turn to Magdalene with raised brow "Aren't you like 14 hush?" the younger girl let out a giggle and shrugged.

Eliora hid her smile behind her hand, though the knowing glint in her eyes was unmistakable. "So, are you going to see him again?"

Olivine hesitated, tapping the counter with her fingers. "I don't know. I mean, it's not like we're... anything. We're barely friends."

Daniela arched an eyebrow. "You kissed him. That's a little more than 'barely friends.'"

Before Olivine could respond, the soft chime of the café door opening drew her attention. She froze mid-motion, her breath catching as Rafe walked in, his crisp white polo and khaki shorts making him look every bit the part of a country club regular. His sharp blue eyes scanned the room before landing on her.

"Speak of the devil," Daniela whispered, smirking as she sipped her mojito.

Eliora glanced between Olivine and Rafe, her lips twitching. "Well, this just got interesting."

Magdalene, for her part, looked between the pair, whispered loudly to her sister, "Do we stay or leave?"

Rafe strode toward the counter, his usual confidence undercut by the tension in his jaw. When he reached Olivine, he paused, his gaze flicking briefly to Daniela, Eliora, and Magdalene before settling on Olivine.

"Hey," he said, his voice low.

"Hi," Olivine replied, her tone carefully neutral.

Daniela gave her a pointed look, as if to say 'be cool', before turning to Rafe with a sweet smile. "Fancy seeing you here. Care to join us, or is this a strictly 'Olivine' visit?"

Rafe ignored her, his attention firmly on Olivine. "Can we talk?"

Olivine swallowed hard, acutely aware of the three pairs of eyes on her. She untied her apron and nodded. "Yeah. Just... give me a second."

As she rounded the counter and walked toward Rafe, Daniela called after her, "Don't forget to tell us everything later!"

Eliora laughed softly, and Magdalene whispered, "Ten bucks says he's about to confess something."

Olivine shot them a glare over her shoulder before following Rafe out the door, her heart pounding in her chest.

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Outside the country club, the hum of tennis balls and laughter from the pool faded as Olivine walked toward the garden area to catch a quiet moment. Her head buzzed with everything that had happened lately—the night before, and Rafe.

She didn't expect to see him standing there.

"Hi," Rafe said, his voice calm but with an edge of hesitation.

Olivine blinked, momentarily caught off guard. His hands were shoved into his pockets, his eyes scanning her face before lingering a moment too long.

"Hi," she replied, surprised but not unkind. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh... I was in the area," he said quickly, which was a blatant lie. "How's... work? You good?"

Her brows raised slightly at his attempt to make small talk. Rafe Cameron wasn't exactly known for his casual chit-chat.

"It's fine," Olivine said, brushing her hands down the front of her apron. "Busy, but that's nothing new. How about you? What's got you wandering around the country club?"

Rafe shifted on his feet, glancing over her shoulder toward the main building. "Nothing. Just... checking in."

"On me?" she asked, tilting her head with a faint smile.

He looked like he was about to deny it but then shrugged, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Yeah. I guess."

Olivine let out a small laugh, crossing her arms. "You're full of surprises lately, Rafe."

"Is that a good thing?" he asked, his tone lighter now but still guarded.

"Depends on the surprise," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes.

For a moment, he looked like he was going to smile, but instead, he ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, last night wasn't exactly planned."

"No kidding," she said, her tone softening. "I enjoyed last night."

His jaw tightened, and he gave a curt nod. "Good. that's good."

"I do," she assured him. "You didn't have to go all out, though."

Rafe's shoulders lifted in a half-shrug. "I wanted to."

Olivine blinked at his honesty, not sure how to respond. The silence between them grew, comfortable in its own strange way, until Rafe cleared his throat.

"You wanna get out of here?" he asked suddenly, his voice quieter.

Her brows furrowed. "Rafe, I'm working."

"Right. Yeah," he muttered, glancing down at the ground. "Just thought you could use a break or something."

Olivine bit her lip, debating. "Maybe later? I've got a shift to finish."

Rafe nodded again, looking a little disappointed but not pressing further. "Alright. I'll... see you around, then."

"Yeah," she said, watching as he turned to leave. "Rafe?"

He stopped, glancing over his shoulder.

"Thanks," she said softly, offering a small smile.

This time, he allowed himself to smile back. "Anytime."

As he walked away, Olivine couldn't help but feel like something had shifted between them. Something unspoken but undeniable.

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The faint hum of The Vampire Diaries filled the air as Olivine sank into the couch, her PJ shorts and tank top sticking to her skin in the summer heat. She tucked one leg under the other, reaching for the iced tea she had made earlier. Pope was slouched beside her, scrolling on his phone while half-listening to the eagle that played softly in the background.

"You hear about John B?" Pope said, breaking the silence.

Olivine raised a brow, sipping her drink. "What now?"

"Child Services," he muttered, his voice tinged with worry. "Apparently, someone reported him. They're looking into taking him away—away from the island, I mean."

Olivine's eyes widened. "You're serious? What's he doing about it?"

"He's scrambling, doing everything he can to keep himself grounded here. Fighting it like hell."

She leaned back, resting her head on the cushion as a thoughtful smile curved her lips. "He'll be fine. John B's like a cockroach—those things never die or go away, no matter what you do."

Pope turned to her, giving her an incredulous look. "You're calling him a cockroach?"

"Yup. A very persistent cockroach," Olivine said matter-of-factly, setting her glass down on the coffee table.

Pope snorted, shaking his head. "You're something else."

Olivine only grinned before throwing her legs over Pope's lap, settling in comfortably.

"You're so annoying," he groaned, pinching her thigh playfully.

"Excuse me?!" she shot back, sitting up abruptly.

"Your thighs are fat," he said, smirking as he pinched her again for emphasis.

Olivine gasped dramatically, smacking the back of his head. "You're just mad because I have thighs, and you're built like a twig. You couldn't hold a single pound of muscle if your life depended on it."

Pope rubbed his head with a mock glare but didn't argue. She smirked, satisfied, as she leaned back into her spot, adjusting her legs for comfort.

Her phone buzzed on the armrest beside her. She glanced at the screen and froze for a second, seeing Rafe's name light up her notifications.

"What now?" Pope asked, catching her change in expression.

"Nothing," Olivine said quickly, unlocking her phone.

Rafe: Can you ride?

She stared at the message for a second before typing back: What'a that supposed to mean, Rafe?

The response was almost immediate.

Rafe: I want to take you to carnival in Charleston, is that ok ?

Olivine blinked, rereading the text to make sure she wasn't misinterpreting. Her lips curled into a small, amused smile.

"What is it now?" Pope asked again, nudging her leg.

"Nothing you need to worry about," she said, tucking her phone beside her. " Mind your own business, Poop."

"Riiight," Pope muttered, unconvinced.

Olivine stood, grabbing her phone as she headed toward the kitchen. "I'll be back in a bit. Don't eat my snacks."

"I make no promises," Pope called after her.

Sliding into the quiet of the kitchen, Olivine leaned against the counter, staring down at Rafe's text. Whatever this was, she had a feeling it wasn't going to be as simple as it seemed.

She typed back: Where are you?

It didn't take long for her phone to buzz again.

Rafe: I'll pick you up in 10. Wear jeans

Olivine sighed, a mix of intrigue and exasperation as she set her phone down. Whatever Rafe Cameron had planned, she knew better than to expect a boring night.

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Olivine was slipping into her blue skinny jeans when Pope walked past her door, then doubled back, leaning casually against the doorframe. His brow quirked as he eyed her outfit—her perfectly fitted jeans and a white V-neck top that complemented her skin tone.

"And where are you off to looking all cute?" he asked, crossing his arms with a teasing smirk.

She turned to him, pretending to look annoyed but failing miserably. "I'm going out with Lotta to the carnival."

Pope nodded along knowingly, rubbing his chin like he didn't entirely buy it. "Uh-huh. Okay, well, I'll cover for you with Dad if you cover for me when I head to the Boneyard."

Olivine laughed, throwing him a wink as she grabbed her small purse. "I've got you, Pope. But you owe me big time."

"Deal," he called as she headed down the hall.

Minutes later, Rafe pulled up to her house in his truck, the rumble of the engine making her nerves buzz. As she walked down the driveway, he leaned out of the window, his gaze sweeping over her before he quickly looked away, trying to mask whatever was flickering in his eyes.

"Hey, how are you" he said, his voice low.

"Hi, I'm okay and you" she replied, climbing into the passenger seat. He nodded, "I'm good."

The moment she buckled up, Rafe passed her his phone, the screen already unlocked. "Here. Play whatever you want."

She blinked, a little surprised by the gesture, before taking the phone. "Bold of you to trust me with your music choices," she teased, scrolling through his playlist.

Rafe smirked slightly, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "Don't make me regret it."

Settling on an upbeat song, she leaned back, letting the rhythm calm her nerves as they drove toward the carnival.

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The carnival lights twinkled like fireflies in the dark, the air thick with the scent of fried food, spun sugar, and excitement. Olivine couldn't help but smile as she took it all in, her eyes darting from the Ferris wheel to the game stalls.

Rafe, however, had his sights set on something specific. "Come on," he said, his hand brushing hers briefly as he led her through the crowd.

"Where are we going?" she asked, laughing as she struggled to keep up with his long strides.

He didn't answer, only stopping when they reached the mechanical bull. He gestured toward it with a cocky grin. "You're up."

Olivine gaped at him, crossing her arms. "You want me to ride that? Why do i feel like this was just a ploy for you"

"Why not?" Rafe leaned casually against the railing, his smirk deepening. "Unless you're scared."

She rolled her eyes, stepping up to the attendant without a second thought. "Scared? Please."

Rafe watched intently as she climbed onto the bull, his arms crossed, and his blue eyes sharp under the carnival lights. When the ride started, Olivine moved with ease, her body swaying fluidly as she held on like a pro.

A crowd gathered to the ride, cheers echoing for Olivine as she rode, by the time the ride ended, she hopped off gracefully, brushing her hands off like it was no big deal.

"Impressive," Rafe admitted, his smirk widening. Then, with a playful glint in his eye, he added, "But I'm feeling real jealous of that bull right now."

Her mouth dropped open in mock offense, and she shoved his shoulder lightly. "You're the worst," she muttered, her cheeks burning as she walked ahead of him.

Rafe chuckled, catching up to her with ease. "Come on, I'll buy you something."

True to his word, he returned moments later with a massive pink teddy bear and a stick of cotton candy.

"Compensation for my terrible joke," he said, handing her the bear.

Olivine couldn't help but laugh as she hugged the plush toy. "You're lucky this bear is cute," she teased, taking a bite of the cotton candy.

Rafe glanced down at her, his usual guarded expression softening for a moment. "Yeah, lucky," he murmured, more to himself than to her, as they wandered off into the glowing lights of the carnival.

The carnival's lively chatter faded as Rafe and Olivine wandered toward the quieter concession area tucked near the edge of the grounds. Neon lights cast a soft glow on the simple outdoor tables, the scent of fried food still heavy in the air.

Rafe glanced at the menu overhead, his hands tucked into his pockets, while Olivine scanned the options.

"I'm craving something sweet and salty," she mused, her finger tapping her chin.

"Slushes and fries it is," Rafe said, stepping up to the counter.

The cashier, a bored-looking teen in a wrinkled uniform, gave them a blank stare. "Who's paying?"

Olivine immediately reached into her purse, pulling out a few bills. "I've got—"

Before she could finish, Rafe placed a crisp twenty on the counter, sliding it toward the cashier with an easy, no-nonsense motion.

"I said I could—"

"Don't worry about it," Rafe cut in, his tone firm but not unkind. He grabbed their drinks and fries, balancing them on a tray, while Olivine mouthed a quick "Thank you" to the cashier.

At the table, she sat across from him, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as Rafe settled in. She opened the fries, picking at one and dunking it in ketchup.

"You didn't have to pay, you know," she said, finally breaking the silence.

Rafe shrugged, taking a sip of his cherry slush. "You were the one riding bulls tonight. Least I could do."

Olivine rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips.

They eased into a conversation about music, debating artists and genres until Rafe leaned back, crossing his arms. "Okay, but we have to talk about superheroes. Who's the best?"

"Easy. Wonder Woman," Olivine said confidently, sipping her slush through the straw.

Rafe blinked, almost choking on his drink. "You're joking."

Her eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"Wonder Woman?" He scoffed, reaching for a fry. "You picked the most mediocre superhero of all time."

Olivine gasped, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "Mediocre? She's the definition of a hero—powerful, compassionate, smart—"

"She's boring," Rafe interjected, smirking as he chewed. "No edge. Batman's the best."

Her jaw dropped. "Batman? Are you kidding me? He's just a rich guy with issues and gadgets!"

"Exactly," Rafe shot back. "He's relatable. And he doesn't need powers to get the job done. That's what makes him the best."

Olivine shook her head, leaning forward. "I cannot believe I'm sitting here with someone who actually believes Batman is better than Wonder Woman."

"Well," Rafe said, his tone teasing, "you're the one who agreed to come out with me. So I guess you're stuck with my superior opinions."

She threw a fry at him, laughing when he caught it midair and popped it into his mouth.

"Superior, my ass," she muttered, sipping her slush again.

Rafe's smirk softened as he watched her, the usual tension in his shoulders easing as they bantered. For a moment, the loud world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their quiet corner of the carnival.

As their laughter faded, the quiet of the night settled between them. The hum of the carnival was distant now, only faint echoes of laughter and music reaching their small table. Rafe leaned back in his chair, his tall frame stretching lazily as he swirled the remnants of his slush with the straw.

Olivine was busy dipping a fry into a mix of ketchup and mayo, her focus so intense it made him chuckle. She looked up, catching his amused expression.

"What?" she asked, popping the fry into her mouth.

"Nothing." Rafe shook his head, smirking. "You're just...really into your fries."

"Food is serious business," she replied, her tone mockingly stern. "Unlike your superhero opinions, which are straight-up garbage."

"Keep pushing," he teased, leaning forward on his elbows. "I might take that slush back."

"You wouldn't dare," she challenged, pulling her cup closer protectively.

Rafe chuckled, running a hand through his already-messy hair. "You're lucky I'm feeling generous tonight."

Olivine rolled her eyes but smiled, leaning back in her seat. For a moment, she let herself watch him—really watch him. The way his shoulders relaxed now, the subtle way his smirk softened when he wasn't trying to put up a front.

"You know," she began, breaking the silence, "you're a lot less annoying when you're not trying to be intimidating."

Rafe raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a small, almost shy smile. "That supposed to be a compliment?"

"Take it however you want." She shrugged, smirking as she reached for another fry.

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze lingering on her as if trying to figure her out. Finally, he leaned back again, his fingers drumming against the edge of the table.

"So," he started, "you ever think about riding the bull again?"

She raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in topic. "What? No. One time was enough for me."

"Shame." He smirked, his voice dropping slightly. "It was...impressive."

Olivine felt the heat rise to her cheeks and quickly focused on her fries. "You're such a weirdo, Cameron."

"Maybe." He shrugged, unbothered. "But you like hanging out with me."

"Debatable," she quipped, but the playful glint in her eye gave her away.

Rafe chuckled, finishing off the last of his slush. "Alright, Wonder Woman. You ready to head back?"

Olivine nodded, brushing the crumbs off her jeans. As they stood, Rafe grabbed the tray, taking it to the trash before holding the pink teddy bear he'd won earlier under his arm.

Walking back through the now-sparser carnival crowd, Olivine glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "Thanks for tonight," she said softly.

Rafe looked down at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he nodded. "Anytime."

They walked in companionable silence back to his truck, the neon lights of the carnival fading behind them. As they drove away, Rafe reached over and turned the music up slightly, giving her a sideways glance.

"Pick a song," he said, handing her his phone again.

Olivine smiled, scrolling through his playlist. For a guy with such strong opinions, his music taste was surprisingly diverse.

She settled on a slow, soulful track, leaning back into her seat as the night stretched out ahead of them. There was something unspoken in the air—something both of them felt but neither would say. For now, though, the quiet was enough.

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KIKI SPEAKS :
not edited !!

here's this one, fyi yes rafe did get a boner watching her ride.

word counts : 3.5k

ENJOY

xoxoxo
kiki 💋💋