CHAPTER EIGHT
[8]
song: how soon is now? by the smiths

"This is the good shit, man." Barry says, tossing a small baggy to Rafe, who sat on the old couch outside Barry's trailer.

Rafe dipped his finger into the white powder in the bag, then brought it to his tongue, the familiarity of the drug being a sort of comfort he couldn't find anywhere else. His eyes roll back into his head as he leans back on the couch.

Barry sits down at the chair next to him and opens up a beer can. "Am I not gonna get any props for last night? That was some quick thinking." Barry chuckles.

Rafe was annoyed. He didn't get an ounce of sleep the night before. Summer's dramatics, and her little performance this morning weren't of much help. He rubs his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. That was good." He brushes it off, and then he let out a breathy laugh. "Really good."

Barry shrugs like that part was obvious. "Personally I think that deserves a tip. I could've just ran off but I finished the job. For you."

Rafe looks at him through half closed eyes, careful not to get too impatient with him, as not to lose his partner in this. He reaches into the pocket of his shorts, pulls out his wallet, and flings a one hundred dollar bill in his direction.

He watched with an amused look, as Barry quickly leaned to the ground to pick it up off the grass. Rafe owned him now. Not just financially, but he had everything to put him away if he ever turned his back on this. He could squeal that Rafe was in on it too as much as he wanted. But no one was gonna believe the washed up drug dealer who squat in a trailer in the middle of nowhere, over a Cameron.

"The hell you doing all this for anyways?" Barry says, stashing the cash in his pocket before taking a swig from his beer.

Rafe watched him carefully, never intending to tell him the reason behind all of this. "For fun."

Barry looks at him like he knew that wasn't the truth, but continued on. "So we good now, or not?"

Rafe stretched his neck, and let out a sigh. "Not yet. There's a charity event tonight at The Island Club. I need you there—"

"Shit," Barry clicks his tongue and cuts him off. "Why do I have to do all the work?"

"You want the fucking money, or not?" Rafe leaned forward and spoke sternly.

Barry's lip twitched. He was well aware that Rafe Cameron was crazy. He could see it in his eyes. "Whatever, man."

Rafe wiped his nose, running his tongue over his teeth as he regained composure. "You don't even have to kill anyone. Just try to."

—

The annual summer charity event didn't have that usual enthusiasm this year. People seemed hesitant to laugh too hard, to smile too much. It seemed inappropriate when four people had been brutally murdered in only a week and a half.

Maybe they should've cancelled it. Maybe they should've told that poor charity that the money should be going towards funding an investigation— but they didn't. Because the people of Kildare County would never give up a chance to flaunt their money and their status, to feel good about themselves as they donate to some cause they knew nothing about.

It was a competition on who could afford to donate the most money, and more times than less, it ended up being the Camerons.

Summer got ready at her own place. She wore a blush pink, long silk dress, with delicately embroidered flowers and lace. It clung to her body in all the right places, and usually that'd be something she loved, but it just felt wrong. She felt like she needed to wear black, but she had to save those dresses for when the actual funerals rolled around.

"Bold of him to be here." Celine says from beside Summer, the two of them leaned against the wall.

She follows the girl's cold gaze, over to JJ, who wore a cheap vest and tie, carrying around a tray of drinks and forced a smile as he served the party goers.

Summer crossed her arms, her small purse dangling off her shoulders as the two observed him. "You still think he did it?"

Celine shrugs. "Him or John B. Or both. Or all of them."

Summer turns to Celine. "Yeah, but why?"

"Some people are just bored and crazy." Celine says, bringing the champagne flute in her hands to her lips. "I think he was after one of us, you know."

Summer narrowed her eyebrows. "Who was? When?"

"At my party. I think they were lurking outside waiting for one of us to get alone, then the cops came and so they killed the next best thing."

"I think they should grow some balls and do it without a fucking Halloween mask." Summer says, turning to JJ with a scowl on her face, she raised her voice intentionally.

Deep down the girl knew he had nothing to do with it. But she needed someone to blame, and he just happened to be the most believable option.

JJ, and a few others glance over at her. However, when everyone else's faces grow sympathetic, he just scoffs and brushes it off.

Summer's eyes trail over to the rest of the crowd, people standing around and conversing, trying their hardest to act as if this was any other gathering.

"What the hell is his problem, lately?" Celine gestures towards one of the doors that lead to the bar, as Rafe leaves his family's table and walks inside. "He wouldn't even look at me last night."

She couldn't read his expression. His eyes were tired and sunken in, laced with exhaustion, yet his lips were slightly upturned in a smug smirk as he slipped through the doors.

It was over, Summer suspected. Here came the 'acting like the other doesn't exist' stage that she was all too familiar with.

"What is going on with you two?" Celine asks, watching as Summer watched him.

Summer whipped her head around to face the girl. "Why don't you ever mind your business, Celine?"

Celine wasn't phased by Summer's bitchy antics. If anyone could compete with her in that realm, it was Celine. "You do know everyone knows you two fucked, right? There's no point in acting all secretive about it. You're not celebrities."

"We didn't, but thanks for the advice."

"Don't play dumb. Rafe told Topper. Then Topper told Noah, who told me." Celine smirked. "Last summer, right before he left for college."

Summer's shifted her weight onto her foot, trying to appear unfazed. "We didn't—"

"It's okay. Tyler never knew." Celine says. "We had enough sense to keep that from him but I guess it doesn't matter much now, does it?"

Summer couldn't process her actions quick enough, all she knew was that she flung all the champagne left in her glass right into Celine's face, and turned on her heel to leave.

Gasps erupted from the crowd, and she could hear screams of protest coming from Celine as she left her.

"You got a little Pogue in you, Summer?" JJ taunts as she walks past him.

"Sorry, I'm not supposed to talk to the help." She deadpans as she fishes her phone from her purse.

summer:
i'm going home

camila:
it just started ! don't leave pls:(

summer:
i know i'm just so fed up with
celine and rafe and everyone and i
just want to be alone

camila:
ur staying at tannyhill though right

summer:
fuck no

i'd rather get killed than spend
another night at that house with him lol

Just as Summer went through the doors to leave, she looked up at her phone to find Rafe sitting at the bar, directly besides some other blonde.

He was turned completely towards her, leaned up on his elbow as he listened to her talk. There was this look on his fact that Summer would recognize in any guy, that subtle smile that showed he wasn't listening to a word she was saying— but had to make it look like he was so she'd sleep with him after.

Summer had two options, to hunker down and leave, acting like she never saw him— or to ruin his night. She was always more inclined for the second option.

She swept her blonde hair behind her ears and lifted her chin, before putting her phone back into her purse and striding over to the bar.

She stood directly next to the blonde, leaning forward to get the bartender's attention. She saw Rafe glance at her, knowing fully well what she was doing.

How badly she got under his skin— he'd never be able to put it into words. But the tension between them was two strong for him not be just plainly infatuated with her every move.

"So, you're at Duke, right?" The other blonde tried to further her conversation with Rafe. He quickly returned his attention back to her.

"Two dirty martinis, please. Just put it on Sullivan." She says, then glanced over to Rafe, raising her eyebrows and forcing a surprised expression. "Oh, hi." She says with a smile, then turns to face the girl. "I'm Summer, I don't think I know you." She holds her hand out for her to shake.

The girl hesitates, smiling awkwardly. "We've gone to school together our whole lives. I had chemistry with you last semester." She says, eyeing her. "Brooke? Morris?"

Summer didn't retract her hand, the charm bracelet on her wrist dangling. "Yeah, no." She shrugs, as the girl hesitantly shakes it. "Sorry! Love your dress, by the way." She gestures towards it. "It's from that little boutique on 47th, right? I used to shop there all the time as a little girl. Really cute."

Rafe watched the entire conversation, unamused, hating the way her nose scrunched when she complimented her. Hating the way she acted like she was all innocent.

"Yeah, yes. I'm at Duke." Rafe says, continuing their conversation from earlier. As Brooke turns back to face him, his eyes linger on Summer for a moment before he returns his attention to Brooke.

"Two dirty martinis." The bartender says, and Summer lifts them off the bar, and within seconds, dropped the both of them onto Brooke and Rafe's laps.

Purposely spilling drinks seemed to be a common theme of the night.

The two of them stood quickly, Brooke letting out a loud gasp as she looked up at Summer with her mouth gapped open. "You did that on purpose!" She said.

Summer brought a hand to her mouth, covering her smile. "Why would I do that, Brooke?" She shook her head, confused.

Rafe clenched his jaw, reaching over the counter and grabbing a towel off the bar. Brooke held her hand out, waiting for him to hand it to her, but instead, he just started wiping himself down.

Brooke scoffs loudly, shaking off her wet hands in the air before storming off down the hall, assumedly to the bathroom.

Summer smiled, pleased with herself as she returns her attention back to Rafe. "You can go ahead and close that tab." Summer nods towards the bartender.

He looked confused. "You don't want new ones?"

"No, I got my money's worth." Summer shakes her head.

The girl turns to leave, reaching back into her purse to get her phone as she makes her way out of the bar area and towards the exit.

"No, no." Rafe mumbles, coming around to stand in her way. "What the fuck, Summer?" He gets in her face.

"I'm sorry— I'm just feeling extra clumsy today. Ask Celine." She smiles proudly, not backing away.

Rafe was trembling with anger. She could see it. "You're not cute. I know— I know you think you are— but grow up, Summer." He narrowed his eyes as he spoke.

She was unfazed, just watching as he unraveled his own personal insecurities onto her. "Oh my God, you're so wise, Rafe." She complimented him sarcastically. "Thank you for your truly insightful advice.

Rafe leaned away and rubbed his eyes frustratedly. "Jesus christ." He raised his voice.

Summer glanced around, as people who remained in the bar area peaked around the corner to see what all the commotion was about. "Everything okay, Mr. Cameron?" An older, larger guy in a blue button up shirt says, a beer in his hand.

Rafe twisted his jaw and turned towards him. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Donnie." He nods.

The man glances at Summer, then back to Rafe, before turning back around into the bar area.

Summer was about to leave, but stopped as Rafe quickly latched onto her upper arm, beginning to pull her down one of the hallways.

"Let go, Rafe!" Summer tries to keep up with his aggravated pace, squirming from his hold.

"No, no. We're figuring this shit out." He says, wiping his nose frustratedly as he glances around the hall.

He swings open a door, labeled private event space, and flung Summer inside before he slipped in behind her and shut the door. Inside was a large empty room, except for the many tables and chairs covered with white sheets. The room was assumedly not in use for the summer season.

Summer turned around to face him, flailing her arms out. "You need to calm the fuck down." She snapped at him.

Rafe paced back and fourth, anger surging through his veins. "You— you've gotta stop. You're messing with my head, Summer." His voice shaky. He then stops and looks at her, "You're messing with my head."

"Oh my god, Rafe. You're crazy." Summer wasn't fazed by the desperation in his eyes. "Clearly, we don't work."

"Then what the fuck was that?!" Rafe gestures towards the door. "What, you're jealous now?! Over what?! We are not—" he took a breath, and scoffed, "We don't work." He mocked her.

Summer clenched her jaw. "I am not jealous."

"Oh my god." He brought his hands up to his face and rubbed his eyes, a laugh escaping his lips. "Holy shit. You are so—" He pulls his hands down, looking at her and shaking his head.

He couldn't form the right words, she could practically see the way his mind raced with anger and desperation, trying to understand his own thoughts before he voiced them out loud.

"What?" Summer said frustratedly, daring him to finish his sentence.

Rafe glanced up at her with angry eyes in the midst of his contemplation. "Fuck." Was all he could let out, before quickly stepping towards her, grabbing her face, and connecting their lips.

Summer was taken back. Unsure what was happening, not given enough time to process it, but the heat of his lips against hers, the feeling of his strong hands holding her head, it made every synapse in her brain freeze.

She pulled away, surprised, and Rafe shared her expression. He knew he shouldn't have done that. He knew it. Her chest was rising and falling quickly, his face still inches from hers.

Summer quickly grabbed onto the collar of his shirt and pulled him back onto her. Relief flood his body, and it was all rushed hands and mess after that.

He pushed her hard up against one of the pillars in the room, letting her hands crawl up his back and through his hair, as she used any force she could muster to pull him closer. The way his mouth molded to hers in a rough kiss, nicking her bottom lip with his front teeth as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. The sting her shoulders felt as his body weight molded her to the wall.

Summer about gasped for air as Rafe quickly pulled the kisses off of her lips and down to her jaw, then to her neck. He felt the way her fingers tangled up in his hair, pulling upwards, like it would help her regain balance.

He found purchase on her hips and waist, tugging her close. His grip was a little too hard, but her heart bubbled with a sense of fondness. He forgot his strength when he got overwhelmed.

His lips brush against the column of her neck, fingers gliding over the silk of her pink dress before looping them beneath a strap, pushing it off her shoulder to kiss there.

Summer clung to his back, a leg wrapped around his, pulling him closer, an attempt to decrease the space between them. Her eyes were closed, savoring the moment, recalling how good he felt, how he knew every thing she liked, how he used it against her.

It was when she heard a creak in the floorboards that her eyes slowly opened, afraid someone had just slipped into the room and found them.

But the door was still shut, the room dark despite the glow of light from beneath the door. Rafe was responsive to the tiniest of her touches. Her bottom lip was trapped between his teeth. She inhaled deeply as she felt his hands begin to lift up her dress.

"Did you hear that?" She whispered quietly after pulling away, distracted now by his kisses, but still concerned.

His kisses up into then were sloppy, and fast, but as he reconnected their lips, he pushed forward into a deep, passionate kiss that instinctively made her bring her hands back up to his neck.

"It's fine," he mumbled into her skin as he used his thumb to lift her jaw up and to the side for easier access.

Summer's eyes darted around the room, the shadows beginning to take shape. She wanted to shut her eyes again and ignore it.

"Hold on," Summer says, moving slightly so that she could get a better look, her heart beginning to pound. Rafe held onto her wrist as she stepped forward, eyes narrowing.

He'd nearly forgotten. But it was far too late to call it off.

"Come on," Rafe pulled her back towards him. "Please."

Summer shook her head, slowly. She spoke so quietly, she could barely hear herself. "There's someone else in here."