ALWAYS || RAFE CAMERON

33

beep, beep, beep. beep, beep, beep.

"turn that fucking shit off." i croaked.

"Juno?!" someone was immediately at my side, holding my hand.

i knew that voice, recognised the feel of that hand.

"Rafe,"

"Juno!"

i opened my eyes.

i was in a large hospital room, surrounded by teddies and cards and flowers and balloons.

"what's all this?" i tried to push them off, but i couldn't move.

"get well soon and happy birthday cards." he handed me a few.

"what day is it?" i managed to heave myself up, with Rafe's help.

"it's friday."

"i'm eighteen." i said emotionlessly.

"yeah. you've been eighteen for a day."

"fuck..."

"you... died."

"what?!"

"for a few minutes, you didn't... fuck, Juno i was so scared..." he shook his head, eyes welling. "i've never been that scared before."

"he had to be sent out of the room, he was so frantic, yelling at all the doctors." a nurse entered and began checking charts and machines. "you better hold onto each other as tight as you can."

Rafe smiled shakily down at me. "your parents will be here tomorrow."

"why?"

"they want to take you home. they're not pleased with Dad and me. you got shot on our watch."

"it wasn't even your fault!"

"no, i know. it was John Brooker Routledge." a look passed over Rafe's face.

i knew that look.

he wanted someone dead, and it wasn't hard to figure out who.

i was discharged a couple of hours later, and prescribed strong painkillers, antiseptic that stung like a bitch, and a whole lot of bedrest.

"did you get the gold back?" i asked hopefully, knowing the answer.

"no, we didn't."

"i've still got those bars Ward gave me."

Rafe looked over at me, and broke into a wide grin.

"i fucking love you, Juno!"

"i love you too! watch the road, dumb ass!"

he laughed and swerved, overtaking a truck. "how many?"

"six,"

"that's a million at least! maybe we can do renovations and live on your island!"

"or, we could tell the cops that John B, Sarah and their little friends stole from us, and have them hunt them down."

"now why didn't i think of that?"

"you'd be lost without me!" i joked.

a serious look replaced his laughter. "i would, Juno."

"hey, Juno! how are you feeling?" Ward strolled around the side of the house as the car pulled up.

"could be worse," i half smiled.

"i admire your strength. happy belated birthday, by the way."

"thanks," i nodded.

Rafe held his arm out to me, helping me climb the steps as Ward walked back to the pool.