Kate

"Thought you might be hungry," Theo murmured, his voice oddly soothing. He leaned down, brushing his lips softly against your temple.

"Thanks," you whispered, offering a small smile.

Before he could even step back though, the door swung open again.

And Rafe walked in.

Your chest tightened at the sight of him—the buzzcut, the broad shoulders, and those blue eyes that were currently burning holes straight into the man next to you.

In a way, you did miss seeing him.

In his hand, Rafe held a tall glass filled with a freshly blended smoothie. The one he made you every morning. 

Or used to. 

The exact one he used to make you every single morning when things were perfect.

The problem was, things weren’t perfect.

And you weren't a couple anymore.

Rafe offered Theo a polite, short nod, stepping into your space. He sat the glass down in front of you, his jaw clenching.

"Made you this," he said, his voice still raspy, a sound that used to make you excited for the rest of the day. "Figured you might want it."

“...I’m gonna go,” Theo whispered, leaning down to kiss your cheek, leaving with a small smile, not wanting to be possibly be caught in the middle of whatever was going on, as you squeezed his hand in a silent goodbye, a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by Rafe as Theo left and the other boys began to flood the room, also bringing food.

You looked from the pink liquid up to his face. "I don't want it," you deadpanned, your voice flat, absent of the warmth he was hoping for.

Around you, the dressing room was growing louder. Sarah was blending her foundation while John B whispered to her, Cleo was being lovey-dovey with Justin, and the remaining islanders were talking loudly enough to create a blanket of background noise. 

Because of the ambience, you and Rafe were trapped whispering, silently arguing.

Rafe didn’t walk away. His eyes narrowed, searching yours. "C'mon, angel. Just take it—"

"Go give the smoothie to your girlfriend," you hissed, leaning closer, tilting your chin up at him.

Rafe sucked in a deep breath, nostrils flaring. He stepped even closer, leaning down so his mouth was closer to your ear. "Can you stop saying that shit?" he muttered, voice harsh. "You know damn well she isn't my girlfriend. You know why I’m here."

"I don't know anything about you," you hiss back, glaring at him over your shoulder, your fingers gripping the edge of the marble counter. "Now, leave me alone." you snarl, pushing the smoothie glass to the edge of the table, so fast it screeched.

Rafe stood still for a long moment and you could feel the heat radiating off his body. He looked at you, then let out a defeated sigh. Respecting your boundary, he slowly stepped back. Wordlessly, he turned and walked straight out of the glam room, ignoring the way everyone was pretending they weren’t staring.

THE rest of the morning turned into lounging and hushed conversations. The villa was huge, yet felt claustrophobic with all the hovering drama. And by mid-afternoon, you and the girls had migrated out toward the beanbags.

Two of the three new Casa Amor girls—Haja and Kaitlyn—sat in the middle of it all, introducing themselves.

Kaitlyn spoke first, telling you all about herself. "I hate that I’m finally getting to talk to all of you, like, a whole twenty-four hours later but,” she shrugged. “Uh, I’m twenty-two, I’m from San Francisco," she said, flashing a sweet, polite smile as she tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Oh! I’m Vietnamese, anddd I work as a junior tech lawyer. So, yeah, my life back home sucks."

Sarah, who had been sitting with her knees pulled tightly to her chest, jumped in, the anxiety and uncertainty of Casa still written plainly across her face. "I really don't mean to be aggressive, but... you and John B. You guys have a history, right?” Kaitlyn nods. “Can you just fill me in? Because he’s been so vague about it."

Kaitlyn sighed, looking around the circle before offering Sarah a sympathetic look. "Eh, I guess, for me, it boiled down to the fact that John B wasn't exactly the most attentive boyfriend when we were together. He seemed self-absorbed, always distracted by his own stuff, his own friends, and whatever weird theories he and his dad liked to chase.” She scoffs. “I was always an afterthought."

Sarah’s face fell, but Kaitlyn was quick to lean forward, placing a hand on Sarah’s leg. "But you don't have to worry about me. I'm over him. Honestly? From what I saw of him here... I think he actually really does like you. Even at Casa, he talked about you constantly. Even when the girls were throwing themselves at him, his head didn't fully turn."

“Fully?" Sarah raises an eyebrow, her eyes searching Kaitlyn's face. "...Did John B do anything while he was at Casa? Because my gut is telling me he’s hiding something from me. He’s being way too defensive anytime I ask and he’s always too eager to change the subject."

Kaitlyn bit her lip, looking hesitant. "...Look, I just got here. I really don't want to cause any problems or start any drama—"

"Please," Sarah pleaded, her voice cracking slightly.

Kaitlyn let out a slow sigh, casting her eyes down before looking right back at Sarah. "Okay. If you want to ask John B anything about what happened over at Casa, ask him about Delaney, JJ’s ex."

The name dropped and Sarah’s face hardened, the blood draining from her cheeks, tongue prodding the inside of her cheek like she knew something.

But before she could spiral any further, Cleo jumped into the conversation. 

"So, Kaitlyn," Cleo started, her voice smooth. "Pope told me his side of the story about why he coupled up with you. What’s yours?"

Pope had spent the previous evening giving Cleo his version of events on why he had brought Kaitlyn back, insisting it was a purely platonic pairing to keep them both in the game. Cleo was curious to see if his story checked out against what Kaitlyn would say.

Kaitlyn turned to Cleo, unbothered by the interrogation. "Oh, it’s nothing. I swear.” She throws her hands up. “When we came into Casa, I really didn't find a genuine romantic connection with any of the other guys. But obviously, I still wanted to stay in the game and get a chance to enter the main villa and hopefully find someone. Pope and I got along really well just as friends. He didn't mind bringing me back, and I didn't mind being the one to keep him from elimination, just in case."

Knowing that Pope had actually told the absolute truth made Cleo’s demeanor soften, but it also started a whole other issue...

Confessional: Cleo "Ughhh,” she groans, throwing her head back. “Is it bad that I hoped he was lying? Knowing Pope told me the truth makes things ten times harder, man! Part of me wanted him to be the bad guy so I could just free myself from him and focus on Justin. Shit, man…"

Then, it was Haja’s turn to introduce herself. She leaned back against the cushions, sunglasses atop her head. "I don’t know where to start but, um, my name’s Haja," she said, her drawl smooth and rich. "Pronounced exactly like that. I’m twenty-five, and I’m a professional dancer from Houston, Texas. I’ve actually been on tour for, like, the last year. So, this is my first summer in a while..."

“You’re...Miles’ ex, right?” Rima asks, unsure.

"We dated, yeah," she scoffs and rolls her eyes.

“How was that?” You ask, leaning back.

"Our relationship was toxic as fuck," Haja amuses, saying it like a joke, a smile on her face. "And when I say that man is manipulative?" She drags out, turning to you. "I mean, you experienced it first hand from what I saw. When he said that stuff to you? About Rafe? He used to do shit like that all the time. It’s the same move he pulled to get me away from the boyfriend I had before him."

Your heart drops at the mention of that day, at the mention of Rafe. “Guess he wasn’t too far off, though…” you mutter to yourself.

"I don’t know too much about that,” she disclaims. “All I know is that Miles was wrong to tell you that shit, and I am one hundred percent sure he was just trying to cause trouble and break you and Rafe apart for his own selfish reasons."

And because the topic had officially been dragged out into the open, you couldn't hold it back anymore. The question had been burning a hole in your chest since last night. You leaned forward, looking at Haja through your lashes.

"Haja, can you tell me what you saw...between Rafe and Sofia at Casa?” you asked, voice soft as you played with your fingers. “I just…I feel like I need to know."

The girls are surprised by your line of questioning, and reasonably so. Since last night, it seemed like the topic of Rafe or Sofia or Casa Amor had you seconds away from either throwing up or burning the villa down.

Haja looked visibly hesitant, exchanging a brief, worried glance with Kaitlyn before looking back at you. "...Long story short, when we all walked into Casa Amor on day one, Sofia made it very, very clear to every single person that she was there for Rafe, and for Rafe only." She paused, picking her words carefully. "And... I can't say that Rafe was one hundred percent into it. Definitely, at first, he seemed totally uninterested. He wouldn't even look at her, he’d walk out of rooms if she walked in. But... I guess something happened after Raunchy Races, and Sofia came back to the girls' dressing room, and she was just like, super happy, telling all of us that she was 'getting her man back'."

Your stomach dropped at her words, swallowing harshly.

"But," Haja added quickly, reaching out to touch your arm supportively. "This is just what I saw from the outside, from my perspective. I didn’t pay too much attention to them, I was focused on doing my own thing.” She tries to comfort. “If you really want a real explanation about what happened, you need to ask Rafe."

"I can’t ask him," you whispered, a broken laugh escaping your lips as you threw yourself back against the beanbag. “I can’t even bring myself to look at him. I don't know if I can trust a word that comes out of his mouth anymore." You shook your head, trying to clear the bad thoughts.

That was when Sarah jumped in, looking at both of the new girls. "Do either of you know why Miles was the one to bring Sofia back, then? Especially if she was there for Rafe?"

Both Haja and Kaitlyn looked equally confused, shaking their heads in unison.

"Honestly, we’re confused by it, too," Kaitlyn admitted. "I mean everyone got kind of close at one point or another, because of challenges and stuff, but I don’t think either of us can say we ever saw a spark or romantic vibe between them.” She shrugs. “Like Haja said, Sofia was throwing herself at Rafe the whole time, but then that last day, her and Miles were non-stop talking and next thing you know, he’s coupled up with her."

Haja let out a sarcastic scoff, a knowing smirk pulling at her lips. "I’d like to propose the theory that Miles just did it to piss me off. He was trying and failing the entire time.” She snarls. “And Sofia probably did it for the exact same reason—to get at Rafe. She used Miles as a ticket into the main villa to get back to him."

As if on cue, mid-conversation, Sarah nudged your shoulder, pointing a finger out across the lawn.

Across the grass, near the edge of the pool, Sofia and Miles were walking together, talking casually in low tones. Nobody in the main villa was particularly fond of either of them, so it was clear they were finding solace in their mutual isolation.

"Look at them," Cleo muttered, her lip curling in disgust as she also noticed. "Two snakes slithering in the same grass."

Sarah turned her head toward Haja and Kaitlyn, her eyebrows raised curiously. "Does Sofia even talk to you guys? Like, are you even cool with her?"

"Absolutely not," Haja deadpanned. "Sofia hasn't been interested in making a single connection since day one—not friendship-wise, and definitely not romantically. Her main goal has been getting Rafe back and staying in this villa by any means necessary. She barely gave us the time of day."

You sat silently, mind spinning. And you hated how the pieces of the puzzle were starting to form a messy, yet almost more clear, picture. Before you could sink completely into your own head, though, the topic of conversation shifted.

ON the opposite side of the villa, the boys had gathered around the fire pit.

Rafe was pacing a tight line along the edge of the stone seating, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his shorts. He stopped, turning his gaze toward JJ, John B, and Pope, who were sitting around.

"I just want a fuckin’ chance to explain," Rafe sighs, his voice cracking with frustration. "She thinks she knows what happened but she doesn’t. It’s like she’s made up this story in her head and she’s sticking with it, she won't even look at me."

JJ leaned back against the cushions, spinning sunglasses between his fingers. "Bro, we gotta figure out what they actually saw because what would make her think you wanted Sofia back?" He throws out. “I mean, we were there, dude. I don’t think you did anything wrong. Like, at all.”

John B leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe it was the Raunchy Races challenge?"

"Yeah," Pope agreed, nodding like a light bulb came on in his head. "Wasn’t that when she randomly kissed you? After the lap dance thing?"

Rafe immediately shut the theory down, shaking his head as he paced back toward them. "No. That's not it. It can’t be." He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "It would be obvious to anyone with a brain that that kiss was during a challenge."

"Rafe’s right," John B admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "That was clearly challenge kiss. Plus, bro, your face right after Sofia did it? You looked grossed out. If the video showed that, she wouldn't be this mad."

Rafe let out a ragged sigh of defeat, dropping onto the edge of the couch. "I can't believe she actually brought somebody back," he muttered, his voice dropping into a bitter hiss as his eyes caught Theo throwing a football with Justin across the lawn. "Who the fuck is this Italian giant anyway?" he ranted. "I feel like shit, man. I just want her to let me talk to her for five minutes, but she is literally the most stubborn girl I have ever met in my life."

JJ let out a scoff from his corner. "Oh, you think you feel bad?" JJ shook his head. "How do you think I feel right now? The girls are all pissed at me for something I don't even think is completely my fault." He shook his head, eyes widening with stress. "I never wanted Kie to get dumped 'cause of me. She was a really good person, and she didn't deserve to go home like that. But at the end of the day, we are all here to find love, man. And I just...didn't see that with her. I can't force something that isn't there."

"Yeah, they were ready to execute you," John B sighed, leaning back against the couch, trying to maintain some level of peace. "Look, I’m just really glad I chose to come back alone, and that Sarah did the same. We’re in a good spot." He paused, his expression turning anxious as he rubbed his chin. "But... I can't lie. I’m lowkey worried that if Sarah knew exactly what was going through my mind and everything I said or did while we were over there... she might not be as happy to be coupled up with me right now."

Pope let out a heavy sigh from his seat, staring blankly at his feet. "I feel you. I got the chance to explain to Cleo that I did stand on my word, that I only brought Kaitlyn back to make sure I stayed in the villa and didn't get dumped. But I'm not even sure if she believes me..."

The boys all fell silent, their eyes drifting across the wide lawn to where the girls were sitting, talking.

"Hopefully," Pope muttered quietly, "we can all figure our shit out soon."

AND it didn't take long for the boys to start plucking you off, one by one, desperate to clear the air.

Justin was the first to make a move, sauntering over, offering a polite smile before looking at Cleo. "Mind if I pull you?"

"No, of course not." She beamed. "Let’s go," Cleo said smoothly, sliding out of her seat, taking his hand and following him over to a quiet corner near the outdoor kitchen.

They sat down on the barstools, Justin leaning his forearms against the counter as he looked into her eyes. "So... I just wanted to check in. I know last night was a lot and that things are weird with Pope back.” He starts anxiously, knee bouncing. “I guess, it’s just…do you actually like me? Like, with him here, do you want to keep getting to know me?"

Cleo offered him a relaxed smile. "Justin, of course I like you.” She breathes. “And I do want to keep getting to know you. You’ve been great to me."

Justin nodded, but his expression turned slightly guarded. "But...what about Pope?"

Cleo let out a slow breath, refusing to lie to him. "I’m not gonna deny that a piece of me has always been with Pope because of our initial connection during the first couple weeks. I do...still have feelings there.” She admits, finally to herself. “But... I’m just not sure if I want to go forward with exploring them anymore after everything that happened. I feel like you have always put me first since the moment you walked in, and I really appreciate you for that. I just want to focus on us."

Justin listened, respectful as he nodded slowly. "I appreciate the honesty, Cleo. Seriously. I understand where you're coming from, and I’m not gonna push you."

Confessional: Justin "I really do respect her for being honest. And I know there are other beautiful women in this villa who would probably give me one hundred percent of their attention right now. But the truth is... I don't want anyone else. I only want Cleo. Is it too early to say that?"

On the other side of the yard, John B had finally gathered the courage to pull Sarah away. He led her over to the daybeds, tense as he sat down opposite her.

"Sarah," John B started, reaching out toward her hand. Sarah was clueless. "I feel like we should talk."

“Okay…”

“There’s no point in really dancing around it, so,” John B sucks in a deep breath. “I guess I’ll start by asking…what did you do during Casa?”

“...Do you mean like emotional or physical?” She tries to clarify, and John B ponders for a moment, face twisting.

“Both, I guess.”

"Um," Sarah started, thinking, but also confused. "To be honest? Nothing.” She laughs to herself. “I mean, I was open to exploring and everything. I talked to some of the guys I didn’t know, but I didn’t click with anyone. And if you were worried about my ex, me and Thomas didn’t do anything. We’ve been over.” She throws out casually. “And physically, outside of challenges, I still didn’t do anything. I slept alone in Soul Ties the entire time, I didn’t kiss anyone…hell, I don’t even think I hugged any of those guys. And it wasn't for lack of trying, it was more so for the fact...no one could ever beat what I feel for you."

John B swallowed hard, nodding, the guilt written plain across his freckled face. 

“...What about you?” Sarah dragged, noting the look on his face. But he remained silent. “...Hello? John B—”

"Sarah,” He blurted, eyes locking onto her own, wide and frantic. “I need you to promise not to get mad," He tries, looking apprehensive.

Sarah's face twists, leaning back away from him slightly. "...Why?"

John B took a deep breath, straightening out. "While I was at Casa... I did end up…catching feelings for a girl." He admits, dropping his head.

"Delaney.” Sarah deadpans, remembering Kaitlyn's words from only moments prior.

John B nods, having at least the decency to look shameful, watching Sarah scoff, her shoulders dropping. “But it wasn’t anything serious—”

“I knew it.”

“She was just…there, and—”

“Did you kiss her?” She cuts him off sharply. “Outside of a challenge.” She clarifies. “Did you?”

John B hesitated for a fraction of a second, his eyes darting away before locking back onto hers. "...Yeah," he admitted. "But only once. I swear, Sarah—"

“I fucking knew it!” She exclaims incredulously, snatching her hands out of his. “I knew it from the minute I saw that video and you were holding her fucking face. And I wanted to believe in you, so bad.”

"Sarah, calm down, please—" John B scrambled to his stand, his hands raised in a panic.

"No, don't tell me to calm down,” She scrutinizes. “Are you fucking kidding me? What, I’m just your safe option?”

“No,” John B immediately denies her words. “No, Sarah, you know you’re not—”

“You went over there, made a whole new connection with another girl, shoved your tongue down her throat, and you’re just telling me about it.” She says, disappointed before her face hardens again. “If you made a connection with her, why the hell didn't you bring her back?"

John B desperately tried to smooth it over. "Because clearly I liked you more than her, Sarah! That’s why I came back alone!” He pleads. “Delaney and you... you guys actually share a lot of the same personality traits. You even kind of look alike!” He throws out in a panic, but he can see that it only makes the girl angrier. “I think... I think part of my interest in her just came from the fact that I was missing you so much."

Sarah stared at him, her expression completely disgusted. "Missing me? You kissed another girl because you missed me?" She let out a harsh scoff. "That is the fattest load of bullshit I have ever heard in my entire life, John B."

Without letting him say another word, Sarah turned and stormed away from the conversation, leaving John B standing alone in the garden, gripping his curls in frustration.

MEANWHILE, you were sitting with Theo on the edge of the pool, kicking your feet in the water, trying your best to have a casual conversation. You were chatting and having fun, his typical flirtatious banter temporarily lifting the weight from your shoulders.

But then, Theo’s expression turned serious as silence took over. He set his water bottle on the concrete, turning fully towards your face. "I hate to ruin the mood,” He starts. “But, if you don’t mind me asking…I’d like to know what happened last night." You tilt your head at him innocently, not clear on his question before he clarifies himself. “Your talk with Rafe, bella.” He laughs lowly, but there’s not much humor in it, mostly anxiety.

You let out a soft sigh. "He was basically trying to explain to me that whatever I saw in that video clip... he says I…misinterpreted it. He was swearing up and down that he didn't do anything wrong."

Theo watched you closely, his brow furrowing as his fingers brushed yours from where they were splayed next to each other on the ground. "And you believe him?"

You bit your lip, face scrunching in thought. "Off the top of my head, I have to say no," you said flatly, shaking your head. "I don’t know. Something about it all feels…weird."

Theo hums, letting the silence hang for a moment before, "What if he’s actually telling the truth?"

You groan lightly, kicking your feet against the water more aggressively. "That’s…a problem for another day, Theo," you murmured, looking away across the water. 

Despite your dismissive tone, Theo didn't let the subject drop. He leaned closer, pressing the issue. "Y/N,” his voice drops, more serious than you’d ever heard it as a hand falls to your thigh. “I would really like a straight answer to the question."

And something about the topic of conversation or the fact that Theo wouldn’t drop it just put you off. You knew he had every right to ask but the subject matter made you…angry. Defensive. You pulled your legs out of the water, turning to glare at him with slightly narrowed eyes. "Why does it matter?"

Theo hesitated, his jaw working for a second before he confessed. "Because... I’m worried that if he is, you’ll choose him over me."

You physically flinched at his words, eyes widening as your expression softened slightly. You reached out, placing a hand on his forearm. "Theo,” you call softly. “I have a real connection with you. Keeping you here wasn't some petty revenge plot or a way to get back at Rafe. I genuinely do have feelings for you."

Theo listened, but he didn't look entirely convinced. He let out a slow sigh. "I understand what you're saying, bella. But I’m not blind. I know that your feelings for Rafe are stronger than what you feel for me.”

“That’s not—”

“You can try to deny it all you want, but you forget I watched you two fall for each other before even coming here. You liked him and he liked you. A lot. And I know feelings don’t disappear overnight.” He reminds, and you huff, relenting. “But a part of me feels like... if you hadn't seen that video of Rafe and Sofia kissing... you would have never picked me." He tells you, sighing. "...Am I wrong?"

The question hit you hard, knocking the wind out of your lungs as you scrambled for a response, knowing hesitation would only make it worse. 

"I—yes, I mean—no?—I don't..." you stuttered over your words. "Theo, I don't know..." you finally admitted, looking down at your hands, letting your shoulders slump. "I really do like you. I like the way you make me feel safe and how attentive you are and how you call me beautiful.” You list off, trying to appeal to him. “But... I can't lie to you. I think, maybe, seeing that kiss between Rafe and Sofia... it might’ve fast-tracked something for me.” You admit, somewhat shamefully. “But I’m not using you, Theo. I swear."

Theo stared at you for three long seconds, a look of disappointment and hurt settling plain across his features. He was rightfully put off by your hesitation, the confirmation of his worst fear written across your own features, whether you were ready to admit to him or not.

He slowly pulled his forearm away from your touch, standing up from the edge of the pool. "I understand," Theo said, his voice perfectly polite, but drained of the warmth it held just minutes ago. 

“Theo—”

"Thank you for the honesty.” He nods politely. “I think... I’m gonna go inside, get some water..." and without giving you a chance to repair the damage, he walked away, leaving you sitting alone, feeling like the worst person ever, cursing yourself.

And as you sat there sulking from the aftermath of the conversation, your sad eyes drifted across the lawn.

On the daybeds, Sofia and Miles were talking casually when, suddenly, Rafe walked past them from one direction and Haja walked past from the other, Miles and Sofia quickly glanced at them both before randomly jumping on each other, Miles wrapping his arm tightly around her waist as Sofia leaned in, planting a sloppy kiss on his lips. 

It was obvious they were trying to make both of their exes jealous, but neither Rafe nor Haja paid them a single ounce of mind, walking right past the display as if Miles and Sofia were completely invisible.

And you couldn’t help the way your eyes glued themselves to Rafe longer than intended, watching him walk—remembering how it felt to have his arms around you, how it felt to lay on his chest at night, how it felt to have his hand gently squeeze the base of your throat while he kissed you like he hadn’t in years—

You startled yourself out of your daydreaming when Rafe must’ve sensed a pair of eyes on him, turning as his eyes locked with yours, holding your stare.

But you were the one to break eye contact, slightly embarrassed.

You missed him.

But fuck him.

RAFE, on the other hand, kept staring at you as he walked across the lawn.

He noted the way your hair fell in front of your face, finding it adorable, missing the way you'd do that when he made you nervous. He wished he could tell you how good you looked in the bikini you chose today, to whisper in your ear how he couldn’t wait to be the one to take it off of you whenever you decided to give him that chance.

And when he realized that another guy, in the same villa, was probably having the same thoughts, and rightfully so because he was coupled up with you now, all of his anger returned. And, frustrated by your refusal to even listen to him, Rafe decided that if you wouldn't give him the time of day, he needed to get through to someone you would. 

He looked around the deck, surveying his options—Sarah looked furious after her talk with John B, Cleo had been practically attached to Justin's hip all morning, and he nor you were close enough with Haja or Kaitlyn to pull them. And he damn sure wasn't going to talk to Sofia.

So, considering he was currently in a couple with Rima, he figured it was time to use the coupling to his advantage. He jogged over to where she was suntanning on a lounge chair she’d dragged out into the sun, clearing his throat as he loomed above her, blocking the sun. 

She lifted her head from where it was laying on her folded arms, cocking a curious eyebrow the man’s way.

"Can we talk?"

Rima pushed her sunglasses down, looking up at him with a stubborn expression. Like you and the rest of the girls, she was under the impression that Rafe had spent his time at Casa kissing Sofia behind your back, and was now just trying to clean up his tracks.

"Rafe," Rima said flatly, sitting up. "I really don't want to hear—"

"Please," Rafe begged, his voice cracking slightly. "Just listen to me for two minutes. I swear to God I’m telling the truth, but she won’t listen to me." He whines. "I’m hoping you will."

Rima let out a deep sigh, sitting up and crossing her arms over her chest. "Fine. Two minutes. Go."

Rafe let the ghost of a smile grace his face as he took the available space on the sun lounger next to her, not wasting any time. "Look, Sofia was all over me the second we walked into Casa, Rima, I swear. She was relentless. But I ignored her the entire time. I swear on my mother’s grave." He said, entirely serious. He leaned forward, eyes wide with urgency and desperation. "I did not sleep in a bed with anyone, I slept outside the entire time, getting ate the fuck up by mosquitoes." To back up his point, Rafe aggressively gestured towards his legs, revealing his calves and thighs, which were covered in dozens of angry, red, swollen mosquito bites. "Like, look at my fuckin’ legs."

Rima looked down at the bites, her eyebrows raising slightly in surprise before looking back at him.

"And outside of challenges," Rafe continued frantically, "I did not kiss anyone. I did not touch anyone. And I wasn't forcing myself to not make a connection, I just didn't find one because the only girl I want is Y/N.” He huffs, getting it all out in one breath, voice lowering for the final part of his plea. “Whatever kiss she thinks she saw in that video... she’s wrong."

Rima listened, her sharp eyes scanning his face. She let out a slow breath, raising her own skepticism. "Okay, Rafe.” She starts, letting her shoulders rise and fall. “I hear what you're saying. But I don’t think you understand how bad that video looked.." She leaned in closer, voice dropping. "We saw the kiss during the challenge, yeah. But what really got to her, what I think is really breaking her heart right now, isn't that. It’s what you said." Rima stared right into his eyes. "She watched you argue with your ex, and the second she came onto you, you say you miss her and then y’all kissed. It looks like you were trying to fight unresolved feelings you might’ve had, or have, and failed in the end."

Rafe’s eyes widened, his jaw slacking as the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place inside his brain. He finally understood what you had seen, and why you had thrown your connection away so fast.

You didn’t see the whole conversation.

"Fuck," Rafe whispered, dragging his hands down his face. "Rima... there was so much more to that conversation. I can't even fully explain how edited that shit must’ve been to make it look like that, but when I said I missed her... I didn't mean it like that. I swear to you."

Rima raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "So... you did say it?"

Rafe looked at a loss for words, stuttering over his thoughts. "Y-Yes, but... it’s a lot... it’s different than what you think.” He tries to clean it up. “I’m not that kind of guy. But she won't even give me the time of day to prove it to her. She’s avoiding me like the plague." He looked at Rima with sad, blue, puppy-dog eyes. "Will you just please help me? I’m literally begging you."

Rima stared at him for a long moment. She had looked into the faces of a lot of guilty men in her life, but looking at Rafe right now, she didn't see a liar. All she saw was a man who was utterly terrified of losing you and desperate to get you back. She’d never gotten a begging-type of vibe from Rafe before, and that, plus his evident desperation, was what led her to believe him.

She sighed, giving in. "How the hell am I supposed to help you?" Rima asked, throwing her hands up. "She saw what she saw, and she already brought an entire Italian God back to the villa. She’s in a whole new couple, Rafe. And, I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I think she does actually like him."

"Okay, yeah, I get that,” Rafe waves off, not really caring. “Just... be my wing woman," Rafe pleaded quietly. "Be my eyes on the inside. Help me figure out what she’s thinking, so that way I know how to go about fixing this. I just want her to know that I didn't lie to her." He admits, his face falling as his next words leave his lips. "After that, if she doesn't...want me anymore. I'll accept that. But I can't let her go over something as stupid as this. I can't." His voice shook. "I’m not asking you to go behind her back or lie to anyone, Rima. I’m just asking you to help a man out."

Rima let out a long sigh, shaking her head before a small smirk pulled at her lips. "Fine. I’ll help you." Her expression instantly turned serious, her voice dropping into a low whisper. "But let me make one thing clear to you right now. I swear, if it comes out that your ass is lying to me—because in here, everything always comes out—I’m going to break. your. face.” She threatens, a finger jammed into his chest. “Are we clear?"

Rafe swallowed hard, nodding quickly—only happy to be making progress in getting through to you. "Crystal."

Just then, Rafe's phone dinged, the man sliding it out of his pocket. "Shit," he smirked to himself, standing up. "I got a text!"

At that, everyone stopped what they were doing, drawing in closer as he read it out.

"Islanders, it’s time to find out who is climbing the corporate ladder and who is up for termination! Girls, get ready to give the boys a performance review they’ll never forget in today's challenge, Boss Bitch! #BoardroomBabes #CorporateTakeover #SlimeAndSizzle"

The yard erupted into a choir of cheers and whistles as you all ran off to change.

YOU’D all returned moments later, looking ridiculously hot—the boys completely shirtless under open blazers, ties hanging loosely against bare, toned chests, and shorts that left very little to the imagination. 

You and the rest of the girls pulled out all the stops, per usual.

Every one had some version of a provocative business-casual fit. You, specifically, were adorned in a lace brassiere under an open blazer that had the 'girls' sitting perfectly, probably one of the smallest skirts you’d ever worn, and a pair of glasses sitting cutely on the tip of your nose.

You were all sitting around a curved table where the lawn had been transformed into a sleek boardroom, the table top littered with colorful papers that would soon be serving as a runway, a podium, and a deep pit of thick, pink slime.

The challenge was simple—you’d come out, give the men a show, choose someone outside of your couple to kiss, read a trivia question that could be naughty or nice and choose someone to dunk before exiting the “meeting” with a passionate kiss to your partner.

The men waited anxiously, smiling to each other when the doors opened, revealing their first girl.

Cleo was the first to emerge, and she set the bar high. Clad in a vibrant cobalt blue blazer that laid wide open over a matching sheer lace brassiere, she looked drop-dead gorgeous. You were all hooting and hollering as she climbed onto the boardroom table, hips moving fluidly to the heavy bass of the music. She arched her back, grinding down the length of the table while running her hands down her own torso.

"Go on then, girl!" Justin shouted, making Cleo laugh lightly, hyping her up with his eyes glued to her.

But she surprised everyone when she sat down in front of Pope’s chair, a sultry smirk pulling at her lips as she grabbed him firmly by his tie, and yanked him towards her, pressing her lips against his own as Pope let his hands roam. Your jaw dropped as Cleo deepened the kiss, tilting his head back as the villa went crazy.

Of course, the original guys were the loudest—JJ, John B, and Rafe sounding like hyenas, happy that Pope was, seemingly, on the road to that second chance he’d been groveling for.

But further down the table, Justin swallowed harshly. He tried to play it cool, but a frown marred his features as he watched Pope's hands basically map out Cleo’s body.

After a few moments, Cleo broke the kiss, swaggering over to the podium to snatch up her trivia card. She read the prompt aloud, hand on her hip—"Which islander is bringing the team morale down?"

"Oh, this is a no-brainer," Cleo laughed, pointing the hand with the card in it at JJ. "You knocked us down a staff member, rude boy." She teased as JJ took his walk of shame to the hot seat, lips curled inwards as he sat down, anticipating the drop.

Cleo slammed the lever and JJ went face first into the puddle of goo as you all winced, watching him rise, wiping the thick goo from his face. And Cleo concluded her turn by walking straight over to Justin. 

She climbed into his lap, straddling his thighs, and delivered a sexy, breathless kiss that wiped the frown right off his face, leaving him grinning like a fool by the time she took her seat next to him.

When Sarah stepped up the chopping block, dressed in a crimson blazer and a black lace bra underneath, she radiated a dangerous kind of aura. She climbed onto the table, eyes locked dead on John B as she did a slow, provocative grind, dropping low to the music before strutting to the edge. But something about their gaze held a kind of unspoken tension.

And everyone’s jaws hit the floor when Sarah stepped down and made a b-line…for JJ.

JJ’s eyes went wide as he caught her strutting over, his hands going up in mock surrender, but as Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck and smashed her lips against his, he didn't pull away. It was a steamy kiss that had you all stunned, noises of disbelief echoing around the table. 

John B was left wordless, his face dropping as a look of intense jealousy washed over him.

Confessional: Sarah "Am I being petty? Absolutely.” She laughs. “Since there’s enough of John B to go around, I figured there’s enough of me for his best friend in here to get a taste." She leans back. “Oh, but don’t worry, John B! I only kissed your best friend because I missed you!” She mocks, rolling her eyes.

Ungluing her lips from JJ’s, Sarah marched over to the podium, her eyes cutting straight through John B on her way over before she read her trivia card.

"Which employee loves to take secret meetings with new clients behind their partner's back?"

"Oooooh," Everyone looked around, probably having a couple of people in mind with recent events.

But, again, to everyone’s surprise, Sarah locked eyes with John B, beckoning him over with a single finger as he obeyed and walked over while you all exchanged weary, confused glances.

Oh, you’d definitely ask her about this later.

Though, right now, you focused on watching as John B got comfortable in the elevated seat while Sarah looked all too happy to slam the lever and send him into the pit, soaking his blazer and curls in pink slime. 

And to top it all off, she had deliver her final kiss to him. Sarah sauntered over, climbed onto his sticky, slimed lap, and delivered an agonizingly slow kiss, leaving John B dazed and defeated.

Confessional : Sarah "I don't know if I'm still mad." Sarah shrugged. "Like, he explored and still chose me but that shit sucked, dude!" She whines. "...But dunking him definitely helped."

After her, Haja turned the boardroom into show and you all, fortunately, had front row seats. Her movements across the table were so fluid—dropping into a slow split and executing flawless, complicated moves that had the boys standing up out of their chairs, screaming. 

But the real mess came when Haja lowered herself down from the table and walked straight over to Miles. Everyone, the boys especially, looked around like, 'what the hell?' given how much they hated each other, or at least appeared to.

Miles smirked, smug as Haja pulled him in by his open blazer, delivering a deep kiss that looked entirely too comfortable. JJ’s jaw clenched, a look of insecurity crossing his features as he watched the girl he was coupled up with swap spit with her ex...by choice.

Confessional: JJ "So…she acts like Miles is the literal bane of her entire existence…and to back it up, she shoves her tongue down his throat?” He throws out, clearly put off. “It’s messing with my head, bro. I feel like a pawn in their weird little game..."

Haja broke the kiss, pushing Miles back by his shoulders, stepping up to the podium to read her trivia card.

"Which employee is trying to pull off a hostile takeover in another department?"

Haja pretended to think, her eyes traveling when the stopped on Miles…before jumping to Sofia, beckoning her over as Sofia pointed a finger at herself, surprised. Haja nodded, urging her up out of her seat. "This one's for you, sweetie," She teased as Sofia tried to act unbothered, sitting in the chair, closing her eyes and waiting for the moment to come.

Haja slammed the lever back, and Sofia let out a small shriek as she fell into the pool, slime splattering across her face and into her hair. And as she rose, scooping the substance out of her eyes, almost slipping on her way back to her seat, Haja concluded her turn by walking back to JJ. She took him by the chin, forcing him to look at her, and delivered a passionate kiss that almost made him forget he was mildly upset with her, leaving him grinning.

Kaitlyn’s turn was undeniably sultry. She already had this mature, sexy confidence about her, but as she did a slow crawl down the center of the conference table, her dark hair falling over her shoulders before stepping down—she stole the show. And she proved she knew exactly how to twist a knife, whether purposely or not, when her outside kiss targeted John B.

John B looked flustered as she approached, shifting his weight as her lips met his, but he kissed her back when he remembered Sarah’s lips on JJ’s.

And Sarah simply watched with a lethal stare, jaw working.

Confessional: Kaitlyn "Honestly, I just kissed John B for a bit of fun and we have that history, so it felt safe. But looking back? Probably not the right move.” She winces. “I clearly wasn’t reading the room, and I think I just added more fuel to Sarah's fire. Oops?"

Kaitlyn untangled herself from John B and moved swiftly to the podium, reading her card.

"Which employee thinks they're the boss when they're actually just a temp?"

Kaitlyn laughed, holding the card to her mouth, laughing before her eyes landed dead smack on Miles. Various reactions sounded out as the man rose from his seat, Kaitlyn stepping aside to let him take a seat in the chair before yanking the lever back, letting him drop.

The slime coated almost every inch of him, dripping down his frame as he stepped out of the pool, a tight-lipped grimace on his face as Kaitlyn then walked over to Pope, ending her turn with a sexy kiss.

And before you knew it, it was your turn to show off. You were wearing an oversized white blazer that laid wide open over a matching white lace brassiere, framing you perfectly.

You climbed onto the long, curved conference table, the bass of the music thumping as you let yourself go, used to these games by now. You dropped to your knees, crawling seductively down the center of the table, locking eyes with the perimeter of guys as everyone cheered you on, louder than ever. You held your glasses in your mouth, clutched between your teeth, hanging loosely from your lips as you ran your hands up your thighs, holding eye contact with Rafe for a split second before deliberately bypassing him. 

Confessional: Rafe "Just fuckin' kill me. I don't think I deserve it but this is torture."

The boys were shouting, completely losing their minds. But, of course, your girls were even louder.

You got caught up in the moment, glasses hanging sexily low on your face as your peered over them, realizing you had to choose someone to kiss.

And he came to mind, of course he did. 

But he didn’t get that luxury anymore.

So, without much thought, you stopped in front of JJ, eyes locked onto his. He laughed, throwing his hands up as a blush rose on his cheeks, but he caught you by the waist as you tugged him harshly by his tie, slanting your lips against his as his hands splayed out against your lower back, pulling you in closer.

Confessional: You You were squealing, covering your face with your hands. “I will never get used to kissing JJ.” You whined into your hands dramatically. “It’s so weird! It literally felt like incest. And I’m still kind of pissed at him!” 

Confessional : JJ “Y’know, I know she could’ve kissed Rafe, probably wanted to,” He ponders, shrugging. “But I don’t think I mind being her scapegoat.” He smirks. 

Despite the internal awkwardness, the kiss looked like something out of a movie, and while Theo sat back with a calm smirk, Rafe looked somewhere between grossed out and pissed off, his face contorting as he had to just look away.

It wasn’t like you hadn’t kissed JJ before, almost everyone had kissed everyone, but this time you had the choice to. You could’ve picked him, and you didn’t. It cut him straight to the bone that you could have chosen to kiss him, and you explicitly chose to kiss someone else. 

He knew why you did it, but the rejection still felt like a punch to the gut.

As you broke away from JJ, leaving him red, hot, and flustered, walking over to the podium, you swiped up the trivia card.

"Which employee loves trying to manage two different corporate accounts at the same time?"

The villa fell into a chorus of oohs, and, feeling particularly messy, you didn't think on it as your eyes locked directly onto Rafe, narrowing your eyes and beckoning him forward with a single finger. 

Rafe didn’t look the least bit upset as he got up, making his way towards you. He actually looked amused, happy you were acknowledging him. Pleased, even.

And it made you even madder as he came to a stop in front of you. But you didn’t let it show, fixing him with a bitter smile. "Time for an audit, baby boy." you teased.

And Rafe raised a single eyebrow, crossing his arms as he towered over you, veins in his arms flexing. “That’s a new one,” he tilts his head. “What happened to ‘big guy’?”

Your jaw clenched as you fixed him with an unamused expression. “You tell me.”

“I’ve been tryin’.” He says, both of you completely forgetting there are indeed people watching, especially two people in particular, as his voice drops its teasing tone.

You simply huff, jerking your head to the side. “Shut up. Get your ass in the chair.” You bite out, moving to put your hand on the lever, shifting your weight as you watch him climb into the seat.

“Yes, ma’am.” He throws out carelessly, sitting down with his hands in his lap, waiting. His words send a heat crawling up your neck but you use those emotions to pull the lever, dropping Rafe into the pool of goo, most of it getting on his chest and neck.

And you couldn’t help the way your eyes trailed the length of his body as he stood up, pink slime dripping down, curving over his shoulders, filling the valleys between his abs as he exited the pool, wiping the little bit that did get on his face.

And as you watched him, you had two people watching you. And Theo and Sofia did not look happy, by any means.

Snapping out of your stupor when Rafe, once again catches you staring and sends a slow smirk your way, you turn on your heel, walk straight over to Theo and climb onto his lap, wounding your legs around his waist, and plant a sloppy, slow kiss that had everyone else cheering but had Rafe’s jaw clenching so hard, he swore he felt something pop.

After you, Sofia was the next to step out, and she didn’t look as graceful as she’d hoped because of the fact she’d already been dunked. She did a sexy dance across the table, eyeing all of the boys, shooting them looks before setting her sights on one guy.

She marched straight over to Rafe, not without a glare towards you, so fast you barely caught it. She leaned in, wrapping her arms around his neck, as you swore you saw him sigh heavier than ever right before she pressed her lips against his, attempting to deepen the kiss into something more.

But Rafe cut the kiss short. After a split second, he turned his face away from hers, his hands catching her shoulders.

Everyone looked shocked, JJ letting out a low whistle, muttering under his breath. "Oh, damn." 

This was the first time the original girls, and specifically you, had ever seen Rafe reject Sofia’s advances, as he claimed he did, in person. And, somewhat shamefully, a spike of satisfaction mixed with total confusion hit you as you watched him wipe his mouth with the pad of his thumb as Sofia walked away, visibly embarrassed. Her eyes locked straight onto you, a fire in them. 

She had noticed the mere fraction of a second Rafe pulled away from her, the way his eyes had immediately shot across the table to find you, watching him glare at her when he realized you had looked away, a snarl on your lips.

Desperate to recover her dignity, she walked over to the podium, pissed off and territorial, reading her trivia card.

"Which temporary hire is just filling a vacancy until the original person comes back to reclaim the position?"

And it went weirdly silent as everyone watched Sofia’s mean eyes lock on to you across the table, tilting her head sweetly.

"Y/N," she called you out.

A few people made noises, most just stared, waiting to see what would happen. And Rafe huffed, tired of the girl’s antics by now.

You simply tilted your head back at her, smiling softly as you rose from your seat, walking around the table. As you passed Rafe, he reached for your hand, gently enough that no one else noticed. You glanced down at his hand briefly as you continued walking past him towards Sofia, what sounded like an apology tumbling from his lips fading into thin air as you stopped in front of the girl.

She looked you up and down, quick enough that you were sure no one really caught it, before speaking.

“It was sweet of you to keep things running for me—”

Theo’s face twists as he sits up straighter. “Hey.”

“Sofia.” Rafe scolds, clearly irritated as much as everyone else.

“Its fine.” You shrug, meeting both boy’s eyes before turning back to Sofia. 

“...But I'm happy to take over and let you take a well-deserved break.” She shrugs, smiling at you. “No hard feelings?”

You looking down, laughing to yourself—who does this bitch think she is?—as you tie your hair up into a ponytail, everyone’s eyes widening as they were under the impression you were seconds away from getting yourself sent home when you look back up, smiling.

“No hard feelings.” You return the fake sentiment, returning her favor from the previous night as you brush her shoulder as you walk past her to take your seat in the dunk chair. Your eyes lock with Theo’s as you send him a small wink, letting him know it’s okay. Then they look at your girls, making a small heart with your hands as they blow kisses at you, before your eyes make one last pit stop on Rafe—glaring into his soul as you can only note how angry yet sad he looks before you hear the lever click and feel yourself falling.

A wave of thick, sticky pink slime hits you in the face, the goo coating your white blazer, dripping down your neck. You took it like nothing—standing up calmly, smiling as the voices of the girls telling you that you ‘still look good’ traveled through the air, completely covered, but you refused to let Sofia see it get to you. 

You kept your composure, wiping the slime from your eyes, fixing Sofia with a cold, unamused stare that made her look away first as you removed your blazer and returned to your seat.

Confessional: You "I am never, ever one to be mad at the girl in these situations. But, clearly, this kitty’s got claws.” You admit, plucking dried slime from your collarbone, shrugging. “But it’s okay... because I do too. She picked the wrong bitch to play dirty with."

When you’re sat, Sofia concludes her turn by walking over to Miles, who smirks as she delivers a kiss to end her turn.

After the debacle with Sofia, Rima was the final girl to go, bringing her typical confidence as she did a dance across the table that had everyone hyped up. Though, for her kiss, she walked straight over to Justin, pulling him in by his tie.

Confessional: Rima "Look, I chose to kiss Justin because I’m familiar with kissing him. He’s my ex, so it felt more natural than kissing any of these other guys. I love you, Cleo! Don't be mad at meee!"

But Cleo didn't take a single ounce of offense to the kiss, knowing that, for one, it was a typical challenge, sitting back and winking at her. Rima then walked over to the podium, reading the final trivia card with a playful grin.

"Which employee is secretly running this entire firm and deserves a bonus?"

She throws her hands out, looking offended. “Can I dunk myself?” She proposed, making you all chuckle. “No, I’m serious.” Though, she laughs along, rolling her eyes lightheartedly before relenting. “Fine, besides me, I’d have to say…” she ponders, looking around before pointing both fingers at Cleo. "Give my girl her bonus!" 

The whole table cheered as Cleo did a cute jog up to the podium, settling in the chair as Rima dunked her. 

Rima then ended her turn, and the game, by walking over to Rafe, climbing onto his lap, and delivering a sexy kiss. And though you know it meant nothing, you hated the fact that it still made your chest tighten.

Because it meant you still cared.

BY the time evening arrived, the villa had settled into silence. The challenge had long been over, but the residual drama was still looming.

In the girls' dressing room, the core group—you, Rima, Cleo, and Sarah—were huddled around the mirrors.

"Okay, Sarah, we need to address the elephant in the room first," Cleo said, leaning against the counter as she brushed out her hair. "You kissing JJ? That was the last thing I expected."

“Me too,” you added, smoothing serum into your skin. “What was that about?”

Sarah let out a heavy sigh, sitting down on her stool. "John B and I had a talk right before the challenge.” She starts. “...He admitted that he kissed Delaney outside of a challenge while they were at Casa Amor.”

“What?” Rima cuts in, eyebrows shooting into her hairline.

“Yeah,” Sarah slumps. “I was just so angry, and wanted to do something to make him as upset as I was. When I told him afterward that it was just a petty move, he got pretty pissed. He said he was being completely honest with me about Delaney, and he feels like I’m not acknowledging that fact and only being pissed that he kissed someone else when that’s ‘literally the point’." She puts in air quotes, rolling her eyes lightly. "I mean, he's right, I guess. But still, I don't like that he waited until the next day to tell me..."

Sarah scoffed, looking at her reflection. "I told him that if he feels like shoving his tongue down every girl's throat that looks exactly like me is the point of the show, then he should feel completely free to keep doing that.”

You all made noises of approval at her words. 

"What about you and Pope?" you asked, turning to Cleo and leaning against the vanity. “I didn’t expect you to kiss him, to be honest.”

Cleo shrugged. "I only kissed him to see if the spark was still there," Cleo admitted bluntly. "And unfortunately, it is.” She groans. “And now I feel like I’ve just made things ten times harder for myself with Justin..."

Rima laughed, nudging your shoulder playfully. "What we really need to get into is you kissing JJ," she wiggles her eyebrows. “He looked about ready to float after you with heart eyes like they do in cartoons.”

You made a dramatic, exaggerated face of horror, scrunching your nose up. "No, please it was so weird. JJ is like my annoying little brother."

Rima smirked, sliding a glance your way as she found now a good time to start trying to make good on her alliance with Rafe. "You know... you could have easily chosen to kiss Rafe. He was sitting right there, y'know, and his eyes were glued to you."

The mention of his name made your face harden. "Fuck that, and fuck him," you snapped, side-eyes flashing across the room toward where Sofia was getting ready for bed. "I’m not interested in being someone's sloppy seconds."

Sofia didn't say a word, but her jaw clenched as she overheard the comment. Rima, smirking as she caught your shade, then turned to Haja, trying to switch topics before whatever it was between you two boiled over. "Haja, can we address you…kissing Miles?"

Haja simply dismissed it with a casual shrug, applying her moisturizer. "I mean, the man is an absolutely terrible person, but there’s no denying he’s a good kisser."

A few minutes later, the newer Casa girls—Haja, Kaitlyn, and Sofia—left the dressing room to head to the bedroom, leaving the four of you alone to actually talk.

Sarah turned to you, her expression serious. "Finally,” she groaned, awaiting their exit. “Can we talk about Sofia dunking you during her turn? It didn't even make any sense with the question asked."

"And she seemed way too happy to see you covered in that shit," Cleo noted sharply, pursing her lips.

"Oh, please, we all know why she did it," Rima added, a deadpan expression across her features.

You let out an exhausted sigh, dropping the conversation, unwilling to give Sofia any more energy. "If she wants to play dirty, she has the wrong bitch.” You scoffed.

OVER in the guys' bathroom, the atmosphere was equally tense. John B, JJ, Pope, and Rafe were crowded around the sinks, while Miles, Theo, and Justin had already entered the bedroom with the Casa girls.

John B was running a hand through his hair, spazzing out. "Is it bad that I regret telling Sarah the truth?  I feel like now she’s just trying to punish me for doing what we came here to do, which was exploring options.” He sighs. “I don't understand why it matters so much anyway because at the end of the day, I still came back to her. I chose her."

JJ let out an equally exhausted sigh, looking discouraged. "And I don't know if Haja is actually here for me. I think she’s super sexy and confident, and I love that about her. But I’m starting to think she’s just using me as some kind of piece in her game to make Miles mad..."

Pope looked just as crushed, staring down at the drain as he rinsed his face. "I was so worried after the recoupling that bringing Kaitlyn back was the wrong choice and that I’d ruined all my chances with Cleo. But honestly? The kiss today during the challenge... it gave me hope, man. I still felt that same spark we had when we first met. Just the simple fact that she chose to kiss me gives me hope that I can fix what I broke with her."

Rafe let out a loud, frustrated groan from his corner. "I’m pissed, man," he ranted to the guys. “I have never had to go through this much trouble dealing with a girl in my life. And I didn’t even do anything wrong for once!"

He shook his head, wounded. "She knew damn well she could have kissed me during that challenge. And instead, she chose to kiss JJ—no offense,"

"None taken, dude," JJ muttered.

"And then," Rafe continued, his voice cracking, "seeing her kiss Theo in person? Up close? Fuck that. I could've hurled. I still haven't eaten..."

John B looked up, adjusting his towel. "What about Sofia dunking her though?” He raises an eyebrow. “That was weird as hell. It was like Sofia was trying to assert her dominance or something."

"She was," Rafe seethed, his eyes narrowing. "And that’s exactly why I don't want her anywhere near me or her. She does petty bullshit like that." Rafe let out a jagged breath, his shoulders slumping as the anger drained out of him. He leaned back against the bathroom wall, hands dropping limply to his sides.

"But I don't even give a fuck about Sofia," He muttered, his voice dropping into a rough whisper. He looked across at the three of them, his Adam’s Apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. "I just... I miss her, man. I miss Y/N so fucking much, shit’s drivin’ me out of my mind."

The guys all slowly stopped what they were doing. JJ paused mid-shave, and Pope lowered his towel, the bathroom going quiet as everyone clocked the shakiness in his voice.

"I spent days sleeping outside on those damn daybeds, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, just counting down the hours until I could get back to her," Rafe ranted, the words pouring out of him like a dam breaking. "I did everything right. I kept our conversation in Soul Ties in my head the entire time. All I wanted was to get back to her. And then I walk back in... and she’s holding hands with some dude she met five days ago? It's like no matter what I do in life, the universe always finds some way to fuck me over."

Rafe shook his head, a broken chuckle escaping his lips, his blue eyes going glassy.

JJ blinked rapidly, staring at him in absolute disbelief. He nudged John B’s arm, pointing a finger. "Whoa... bro. Hold on a second. Dude, are you about to cry right now?"

John B and Pope immediately exchanged a staggered look. The three of them stood frozen, staring at Rafe like he had just grown a second head. This was Rafe Cameron.

Rafe didn't cry. He got angry, he got loud—but he did not get teary eyed over a girl.

Rafe’s face flushed a deeply embarrassed shade of crimson, voice cracking sharply as he tried to bark back. "No. I’m not fucking crying.” He scowled, but it was evident.

"Nah, man, you're definitely mistin’ up," JJ teased, a grin breaking across his face. "Man's completely whipped."

"Fuck off," Rafe snapped, but there was no real anger or malice in his tone as he muttered under his breath.

"We’re just messing with you, man," Pope stepped in quickly, his tone shifting into something much softer as he patted Rafe firmly on the shoulder.

"Yeah, we’re only joking," John B added earnestly, tossing his towel aside and walking over to stand in front of him. The teasing dropped as the trio of boys stepped forward in silent comradery. "Look, we know you're hurt. We were hurt for you.” He said. “We saw how you were at Casa, you were the most loyal guy there, to be honest. She just needs time to realize that."

JJ sighed, his expression turning serious as he leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “We’ve got your back. We’ll help you out with her, however we can." He let out a light, honest chuckle. "Because honestly? Without her, you’re miserable, man. You’re walkin’ around this place like a fuckin’...caged tiger, scowling at the walls and shit, and it’s making everyone else miserable.” He adds honestly, though lighthearted. “For our own sanity, we gotta get you two back together."

Rafe let out a long  breath through his nose, his shoulders relaxing as he looked at the three boys he could confidently call his friends. He didn't say thank you—he couldn't bring himself to be that vulnerable, only further proving just how much progress he’d made with you and you alone—but the desperate look in his eyes softened as he gave the boys a curt nod.

CLOSER to midnight, the house had finally gone dark. You were lying in bed, your mind spinning with a million conflicting thoughts, unable to sleep.

Feeling thirsty and overwhelmed, you quietly slid out from the sheets, and from up under Theo’s light embrace, and crept downstairs to grab a glass of water from the kitchen.

The villa was drenched in a deep blue, moonlight shining, the night quiet. You walked into the kitchen area, reaching for a glass as you yawned, when you froze.

Rafe was standing there, in the dark and in the silence, awkwardness settling over the space as you locked eyes. 

Both of you were angry and confused and felt some level of betrayal, but beneath all of that, there was an evident sadness radiating off both of you—feelings don’t just disappear and now that your connection was no longer being nurtured, it was just up in the air, and neither of you knew what to do with it.

You were the first to break the gaze, ignoring his presence, turning your back to him as you filled your glass from the water dispenser.

Rafe watched you, his chest rising and falling with a heavy, sad breath. 

He was the first to speak.

"So, you're really just not gonna speak to me?"

You bit the inside of your cheek, turned around slowly, holding the glass tightly in your hand, fixing him with a cold stare. "We have nothing left to speak about, Rafe.” You bit out. “I made my choice. You made yours."

"But I didn't, though." Rafe huffed out, taking a step closer to you, his eyes wide with a desperate fury. "That's what I’ve been trying to tell you, but you won’t listen. I didn't choose her—"

"I saw the video, Rafe—"

"And the video didn’t show you everything." he argued back, voice cracking.

“It showed me enough.”

“...So, that’s just it?” Rafe asked, hurt filling his eyes. “You’re gonna throw us away, me and you, over what you think you saw? What you think you know—”

“So, you didn’t tell her you missed her?” You asked, unamused, eyes glued to his now. To him, you looked calm, casual, checked out. But on the inside, your heart was racing.

Rafe sighed, pinching the skin between his eyebrows. “I did, but I didn’t mean it—”

“And then, let me guess, I’m supposed to believe you didn’t let her kiss you, either. That you didn’t kiss her back—”

“I didn’t.”

“And I don’t believe you.”

“Because you don’t want to.” Rafe threw out, weak. “I told you I was done holding shit back from you, that I would tell you the truth, and that’s what I’m doing. Like, I don’t understand, is this your past trust issues or something—”

“Don’t—”

“Or is it the guy you brought back? Do you feel like you have to push me away to be with him?”

You took a step forward, the glass of water trembling slightly in your grip. "This has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with you. You don't get to turn your screw-ups around and blame my judgment."

"But that's exactly what you're doing." Rafe fired back, his voice rising now, desperate. He stepped right back into your space. "You're projecting. You're standing here looking right at me, but you're seeing your damn ex.” You huffed, letting out a humorless laugh, but deep down…you knew he was right. “You're looking at me and you're just waiting for me to turn into a piece of shit ‘cause that’s what you’re used to."

"Will you stop—"

"No, I'm not gonna stop. If you’re gonna hear me say anything, you’re gonna hear me say this," he argued, his eyes wide, swimming with frustration and hurt. "I know I have a temper, and I know I've been a mess, but I have been nothing but real with you about my past and my feelings.” He pleads. “You know I’m being honest. I can see it in your eyes, angel.” The nickname had you taking a deep breath to steady yourself. It’d been days since you heard it. You didn’t realize how much you missed hearing it leave his lips. “You know I didn't do anything wrong over there."

He was almost right.

It was something that had been lingering in the back of your mind, nagging you every time the silence got too loud.

What if he was telling the truth? What if he really didn't do anything?

But then you look back on all the times you had given your ex, or any other guy, the benefit of the doubt and it always came full circle, slapping you right back in the face, reminding you how stupid you were to believe them. So yeah, you pondered on the possibility of Rafe telling the truth, but your heart was begging you to not possibly put yourself through that again, because while Rafe had opened up to you about parts of himself and you had done the same, you both still had a really long way to go before you could confidently say that you knew each other. And your heart and mind and body were screaming at you, all saying different things 

He took another half-step, closing the distance. "I might not know all of you, yet, but I know you enough. Enough to know that you're sitting here, overthinking it because you're terrified that if you trust me, I’m gonna make you look stupid—”

“You already did.”

Your jaw tightened, a fresh pool of tears pricking behind your eyelids.

Rafe sighed, defeated.

“...I’m not the guy that you’re so afraid of me being.” He says softly. “But I don’t know what else I can say or do to get you to understand that. To believe it.”

Suddenly, the fury between you two evaporated. You were standing face to face, inches apart, breathing the same air.

Rafe’s eyes dropped from your gaze, tracking down the lines of your face, the slight frown on your lips as his jaw worked silently. Slowly, with a trembling hand, he reached up and you tensed, your heart beating violently, but you didn't pull back as his thumb gently brushed against your cheek.

His touch felt warm against your face as he rubbed a spot right near your jawline, thumb lingering tenderly for a moment before he slowly pulled his hand away, looking down at his finger.

"You had..." Rafe murmured, his voice soft, entirely empty of its previous anger and frustration. "You still had slime on your face."

You stared up at him, breath hitching, the proximity, the familiar scent of his cologne and the sound of the ocean in the distance completely clouding your logic. 

For a split second, the divide between you vanished. Your eyes drifted down to his lips, and Rafe leaned in closer, his head tilting down as he prepared to close the remaining space between you.

…When the memory of the video flashed in your mind like a warning sign.

You snapped yourself out of the trance, yanking your face back from his touch, eyeing the dried flake of pink slime still on his thumb.

"...Yeah,” you sighed. “Courtesy of the girl you missed so much," you snarked, the words cutting through the moment.

Rafe flinched, his face falling. "Angel, please—"

"Just stop, Rafe.” You shook your head, turning to grab your water glass from the counter, ready to bolt back upstairs.

He let out a desperate sigh, his hands hovering in the empty space between you. "Please... just let me explain," he pleaded, his voice rough. "I miss you. I missed you every single day I was over there. I miss you even when I know you’re around somewhere but I hate that I can’t see you.” He admitted, eyes growing slightly. “Why are you making it so hard for me? Why can't you just trust me?"

Before you could even open your mouth to counter him, the sound of bare feet hitting the ground made you both freeze, turning towards the sound.

Sofia stepped into the kitchen—that's why, you thought to yourself. She was holding an empty water bottle and the second her tired eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight and she realized how close you and Rafe were standing in the kitchen, surprised by your presence at all, the air in the space turned awkward.

"Oh..." Sofia dragged out, her voice dropping into that same soft, innocent tone that sounded entirely too practiced. She stopped a few feet away, clutching the bottle to her chest. "Sorry. I just came down to get some water."

She offered a sweet smile, but you didn't look at her lips—you looked straight at her eyes.

Even in the low light of the villa, you could see the hostility written plainly across her face. Sofia was not fond of you, she’d made that clear, and it was obvious that she was furious to find you and Rafe huddled up together in the middle of the night, too close for her comfort. Her jaw was tight, a bitter twitch of irritation flashing in her eyes before she quickly smoothed her expression back over before she turned her back, filling her water bottle.

"Speak of the devil," you muttered, your voice cold. You grabbed your glass from the counter, done with the situation.

"Wait, don't go," Rafe said frantically. He reached out, his fingers catching your wrist to try and get you to stay. "We weren’t done talking. Just—"

"We are now.” you hissed. “You’ve got all the company you need." you seethed, yanking your arm out of his grip.

And you didn't give him another second, and you definitely didn't give Sofia the satisfaction of watching you argue. 

Shooting them both a final glare, you spun on your heel and sauntered out of the kitchen, your footsteps echoing as you headed straight back upstairs to the bedroom.

He sighed, cursing to himself as a single tear fell from his eye, quickly dragging both of his hands down his face, shaking his emotions off. Or, at least, trying to. He had taken one step forward, planning to return to his solitude on the daybeds and sulk when she spoke.

"Well, now that she’s finally gone,” She started, shifting her weight, a smug grin on her lips. “We can actually finish what we started.”

THE next morning, you were woken up by the feeling of heat on your face, the Fiji sun beaming through the tall window. It felt like punishment, exposing every washed out expression and heavy heart traveling through the villa. 

The glam room was already an obstacle course when you walked in—discarded spray cans, tangled curling iron cords, and half-empty water bottles.

Everyone got ready, per usual, the guys bringing up breakfast and swiftly exiting. You’d disappeared to the adjoined bathroom at some point to brush your teeth, coming back to that damn smoothie right in front of your mirror, next to the plate of eggs and fruit Theo had given to you earlier.

But this time, without the pressure of Rafe’s gaze and the desire to push him away, you drank it.

Too engrossed in getting ready yourself, you didn’t notice everyone slowly filtering out to mingle, leaving only you and Rima in a comfortable silence.

"You look like you're about to fight a war, girlie," Rima broke the ice. “I haven’t seen that smile of yours all morning,” She noted, turning her sharp eyes toward you. "And you look like you haven't slept more than twenty minutes."

You let out a dry laugh. "I haven't. My mind has been running laps since last night. This place is starting to feel like an experiment I didn't sign up for..."

Rima hummed, smoothing lotion over her knuckles. She took a step closer, her eyes searching yours. "I can imagine. The energy still kind of sucks.” She admits, shrugging. “How are you actually doing, though? How are things with you and Theo?"

"Theo is…great," you said quickly, voice flat. "He’s been nothing but sweet to me. He made me breakfast, he listens... he’s exactly the kind of guy a girl should want."

"...But he’s not the guy you want." Rima countered smoothly, her tone conversational, though the bait was dangling right in front of your face. You glanced at her, a pained expression on your face as she said what you weren’t willing to. She leaned against the adjacent mirror, crossing her arms over her chest. "Babe, you’ve got to face the music. When I walked past the patio this morning, Rafe looked like he’d been hit by a bus." Her face twisted. "It's a very hard sight to look at his big ass being all sad. He’s hurt. Like, really hurt."

You kept your eyes fixed on the mirror, refusing to look at her. "Rafe is fine."

"No, he’s not," Rima pressed, her voice dropping. She tilted her head, watching the way your jaw clenched. "And I don't know if you’ve noticed... but he’s been sleeping out on those hard ass daybeds since he got back from Casa."

"Good.” You quip. “The daybeds have excellent airflow," you snarked bitterly, your voice rising just a fraction. "He can stay out there until the finale for all I care."

“Don’t do that. I know you care. You know you care.” Rima let out a slow breath, shaking her head. She leaned in just a bit closer, her eyes locking onto yours. "He told me what happened in the kitchen last night. He pulled me first thing this morning, before the sun was even fully up. He’s trying to make it right, babe. But you’re not letting him…."

Your eyes narrowed, chest heaving with a spike of irritation that was really directed toward no one but yourself.

"Why does it sound like you're taking his side right now?" you bit out. “Did you forget what we all saw in that video?"

"I didn’t forget and I’m not taking his side. I’m really not," Rima said, keeping her voice level. "I’m just saying... he looks really damn hurt for a guy who supposedly wants to be with his ex. If he wanted Sofia, it’s clear that she’s wide open for him." She rolls her eyes, making a sound of disgust. "But instead, he’s pacing around the villa, making smoothies that he knows will probably get poured out, though I see you were more open-minded today—” She smirks, eyeing the half-full glass. “And begging anyone who will listen to help him get through to you."

"He’s not hurt. He just feels guilty…” you scoffed, a breath escaping your lips as you rubbed a hand aggressively over your face. “He got caught and now that his game plan blew up in his face and I actually brought someone back, his ego is bruised. That’s all it is."

Rima didn't push back against your words or your anger. She just stood there, her features softening into a look of sympathetic pity. She let the silence hang between you for a few seconds before she spoke again, her voice dropping into a more serious tone.

"I’m just saying... maybe we misunderstood something about what happened over at Casa.”

The sentence hung in the air and you stared up at her as the logic of her words began to fight against the wall of anger you’d been building. You let out a long sigh, shoulders slumping in exhaustion.

"You believe him, don't you?" you asked quietly, voice cracking slightly as you looked at her.

"I do," Rima said honestly, stepping forward and placing a supportive hand on your knee. "I don't think that man is lying to you."

She shifted her weight, her eyes locking onto yours. "I have looked into the faces of a lot of guilty men. I know what a liar looks like. And when I looked at Rafe, I didn't see a guilty man. I saw a man who was genuinely terrified of losing the one good thing he’s found in this place."

You looked down at your hands, your throat growing tight as your brain scrambled to find another excuse, another fruitless reason, and before you could stop yourself, the words started pouring out of your mouth.

"Last night," you whispered, your voice shaking. "In the kitchen, when we were arguing... he told me I have 'trust issues', that I’m just waiting for him to turn into a piece of shit because ‘that’s what I’m used to’." You let out a choked, hollow laugh, a tear escaping your eyelashes, tracing down your cheek. "And the worst part...is that deep down, I know he’s right. But, even then, it’s like I can’t help it. I want to believe him, that there’s more to it, that it wasn’t what it looked like. But I’m so scared of looking fucking dumb."

Rima listened, her hand squeezing your knee tightly as you opened up.

"I’ve spent my entire life dealing with men who treated me like an option," you confessed, the tears started coming faster. "I am so used to giving a guy the benefit of the doubt, letting my guard down, and then looking like a complete idiot for it."

Rima let out a soft sigh, leaning down so she was at eye level with you. Her hand moved from your knee up to your arm, her touch warm.

"Look at me," Rima ordered gently. "I hear you. But let me be real with you, as a friend—it’s not healthy, and it is not fair, to project the mistakes of your past relationships onto Rafe."

She shook her head, her voice firm. "Rafe has done nothing since the moment you two paired up but try for you. He’s been working through his own shit, purely because he wants to better himself so he can be better for you. He laid his cards on the table, even asked you to close things off, and he has consistently shown you who he wants to be. It is not worth throwing away a connection that is clearly that deep and that real...based on a fear you have because of how some loser back home treated you.” She tells you. “Rafe is not that guy."

You wiped furiously at your face with the back of your hand, nodding at her words..

"Look, I know we don't know exactly what went down, minute by minute, over at Casa," Rima admitted, offering you a small, encouraging smile. "But in my gut? I truly believe that boy didn't do anything. I’m pretty sure he might even be falling for you. Anyone with eyes can see it." She let out a loud laugh, trying to lighten the mood as she patted your shoulder. "And hey... if it turns out I’m wrong and he actually did do some shady shit? You can happily beat my ass first for giving you bad advice, and then I will personally help you beat his from one side of this villa to the other.” She offers. “Deal?"

A small, wet chuckle escaped your lips as you looked at her. You drew your lips into a tight line, turning back toward your mirror to fix the makeup your tears had ruined.

"Deal," you murmured softly. "But... I can't make any promises, Rima."

"I don't expect you to give him a pass, sweetie," She smiled, standing up and heading toward the door, hand on the knob. "Just give him a chance to speak."

BY midday, the Fiji heat had reached its peak, and the islanders were scattered about the property in small clusters.

Down by the edge of the lower terrace, Rafe was sitting on a daybed, his fingers mindlessly pulling at a loose thread on his shorts. He looked isolated, a cloud of frustration tracing his features.

The sound of sandals clicking against the concrete made him snap his head up, finding Rima sauntering down the path. She didn't waste any time, sliding onto the cushions directly next to him.

Rafe sat up straight instantly, his blue eyes wide, drilling into her face. "Well?" he burst out, voice anxious. "Did you talk to her?"

“What ever happened to ‘hello’, ‘good morning’, ‘how are you’?” Rima took a slow sip of her water, letting him sweat for a fraction of a second before she rolled her eyes when he deadpanned her. "Jesus, yes, I talked to her, Rafe."

"And?" He leaned in closer. "What did she say?"

"Long story short, she’s scared and hurt." Rima said straightforwardly. "And that’s probably the reason why it’s so damn hard for you to get through to her right now. She’s emotional, so she’s not very open to reason or logic."

Rafe let out a frustrated groan, dragging his palms down his face. "I don't get it, Rima. I told her last night... I swear I didn't do anything wrong over there. Why can't she just see it for what it is?"

"Because she’s terrified, Rafe," Rima explained, crossing her legs. "And she did talk to me about last night. When you called her out in the kitchen about not being able to trust guys because of things that happened to her in her past? She probably won’t admit it to you, but...she did tell me that she thinks you were right."

Rafe’s hands dropped from his face, eyes narrowing as he processed her words, a sudden look of curiosity and concern gracing his features as a question came to mind.

"...How did she act when her ex was here?"

Rima let out a heavy breath, her expression turning somber as she recalled the expression that had crossed your face at the start of Casa. "She was pissed. She didn’t want him here at all. Like, not even a little bit. The second she realized what was going on, her entire face went blank and it was like her whole personality just flatlined." She tells him honestly. "She barely spoke a single word to the man," Rima continued. "Every time he tried to strike up a conversation, she would immediately stand up, walk away, anything but acknowledge him. She wouldn't even look him in the eye. I wanna say that the very few times they interacted, she was either chewing him out or glaring him down.” She said. “And let me tell you, as a woman watching another woman? Whatever happened between them, it definitely left a mark on her."

Rafe sat completely still, his breathing shallow as Rima's words and what you’d told him about your past painted a vivid picture of the pain you had been running from.

"So, I guess, when she watched that video of you and Sofia," Rima pointed out, her voice gentle but firm. "She got the exact same feelings that she used to get in that relationship. Or maybe another. Either way, her brain probably convinced her that the cycle was bound to repeat itself with you. That’s probably the reason why she’s being so stubborn and pushing you away—she thinks she’s just protecting herself from looking like an idiot again."

Rafe let out a long breath, his head dropping as he stared at his feet. "I hate that I made her feel like that," he whispered, voice shaking. "I didn't want to be another bad memory in her life." He shook his head, a desperate, angry edge returning to his voice. "And Sofia being here... it’s just making everything fucking worse. She’s doing it on purpose. She knows exactly what she’s doing to her head, and it’s driving me crazy because I can't force Sofia to leave, and I can't force Y/N to listen."

Rima offered him a supportive smile, patting his arm reassuringly. "You can't force anything in here, Rafe. But you can be patient. Just give her a little space to breathe, and when you do get a chance to talk to her, don't get defensive.” She advised. “Just...lay your heart out on the line. That's the only girl advice I can give you right now."

Rafe looked up at her, his eyes full of a silent gratitude. He took a deep breath, straightening his shoulders as he tried to gather his composure. "Thank you, Rima. Seriously. For doing this for me. For me and her."

Before Rima could even respond, the sharp ping of multiple phones echoed across the pool deck. The tri-tone chime cut through the afternoon air, causing every islander in the yard to stop in their tracks.

Down by the pool, JJ pulled his device from his swim shorts, his eyes widening as he scanned the notification. "Yo! Text, y'all!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the lawn as the islanders began to migrate around him.

You walked out onto the lower terrace, your fingers tightly wrapped around your water bottle. You took a seat on a beanbag next to Sarah and Cleo. Rafe walked over from his chat with Rima, her joining the three of you as his eyes locked directly onto your face the second you appeared, watching you talk to your girls, watching your head fall back as you laughed at something Cleo said.

God, he missed when you would laugh like that with him.

JJ opened the message, his voice ringing out clearly.

"Islanders, the public has been watching your every move since the dramatic fallout of Casa Amor. They’ve seen the tears, the arguments, and the broken trust, and they think one couple desperately needs a little bit of time away from the drama to sort out their unfinished business."

A collective gasp ran across the lawn, and your stomach dropped as JJ read the final lines.

"Y/N and Rafe... the viewers have voted for the two of you to escape the villa and head out on a private, one-on-one date outside the villa! Please go get dressed and head to the front entrance. #TimeOut #FaceTheTruth #UnfinishedBusiness"

And that was when the air went still, a genuine smile breaking out across Rafe’s face for the first time all day, hope visible in his expression. He looked straight at you, his blue eyes bright, a spark in them that you genuinely missed. But one you also felt bad for dimming. But you still weren’t sure if you should.

The guys seemed happy for Rafe, even Theo clapping him on the back as they pushed him towards the villa to start getting ready, while the girls sat with you, not saying much, trying to gauge your reaction first.

Your jaw was clenched as you sat silent, not knowing how to feel, when Rima leaned over, whispering. “Just one chance,” she reminded, and you looked to her, vulnerability swimming in your eyes as she nudged you, kissing your cheek. “You got this.” She encouraged, pulling you up to drag you a few feet away from the others, wanting her next words to only be to you. “Let him be the good guy for once. Don't force him to be the bad one just because you think it'll save you from being hurt.” She told you firmly, no room for debate. “Promise me you’ll at least do that.”

You huffed, your shoulders slumping. “I promise.” You nodded once.

And that seemed to satisfy the woman as she smiled, tugging you forward into a brief hug before the gathering broke up to let you get ready, heading toward the staircase. Though, before you could even reach it, a hand gently caught your wrist.

You whirled around to find Theo standing there, his eyes shadowed with that same quiet anxiety that had poured itself over him since your talk yesterday. It was only then had you realized that you hadn’t spoken much since then. Even last night, he was sleep when you climbed into the bed, silent tears running down your cheeks.

But right now, he didn't look angry.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice low as he looked down at your face. "...Look, I’m sorry for walking away from you yesterday."

You frowned, knowing he had nothing to apologize for. “Theo, you have nothing to be sorry for—”

“I do,” he dismissed your dismissal. “I knew what I signed up for coming in and I can’t be upset with you for not having it all figured out.” He explained. “I just…I want you to know that I’m not here to tie you down or force you into anything. I know what you and Rafe have is complicated. Just... go on the date. And be honest with yourself.” He advised, though there was something behind his eyes. Like he knew what that might mean for him. “I just want you to know that you’ll still have me right here when you get back, piccola. I’m not going anywhere.” He assured. “...Not unless you want me to."

The sheer grace of his words made a lump form in your throat. You offered him a tight, grateful nod. “I know,” you choked out, fighting tears. “Thank you.” You said, hugging the man before turning to head up to the dressing room.

THE car ride out to the date location was…weird. To put it mildly. It didn’t help you’d spent the last hour getting ready and trying not to spiral. 

The black SUV wound its way along the rocky coastal roads, the only sound between you and Rafe being the low sound of the engine, the AC, and the distant crash of the waves through the open windows. You sat pressed against the door, your eyes fixed firmly out the window, refusing to look in his direction. 

Rafe sat beside you, his hands resting on his knees, his knuckles white as he repeatedly curled and uncurled his fists, a nervous habit. He kept opening and closing his mouth, thinking of something to say then immediately losing the thought, his throat working silently as he fought his own nerves.

When the car finally came to a stop, the driver held the door open, and you stepped out into a secluded cliffside sanctuary—a rustic wooden table for two right at the edge of the plateau, overlooking the endless expanse of the ocean. The setting sun was beginning to paint the sky in deep shades of amber, casting long, golden shadows across the ground. A bottle of champagne sat chilling in a silver bucket next to a platter of fresh berries and charcuterie, but all of this did absolutely nothing to ease the ball of anxiety sitting behind your ribs.

You walked over, your heels clicking softly against the stone. Though, Rafe was quicker, getting ahead and pulling your chair out for you, not making a big deal of the gesture as he fixed you with a fleeting smile before sliding into the chair opposite yours.

It was silent. Awkward. Tense.

Should you speak? No, he should speak first.

Does it even really fucking matter?

You reach for your glass of champagne after he pours it, keeping your eyes on the bubbles, refusing to meet his gaze as your leg bounced relentlessly underneath the table. But as you finally forced yourself to look up, peering through your eyelashes, you noticed that Rafe had a small, gentle smile on his face as he sat there, staring at you. 

He looked incredibly handsome in a crisp white button-up shirt, a soft, boyish drowsiness that showed just how happy he was to finally have you in a space where nobody else could interrupt. A space where it was just you and him and he could explain.

He took a deep breath, rolling his sleeves just below his elbows and resting his forearms on the table as he looked across at you.

"...Thank you. For not jumping out of the car," Rafe started quietly, trying to catch you gaze, lighten the mood, and get you to say something. "I know this is the last place you want to be right now, angel. I know you don't really like me right now, but I’m glad you’re here with me."

You kept your face completely neutral, chewing your lip as you continued to watch the champagne bubbles jump. "The public voted, Rafe.” You remind him, but the word weren’t as bitter as most of yours had been towards him lately. “I didn't have a choice."

"Well, I’m glad they did," Rafe confessed as he leaned in closer. "Because I’ve been trying to get you to listen to me, and I’m finally able to just sit down and explain everything to you without anyone else walking in." He paused, his jaw clenching slightly as he gathered his thoughts, his eyes locking onto yours as you finally lifted your head, relaxing into the chair as you set the glass down and splayed both your hands out on the table.

You thought about saying something, but then you remembered Rima’s word about just being quiet and listening. 

"I don’t think you understand," Rafe began, his voice wavering. "Waking up that morning and realizing we were being carted off... all the guys were excited, man.” He laughs at the memory. “They were hitting each other, laughing as everyone tried to pack their shit without waking you all up, whisper-shouting ‘Casa’ over and over on the way out... But the entire time I was sitting in that car riding over there, I kept you in my mind."

He reached across the table, his hand hovering over yours for a moment before he let it drop onto the wood, not wanting to push you too far. "When we got there, I was immediately ready to leave. No joke, I swear to you. I never wanted to go in the first place." He throws in. "And whether it was cold, hot, humid as hell... I slept outside by myself on those fuck ass daybeds the entire time. And, without you curled up on me, they actually kind of suck to sleep on.” He throws out, trying to get a smile out of you. He got the ghost of one, but it was enough. “I couldn't stomach the thought of sharing a bed with someone else. And, outside of the challenges, I did nothing. I didn't touch anyone, I didn't flirt, I didn’t kiss anyone,” he emphasized, eyes boring into yours.

You listened, your chest tightening, but you kept your mouth shut, letting him speak.

"And of course, the girls were relentless," Rafe muttered. "They’re bombshells, and even worse, they’ve been watching all of us, using what they've seen to try and secure a spot in the main villa, so they knew exactly how to play dirty. They would pull me and try to talk shit about you. They’d make little sly comments about how you probably didn't appreciate me, or how you were probably already onto a new guy the second my back was turned. But I shot that shit down. Every single time.” He affirmed. “I wasn't going for any of it because nobody could even hold a candle to you."

Rafe took in a jagged breath, his face falling as he addressed the elephant in the room.

“The… kiss. With Sofia.” Rafe starts, his chest heaving as he watches your jaw tighten. “I didn't start that, angel. I didn’t kiss her back. Not even close. It was after that challenge where she'd already kissed me once, and I was screaming at her," He admits, painfully. He didn't exactly want you to know about that, knowing his temper was something he'd been trying to work on. "I was telling her we were over, done, that I’ve been done.” His blue eyes bore into yours, desperate for you to see the truth. “But Sofia... she’s always been persistent. She’s used to getting whatever the hell she wants because that’s how I treated her in our relationship, whenever things were good anyway. So mid-argument, she just...lunged forward, throwing herself at me.” He huffs, his nostrils flaring. “The second her lips hit mine, I swear to God, I shoved her off me. And I can see why you think—”

“You said you missed her.” You cut him off, your voice cracking as you shift away from him, your eyebrows pinching. “You say you didn’t initiate it or kiss her back, okay...but you gave her a reason to think it was okay, Rafe.”

Rafe lets out a jagged sigh, dropping his head into his hands. “...There’s no good way to explain this. I said I missed her… I did.” He nods slowly, rubbing his jaw as he picks his next words with agonizing care. “But it wasn't like that.” 

“You keep saying that—” You scoff.

“Because it wasn't.” He cuts you off, finally reaching out to grasp your hand. “I told her I missed the version of her that I thought was real. I don't remember what I said word-for-word, and I’m sorry I can’t give you that." He pleads. "But all I meant in that moment was that I missed the person she was. When we first met. I don't know if that makes it any better or worse, but that's the truth. That's what you didn't hear. I was not telling Sofia that I missed her in a way that meant I wanted her back in my life." He clarifies.

"I told her I missed who I thought she was, but that person doesn't exist anymore. But I told her it doesn't matter anyway because I have someone else now—you.” He tells you sternly. “She took it the wrong way, and the second she kissed me, I pushed her back and walked away because...I didn’t know what the fuck else to do.”

Rafe stopped pacing his words, his posture sagging as he looked at your silent form across the table. The anger left him, replaced by a quiet heartbreak as he looked at your face.

"And walking back in, seeing you with Theo... it breaks my heart in a lot of ways. It really does," Rafe whispered, a tear finally escaping his eye and tracing down his cheek. "I’m not gonna lie and act like it doesn't kill me to see him with you.” He says, having to choke the words out like they pain him physically. “But... I’m also not gonna hold you back if I’m not what you want anymore. If Theo is truly the guy you want, and he’s making you happy and giving you the peace I couldn't... then I’ll stay away.” His bottom lip quivering for a fraction of a second as his eyes set on yours, fighting the tears you can see building in his waterline. “I will let you go."

He leaned closer across the table. "But if you even still have just a tiny feeling left inside you from the moment we first met, from that first blindfolded kiss... then I am begging you, just give me one more chance. You can ask me whatever the fuck you want about Casa. I don’t care if you ask me every day forever, I am willing to give you every single detail. I have nothing to hide from you.” He says confidently, throwing a hand out towards the scenery. “You can go ask any of the guys who were there with me. I swear I haven't told them to say a single word to cover for me or anything, I’ve been too busy losing my mind over you. Go ask them yourself. They’ll tell you the same thing."

For two days, you had carried your anger like a sword, using the image of that video to keep your walls up, to hide from the terrifying vulnerability of your own feelings. But sitting across from him now, watching Rafe beg before your eyes—his voice shaking, his legs covered in mosquito bites, and his eyes swimming with tears—you conceded.

And you couldn’t stop any of it—the way your breath hitched, the way your lips quivering as a violent sob tore out of your throat as you let your head fall forward, burying your face in your hands, the tears overflowing.

"Hey, no... hey, angel, don't cry, please," Rafe murmured frantically, out of his chair in a second, rounding the table and dropping to his knees right beside your chair. He didn't force you into an embrace, but his large, warm hands gently wrapped around your wrists, slowly pulling your hands away from your face so he could look at you.

"I’m sorry...," you sobbed as you looked down at his tortured face through your blurred vision. " I don’t know... seeing you kiss her... and hearing you say miss her, after everything you told me... it just really fucked with me. That shit hurt.” Your voice wavered. “And I didn't know what the hell you and Sofia had going on, and I was just so terrified that I was being sucked into it, and I don't want that. All I wanted was you and it just—"

You let out a ragged breath. "...I have never been the only girl, Rafe.” You confess, teary eyes looking at him. “I have always been the girl that gets cheated on, the girl men cheat with. I’ve been the girl that guys use as a placeholder just to get over another woman, and I’ve been the girl left holding on to what was while everyone else moves on."

You play with the folded edge of his sleeve your trembling fingers, your voice a desperate whisper. "I came here to get away from that, to find a guy who actually saw me as his first choice, without hesitation. And this whole situation, ever since I got that video, I’ve felt like the universe is just laughing in my face. I didn't want you to put me right back in that box, Rafe. I couldn't handle looking that stupid again."

Rafe listened to you, his own eyes spilling over with tears as the full weight of your fears finally made sense to him. He reached up, his thumbs tenderly wiping the rivers of tears from your cheeks, his touch light.

"I’m never gonna put you in that box, angel," Rafe promised as he squeezed your hands tightly. "You are not an option to me, and you are definitely not a placeholder. You are the only girl I see in this entire place."

You sniffled, swallowing the lump in your throat as you looked into his eyes. "...What I have with Theo... It is nowhere near touching what you and I had.” You shake your head as the words leave your lips, feeling guilty. “He’s great, and he’s sweet, but... he’s not you. And I feel like such a bitch for putting him in the middle of all this," You let out a shaky breath, looking down. "But if it’s honestly best for my own sanity in the long run to start a new connection with another guy, rather than keep getting hurt and spiraling over whatever drama follows you then..."

You knew it wasn’t Rafe’s fault. You were trying to trust that. But you weren’t sure if Sofia ever planned on exiting the frame. And you weren’t sure you wanted to fight over his love.

"I know, angel. I know," Rafe murmured softly, leaning his forehead gently against your knee. "And I’m not gonna force you to make a decision right now.” He nods, but you can see how much it all pains him as he rests his head on your knees. “I’m just... I'm glad you listened to me." He says, placing a small kiss on your exposed knee.

And you both just sat like that for a while, silent, but it was comfortable this time. Somewhat, anyway.

By the time the date wrapped up and the sun had completely slipped beneath the horizon, and thought you weren't entirely fixed, and things were still incredibly weird, you weren't angry anymore. 

And your mind was open to the truth.

But now, you had to decide what you wanted to do with it.

THE second the black SUV pulled back up to the front driveway of the main villa, you stepped out with a silent weight on your shoulders. You turned to Rafe, hugging him one last time before walking away.

You had a single mission in mind. You had to do this before going forward with anything else.

You navigated the side path of the lawn, your eyes scanning the property until you spotted JJ sitting alone by the outdoor gym, mindlessly spinning a football in his hands.

“JJ,” you called, marching straight up to him, dress flowing around you.

JJ blinked, startled by your sudden appearance, but he quickly dropped the football, sliding over on the weight bench to make room for you. "You’re back from the date. How did it—"

"I need you to be one-hundred with me," you interrupted gently, sitting down beside him, your expression serious as you locked eyes with him. "No jokes, no side-stepping, and no bro-code bullshit.” You asserted. “...I need you to tell me what happened at Casa."

“Okay…” JJ’s playful demeanor dropped. He took a look at the sad, anticipatory look in your eyes and let out a slow breath, leaning his elbows on his knees. "Are you asking about what happened with all of us…or what happened with Rafe?"

You bit your lower lip, your fingers twisting together nervously. "...I’m asking about Rafe, JJ.” He quipped. “He’s swearing up and down to me that Sofia is the one trying to ruin everything, and that he’s completely innocent. I just need to know if he’s telling the truth."

JJ turned his head to look at you. "From what I saw with my own two eyes? The entire time we were over at Casa Amor, Rafe was easily the most loyal guy in that house. Hands down."

You felt the smallest bit of relief at JJ’s words.

"The man slept outside on those damn daybeds every single night," JJ explained, his voice serious. "He barely interacted with any of the new girls outside of the challenges, and if he did? It was small talk about nothing. I once heard him talking about the fuckin' weather, about how white the clouds were and what it meant."

JJ shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips. "And especially when it came to Sofia? Man, Rafe acted like that girl was invisible. She would walk into the kitchen, and he would up and leave the room. She would try to walk over to the daybeds to start a conversation with him, and Rafe would immediately turn around and start a conversation with anyone else nearby—me, John B, Pope, the other girls—anybody just to avoid giving her the time of day. He was icin’ her out."

He let out a soft sigh, looking out over the water. "I was so sure that by the time Casa Amor was over, you and Rafe would choose to still be together, without a doubt. Out of all the couples in this villa, I had the most faith in you two to stay locked down. So when we walked through those doors and I saw you standing there coupled up with Theo? I was shocked."

You sat frozen on the weight bench, the truth of his words raining down on you hard…but also matching perfectly with what Rafe and Haja had already told you.

"Oh! And after the kiss during Raunchy Races? Because I’ve heard that’s what’s causing a lot of issues," JJ continued, his voice dropping. "Rafe freaked the fuck out, Y/N. Like, total meltdown. I don’t know what he said to her but he found us—pacing, ranting to us about it. He was worried because knows exactly how this show works, and he was just really praying and hoping that he would have a chance to explain the context to you before production did something with it. And, well, basically, his worst fear came true."

JJ turned fully toward you then. "Plus, that night, it was like day three or four I think when I assume y’all got this video, and you yelled 'Fuck Rafe'? The look of pure fear and hurt that hit Rafe’s eyes in that moment was an expression I have never seen on his face before, bro. You could hear how hurt you were, even from all the way at Casa."

"You guys heard that?" you whispered, embarrassment hitting you as you covered your mouth.

"Loud and clear, babygirl," JJ nodded tightly. 

You sighed, your head spinning as the final wall of your defense completely disintegrated. Crumbled. You felt distraught, confused, and overwhelmed with a crushing wave of realization—Rafe, Haja, and now JJ had all given you the exact same version of events.

Rafe was telling the truth.

Most likely, anyway.

NEEDING to clear the air with the guy you were currently coupled up with, you reluctantly made your way back into the house, finding Theo sitting alone on the sofa in the indoor lounge. He looked up as you entered, his eyes reading the emotional storm written plainly across your features.

You walked over slowly, slipping your heels off and sliding into the cushions beside him, leaving a respectful amount of space between you.

"Hey," Theo said gently, his voice smooth. "You're back from the date. How did it go?"

You let out a heavy sigh, rubbing your face with both hands. "Theo... Rafe explained a lot of things out there.” You started. “And... it’s left me in a really, really weird, confusing place, mentally."

Theo watched you for a long beat, taking in your slumped shoulders and your red-rimmed eyes. “I’m assuming he got the chance to explain then,” He says quietly, a look of realization crossed his face, but he kept his composure. "Well, how are you feeling about him now?"

"I don't know," you admitted quietly, looking down at your lap. "I’m just... I’m overwhelmed." You turned your head to look at him, searching his face. "How are you feeling? About all of this?"

Theo let out a soft, bittersweet breath, leaning his elbows on his knees as he stared straight ahead. "Honestly, bella... I really, really do like you. From the second I walked into this villa, I was captivated by you, and I was really hoping that I could be the guy to...change your mind, and to make you happy."

He turned his head, his dark eyes locking onto yours. "But I can clearly see that whatever you and Rafe have between you... is very, very complicated, and honestly? It feels kind of unbreakable.” He confesses, slumping like he was admitting defeat. “You two have a pull toward each other. And I think I, as well as you, have been trying to ignore it."

Your face dropped at his words. "Theo, I'm sorry," You started. "I've been trying to give you a fair chance—"

"You have." He assures, sitting up straighter, hands on your thighs. "You absolutely have. I don't want you to doubt that. You've been nothing but honest with me, I'm not faulting you for any of this. I'm just as much to blame." He reached out, his hand gently squeezing yours for a brief second before releasing it. "At the end of the day, I just want you to be the one to make the final decision. I don't want to push you, and I don't want to force you into a corner. Whether you decide you want to stick with me and keep exploring what we have... or you decide you want to try again with Rafe... I want you to know that I am really glad I met you. You are an amazing woman."

Your heart melted at his selflessness, tears building in your eyes. You looked at him, your voice a cracking whisper. "Non mi odi?" You ask for the second time.

Theo let out a low chuckle, the gloomy cloud above you two breaking into something lighter as a handsome smirk returned to his lips. He leaned in close, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he answered you. "Non potrei mai odiarti, bellissima." He admitted, the moment much less tense that it just was. “Your Italian is much better.”

You let out a soft laugh through your tears. "I’ll always have you to thank."

BY nighttime, the girls had gathered in the glam room to prepare for bed. You stood in front of the center mirror, fixing your hair, looking significantly less upset than you had in days, but increasingly more sad as the reality of your choice loomed over you.

Sarah turned around from her vanity, her eyes wide as she pinned her hair up. "Alright, we’ve been waiting all night.” She cuts in, always blunt. “How did the date go? Are we back on the Rafe-Train orrrr should we start cutting down the palm trees and carving pitchforks?"

You let out a breath, rounding the table and sitting down on your stool as Cleo and Rima turned their heads to listen. "He explained everything, I think," you admitted quietly. "And... I talked to JJ right when I got back and he basically verified every word Rafe said, saying he was the most loyal guy at Casa. So between Rafe, Haja, and JJ—the story remains the same. Which means that Rafe is probably telling the truth…"

"Awww," Sarah gushed, clapping her hands together. "This is good! Why do you look so sad?"

"Because I talked to Theo right after," you added, your voice dropping. "I told him how confused I was, and he was just... so Theo about it—calm, sweet, understanding. He told me he can see our connection is unbreakable, and he just wants me to follow my heart, even if it doesn’t lead me to him. But... Rafe also said the same thing."

"Wow," Cleo murmured, shaking her head in approval. "You’ve got two men fighting for you, girl. You're livin' my dream."

"No, Cleo," you whine. "This dream sucks." you groaned, burying your face in your hands. "I’m still stuck between them. Theo is amazing and he's been so great to me and, I know I keep saying it but, I just can't stand to hurt him. And I brought him back here, it wouldn't be fair to not give him that chance,” You say, nearly rambling, letting the words fall. “...but no matter what I do, Rafe is just…there, and I can't ignore it. Me and Rafe have been building a connection for weeks at this point and I've invested so much time into him, he's invested so much time into me and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I wouldn't trade anything that me and Rafe have gone through or talked about together for anything and… I miss him."

Forgetting entirely about Sofia’s presence in the room—who was currently standing by the wardrobe racks, pretending to fold a t-shirt—the original girls continued interrogating you, determined to get to the bottom of your emotional tiff.

"Okay, look—right here, right now," Rima started, leaning forward. "No more side-stepping, and no more 'I don't know'. If it turns out that Rafe is telling the truth—which it looks like he is—who are you choosing?" She crosses her arms. "Rafe or Theo? Don’t think, just answer—"

“Rafe.”

The dressing room went dead silent. You sat frozen on your stool, your heart racing as your reflection stared back at you. Through the glass, you could see Sofia’s reflection in the background, her entire body locking up.

You took a deep, shuddering breath, the truth finally forcing its way out of your throat.

"...I would choose Rafe." you whispered softly.

Sarah let out a soft, satisfied smile, nodding her head. "Well... there it is.” She smiled. “You know where your heart is, babe. So now? It’s up to you to move accordingly."

"Exactly," Cleo agreed, standing up. "Good luck, girl.” She hugs you, yawning. “Mama’s goin’ to bed. I’m exhausted."

“I’m right with you,”

One by one, Sarah, Cleo, and Rima gathered their blankets and filed out of the glam room, bidding you a sleepy goodnight, the door clicking shut behind them, leaving you completely alone in the room with Sofia, seeing as Haja and Kaitlyn had been long gone as well.

The silence in the room turned biting. You remained seated at your vanity, continuing your nightly routine, refusing to give her the satisfaction of your attention.

Sofia stood across the room, biting the inside of her cheek, debating whether or not to speak. 

And when she did, she didn't start off polite at all, letting out a sharp scoff, tossing a hanger onto the rack before turning her body to face you fully, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"...I know we don't talk much," Sofia started, her voice dropping into that fake, calculatedly polite tone that made your blood boil. "But I just want to get something out there before you start making a fool of yourself."

You slowly turned your head, fixing her with a calm, unamused stare over your shoulder. 

Sofia took a slow step closer. "I think that going after Rafe is a complete waste of your time.” She shrugs. “I don't know what kind of little romantic fairytale he’s trying to sell you, or what lies he’s whispering in your ear... but that’s all it is. Lies. I should know. I dated him. In the real world."

She let out a short, patronizing laugh. "Rafe and I... we have a history. A history that goes way, way deeper than some reality TV show and three weeks of challenges and sharing a bed. We fostered a real relationship outside of this place, where things actually matter."

Sofia leaned forward slightly, her fake-nice smile widening into a venomous smirk. "The only reason you and Rafe even have a ‘relationship’ right now... is because of this show. But outside of this? Trust me, you wouldn't last a single second with the real Rafe. You don't know him like I do. I understand what it’s like to love Rafe because I’ve been there first. I was before you."

The insult was purposeful, designed to slide directly under your skin and trigger every single ounce of the trauma you had been fighting. She wanted you to get loud, she wanted you to scream, she wanted you emotionally wrecked, as far away from Rafe as possible, and she wanted you to look like the crazy, insecure girl in front of the cameras.

But you didn't give her that. You wouldn’t.

You sat perfectly still, your expression completely unmoved by her sharp words. You let a slow, unamused smile pull at the corners of your lips as you stood up from your vanity chair, glaring over at her.

"Are you done?" you asked smoothly, your voice perfectly calm.

Sofia blinked, her smug smile falling. "...Wh—"

"I hear what you're saying about being 'first'," you interrupted, your voice dropping into a snarky undertone as you stepped closer. "But from where I’m standing? Being first clearly doesn't mean anything. If it did, you wouldn’t be here."

Sofia’s jaw tensed, her face turning an angry shade of crimson.

"You can call me temporary all you want, you can keep glaring me every chance you get, you can keep trying to embarrass me," you whispered with a smirk. "But at least I’m not desperate, going through all of this trouble for a man who won’t even look at me twice.” You quipped, hissing. “You’re the only one fighting his feelings for me, thinking it’ll change his feelings for you, I’m assuming.” You bite out. “It won’t.”

Without giving her a chance to attempt another shady comeback, you spun on your heel and walked straight out of the glam room, letting the door click shut behind you, leaving Sofia standing alone in her own humiliated silence.

WHEN you pushed the bedroom door open, the room was bathed in that soft glow, the other islanders already huddled beneath their duvets.

You slid under the sheets of your shared mattress, moving close to Theo.

He didn't greet you with his usual touch, the conversation from the earlier still hanging heavily between you, but the second he felt your body heat, he didn't pull away.

Wordlessly, Theo rolled onto his side, his strong arms pulling you firmly against his bare chest, enveloping you in a tight embrace. He snuggled you close, his grip almost desperate as he buried his face into the crook of your neck.

The warmth of his body radiated against yours, and your chest filled with a bittersweet ache because you knew where your heart was leading you—but you still couldn't deny the good in the man holding you right now.

Theo tightened his grip around your waist, holding you so tightly, his deep voice a low whisper against your skin.

"Just in case this is the last time I share a bed with you."

next chapter>

i give this chapter like a 6/10, it's something i don't like about it but then there's parts i absolutely loveeee

BE NICE TO Y/N

Days have passed since your big fight with Caleb. You have not uttered a single word or even glanced at him. You were completely done with him after that night. Since then, you did everything in your power to avoid him.

When you had to be downstairs with the rest of the cast, you stayed on the opposite side. If you saw him in one area, you avoided him like the plague. If he were to try and walk past you, you would go the extra mile to walk around whatever was in sight just to not be in close proximity. You wouldn't even look at him.

And Caleb could see all of that. And he fucking hated it.

He hated the way you avoided him. He hated how you couldn't even stand to look at him or even be somewhat near him. Each time, only breaking his heart at the fact that this was all because of him. One day he couldn't take it and blindsided you when you were sitting on one of the tanning beds near the pool.

"Y/n....I don't want things to be like this between us." His eyes tried to meet yours, but you wouldn't even give him the time of day. Your eyes staring straight forward, face emotionless.

"You made your bed, so hump in it." was all she said coldly. No feeling. It made Caleb's heart ache. He watched as she got up and walked away. He wanted to go after her so bad, but doing that would only make it worse. But one way or another, he was going to prove to you that in the end he wanted to walk out of this villa with you. Not Jaiden, and not anyone else.

*Later that night*

Caleb was trying to rack his brain on what he could do. He was going to do everything in his power to try and get you back. But where should he start? How can he even try if you don't even want to look at him, let alone be in the same room as him?

His head lifted as he heard approaching footsteps coming his way. It was Bryce and Trinity walking hand in hand. They both sat on the same couch next to him.

"How you doing Bro?" Bryce asked him, his hand automatically grabbing a hold of Trinity's. They could see the misery straight up on his face. And while Trinity was one to hold back on the bullshit, a part of her did feel bad Caleb.

"I fucked up so bad.." he whispered, his hands coming up to grasp at his hair in frustration. Caleb felt so empty. And he felt this way because he didn't have you.

"I was so fucking stupid, and didn't realize what I had until I brought Jaiden in." he told them, his eyes looking at the ground, ashamed of himself. He doesn't blame anyone but himself. This was all on him.

"I miss her so fucking much..." his voice slightly cracked. hands gripping his hair even tighter. He could feel Bryce place a hand on his shoulder, trying to give him a comforting squeeze. One he felt he didn't deserve.

"I know you thought you were doing what you think was best, but you and everyone in here knows, the moment you and Y/n went to the hideaway that you shouldn't have brought anyone else back after being in Casa. The amount of times you spoke about Y/n and thought about her, should have been the sign you needed man." Bryce was not going to sugar coat it. But he also wasn't going to be a dick. Caleb was beating himself up enough.

"I just don't know how I can prove to her that I regret what I did and that I do want her. She won't even look at me unless its with disgust." he said softly, not wanting to speak normally or else he knew he would break right then and there.

"Prove it then." Trinity answered. "You want to show her how sorry you are and that you want her back, then prove it to her."

"But how? She won't even be within ten feet of me." Caleb questioned.

"Well its not going to be easy Caleb. You did a fucked up thing, that doesn't just go away really fast. She's going to be affected by this for a while. But what you can do is put in the effort to try and prove it to her that you're sorry. She may reject you at first, and may not even give you a second to listen, but if you consistently put in the effort, then eventually, she's going to see it. It's just going to take time." She explained to him.

"I can do that." Caleb affirmed. He will do that. Anything to get you back, he was going to try even if she still rejected him in the end. Because he could not leave the villa without trying to get his girl back.

*The next day*

He started simple to test the waters. He had made you breakfast, but he knew better than to walk in there and give it to you considering what happened last time. So, he had decided to have Bryce take it to you while he went to give Trinity her plate.

When Bryce walked in, he made sure to give Trinity her plate first and a hug and a kiss. Then he walked over to Y/n.

"Here you go Y/n." he said cheerfully, setting the plate down in front of you. You gave him a kind smile and thanked him, "You didn't have to." she responded, grateful for his kind generosity.

"Enjoy." he smiled at her. He gave her a friendly hug and walked out of the room. But not entirely. He stood behind the door, starting between the crack that gave him a perfect view of you.

You ate the food slowly, savoring every bite while having a conversation with the girls.

"What's that Y/n?" Jen asked as she peaked at her plate, her eyes furrowing at what she saw. Y/n looked down and down a folded note that was hidden under the grapes. She picked it up and inspected it carefully. The girls all gathered around her, curious as to what it said.

"Open it!" They all encouraged her.

She opened the note slowly, and then her eyes finally found the written words:

'I know you don't want to see me, but I will give it my all to prove to you that I'm sorry for what I did. I know it will take some time, but I will use all the time that I have left to show you that I made a mistake and regret hurting you.

-C'

You read aloud to the girls. They awed at the words that were written but you weren't falling for it. Now now, and not anytime soon. Bryce watched as you looked at it a second longer and crumbled it up. You threw it in the trashcan, not giving it another thought.

"If he's sorry, he wouldn't have done what he did in the first place." was all you said as you sat back down and continued to get ready.

Bryce walked away from the door and made his way back down to the kitchen. Caleb was sitting on the island, waiting anxiously for his return. The moment he saw him, he got off and walked straight to Bryce.

"Well?" he asked, nervous for the outcome. All Bryce could do was give him a sympathetic look and shook his head no.

"She read it, but she threw it away." Caleb knew that this was going to be extremely difficult. He understood why you threw the note away, but this was not going to stop him even though it hurt that you didn't even acknowledge his attempt to try and communicate with you to make things right.

"I'm not giving up." he stated. Bryce dapped his shoulder, giving him the support he needed at that moment.

"Let's try a different approach..." Bryce suggested. They both went to sit down at 'Say Less' and started to brainstorm ideas on how to get you alone with him.

*Later that night*

Caleb knew he was going to have to be careful on how he did this. He knew that you weren't ready yet to talk to him. But he could at least try and let you know that he was not going to give up on you in a subtle way.

As the girls were all talking at the fire pit, Caleb waited until they were deep in conversation to pull all the boys aside. "Can you guys do me a favor?" he asked them all quietly, making sure that you and the girls could not hear him.

"What the hell are they up to?" Kayda said as she could see all of the guys huddled together, discussing something that seemed very private and secretive.

"I don't know, but I hope they aren't doing some stupid shit." Melanie said as you and the girls continued to stare intently at the boys.

Suddenly, their huddle broke apart, and the boys started to make their way over. Their steps in sync, and their eyes staring right at you.

"Beautiful, Y/n" Zach started off dramatically, your face immediately showing a 'what the fuck' expression. "Can you please walk with me for a moment."

You looked around, trying to figure out what was happening. The girls were just as confused as you. you took his arm that he offered to you, and he guided you up and started to lead you away. You looked back at the girls, trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

Zach led you to the dock, and you could see something, but what it was, you weren't sure since you couldn't see very clear yet. "What's going on Zach?" you asked him, your voice giving a sound of annoyance and nervousness.

"Just wanted to bring you here." was all he said. When you got closer to the end of the dock, you finally saw what was set up. On the floor was a giant heart made out of rose petals, and in the center, were the words 'I'm Sorry'.

"And last but not least" you turned to Zach who had a rose in his hand and was reaching out to give it to you. You look at it suspiciously, already knowing who was up to this. You didn't want to take it. You wanted to rip it apart if you were being honest. But before you could react negatively, you all of a sudden see all of the boys appear in your line of sight, minus Caleb. Each holding a rose in their hand.

"Take the damn rose Y/n." Zach finally said as you stood staring at it for a moment too long. You took it from him, apprehensively accepting the rose. Then next was Corbin, then Kc, Sincere, Carl, Dylan, Gal, and then last but not least Bryce. Aside from the final rose, you also notice he had an envelope in his hand.

"Why are you guys doing this?" you asked him, desperate for an answer. Your emotions are becoming hay wired. This was becoming overwhelming.

"Y/n, we all know he fucked up. But it's important that he realizes that and is trying to make things right." he started off. Your eyes roll automatically, not wanting to accept his answer. But Bryce continued on, not letting that stop him from continuing.

"But it takes a real man to own up to what he did and to try and prove that he is sorry for his actions." he finished. You stared at the now bundle of roses in your hand and the envelope that was addressed to you.

"You don't have to read it right now, that can be on your own time." he told you. You looked around the area, taking in what he did. You were confused. Your heart still hurt and was broken from what he did, and yet, a tiny, tiny, part of it was slightly open as you stared at the set up.

"I don't know what to do Bryce." You whispered helplessly, begging for him to help you figure out the answer.

"Yes, you do Y/n. You just need time to figure out what it is exactly you want." he told you and left it at that. He gave you a tight hug which you really needed at the moment. He left you alone, and you stood there on the dock for a good while, staring at the words on the floor, the roses in your hand and the envelope.

Caleb watched you from the top of the balcony, hidden from you, because he knew that if you saw him, you would throw everything away and not give his gesture another minute of your time. He could see you staring at the envelope intensely, he wanted you to open and read it so badly.

But you didn't. You stared at it for a while longer, before setting the roses down on the floor. Caleb's face began to sink in sadness. But a little bit of hope flickered in his eyes as he watched you at least walk away from the dock with the envelope still in your hand.

'That's a start..'

*Middle of the night*

You couldn't sleep.

Throughout the night, you were constantly tossing and turning. Your mind is not able to shut down and put you in that deep sleep. Finally, after giving up on trying to sleep, you quietly sneak out of bed, careful not to wake the others as you make your way down to the villa floor. Needing to be in the fresh air.

You made your way to one of the sun beds, lying down with your hoodie and sweats on since it could get chilly at night in Fiji and just stared at the sky.

So much was happening right now. You were stuck emotionally and mentally. There was no way you were going to forgive Caleb easily for what he did. You weren't even sure if you could. What he did was completely unforgivable.

But then why is your heart not closing him out completely?

Why is it that you still are allowing a tiny piece of him to stay within you?

You were starting to get a headache. You reached down to adjust your socks on your feet, and that's when you suddenly heard a voice that made you freeze.

"Can't sleep either?" you could hear the exhaustion in his voice. Immediately your body tensed and your guard went up. You didn't want to look up and come face to face with him. You couldn't trust yourself to do so considering your reaction could go two different ways.

Caleb knew you weren't going to speak right away, so he continued. "I can't sleep either." he mumbled, his hands digging into his pockets as a source of comfort.

"It's been hard to go to sleep the past couple of days." he said. Trying to find a way to get through the awkward silence. It was still quiet, and just when he was about to speak again, you finally spoke.

"I'm not sure why when you have Jaiden in your bed next to you." you said coldly, still not looking at him.

"I deserve that..." he said, and you continued to look anywhere but him.

"But Jaiden isn't you." he whispered. It was low, but you still heard it. You finally gathered the courage to look at him. Your face is neither happy nor upset, but stoic.

"Don't, Caleb." was all you answered. You didn't want to do this right now. So, you got up from the sun bed and began to walk away.

"Why didn't you read the letter Y/n?" he asked. His voice was slightly raised so he could make sure that you heard him. You paused in your steps, your eyes staring at the stairs that led to the rooms. You could hear him getting closer. So close, that you could feel his body heat directly behind you. Almost touching you.

"Why didn't you read the letter?" he asked again, only this time he let his emotions show as the pain in his voice became apparent. If he wanted to talk, fine, but you were going to have this conversation the way you wanted to have it.

"Because I'm not ready to read it yet." You said, finally looking at him in the eyes after what felt like months. Caleb was basically starved at not being able to see you or even talk to you. And although this was not how he wanted this conversation to go, he was desperate to have any kind of conversation with you even if it meant you would speak to him out of anger.

"I don't want to read it right now. Because I'm not ready to forgive you." you told him word for word. And although it hurt him so much, he knew that this was only a partial treatment that he deserved. He deserved worse treatment from you.

"What can I do to make you forgive me?" he asked pleadingly, his eyes trying to find yours again as you head flicked your head down due to your emotions starting to get the best of you.

"I don't want us to end like this Y/n. I don't want us to end at all." his voice slightly breaking just at the thought. "You should've thought of that before you brought her in here." you whispered back to him, your eyes still staring at your feet.

"You think I don't fucking know that!" he said, his emotions now getting the best of him as he laid it all out on the table.

"I know I fucked up Y/n. I fucked up so fucking bad, and I'm a moron. It shouldn't have taken me bringing her to realize that at the end that I still want to be with you." His voice finally broke, and when you finally looked up, you saw how much this truly affected him.

The disheveled hair, the bags under his eyes, but most importantly, the tears that began to fall. Caleb was crying. And he was crying in front of you, begging you for your forgiveness.

"Please don't do this right now Caleb." you begged, your voice becoming heavy, as you knew you were going to start crying as well.

"I don't know what else to do Y/n." his voice breaking down as he tried to maintain what was left of his composure.

"I can't let you go. I don't want to let you go. I know I fucked up, and I want to prove to you that I will do anything to earn your forgiveness." He explained as the tears continued to stream past his cheeks. You couldn't take it anymore, your own tears starting to shed.

"I can't do this right now Caleb please." You cried softly, your hands moving up to hide your face. As you turned to walk away, you suddenly felt him turn you back around gently. Caleb couldn't let you leave, not now, not when you were finally telling him how you felt.

"Y/n please, tell me what I can do. Tell me that this is fixable." He cried. Your own sobs mixing with his as that was all you could do. Just cry and cry and cry. "Please Y/n.." he begged, his knees hitting the floor and his arms wrapping around your waist to where he was not at eye level with you.

"Please let me fix this. Please tell me that one day you can forgive me." his hands squeeze your waist as he cried into your stomach. You place your hands on his shoulders, and gently push him away. He stares up at you, seeing the pain in your eyes that was all because of his doing.

"I don't know Caleb." was all you said as you continued to sob.

"I don't know if we can fix this." you finally stated. You slowly pull away from him, and Caleb wants more than anything to pull you back to him, to keep you in his arms forever. He watched as you turned around and walked away, your sobs still heard as you walked up the stairs.

All Caleb could do in that moment was still let his emotions out and cry right there on the floor where you left him.

*Two days later*

Since that night, Caleb has kept his distance from you.

You started to wonder if he was finally going to give up. If he was not going to try and talk to you again. The night after when you woke up, the girls could see how puffy your eyes were, and how exhausted you looked. They had pulled you in the dressing room where you explained what happened.

They understood where you were coming from, but they also acknowledged the fact that Caleb was doing everything in his power to get you back. It only made you more confused. Why your heart couldn't close him out one hundred percent, you weren't sure why.

When you had gone on with the day you didn't even see Caleb at all. He was nowhere in sight. And you weren't lying if you said that didn't make you worry.

Bryce could see your expression as you continued to try and discreetly look for him.

"He's in the speak easy...he's been in there since last night." he told you quietly as he sat with Trinity. You couldn't help but ask,

"Is he okay?" you looked at Bryce who gave you a solemn expression.

"He just needs to be alone right now Y/n. Its the least we can all do."

And flash forward to today and here you were. Still no Caleb in sight. You were starting to become worried, but you wouldn't let this sway you. You still felt the way you felt.

As you were getting ready, you noticed a folded paper on your mirror. You pulled it out of the mirror, your eyes looking around to see if anyone noticed. They didn't.

You opened up the note, recognizing the familiar hand writing.

'I remember when I first saw you, you literally took my breath away. You were so beautiful and I was so excited to get to know you.

I'm not giving up on you.

-C'

Your eyes read the note over and over. The sudden irregular pattern in your heart beat started to palpitate. Your hands closed the note, but only this time, you didn't throw it away. And Trinity immediately noticed that as she stood from the other end of the table, her eyes looking back at Bryce through the crack of the door and giving him a nod.

Bryce signaled back and made his way downstairs, finding Caleb's eyes and giving him a thumbs up.

'There's hope...'

*Couple days later*

Each day, you had gotten several notes from him throughout the entire day. A note in your breakfast plate,

'I remember the day when we had our first kiss, I was so nervous and you could tell. You let out this cute giggle, and since then I have wanted to make you do that everyday'

A note on your mirror.

'Everyday I can't help but look at you and tell myself how beautiful you are. I was so fucking happy when we were coupled up it was the best day of my life.'

A note on the sun bed.

'I remember making you laugh about a childhood memory that I told you about. Since then, I have only wanted to hear your laugh and be the reason for it.'

A note on the dock.

'This is where you told me off, and I was so scared but so proud of you for speaking up. You made me realize in that moment that you were the one person I did not want to lose.'

And then a note on your bed.

'Not to sound creepy, but when you fall asleep, I love staring at you. The way you looked so peaceful, and most importantly, the way you made me feel safe as I got to hold you in my arms made me fall for you even harder.'

You were so confused. You didn't know what to do at this point. While part of your heart was still closed off with Caleb, that tiny part in your heart started to grow.

He was starting to break you down. And the scary thing about it? You weren't upset about it. But that's what made you upset.

Why couldn't you close him out completely? After what he did, why couldn't you just turn the page? How is it that he was finding a way back to your heart?

You needed to talk to someone, and of course you knew just exactly who to pull.

"Help me Trinity." you begged as you both sat in 'Soul ties'.

"I don't know what to do. I'm so confused about what to feel right now about Caleb. And the gestures he continues to do are not helping me have clarity. Please help me." you begged once again, your eyes pleading with her out of frustration.

"What is your head telling you Y/n?" she asked you.

"To not forgive him for what he did." you replied automatically.

"Okay, now what is your heart telling you?" and you paused, you had to be honest with yourself as you reflected.

"My heart is allowing him to come back.....and I don't know why I'm letting it happen." you told her as the frustration in your voice became prevalent.

"Let's be real together Y/n, Caleb fucked up big time for what he did by bringing Jaiden in here. We can all agree with that. But we can also agree on the fact that he is taking accountability for his actions and showing you how sorry he is, right?" you nodded your head in response to her question.

"So, if your heart was completely closed off, then you wouldn't even be entertaining these gestures that he doing and would have shut it down and not let it happen again. But you haven't done that at all. Your heart is not one hundred percent closed off for a reason, and you know exactly why that is Y/n." You stared at her as she spoke to you. It was hitting you now that you finally understood what you meant.

"I....." you started, but you had to pause and take a breath.

"I..love him." you finally whispered out, too afraid to say it out loud cause then it would only solidify what you meant.

"I know you do, but you know that love is all about taking risks and testing the boundaries to see if it can truly be understood between two people. Your connection with Caleb was tested greatly, and if him bringing Jaiden in didn't hurt you at all, then it means you never had those feelings for him in the first place." she explained to you. It made sense with what she said. It was starting to hit you, you loved Caleb.

You loved Caleb.

"Fuck." you muttered, your heart heavy. "I really do love him." you admitted to her, her words sinking in.

"And Y/n," she said as she grabbed a hold of your hand and looked at you.

"We have no fucking doubt that he loves you too." she finished.

*Later that night*

You had looked yourself in the mirror, making sure to check for any imperfections. You were getting ready for the night with the girls. Just like any other night.

As you double checked your appearance, you walked away from the mirror and turned to see Trinity grinning at you.

"You look so beautiful." she complimented you. You smiled and thanked her while doing the same.

"Will you walk with me to go down there?" she asked you. You nodded your head, and you both walked out of the room.

"Is it okay if we go by the dock really quick? Bryce is there and I need to check something with him real quick." she explained to you. You agreed and let her take the lead. When you got there, it became apparent that Bryce was not there.

"I don't see him." you told her, your face scrunched up in confusion.

"What's that?" the gate to the dock was open, and out of curiosity, you couldn't help but walk with her to go see what was happening. When you got to the gate, your eyes suddenly go wide at the sight in front of you.

There were candles everywhere, and with the trail it led you to see a table that was surrounded by more candles and flowers with the beach serving as the background. Then your eyes landed on the figure that stood next to it, Caleb.

You turned around to look at Trinity who only gave you a mischievous smile. You tried to walk your way back up the steps, but she wouldn't let you.

"Turn your ass around, and go to him. I'm not letting my hard work go to waste." was all she said and walked away before closing the gate on you. You were in shock. You couldn't believe she tricked you, and you couldn't believe how gullible you were.

You turned back to look at him. He was dressed in his best pair of jeans, cowboy boots, and a black button up. But most of all, you could see the hope in his eyes, the nervousness and fear of possible rejection. You could just simply walk back up and enter the dock, but you didn't. You just stood there and stared.

Suddenly, he was right in front of you. A shy expression on his face.

"Hi.." he whispered.

"Hi.." you whispered back. Still unsure of whether to listen to your flight or fight mode.

"What is all of this?" you asked him, eyes still scanning the set up. You would be lying if you said this was ugly. But it was absolutely breathtaking.

"I remember you said that you always wanted a dinner date on the beach." he said. Your eyes cut to his, he remembered.

"You remembered that?" you asked him softly.

"I remember everything you tell me." he responded. He held his hand out for you to take.

"Will you please accompany me tonight?" he asked gently, his eyes silently begging for you to say yes. You hesitated, you wanted to run. But then you remembered what Trinity told you. To listen to your heart. So, you placed your hand in his.

"Okay." you answered him. Caleb couldn't help but smile at you, that handsome smile that made you fall for him in an instant.

He kept the date going smoothly, asking you questions he had already asked when you first met. It was a reset. A new start. And you were grateful that he chose to go this route because it would have been awkward to try and discuss events that happened after that night of the recoupling.

You had missed the way he made you laugh, the way he could keep a conversation going about anything and everything. How he would listen to you so intensely to hold onto every word that you spoke.

It was just like the beginning when you first met, and you didn't realize how much you missed this. How much you missed him. You watch as Caleb gets up from his chair and makes his way around, standing in front of you which makes you lean your head back to look up at him.

"Walk with me please?" he asked as he gestured for your hand. You let him take it, and you get up from your chair. He takes you away from the table and leads you towards the beach. He doesn't make you walk too far considering the heels you had on.

He stopped to where you had a perfect view of the ocean. His body directly behind yours as you both just stood in silence and watched the waves gently wash upon the shore.

"It's so peaceful here." you whispered aloud. Not directly talking to him, but you didn't mind if he responded back as if you did. He stayed silent, still letting you talk.

"I wish I could see this more everyday." a gust of wind slightly shook your body and caused you to shiver. He took that as a chance to move closer to you. His body heats you up, his chest to your back. But he didn't do anything else.

"Y/n.." he whispered, his voice soft, almost too quiet to hear. You turn to look at him. "Yes?" you asked him gently. You watched him take a deep breath, and pull something out of his back pocket. You recognized it instantly. It was the envelope he left you that he had yet to open.

"I have something I need to tell you, if that's okay with you?" he asked nervously, his fingers messing with the corners of the envelope. You nodded, afraid to speak at this moment.

You watched as he nervously opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. His hands were slightly shaking and you gave him a small smile of encouragement. He took a deep breath to compose himself, and then started to speak.

"I would be lying if I said that I am not afraid of leaving the villa without you. But the truth is, I'm terrified that this is the only time I will get with you and therefore, I want to be completely honest with you.

I fucked up big time that day at the recoupling. I thought I was making a choice that was sensible, but looking back, I realized how fucking stupid I was." he paused, his eye nervously glancing at you, afraid of your reaction, but you gestured to him to continue.

"That day was one of the worst days that in the end was my fault, because I ended up hurting you deeply. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness whatsoever. But I hope that my efforts and actions since then have proven to you that I am truly sorry for what I did.

I don't expect you to forgive me right away, or whatsoever if that is how you truly feel. But I can't leave this villa without telling you how you make me feel.

Y/n, I have never felt this way before. The way you make my heart beat irregularly just from staring at me, the way you make me smile just from being yourself, to the way you make me feel so safe to be around you.

Everyday that I have spent with you has been a privilege that I will never take for granted. I know I can be a complete idiot at times, and I hope that whenever that happens again that you beat my ass to knock some sense into me." you couldn't help but let out a chuckle which Caleb smiled in response.

"But the one thing I hope for is to never lose you. I came into the villa to find my person, and I know and believe one hundred percent that you are my person. I will do everything in power to prove to you everyday that you are my person. Because at the end of the day, I have grown to love you so very much Y/n. And I don't want to love anyone else but you." Your breath hitched as you listened to those words. He loved you. Caleb loves you. And you love him.

"So, please know that this is my promise to you, and I will dedicate myself to showing you that I truly love you everyday until you can say those words back." he finished reading the letter. Caleb was so nervous. This was it, either you would reject him completely or possibly give him that chance he so badly wanted.

"You love me?" you asked him, your eyes looking at his to make sure that you could tell that he meant it. You need to know.

"I do." he told you, stepping closer to you to where his chest was now touching yours.

"I need to hear you say it." you said quietly. You needed this affirmation otherwise you couldn't get yourself to truly accept it. His hand reached up to touch your cheek. He stared deep into your eyes and you could see the love. He did love you.

"I love you." He stated proudly. "I love you so much." he proclaimed.

"Caleb," you whispered as your heart continued to beat abnormally fast.

"I love you too." you told him. You watched as his eyes widened in response to your words. He couldn't believe them.

"You do?" he asked, the slight insecurity coming to light. Your hand grabbed onto his wrist that was still held to your cheek.

"I love you Caleb." you affirmed boldly.

And then suddenly you felt the impact of his lips slamming onto yours. You responded in the same manner. Both of you wrapping your arms around each other as you kissed.

This was never how you though you meet the love of your life. Not on a damn reality show. But here you both are. It only goes to show you that love can be formed in different ways, and while your story with Caleb was tested heavily, you were both able to overcome it and find each other again.

Because that's what you do when you truly love someone.

THE END

Three long grueling days.

That's how long it has been since the boys entered Casa. Since that night at the fire pit where you and the girls had to endure the mental and emotional torture of watching the boys act up with the new bombshells, you all tried your best to maintain the normalcy.

Keyword 'tried'.

You were practically numb since that night. You had shut down emotionally and the girls could tell immediately that you were not the same Y/n they knew and loved.

The morning after that night at the fire pit, Ariana had walked in to check in on y'all. She had you guys sit down and talk about what y'all's current thoughts were based on what was happening in Casa.

"So, my lovely ladies, how are we feeling about the boys being in Casa Amor right now?" she asked.

Trinity was the first to speak up.

"I think it was bullshit the way they did it. But at this point we can't dwell on it." She responded.

"I'm just ready to see some hot new singles after the bullshit I saw on that screen last night." Kenzie said. With the other girls agreeing with her.

Ariana then looked at you.

"Y/n, how are you feeling hun? I know its been a very emotional day for you and I'm sorry you had to experience this." she said.

You didn't want to answer. You really did not want to. But its not her fault that you were placed in this situation. And after all, this is still a reality show, and even though it came down to the cast having the power to eliminate others, it was also in the hands of America. And you were not ready to go home yet.

"I won't lie to you, I'm very heartbroken right now." You spoke softly.

"I don't really have anything else other than that to say, and that eventually I hope this heartbreak goes away soon. I just want to find happiness with someone who I have a great connection with and at the end chooses me." You ended the conversation with that answer. Not wanting to say anything further. You were grateful that Ariana did not push any further.

"Well, considering everything that went down, I just want to say that I don't think its fair that the boys get to have all the fun. So, with that being said, we have twelve bombshells currently on their way to enter the villa." she said. The girls screamed in excitement, they were waiting for this moment since day one of Casa. They were ready to explore with no shame just like the boys.

"Remember, Love Island is all about making connections. It's possible to have more than one, but there's always that one connection that is stronger than the others. Please make sure that you explore as much as possible, you'll have time to meet them for our villa pool party. At the end, you will decide the six boys that will get to stay and the six boys that will get to stay in the villa." The girls jumped with excitement, screaming their heads off. Although you weren't jumping up and down with excitement, you knew you were going to have to go into this with an open mind.

'If Caleb wants to explore, then I have every right to do the same.'

*Two Days Later*

You tried so hard to find another connection. You spoke to all the bombshells. You kissed them to see if there was any compatibility, you tried everything that you possibly could to try and form another connection. But you simply didn't have one.

You were frustrated. The problem was when you tried to find a connection, Caleb would pop up in the back of your head. And you tried so hard to push him at the back of your mind. But then the memories would come crawling back and take over. You decided right then and there that you had to be honest with yourself and realize that the only connection you had was with Caleb and no one else.

When the bombshells tried to get to know you more, you let yourself open up, but then you couldn't let it go any further.

"I'm really sorry, but I'm going to be honest and tell you that I still have my other connection with Caleb in the back of my head. I don't want to waste your time at all and want to be fair to you." You were grateful that they were understanding at least. But of course it only had you questioning why you couldn't just let go of Caleb.

'After everything he did, I still can't let him go.' you thought.

'How desperate can you be?'

'He's going to bring back someone else, and you know it.'

You needed to go find the girls. You couldn't be alone with these current thoughts right now. As you make your way over to the girls who were sitting in the 'Say Less' area, your phone suddenly pings.

"Oh shit." and other similar phrases were said throughout the villa as everyone waited for you to read the text.

"Islanders, tonight will be a recoupling. The boys will be returning from Casa Amor. Make sure to take this time to think about who it is that you want to couple up with."

"Fuckkkkk, are you fucking serious." Trinity complained.

Everyone was immediately on edge. You on the other hand, could feel yourself starting to panic. It was now hitting you that you were going to see Caleb tonight. A list of multiple scenarios started to play in your head. Enough to give a headache.

'What am I going to do?' you thought desperately. Hoping that something or someone can give you an answer at that moment.

"Come on y'all, let's go get ready, we have a lot to think about." Melanie reasoned with you and the girls. They all stood up and as a group you walked upstairs to the changing room.

"How are you feeling Y/n?" Aniya asked you.

You were currently decided which outfit to wear tonight, the many options becoming a bit difficult to decide.

"I'm okay," you started. Your hand coming up to grab a blue dress that caught your eye. You analyzed it but finished answering Aniya's question.

"I'm not 100%, but I'm okay. Just not sure what to do. I don't have a connection with any of the guys here, although I wish I could. But my heart is not in it. My heart still wants Caleb." you admitted and could feel the tears starting to form.

No. You were not going to cry right now. Not when you just did your makeup as well. You were going to get through tonight.

"So, do you think you're leaning most likely towards staying single?" she asked in return.

"It's the only justifiable and possible thing to do. I'm not going to string one of these boys along when the whole time, I'm going to be thinking about Caleb." Aniya nodded in understanding.

"As much as I want to say to pick one of the guys here, I get where you're coming from. Pick what your heart is telling you, and don't let yourself feel guilty for the choice you make. We can't help who we have feelings for." she finished the conversation and gave you a tight hug which you honestly needed.

You look back at your wardrobe and finally pick a dress to put on.

*At the fire pit*

You were all seated around the fire pit. Ariana was standing in front, and each minute that passed by only had you feeling sick. You were dreading the moment you would be called on to tell Ariana what you were going to do.

'What if he walks in with another girl?'

'What if everything between us was a lie?'

The thoughts were coming at you left and right, trying to take over your thought process. You take a couple of deep breaths to calm yourself. You could do this, and you were going to be okay.

The memory of watching Caleb and Jaiden kissed played in your head. Although looking at them made you sick to your stomach, you took into consideration that he told her that he still did have a connection with you. That he still thought of you and considered you. But then the image of them being in that damn private room only made your heart ache bad.

You were so busy weighing your options that you didn't notice that Trinity was up standing. Getting ready to make the big decision. You all stayed quiet and listened to her reasoning for either pairing up with one of the bombshells or deciding to stay single while potentially reuniting with Bryce.

"I am going to remain single and not pair up with one of these amazing boys. Although they deserve love, this is what my heart was telling me to do." She explained.

"Trinity, you have decided to remain single and loyal to Bryce. If Bryce walks in alone, then you guys will stay coupled up. If he walks in with someone else, then you will be single and vulnerable. Let's see what he decided." Ariana said.

You all watched with anticipation, you hoped that Bryce was going to walk in here alone. Him and Trinity were endgame. If he walked in here with someone else, then everyone, and even America would be shocked.

Suddenly, Bryce walks in and he's alone. Trinity spots him and screams in joy. Everyone smiled and cheered as they realized that they were going to remain a couple. You watch as they hug each other tight and pull each other in for a deep, long kiss.

'Who knows, that may or may not be me.'

When Bryce and Trinity finished talking to Ariana and sat down, you gulped when she turned to face you.

"Y/n, its your turn. Will you please stand up." she directed and gave you a soft smile.

You wiped the sweat that built up on your hands due to nerves away, slowly standing up from the couch.

"How do you feel hun?" Ariana asked, giving you an encouraging smile.

"Nervous as fuck..." was all you could get out at that moment. You could hear the light chuckles that came from everyone else.

"Before Casa, you were coupled up with Caleb. In fact, you were also in the hideaway together the night of and were voted to go in by America. How does that make you feel?" she asked.

It felt like you were being interrogated. The heat from the spotlight was making your skin heat up, and you could feel the fast pace of your heart speeding up.

"It felt nice that America voted for us to be in the hideaway. I think they see something that is very real between me and Caleb, and I hope that it means something and will give me the answers I am looking for." You answered honestly. Then she finally asked the magic question.

"Y/n, the choice is now yours. Would you like to couple up with someone here, or would you like to remain single." You took a deep breath. This was it, and it was now or never, and definitely no chance of going back on your decision.

"I have decided" you started off. The breath getting caught in your throat. You had to pause to get yourself together.

"You can do this Y/n" Trinity whispered from behind you. Encouraging you as much as she could.

"I have decided to remain single. As much as I tried to explore and find connections among these guys, I honestly could not find one. It wouldn't be fair to them to pick them and only lead them on. That's not a position I would ever want to be in for myself and I think these guys would say the same." You finally answered. Your breathing becomes uneven due to the nerves.

"Y/n, you have decided to remain single and loyal to Caleb. If Caleb walks in alone then you will remain a couple. If he walks in with someone else, then you will be single and vulnerable." she stated. All you could do was nod your head. Too scared to say anything else.

"Let's see what Caleb has decided." Those dreadful words were finally said. Your hands hold onto your arms so tight to keep yourself grounded in this moment.

'Please choose me Caleb'

'Prove me wrong'

You begged for a final time. You could hear the footsteps. This was it, now or never.

"Oh fuck." you heard Kenzie gasped. Your body froze when you saw him. Except he wasn't alone. He was walking with Jaiden, and he was holding her hand.

You couldn't breathe anymore, your heart felt like it was being stabbed. This was the worse fucking pain you could have ever felt. You thought him leaving you alone in the hideaway was bad, that watching him kiss Jaiden was terrible, but nothing compared to what you currently felt in this moment. So many emotions hitting you at once, pain, sadness, anger, heartbreak, rage, all of it.

Your eyes stayed watching them, his eyes not meeting anyone but the ground. You could see Jaiden trying to reassure him. They finally made it to Ariana, and after saying their hello's is when he finally locked eyes on you.

You hope he could see the pain in your eyes, the hurt, resentment, and rage. You wanted him to see exactly what he was doing to you.

"Caleb, as you can see, Y/n has decided to remain single. You walked in with Jaiden which means you are now coupled up with her. How do you feel right now?" You could feel everyone's eyes burning into your skin. They were waiting to see what was going to happen. Caleb takes a deep breath and could barely let out a sound. It was like a mumble.

"Speak. Up." you demanded. You were not going to break in front of everyone right now. But you damn well were going to demand some answers.

"Say that shit with your chest." Kayda said aloud.

"I won't lie, I feel very bad right now." he started. He watched you roll your eyes, and could see the way your jaw clenched. He was getting nervous. He knew he was going to need to be extremely careful with his words.

"As much as I loved being coupled with Y/n, I did also have a strong connection with Jaiden, and I felt that it was something that needed to be explored more." he answered.

You were shaking. You wanted to snap so bad, but you knew how that would only make you look in the end. And regardless, America was also watching this, so you were going to do your best maintain your composure.

"Y/n, how do you feel about what Caleb said?" Ariana asked you.

Your hands dropped from holding your stomach. It was no longer nerves that consumed you, but rage.

"I mean it is what it is. I should've known better from the day that I saw him kissing and having a grand time over in Casa." you started.

"It wasn't just all of that." Caleb tried to defend him. But you didn't let him speak anymore.

"Oh no, y'all had a fucking time." you started off coldly. The girls also commenting in your favor since they also saw what happened.

"I should've known better, when I was trying to stay open and go on other dates and explore with these nice guys here, that you were probably going to do some stupid shit like this. I was out here for three days, getting torn up by mosquitoes, constantly thinking of you, and being respectful towards you when I could've kissed them too but I fucking didn't. Should've known that once you could get your dick wet with the first girl you see that you would fold like that. Dry humping and everything." you vulgarly gestured and reenacted the moment you saw him and Jaiden making out and the way he moved her hips.

Everyone gasped. They couldn't believe what they were seeing and hearing from you. You have never acted like this or displayed yourself in a way like this. They didn't know whether they should be scared or worried for you or Caleb.

"I know you're hurt, and I'm sorry about that, but I did have you in the back of my mind. I thought of you everyday." He tried to reason.

"Oh shit." You heard Sincere gasp from the other side of the fire pit. Everyone could see you flipping him off as clear as day. Both fingers were in the air, pointed right at him.

"You clearly didn't think of me at all the moment you pulled that shit in the bed with her. But it is what it is." You finished.

"Caleb and Jaiden, please go have a seat with the others." Ariana said as it was time to move on. Trinity grabbed your hand and sat you down, immediately comforting you. The tears at the edge of your eyes. You could feel his eyes on you, but you didn't want to look at him. You couldn't anymore.

'I'm so fucking stupid to think that he would choose me.'

*The next day*

You were numb.

Your heart hurts so bad. You couldn't even sleep in the room like everyone else. You had slept in soul ties because you didn't want to look at him with her. You cried all night. The only source of comfort that night was your pillow. You were an emotional wreck.

When you got into the dressing room to get ready with the girls, you didn't even speak. You didn't want to talk at all. You just wanted to get ready and then be done with the day. If you could be alone you would.

Suddenly, the guys started coming in, bringing breakfasts to you and the girls. You saw him from the corner of your eye, he had two plates in his hands. He stopped at Jaiden first and gave her the plate. You could hear her thank him and hear the kiss that she left on him, whether it was his cheek or on his lips, it didn't matter. Then he started to make his way towards you.

"Don't come over here." you warned him. You did not want him near you whatsoever.

"I don't want it." you stated firmly, still trying to cover the swelling under your eyes from crying so much last night. Just as he was about to place the plate of food in front of you, you moved your hand so that it was under it and pushed it towards him. The food ultimately landed on his chest and the floor. The girls gasped in shock.

"I told you I don't want it." You state a final time. Not paying attention to his reaction and moving on with your routine. You could hear him picking up the food from the floor. You could hear the whispers from the girls, and quite frankly you didn't care what they thought. You were not going to put up with this.

When he finally walked away is when you felt like you could breathe again.

*Throughout the day*

You could see them talking and hanging out. The way he would smile at her, get close to her. It hurt so much watching this. The way he looked at her, was how he would look at you.

You stayed up on the balcony, away from everyone else. Not wanting to be bothered by anyone. You just wanted to be alone. You needed to be alone in order to come to terms with everything that happened. But deep down, you couldn't come to terms with it. This was killing you emotionally.

The sunglasses you had on hid the tears falling from your eyes.

'Why me? What is so wrong about me that I can't be loved the right way.'

You could hear them right below you, talking and laughing, like nothing happened last night. Did he not feel bad for anything that has happened? Was it all a lie? Did he truly only want to sleep with you?

These questions hurt so bad as they continued to pop up in your head. You couldn't stand hearing how happy they were with each other, so, you got up and walked away, trying your best to remain quiet as the sobs quietly broke through from your mouth.

*Later that night*

It was time to get dressed to go down and be with everyone in the villa. Although you didn't want to, you knew it would look bad if you didn't, and you did not want to give anyone the satisfaction that this was breaking you. Even though deep down it was.

"You can do this." you whispered to yourself. You chanted that in your head a couple more times to help you gain the confidence you needed.

"Don't let him get to you babe, you're strong as fuck, and you're not about to let him ruin your night." Trinity said from behind you, wanting to be with you in your time of need. You appreciated her so much for this. She truly was a great friend.

She grabbed your hand, and you both exited the room and walked down the stairs to get to the main area of the villa. You could see everyone surrounding the kitchen counter. You did your best to avoid seeing them.

Trinity made you stay with her the whole time, making sure that you were comfortable even though deep down, you just wanted to hide. As you were listening to her and Aniya talk, you suddenly felt a tap on your shoulder. It was Jaiden.

"Y/n, is it okay if I pull you for a quick chat?" she asked softly. You looked back at the girls who nodded their heads. Encouraging you to go talk to her. You turned back to look at her and nodded your head, signalling to go over to 'say less'.

The silence was a bit awkward. You didn't know what to say or if you should start the conversation, but luckily Jaiden decided to make the first move.

"I just wanted to say, I'm really sorry for how things went down last night with Caleb. If I was in your shows, I know I would react the same way, and I just hope that we can somehow get past this and get to know each other more." As much as the petty side of you wanted to scoff and roll your eyes at her words, you had to admit that this wasn't her fault. In the end this was all Caleb's doing.

"Can I ask you something?" you whispered, afraid that your voice would crack if you spoke normally. She gave you a small smile and said yes.

"Did Caleb ever say anything about me or our connection?" you finally bit the bullet and asked her. You needed to know this. Your heart needs to know this.

"He talked about you all the time." she admitted.

"He would always say how his connection with you was very strong and that it would take a lot to top it." She started explaining. You didn't react yet, you wanted to hear everything. You needed to hear everything.

"From the time he was there up until the night of the recoupling, he would always mention you. You were always on his mind everyday." you scoffed and sat yourself up straight.

"yeah right.." you mumbled.

"It's true, he thought of you and spoke of you everyday." she stated.

"No offense to you, then why did he make the choice he did." you asked.

"He told me that he wanted to continue to pursue the connection and test it to see which one was stronger." Now you were pissed. After everything, your connection with him was suddenly not strong enough.

"Thank you for telling me this, but I need to go do something right now." you finished the conversation and got up from your seat. You walked back over to the kitchen, your eyes scanning the area.

"Y/n, you okay?" Trinity asked, she could see that you were on a mission for something. You looked around more, ignoring her question until you look up and see Caleb and Sincere sitting across from each other at the dock, talking. You marched way over there.

Once he was in your line of sight, the sound of your heels stomping on the floor caused both boys to look up and turn to you.

"You are so fucking disrespectful you know that." you spat at him. Your rage finally starts to get the best of you. His eyes widened when he realized that you were talking to him and he got up from his seat quickly.

"Sincere, I don't know who you're looking at, but you better leave right now." you warned him. He didn't waste a single second and scurried off. It was just you and Caleb now, and you were ready.

"You're such a piece of shit." you told him rudely, your hands enclosed as fists by your sides.

"We can talk about why I'm a piece of shit." he said calmly. It only angered you more.

"Was it fucking worth it Caleb? Was it all fucking worth it?!" you looked at him with disgust.

Caleb couldn't blame you for how you were talking to him. He fucked up so bad. He fuck up the relationship with you. He felt like a piece of shit.

"No, it wasn't worth it." he replied back. He was so ashamed of himself. But you didn't care. You could give a fuck about he felt, but he sure was going to know how you felt.

"Why the fuck did you do it then? How could you leave me alone that night after what we did, how could you fucking bring her back after what has happened between us?" your voice so loud that you could hear the other stop talking from down below. They could hear everything you were saying.

"I wanted to test our connection." he started off, you scoffed at his answer.

"I told her that my connection is still strong with you, that it's going to be hard to top it." you cut him off.

"That's fucking bullshit and you know it. You are so fucking disrespectful. To watch you fucking kiss her, not even after twenty four hours of being with me in the hideaway and you fucking folded like a fucking pretzel." you spat.

"Y/n, I still told her though that I thought of you everyday. There wasn't a day where I didn't speak about you." he spoke as he got closer to you. He wanted you to understand so badly. He could see how his words were only doing more harm than good.

"Fuck you Caleb." you told him, the tears finally falling so he could see how hurt you truly were.

"You're fucked up, you're so fucked up, you were not respectful in the slightest." you cried out.

"Have some fucking respect, cause I told you what the fuck!" your hand gesturing at him. A cry escaped from your throat and you tried to walk away before you broke.

"Y/n, wait." Caleb had tried to stop you by grabbing your arm.

"Don't fucking touch me." you yelled at him. Caleb was shocked. He had never seen you like this, and he was starting to realize how bad his actions truly affected you.

"You were not even respectful in the slightest, the fucking slightest Caleb. There was no type of consideration for me or else you would not have done half of the shit you did." you told him.

"Y/n, I told her that I felt that I was disrespecting you-" he started.

"And kept doing it?" you cut him off. You didn't care how rude it was. Just like he didn't care about your feelings.

"So how bad did you really feel, cause you kept doing it and doing it, and then you fucking brought her back to rub that shit in my fucking face."

"I wasn't trying to rub shit in your face Y/n." he spoke over you, trying to get his words out.

"Maybe not intentionally, but you did it. You brought her back so stand on what the hell you did." you told him. You couldn't take it anymore. You broke at that moment. The sobs leave your body and out in the open.

"Did that night not mean anything to you?" You finally asked. "Am I just a fucking joke to you? Is that all you wanted from me?" you questioned him, trying to control your cries so you could get your answers.

Caleb's heart broke right then and there, he should've known better. After that night, he should have done better, because at the end of the day that night meant everything to him. He hated that he was the cause of your pain, the cause of your heartbreak. He never wanted to be the cause of this, and this was the worse pain unimaginable.

"It meant everything." he said softly, trying to keep control of emotions. "That night meant every fucking thing to me Y/n." he wanted you to believe him, and you wanted to as well, but his actions showed otherwise.

"It didn't take much for you to do what you did Caleb. It didn't take shit." you told him, the sobs are still leaving your body. He hated seeing you cry, he hated being the cause of you crying. He felt so fucking disgusted with himself in this moment. He now realizes what he did to you.

"You promised me, and you couldn't even keep it. I thought of you every step of the way, had you in the back of my mind every fucking day..." you started, wiping away some of the excess tears, but they still kept coming.

"Y/n please, just let me explain." but you shook your head.

"No Caleb. I'm fucking done." you finally said. You looked at him in the eye one last time, hoping he could see how much he broke you. You walked past him, headed towards the stairs.

"Y/n!" he called after you. "We can't just end it like this." he yelled out to you, trying to get you to listen. But you continued walking.

"You ended it when you walked in here with her."

You close your eyes tightly, but it doesn’t help. The image is burned into the back of your eyelids—Rafe. Sofia. Kissing. Twice.

That you knew about. 

You can still hear his voice through the tiny speaker of the phone, weak and distorted, yet telling his ex-girlfriend that he missed her, loud and clear. You can still see the way he didn’t pull away when she leaned in.

Two weeks of building something that felt real, something you thought was unbreakable, shattered in less than a minute.

Beside you, the sheets rustle and that’s when you're pulled back. 

Theo stirs, shifting his weight, throwing a lazy arm over the space between you. He doesn’t wake up, but just the sight of him makes a lump form in your throat.

He’s been so good to you since he got here, holding back his own feelings because he knew how wrapped up you were in Rafe. 

And look where that respect got you.

When the bedroom lights finally do click on, you don’t even have the energy to groan like the other girls do. You just pull the duvet up over your chin, still staring blankly at the wall.

A little while later, the bedroom doors creak open. The Casa boys walk in, trying to be as quiet as possible, carrying plates of food and mugs of coffee. Justin is leading, a bright smile on his face as he heads straight for Cleo’s bed. Brandon follows closely behind, looking for Rima, while Thomas carries a tray toward Kiara and a small offering for Sarah. 

Theo is right at the back. You didn’t even remember him getting up out of the bed, his eyes searching the room until they land on you. He’s carrying a plate of pancakes with strawberries and a glass of iced coffee.

"Morning, bellissima," Theo murmurs, his voice deep, gravelly. He carefully sets the plate down on your bedside table and sits on the edge of your mattress. “I did my best. You seemed exhausted.”

"Thanks, Theo," you say, your voice cracking slightly. You force yourself to sit up, leaning back against the headboard. You try to offer him a smile, but it feels barely there. "It looks amazing. You didn’t have to do all this."

"I know," he says softly, reaching out to gently nudge your knee through the covers. "I told you yesterday, I’m here for whatever you need. If you need pancakes, I make pancakes. If you need me to throw a brick at the wall for you, I can do that too." He teases, a tired smile on his face

A tiny laugh slips past your lips, and Theo’s face lights up at the sound. 

But, across the room, its noticeably miserable.

Sarah is sitting cross-legged on her bed, picking aimlessly at a piece of avocado toast that Thomas brought her, a friendly gesture. She hasn't even looked up at anyone, her eyes bloodshot. Kiara looks even worse, staring at her coffee mug, her shoulders hunched over as Thomas tries to whisper something comforting to her. 

Confessional : You “I just want to crawl under a rock.” You stare blankly. “We had just gotten back on track, and I trusted him. To see him with Sofia, telling her he misses her?” You whispered to yourself, upset. “I feel stupid, like a total idiot for sitting here being loyal while he’s practically treating Casa Amor like a vacation with his ex.”

AFTER a very tense and quiet breakfast where nobody really ate anything, the boys give you and the girls some space to get ready for the day. 

You drag yourself into the glam room, slouching into one of the chairs in front of the mirrors. Sarah sits to your left, staring blankly at her makeup bag, while Kiara slumps into the chair on your right, burying her face in her hands.

The silence is tear-jerking until Rima walks in, clapping her hands together to break the tension, rising her hands above her head like she just had the most re-energizing sleep of her life. Cleo follows right behind her, crossing her arms.

"Good morning, mamacitas," Rima starts, playful and full of love, though she looks at the three of you with a no-nonsense expression. "I, unfortunately, cannot, and will not, look at your miserable faces anymore.” She fixes you all with a tight-lipped grimace. "I hate seeing gorgeous women let stupid boys ruin their spark."

"Easy for you to say," Kiara mutters, her voice muffled by her hands. "You didn’t see the boy you were in couple with tongue-fucking two girls on camera..."

"Kieee," Rima chimes in, stepping forward. "We all saw the video. It was awful, yes. But you need a reality check. All of you. How long have we known these guys? Hm? Two weeks.” She emphasizes. “Two. Weeks. We’ve known them for fourteen days, and you’re letting them ruin your fun!"

"Exactly," Cleo agrees, just as energized this morning. "These guys are our exes, sure. But they came in here for us and, most of them, are treating us like damn royalty. Why are you wasting your tears on boys who are clearly not thinking about your feelings right now?"

Sarah sighs, leaning her head back against her chair. " We know you guys are right. We do.” She speaks for all of you. “...I’m trying not to focus on what John B said or did in that clip. I want to have fun today. But... I don't know, I’m still holding out a bit of hope.” She admits sheepishly. “I mean, I don’t know what happened during their full conversation, and it looked like they only shared kisses during challenges…” She throws out, hoping she doesn’t get flamed for her stance. “I don’t want to completely throw away what we have over something I’m not even sure is anything bad."

Kiara lets out a bitter laugh, dropping her hands from her face. Her eyes are rimmed red. "Can’t say the same for JJ. He’s clearly over there living his best life.” She scoffs, disgusted. “Kissing whatever girl is thrown at him, smiling, laughing... it’s like I don’t even exist to him. Like, was he ever actually serious about me, or was this whole thing just a big game to him?"

Rima and Cleo both nod, validating their hurt, before their eyes slowly shift over to you. You’ve been quiet the whole time, just staring at your fingernails, a knot of anger tightly twisting in your stomach.

"Babe," Cleo calls softly, tone softening as she looks at you. "What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?"

You let out a long, shaky breath, shaking your head. "...I’m just done. I’m over it."

Sarah and Kiara both turn their heads to look at you, surprised.

"I don't think there’s any misinterpretation over what I saw," you say. "We spent the last two weeks getting to know each other. We talked about things that I thought meant something. He asked me to close things off, for fuck sake. And then the second he gets a chance, he runs right back to his ex? And I can't get the image out of my head.” You shake your head, scoffing. “I can’t unhear him telling Sofia that he misses her and then just.... There’s no excuse for that. He said it out of his own mouth."

"I know it's a slap in the face," Rima says, fixing you with a sorrowful gaze. "I really didn’t think he would do that to you."

"None of us did. He fooled us, too. But," Cleo says, leaning in closer to you. "Use that video as your motivation, girl. If Rafe is over there doing whatever the hell he wants, then you need to break free. You need to start looking out for number one. You need to do what's best for you."

Rima smiles, a cheeky glint in her eye as she watches your expression shift. "...Does what you saw in that video make you a bit more open to… exploring Theo?” she taunts. “More than you’ve been allowing yourself to?"

The room goes quiet as all four girls wait for your answer. 

Everyone knows that Theo has been on you since the guys walked in, and everyone also knows that you’ve been holding back, keeping him at arm’s length because you wanted to respect Rafe.

You let out a breath that’s half-sigh, half-laugh, and a determined smile pulls at the corners of your lips.

"Hell yeah, it makes me more open," you say, a nod accompanying your words. "I’ve been sitting here considering Rafe's feelings, trying to be respectful of him, and he clearly hasn't been doing the same for me. He didn’t think about me for a second when Sofia was in front of him. So, yeah.” You realize, conviction in your voice. “From this point on, I’m here for me, just like you guys said."

"Yes! That's what I want to hear!" Rima cheers, jumping up to give you a quick squeeze around the shoulders. "No more crying over boys who don't deserve it."

Confessional : Kiara “Hearing the girls talk... it definitely gives me a bit of a push. I’m still gutted about JJ, I’m not going to lie. It hurts to feel like you’re easily forgotten.” She huffs. “But Rima and Cleo are right. I can’t just sit in a corner and rot while he’s out there clearly living it up.”

THE rest of the day unfolds, trapped in a strange, sun-drenched haze. The cloud of misery that had blanketed the villa in the morning slowly begins to fade away as you and the girls finally start giving the Casa Amor boys the time of day.

Well, most of you.

Sarah still keeps to herself for the majority of the afternoon, spreads her towel out on a sun lounger by the pool, putting her sunglasses on. True to her word, she’s holding out hope for John B. When Mattheo, the only guy who hasn’t really gotten on with anyone due to his pursuit of you, tries to slide onto the edge of her lounger with two glasses of ice water, she smiles politely, talks casually with him, but the second he tries to drop a flirty compliment, she steers the conversation back to the friend zone.

Later, she spends a good hour on the daybeds, chatting with Cleo.

Kiara, however, takes Rima and Cleo’s advice to heart. You watch from across the deck as she approaches Thomas, who is working out by the outdoor gym. She looks gorgeous in a bright red bikini, her hair tied up in a high ponytail. Thomas drops his weights the second she walks over, a grin spreading across his face.

By mid-afternoon, the two of them migrate over to the daybeds.

They’re laughing, and Thomas is leaning in close, his hand resting gently on her knee. You can see Kiara’s shoulders relax for the first time in days. As Thomas says something that makes her throw her head back and laugh, she suddenly leans forward, catching him by surprise, and presses her lips to his. It’s a long kiss, and when she pulls back, Thomas looks ecstatic.

Meanwhile, Rima is having a chat with Brandon on the beanbags. She’s twisting a strand of her hair around her finger, listening to him talk about his life back home. It’s clear she really likes him, an undeniable chemistry there, but every time Brandon tries to get her to lock things down or talk about the inevitable recoupling, she plays it cool. She hasn’t made up her mind, and she’s making him work for every single inch of her attention.

Cleo and Justin, on the other hand, look like they’ve been coupled up for months, practically attached at the hip, floating around the pool together on a giant inflatable ring, laughing so loudly that their voices echo across the courtyard. Cleo looks genuinely happy, glowing, a contrast to the version of her that existed when she was constantly worrying about Miles' trustworthiness and Pope’s uncertainty.

But your focus is on the boy sitting right next to you.

You and Theo spend almost the entire afternoon together on the large sofa in the shade. He doesn’t push you, and he doesn’t force you to talk about the video, he just provides his most comforting company.

When you randomly drop into an angry rant about how fucked up Rafe is, Theo listens, nodding along, his arm stretched out along the back of the sofa behind you.

And when you decide you want to pretend Rafe doesn’t exist, like you didn’t see what you saw, Theo is happy to switch gears, making jokes and teasing you until your stomach hurts from laughing.

He gives you the emotional space you need, letting you be messy and angry without making you feel judged.

"Alright, pop quiz," Theo says, turning his body to face you fully, his eyes sparkling. "It is time for your daily Italian lesson. You are failing miserably so far, bella."

"Hey! I am not failing," you defend yourself, laughing as you nudge his shoulder. "I remember what you taught me yesterday." You say matter-of-factly.

"Oh yeah? Alright then." He challenges. "What does...sei bellissima mean?"

"...You are very beautiful," you say smoothly, a cocky expression on your face, chin held high.

"Perfect.” His eyes glue themselves to your face. “There is hope for you yet," Theo chuckles, his voice dropping as he leans closer. "Let’s try something a little more advanced." His eyes sparkle. "If you want to tell someone that they have completely stolen your heart, you say, Mi hai rubato il cuore."

You try to mimic the words, your tongue tripping over the vowels. "Mi hai... rubato il... cuore?"

"Close, close," Theo murmurs, his eyes dropping down to your lips for a brief second before locking back onto yours. "The pronunciation needs a little bit more passion, you know? Like this,” he shifts on the cushion, reiterating his words more slowly. “Mi hai rubato il cuore. You have to mean it."

"I do mean it," you whisper through a short laugh, the playful atmosphere suddenly shifting into something more breath snatching.

Theo smiles softly, his fingers reaching out to gently brush his thumb against the soft of your cheek, his touch lingering against your skin. "Good."

Confessional: Theo “I know she’s had a rough couple of days, and I hate seeing her hurt. But selfishly... I am glad she's finally letting herself be more open to me.” He smirks, sheepish as he palms the back of his neck. “I’ve grown very fond of her and I plan to spend every second making sure she knows she deserves a guy who only has eyes for her.”

Though, the quiet bubble of the afternoon is suddenly broken by the beep-beep of multiple phones echoing across the pool deck. Rima jumps up from her beanbag, snatching her phone.

"I got a text!" she shrieks, her voice echoing.

The girls instantly crowd around her, the Casa Amor boys looking on with raised eyebrows as she reads the screen aloud, a smirk spreading across her face.

"Girls, it’s time to see who is really getting hot and bothered. Today, the Main Villa and Casa Amor will go head-to-head in the ultimate battle of desire in Temperatures Rising. #HotAndBothered #BeatTheBoys"

You all couldn’t fake the level of excitement that came out if you tried.

You needed something to lift the mood from whatever the hell happened yesterday, and since the guys wanted to take your kindness for weakness?

You’d return the favor.

"THE challenge will work in rounds. In each round, you all will go toe-to-toe against your original partner alongside your Casa partner. You’ll blindly draw your category and make your Casa partner's temperature rise to the goal first. The giant thermometers will track your real-time progress."

You read out as you all sit around the firepit where two massive prop thermometers tower on each side of a neon platform—one a hot pink for you girls, and the other a cool blue representing the boys over at Casa Amor.

Confessional : Rima "I’m so ready to show these boys what they're missing," Rima beams. “Because, clearly, they need to be reminded.”

A phone chimes just then, announcing the first matchup as Kiara reads the text.

“First up: Kiara versus JJ.”

Kiara doesn't hesitate, standing and locking eyes with Mattheo. "Get up." She urges him as he stands, trailing after her, standing on the platform as Kiara steps up to the tinted acrylic box, reaching her hand inside. She swirls her fingers around before pulling out a pink ball, turning it over.

"Tickle," Kiara reads aloud, turning the ball to face you all, grabbing the pink cat feather by the box. Kiara and Mattheo step onto the platform, and because of everything, there’s an undeniable awkwardness between them, but Kiara is determined.

The timer blares, and they get straight to it—Mattheo drops to his knees, and Kiara wastes no time getting down and dirty with the tickling. She runs the feather down his bare chest as he sheds his top, tracking his obliques, while Mattheo returns the favor, dragging his fingers up her inner thighs and along her ribs. It’s hilarious but actually kind of sexy as they give it their absolute all, squirming and laughing dirtily on the platform. 

The rest of you are all screaming, cheering them on like a pack of animals.

You glance at the thermometers, noticing the pink meter climbing steady, but suddenly, the blue thermometer spikes, going up two increments in rapid succession—fuck. And before Kiara and Mattheo can hit the threshold, a loud ding echoes as the blue meter hits the top.

A text flashes on Kie’s phone as she straightens herself out, sighing.

"JJ and Haja have won the point for Casa Amor."

Kiara scoffs, tossing the feather aside, her eyes narrowing at the blue thermometer. "Of course he did," she mutters under her breath, walking back to the group, fixing her top.

Confessional : Kiara “Like, what was the point even? Y’all put me up against Sir Lips-a-Lot, he was probably over there tickling girls with his tongue...” She rolls her eyes.

As she and Mattheo take their seats, Sarah’s phone makes a sound and she flips it open. 

“Sarah versus John B.”

Sarah steps forward, her face fierce but still holding a certain…uncertainty. "Tommy, you're with me." She urges him forward with a single, crooked finger as she marches up to the platform and ball-chamber, thrusts her hand in, and pulls out her ball. 

"Suck," she reads, a grin on her lips.

And the second the timer counts down, Sarah goes wild, no holding back. 

She throws herself at Thomas, her hands instantly gripping his hair. She goes straight for his neck, sucking fiercely against his skin, leaving a dark mark within seconds. Thomas's eyes go wide, flustered as Sarah moves to his ears, sucking the lobes before kneeling and dragging her mouth down to his fingers, taking them into her mouth one by one with an unwavering stare.

And you all go absolutely feral, sounding like a rowdy bleacher section at a baseball game. 

"YES SARAHHH!" Rima screams, pumping her fists.

Thomas is breathless, his hands holding Sarah's face just to keep his balance. The pink thermometer shoots up like a rocket, rising steadily and fast, and before the blue meter even gets halfway, it reaches the top and Rima is reading out a text.

"Sarah and Thomas have taken the point!"

You all jump up and down, the deck shaking as Sarah and Thomas walk back, wiping her mouth with a triumphant smirk, while Thomas stands there looking like his soul just left his body.

Confessional : Sarah “Who’s the better option, now?” Sarah tilts her head, blowing a kiss. “Bitch.”

And the second they’re sat, Cleo’s phone goes off— “Cleo versus Miles.”

Cleo squeals, grabbing Justin as she struts over to the box, pulling out the category— Kiss.

"Oh, I am ready," she purrs, and the buzzer sounds without her wasting a single second.

She practically launches herself at Justin, wrapping her legs around his waist as he catches her effortlessly. In one swift motion, she tears his unbuttoned shirt completely off his shoulders, letting it flutter to the ground as you all cheer her on like a pack of wolves—standing up, whooping, cheering, howling.

She shoves her tongue straight down his throat, her hands running through his short hair.

Justin catches what she throws him, gripping her thighs, spinning her around and laying her flat down on the platform. He straddles her, grinding his hips firmly against hers, over and over, making her dress ride up her thighs. He kisses her passionately, dragging his lips down her jaw, her throat, and along her collarbone while Cleo laughs, arching into him.

The pink meter is neck-and-neck with the blue meter and you all get even louder as it becomes a literal race against time. Both thermometers are hovering a millimeter from the top—

Ding.

The blue siren hits first, and the boys at Casa Amor just barely edged them out.

Cleo sighs as she digs out her phone, groaning. "Miles and Sofia have taken the lead for Casa Amor.”

You all groan, defeated, but Cleo is still satisfied, pulling Justin down for one last kiss before they return to their seats and Rima’s phone goes off, signaling her turn— “Rima versus Pope.”

Rima smiles brightly as you all clap while she grabs Brandon, her eyes fixed on the prize as she reaches into the tinted box and pulls out ‘lick’.

"Brandon, baby, get ready for the ride of your life," Rima whispers to him, a dangerous glint in her eye as she turns into a woman possessed when the timer starts. She shoves Brandon backward, pinning his wrists flat against the platform as she leans over him, her tongue tracing a slow, wet, hot line from his belly button all the way up his abs. Brandon lets out a loud, low groan that echoes through the yard.

But Rima doesn't stop, she only moves up to his chest, licking up and down his torso, using the tip of her tongue to trace the dark ink of the tattoos sprawling across his body. She pins him tighter as you all scream, her mouth working against his skin with a hunger that has the entire villa covering their mouths in shock.

The pink thermometer is moving fast, way faster than the blue meter could ever dream of when the pink light hits the top, blinking.

"Rima and Brandon have tied the score!"

You all cheer for them as Rima gets up and winks at Brandon, letting him up as he pants, dazed.

Then, the final text hits the screen as they sit down, a buzz against your skin— “Y/N versus Rafe.”

You feel a fire bloom in your chest, smirking as you look at Theo, finding his dark eyes already locked on you. You take his hand in yours as the others clap, watching you step up to the tinted chamber, plunge your hand inside, and grab the final ball. 

You pull it out and hold it up high—nibble.

You laugh, wondering how you were going to do this but everyone else seemed excited as the countdown began.

Theo turns to you, and you meet him halfway, crashing your lips into his.

It’s not a soft kiss. It's harsh, bruising, as you bite down on his bottom lip, pulling it firmly before releasing, and Theo lets out a sharp breath, returning the favor by gripping your jaw and biting your top lip, sending a jolt straight to your core.

A shiver wrecks your body as Theo moves down to your neck, nibbling his way along your pulsing veins as his hands slide up your shoulders, and using nothing but his teeth, he catches the thin straps of your dress, slowly peeling them down to reveal the skin of your chest, nibbling along the delicate curves of your exposed breasts.

The girls are losing their minds as the guys howl at Theo’s antics.

Fueled by their excitement, you grab Theo by his shoulders and flip him onto his back, straddling his lap. You lean down, nibbling sensitive spots across his chest, not even hearing every cheer about how you’d already won. 

He drags your face back up to his own, his mouth to your ear as his teeth graze your earlobe, biting down just enough to make you gasp before he whispers something against your skin.

"Sei così sexy quando prendi il controllo..."

Then, lowering yourself further, you lean down and hook the elastic waistline of his underwear that was showing right between your teeth, pulling it back and letting it pluck back against his skin.

“We won! Damn,” a voice finally breaks through, laughing.

You glance up at the meters while still hovering above a breathless Theo—the pink thermometer at its limit.

Your phone chimes and you grab it from where it landed on the deck, blowing hair out of your face as you smile. 

"Y/N and Theodore stole the game. The Villa wins!”

The girls instantly storm the platform, jumping from their places and rushing towards you, throwing their arms around you and Theo, screaming at the top of their lungs as the guys dogpile on top of you all. You connect in one, massive hug—jumping around like pre-school kids before letting go.

Without a word, Rima grabs your hand and Cleo’s with a wide smile as you both grab Sarah and Kie, the five of you sprinting up to the balcony that overlooks the surrounding hills and trees, spotting lights at Casa Amor in the distance.

Leaning over the railing, hyped up on spite and victory, you all scream at the top of your lungs into the open air, chanting the same phrase over and over

"Fuck Casa!"

"OH my god," Cleo gasps, fanning her face with her hand as she leans back against the cushions of the terrace sofa. "I needed that. I needed that, so bad."

"I think we all did," Kiara smiles, shaking her head as a smirk settles on her face. "I bet they're pissed."

"They should be!" Rima scoffs. "They thought they were out there living it up, completely forgetting who they left behind. We are the blueprints."

"That was way more fun than I though it'd be," Sarah chimes in, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I would give everything to have them tied down and watch us do it all over again." She laughs, leaning over and nudging your shoulder. "And can we talk about you?"

"Me?" you laugh nervously, looking around. "What about me?"

"Girl," Rima deadpans. "We were screaming that we'd won and you were still going." She amuses herself, the others around giggling. "Theo looked like he met God."

You feel a heat creep up your neck, laughing along with them. "I had to get the point! For...all of us..."

"More like you had to show Rafe how badly he fucked up," Cleo teases. "I don't blame you. He definitely missed a good show."

You huff, rolling your eyes, fighting a smile as, right on cue, a shadow falls over you all and footsteps sound out. You look up to find Theo standing at the stairs.

"Sorry to interrupt the after party, ladies," he says. He extends a hand toward you. "But can I steal Y/N for a chat?"

"Oooooh," the girls instantly chorus in unison, urging him to steal you away.

"Take her!"

"Don't do anything we wouldn't do!" Cleo calls out playfully as you take his hand, letting him pull you down the steps.

Theo doesn't take you far, just around the corner to the daybeds. The night air is warm, but his presence makes you warmer.

He turns to face you, leaning his hip against the edge of the daybed as he guides you to sit, his arms crossed over his chest as he looks down at you.

"So," Theo starts, his eyes twinkling. "You really pulled some tricks out there."

You tilt your head up. "What can I say?" you shrug cutely. "I like a good game."

He nods, humming, reaching out to let his hand rest against the base of your neck. "The underwear move," he starts. "Am I the first to experience that number?

You sway in your spot, tucking your lip between your teeth, thinking. "Mmm... I think you'd feel less special if I told you," you tease, looking him up and down. "Why?" You feign innocence. "Did you mind?"

"Mind?" Theo’s voice drops. His thumb tracing slow circles against your pulse. "Never." He breaths. "Not with you. I was about two seconds away from forgetting about the cameras and throwing the game just to keep you right there on top of me."

Your face grows warm at his words, biting back a smile. "You talk a big game for someone who nearly fainted from a little biting."

Theo raises an eyebrow. "Who said it was the biting that had me lightheaded?" he teases, inching closer. "What if I said it was just you?"

And he doesn’t wait for an actual answer, his hand sliding up to your jaw as he pulls you against him, both of you completely disregarding any previously set boundaries.

When his lips hit yours, it’s much different from the challenge. There's no cheering, no crowd, no theatrics—just a hunger that had been building since the moment he saw you.

He tastes like mint and something else, and the kiss starts deep, his lips parting yours with an urgency that makes you whimper into his mouth. Your hands find their way to his chest, palms flat against it, feeling the frantic thud of his heart.

Theo groans into the kiss, the sound vibrating into your chest. He pushes you back until your laying on the daybed, shifting his weight so he’s pressing you down onto the cushions. The kiss turns brutal, his tongue tangling with yours as his teeth graze your bottom lip again, pulling a gasp from your throat. His free hand slides up your thigh, his touch hot, pulling your body firmly against his hips.

By the time he finally pulls back, regaining his composure, just a fraction of an inch, both of you are breathless and your lips are wet and swollen. Theo rests his forehead against yours, his eyes dark, his chest heaving in tandem with your own.

He smirks watching you look at him with wide, lust-blown eyes, knowing you're waiting for him to dive back in. But he just huffs a low laugh, squeezing your thigh.

"You were saying?"

WHEN night falls, the exhaustion of the day, and the last few days, finally catches up to everyone.

Sarah still doesn’t even step foot into the main bedroom, grabbing a blanket and a pillow and heading straight out to Soul Ties, wanting to be alone with her thoughts and her evidently unwavering faith to John B. 

Kiara, determined to keep pushing forward, grabs Thomas’s hand and guides him out to the daybeds, deciding to spend the night sleeping under the stars with him.

That leaves just you, Theo, Cleo, Justin, Rima, Brandon, and Mattheo in the main bedroom.

And when the lights click off, plunging the room into darkness, save for the faint glow of the neon lights bleeding through the curtains, you can hear Cleo and Justin whispering softly in their bed, followed by the quiet sound of them kissing. 

Rima and Brandon are curled up together, already fast asleep with Mattheo mindlessly staring up at the ceiling, in the bed by himself.

You turn onto your side, facing Theo. The gap between you both feels incredibly small tonight and he's already facing you, his head propped up on his hand, eyes watching you in the shadows.

"Are you still awake?" he whispers, his voice a passing sound against the quiet of the room.

"Yeah," you whisper back, pulling the blanket up to your nose. "...My mind won't stop." you admit, voice shaky.

Theo slides closer to you across the bed, his free hand reaching to find yours under the covers. His fingers intertwine with your own, his skin warm and reassuring. "Parla con me," he whispers. Talk to me.

"...It’s hard," you admit softly, your eyes searching for his in the dark. "But... being with you today made it a lot easier. Thank you."

"You don't need to keep thanking me," he says, a tender smile touching his lips. He tugs gently on your hand, pulling you a bit closer. "C’mere..."

And you don’t hesitate this time, crossing the small divide until your faces are only inches apart. You can feel the warmth radiating off his body, the faint scent of him wrapping around you.

"I don’t like to see you cry," Theo whispers, his hand leaving yours to gently cup the side of your face. His thumb traces your cheekbone, his touch feather-light. "I mean it. Sei bellissima."

Your breath hitches as you take a deep one, and you can’t stop yourself as you look at his lips, then back up to his eyes, and for the first time in days, the knot in your chest melts away.

You don’t pull back. Instead, you lean forward, closing the remaining distance between you.

When your lips meet Theo’s, it’s soft. He kisses you with a certain gentleness that sends a shiver down your spine. His hand shifts to the back of your neck, his fingers pulling you in as he deepens the kiss, pulling you completely against him, lips slotting against yours, tongue dipping inside just enough to tease.

When you finally pull apart, both of you are breathing a bit heavier and Theo rests his forehead against yours, a soft, breathless chuckle escaping him.

"Yeah," he whispers against your skin. "I like that."

You smile into the darkness, wrapping your arms around his neck as you slide against him, curling your body into his chest. He wraps his arms tightly around your waist, pulling the duvet over both of you. As you fall asleep, wrapped up in his warmth, you feel a sense of peace you haven’t felt since Casa Amor started.

But deep down, you know the real storm hasn’t even hit yet.

THE next morning, nearly everything is different. The calm of yesterday has almost gone, replaced by this crushing wave of anxiety. 

When you walk out onto the terrace for the usual morning girl chat, nobody is smiling, the reality of what is about to happen tonight finally sinking in. You know today is going to be nothing short of a complete whirlwind of decisions. 

Because the boys are coming back. 

Nobody knows exactly what they did, they probably don’t know you all know anything at all, nobody knows who they’re bringing with them, and the uncertainty of where anyone is going to stand by the end of the night has everyone’s nerves fried.

"I feel sick," Kiara confesses, rocking back and forth on one of the outdoor chairs, her hands wrapped tightly around a mug of green tea. "Like, actually sick to my stomach."

"I know," Cleo says, though she looks composed compared to the rest of you, sitting with her legs crossed. "It’s terrifying, but I just want it over with. I’m tired of guessing, of wondering what’s happening over there."

"Are you completely set on your choice then?" Rima asks, leaning against the terrace railing.

"100%," Cleo says without a single second of hesitation. "Miles and I were completely dead in the water anyway, and Pope..." She shrugs, a tight-lipped grimace on her face.

Rima nods, looking down at her own feet. “I’m still... I don't know. I’ve been having a great time with Brandon, but the closer we get to the decision, the more I’m starting to think about everything, but then again, do I want to stick with Pope when I don't even know where his head is at?"

Sarah is completely quiet, just staring out over the pool. She doesn't say it, but everyone knows she’s sticking with John B. She’s putting all her cards on the table, all of her eggs in his basket, betting everything on the hope that his kisses or lack of words in her defense didn’t mean anything.

You just sit there, your stomach twisting into a million tight, tiny knots. You spent the whole night wrapped in Theo’s arms, and it felt incredible, but now that the sun is up and the recoupling is looming, the weight of it all is crashing down on you.

The boys make breakfast for everyone again, and you girls try your best to put on a brave face and have fun with them. You eat, you laugh at Justin’s jokes and Thomas’s clumsiness, and you let Theo sit next to you, his hand resting reassuringly on your thigh. Everyone is trying to enjoy the summer weather and experience, trying to pretend like the axe isn’t about to fall.

BY early afternoon, everyone is scattered around. You’re standing in the outdoor kitchen, pouring yourself a glass of water, when the sound of heels catches your attention and a collective gasp echoes across the yard.

Walking into the villa, looking absolutely stunning, is Ariana.

"Oh my God," Kiara whispers, instantly jumping up from her pool chair. "No."

"Girls, boys... please, gather around the fire pit," Ariana’s voice echoes across the courtyard.

Your heart drops and you exchange a wide-eyed look with Sarah as you walk over to the seating area. The Casa boys sit on one side, while the girls sit on the other, the air deathly quiet.

Ariana stands at the center, a serious and knowing smile on her face.

"Hello, Islanders," she greets, her eyes scanning the anxious faces lined up before her. "As you know, today is the last day of Casa Amor."

A silence settles over the fire pit, everyone exchanging looks as someone finally let it be known aloud. You can hear the rustle of the palm trees in the wind, but nobody moves an inch.

"Tonight," Ariana continues, "the original boys will be returning to the villa. And by the end of the night, each of you girls—as well as your boys back at Casa Amor—will be tasked with making one monumental decision.” She dramaticizes. “You will have to decide whether you want to stick with your original partner, or twist and bring back one of these boys to explore a new connection."

She pauses, letting the words hang in the air.

"I must also remind you," Ariana adds, her tone turning ominous, "that if you do not wish to bring someone back from Casa Amor, but you also do not wish to remain in your original couple... you may decide to remain single.” She informs, her expression softening into something genuinely supportive. "It’s going to be a tough night, but remember—do what is best for you. Have fun, look after your hearts, and good luck.” She smiles pitifully. “I will see you all tonight."

With a final click of her heels, Ariana turns and walks out of the villa, leaving you all sitting around worldlessly.

AS soon as the gathering breaks up, Theo catches your eye and jerks his head toward the daybeds, silently asking to pull you for a chat. You nod, swallowing the lump in your throat, and follow him over to the Speakeasy.

The two of you sit down facing each other, the space between you heavy. Theo looks at you, his eyes serious but still gentle.

"Alright, bella," he grunts, breaking the ice and taking a deep breath as he adjusts in his seat. "I don't want to pressure you, but…I need to know what you’re thinking."

You look at him, taking in his handsome face, his kind eyes, and the genuine worry etched into his forehead. "...I want to know where your head is at first."

Theo lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Me? I’ve been enjoying every second of getting to know you. I like you, piccola,” he flirts. “You are the most incredible, beautiful, and genuine girl I have ever met in my life. Sleeping in the bed with you last night... kissing you... it just confirmed everything for me. I didn’t come in here looking for anything, but I found you anyway."

Small tears prick the corners of your eyes, and you have to look down at your hands to keep from crying, cursing yourself. "You are literally one of the sweetest, most amazing guys I have ever met.” You laugh. “And I’m not just saying that. Getting to know you has been the best part of this so far."

"...But?" Theo prompts softly, sensing the hesitation in your voice.

"But... I can't give you a straightforward answer right now," you confess, your voice cracking as you look back up at him. "I am so sorry. I hate to keep you waiting. I hate feeling like I’m keeping you on a string, because you deserve a girl who can look you in the eye right now and tell you exactly what she’s going to do. But I'm still so confused. My head is a mess, and I don't want to give you an answer right now, promise you something, and then switch up at the last second." You pout. "That wouldn’t be fair to you."

Theo looks at you for a long moment, the silence stretching between you. For a second, you’re terrified he’s going to get angry, that he’s going to walk away. But he just lets out a quiet sigh and reaches out, taking both of your hands in his.

You meet his eyes, a tear finally escaping and rolling down your cheek.

"I understand," Theo says. "And, hey, no matter what happens tonight... no matter what decision you make, I want you to know that I enjoyed getting to talk to you, getting to know you. Even just sleeping in that bed next to you, feeling you close to me... it was perfect. I’ve only known you for a few days, bella, but I know that you will always be in my mind. You are an unforgettable girl." He tells you firmly. "So don't worry about me. Do what you need to do."

You fix him with a sad, half-hearted smile. "You don't hate me?" and you hate how small you sound.

But Theo just looks at you, eyes full of pity. "I could never hate you."

You nod tearfully, overwhelmed by his kindness as he pulls you into a tight hug, burying his face in your hair. 

Theo is the perfect guy on paper, the perfect guy in reality—so why is your heart still painfully aching for the boy who broke it?

THE conversation with Theo leaves you feeling emotionally exhausted and you leave the Speakeasy, wiping your tears, desperately needing to talk to someone who isn't involved in the love triangle you’ve created for yourself.

You spot Sarah sitting alone on the beanbags, and you head straight for her. The second she sees your face, her expression softens, and she opens her arms up for you. You sink onto the edge of her beanbag, burying your face in her shoulder as a fresh wave of tears overtakes you.

"Oh, sweetie," Sarah coos, rubbing your back gently as you cry. "It’s okay."

After a few minutes, you pull back, wiping your eyes. "I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so upset...."

"Yes, you do. Don't apologize," Sarah says firmly, taking your hand. "I’m not far behind you."

You look at her, your chest heaving as you try to catch your breath. "How are you doing this? How can you still hold out so much hope on John B after seeing that video?"

Sarah lets out a long breath, looking out. "John B and I, we’ve been through a lot here already. And when I looked at that video, I really forced myself to dissect it. Some things can be so easily taken out of context. He was kissing Delaney, yes, but it looked like a challenge. I have to trust that he’s just playing the game, that his heart is still with me.” She tells you honestly. “If I don't have faith in him, then what did I come here for?"

She turns back to face you, her eyes warm. "But listen to me. No one, and I mean no one, is judging you for exploring Theo right now. Nobody is judging you for being uncertain about Rafe. If I had gotten a video of John B kissing his ex, hearing him tell her that he missed her? I’d be pretty fucking pissed, too.” She comforts. “Don’t kick yourself so much."

"That’s the thing," you sob, fresh tears spilling over your eyelashes. "I don't know what to do. I’m stuck. Half of me wants to have faith in Rafe... but then the other half says there’s nothing left to have faith in. I saw it with my own eyes. But then... what if I misunderstood something? I don't want to drag Theo along if I’m just going to run back to Rafe. But what if I really grow to like Theo, even more than Rafe? And if I didn't misunderstand anything, and I do decide to give Rafe another chance thinking I did... I will have just let a really good guy go and completely fucked myself over, basically." You rant.

Sarah pulls you into another tight hug. "I know. I know it’s a horrible position to be in. But you need to chill.” She laughs. “You being stuck between a rock and a hard place right now... it is not your fault. Rafe put you in this position, not you. You're going to make the right choice at the end of the day. And whatever choice you make at that fire pit, we're all behind you."

THE afternoon flies by in a blur, and before you know it, the dreaded text arrives.

Cleo picks up her phone from the kitchen counter. "I’ve got a text!"

"Oh God, here we go," Kiara whispers, clutching her stomach.

"Girls," Cleo reads, her voice trembling slightly. "Tonight, the boys will be returning to the villa and it will be time to make your final decisions. Please, get ready for tonight’s recoupling. #TheUltimateChoice #CasaNoMore"

The text serves as the final reminder that the countdown has basically just hit zero.

AN hour later, the makeup room is a mess. But unlike the previous nights where the room was filled with giggles and gossip, it’s incredibly serious. Now that the moment is actually here, everyone is being a lot more open about what they’re really thinking.

Sarah is sitting in front of the mirror, carefully applying a dark red lipstick. "I’m just going to hope for the best. My heart is with John B, and I’m sticking with him. Whatever happens, happens."

Kiara is zipping up her dress, her hands shaking. "Guys…my mind still isn't made up. I’m terrified.” She breathes out. “...And it doesn't help that Thomas and I kissed yesterday.” She says, the girls gasping as she blushes. “It felt really good, and it made me feel wanted for the first time in a while. I’m still torn, but..."

Cleo looks at herself in the full-length mirror, smoothing down a tight, emerald-green gown. "Well, it should be no surprise to anyone what my decision is going to be tonight.” She beams. “Justin has been a dream."

Rima is curling her hair, her expression unreadable. She catches Cleo’s eye in the mirror as she raises an expectant brow at her. "Oh, you girls are just going to have to wait and see. I’ve made my choice, but I’m keeping it under wraps. You know I like being dramatic." she shrugs cutely.

Suddenly, all four pairs of eyes turn, locking onto you. 

You’re standing in the corner, wearing a breathtaking dress that hugs you perfectly, but your face is drained and the silence stretches as they wait for you to give them something.

You look at your reflection, swallowing hard, and offer a very vague smile but no words. And before anyone can press you for more, a loud tone echoes, you picking up your phone and reading out the text.

“Islanders, please gather at the fire pit immediately. It is time for tonight’s recoupling.”

This is it. 

There’s no more time to think. No more time to cry.

And as you walk out, you find the Casa Amor boys waiting at the bottom of the stairs. 

Theo’s eyes lock onto you the second you appear, a soft expression crossing his face. He steps forward, offering you his arm with a quiet smile. You take it, your fingers trembling against his skin as the boys guide you girls over to the firepit.

And standing at the center of it all is Ariana.

The walk to the fire pit feels like a death march, and you and the girls take your seats on the semi-circular bench, while the Casa boys are told to stand next to Ariana. 

The crackle of the fire pit is the only sound breaking the silence of the night.

Ariana looks at everyone, her expression serious. "Islanders... welcome to, one of, the most important recouplings you will face during your time here."

She turns her attention to the line of Casa boys first. "Before we begin, I want to ask the boys... how did you find your experience here in the villa?"

Justin smiles, stepping forward slightly to speak first. "I loved it. It’s been an incredible experience, and I met an amazing girl. I could’ve been happier coming in but I couldn’t be any happier tonight."

Thomas nods in agreement. "Yeah, same here. It was a breath of fresh air, I appreciated the familiar faces, and I’m really grateful for the new ones."

Brandon and Theo both express similar sentiments, with Theo catching your eye and giving you a soft, supportive nod. "It was unforgettable," Theo says clearly.

But then, Ariana turns to the final boy. "Mattheo? How was your experience?"

Mattheo stands with his arms crossed, a dark scowl firmly etched onto his face. He lets out a loud, mocking scoff. "Honestly, I felt like coming here was a total waste of time.” He shrugs. “The girls here were completely closed off, stuck in the past, and I don’t think I was given a fair chance."

A collective murmur echoes from the girls and you feel anger pierce through you. After everything you’ve been through over the last forty-eight hours, you were not in the mood.

You lean forward, glaring directly at Mattheo across the fire pit. "Oh, please, Mattheo,” you hiss. “You’re literally just mad that for the first time in your life, you didn’t get what you wanted."

Everyone let out muffled sounds, while Mattheo’s face turns a bright, angry shade of red. He glares at you, but he doesn't dare say another word.

Ariana breaks the tension, an amused smirk playing on her lips before she turns her attention toward the girls. "Girls... I want to hear from you. Tell me how you felt about your Casa Amor experience, and where your faith and trust in your original boys stood, and stands, tonight."

Sarah is the first one prompted to speak, her hands clasped in front of her. "I was really excited for Casa Amor at first. And I had a wonderful time getting to know the boys and reconnecting with Thomas.” She shouts out. “But the entire time, I was really just thinking about John B. Getting that video... it hurt, I’m not going to lie. But I’m excited, and honestly terrified, to find out what he chose to do at the end of the day."

Kiara speaks up next, her voice trembling slightly. "Coming into Casa Amor... my spirits were already pretty low, to be fair. JJ and I weren't on the greatest terms before he left, and I was really trying to be positive throughout this whole experience. But getting that video... it made a really big dent on any confidence I had left in him. At the end of the day, I came here to find love, and that’s what I’m going to pursue, whether it’s with him or someone else."

Cleo goes third, looking confident. "I was super excited for Casa Amor, especially considering that I think my experience with the original boys had been really rocky or not as smooth as I had hoped coming in.” She speaks honestly. “I was excited for the opportunity to explore new connections. I will say, I was a little bit disappointed at first to see that these guys weren't brand new and that we were familiar with them in one way or another, but I’m still so grateful they came, and I truly believe I made the connection I've been waiting for."

Rima starts next, a grin on her face. "I was basically jumping for joy over Casa Amor,” She says excitedly, breaking the ice. “I could not wait for the opportunity to meet new guys. I agree with Cleo, realizing these were all past flames and exes was a little bit disappointing. But I met some pretty great guys regardless."

Finally, Ariana’s eyes land on you. "And you? How was your Casa Amor experience?"

You take a deep breath, thinking on your words. Your heart is pounding so loudly, you’re terrified everyone can hear it.

"Coming into Casa Amor, I didn't feel the greatest," you say, your voice steady despite the storm raging inside you. "I felt like Rafe and I were finally regaining our footing and getting back to that amazing place we were in when we first met. I was really starting to feel that pull toward him again that I felt during our first kiss."

You pause, taking a shaky breath, your eyes briefly flickering to Theo.

"But Casa Amor has been a rollercoaster. I’ve met some amazing guys here... some even greater guys who make me feel incredibly special and who even teach me flirty things in Italian," you add, a small, cheeky smile playing on your lips as a subtle nod is sent to Theodore, who blushes, ducking his head. "But... after getting that video from Casa... it changed my outlook on what I thought was a solid connection. It broke my trust. But at the end of the day, all I can do now is follow my heart and do what’s best for me."

Ariana nods slowly, her eyes full of sympathy. "Thank you, girls, for your honesty.” Ariana throws out. “Now... it is officially time for the decisions to be made.” She turns serious. “...I will ask each of you whether you would like to couple up with one of the boys from Casa Amor, to return to your original couple, or whether you would like to remain single," she explains. “You will then get to find out what your boys have decided as they re-enter the villa.”

The air is silent, everyone is still, hearts racing as you await Ariana’s next words.

"...Kiara," Ariana calls out. "Please, stand up." Kiara stands, her hands tightly gripping the fabric of her dress. "Kiara, you were coupled up with JJ before Casa. Tonight, you have the choice to stick with him, or twist and couple up with one of the Casa Amor boys. What is your decision?"

Kiara swallows hard, looking across at Thomas before looking back at Ariana. "Tonight... I am choosing…” She swallows, eyes tearing up. “...to stick with JJ."

A quiet murmur goes through the Casa boys and Thomas looks down, a sad but respectful expression on his face.

"I am making this decision," Kiara explains, her voice cracking slightly, "because in my connection with JJ... I can’t say I’ve always felt the most secure. But the spark I felt with him is something I have never felt with anyone else before. I’m hoping that he was simply having his fun, or maybe it was all just a big misunderstanding.” She continues. “I made a really great connection with Thomas here, and he’s an amazing guy, but...I don't think that connection overtakes the one I believe I have with JJ."

"Thank you, Kiara," Ariana says, nodding. "You have chosen to stay coupled up with JJ.” She emphasizes. “I must remind you that if JJ returns from Casa Amor alone, he is all yours. But if he returns coupled up with a new girl... you will be left single and vulnerable.” She says, eyes steady as silence overtakes the firepit. “It’s time…to see what JJ decided."

Ariana looks toward the main villa doors, everyone else following.

Everyone holds their breath, and for a few agonizing seconds, there’s nothing. 

Then, you see a pair of feet round the corner.

JJ walks out.

As he walks down into the villa, he appears to be completely alone. Kiara lets out a hopeful breath, a smile starting to form on her face—until JJ fully turns the corner.

Walking right beside him, her hand tucked firmly into his arm, is a new girl. 

A stunning, dark-skinned girl—bright smile, sharp eyes.

Kiara’s smile instantly vanishes, face turning completely pale as your jaw drops. JJ looks up, his eyes landing on her standing alone at the fire pit, and his face floods with embarrassment. He hangs his head slightly as he walks over, leading Haja to stand next to Ariana with him.

"JJ, Haja... welcome back," Ariana says smoothly. "JJ, as you can see, Kiara is standing here completely alone because she chose to stay loyal to you.” She tells sadly. “How does it feel to see her standing there?"

JJ scratches the back of his neck, refusing to look Kiara in the eye. "Uh, it feels terrible.” He winces. “I can’t lie, it really does. I feel bad seeing Kie standing there alone."

“Yeah, right,” Kiara scoffs, shuffling on her feet.

"Why did you choose to couple up with Haja?" Ariana asks, cutting the tension.

"I just... I wasn't feeling confident in my connection with Kie before I left," JJ admits, his voice low. "I think we were just way too different and that we would’ve clashed sooner or later. I am really sorry that I didn't get the chance to discuss that with Kie before..."

Ariana turns back to Kiara. "Kiara, how do you feel?”

“Stupid.” She shrugs, fighting tears. “I feel really stupid.” is all she says, all she can manage to say.

And Ariana understands as she fixes the girl with a pitiful pout, speaking once more to her. “Kiara, because JJ has coupled up with Haja from Casa Amor, that means you are now officially single and vulnerable. Please, take your seat. JJ and Haja, you may also sit." 

Kiara sits down, her jaw clenched tight, staring blankly ahead, completely ignoring JJ’s gaze as he sits on the farthest edge of the cushion with Haja by his side.

"Sarah," Ariana calls out. "Please, stand." Sarah stands up, her chest rising and falling with an anxious breath. "Sarah, you were coupled up with John B before Casa Amor.” She starts. “After this experience, what is your decision tonight?"

"To say this week has been easy would be a lie," Sarah begins, her voice trembling slightly before she finds her footing. "I think John B and I have had our fair share of ups and downs since the moment we met, and we definitely don't always make things easy for ourselves." She pauses, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"When that video clip came through... I’m not going to sit here and pretend I didn't have doubts. I spent the last few days in my head, feeling terrified, and honestly, wanting to protect myself from getting hurt. And I know it would be so much easier to just choose a new guy and save myself..." A tear slips down her cheek, yet a soft smile touching her lips.

"But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that you can't build something real if you run the second things get terrifying. What I have with this boy isn't perfect, but it’s the most real thing I've ever felt. At the end of the day, my faith in what we’ve built is stronger than my fear of what might have happened. So, I’m choosing to trust him." Sarah takes one final breath, shoulders square.

"I would like to stay with John B."

Ariana smiles. "Thank you, Sarah," she says, giving her the same warning about the consequences if John B twists. "Without much more waiting, it’s time to see what John B decided…"

Once again, all eyes dart to the villa doors and the silence is deafening.

Then, John B rounds the corner. He walks into the villa, hands in his pockets... completely alone.

You allow yourselves to release the breaths you were holding, Sarah visibly relaxing as everyone starts clapping loudly, and Sarah instantly brings her hands to her mouth, tears of joy spilling over her cheeks as John B breaks into a grin, lightly jogging down the path straight into her arms. 

He lifts her off her feet, spinning her around as she cries into his neck.

When they finally pull apart, John B stands next to her, his arm wrapped tightly around Sarah’s shoulders.

"John B, Sarah chose to stay loyal to you, and you have done the same," Ariana smiles. "How was the decision for you?"

"Casa was definitely fun, Ariana," John B admits honestly, rubbing Sarah’s shoulder. "I was open to exploring at first, and obviously the whole ex thing was a…shocker.” He lets out awkwardly. “But to be completely fair, Sarah never left my mind once. I wouldn't throw away what we have for anything."

Sarah smiles and everyone claps as the reunited couple takes their seat.

"Rima," Ariana calls next. "It’s your turn." Rima stands up, smoothing down her dress as the fire pit goes quiet, everyone leaning in, desperate to know what she’s going to do. "Rima, before Casa, you were coupled up with Pope.” Rima nods, chewing the inside of her cheek. “What is your decision tonight?"

She takes a deep breath, looking at Ariana. "I’m making this choice," Rima starts, "because, while I got on really, really well with Brandon, and I still think he is a fantastic guy with an unheard-of level of depth to him... there were just a lot of clashing factors with our lives outside of here.” Her smile falls. “He told me he’d be open to considering a move to Atlanta from New York for me, which is sweet. But the same way I don't want to just upend my entire life in Georgia for a guy I’m not totally sure about, I don't want a guy to have to do the same for me. I want something that feels natural, something we don't have to force." She pouts. “...but at the same time, I don’t think Pope and I are the matched that I once hoped we might be.” She grimaces to herself.

"So, tonight... I am choosing to remain single." She reveals. “I would not like to couple up with any of the Casa guys, but I would also not like to return to my couple with Pope.”

The fire pit erupts into gasps, all of you looking stunned. Brandon looks down at his shoes, disappointment crossing his face, though he quickly masks it with a polite, respectful nod.

Rima looks at Brandon with a gentle, apologetic smile. "Overall, the distance and the difference in our lifestyles was just a really big thing that came into play. While I think he would be a lot of fun, he just doesn't seem like the type long-term that would fit into my picture, but I stand by the fact that he truly is an amazing guy."

Ariana turns to him. “Brandon,” she calls. “How’re you feeling about Rima’s decision?”

Brandon nods, offering her a kind smile. "No offense taken,” he shakes it off. “I get it. I won’t lie and say I’m happy, but my time with her was great and, yeah,” he turns to Rima. “I wish you nothing but the best."

Rima smiles at him tearfully, nodding as she sways on her feet.

"Well, Rima," Ariana says, turning back. "Let's see what decision Pope has made,"

The villa is then quiet for a moment again. Nothing but the wind, cicadas, then the sound of footsteps as Pope rounds the corner.

And your heart sinks.

Pope is walking in... and he is not alone. Walking hand-in-hand with him, looking satisfied, is a beautiful, dark-haired girl.

Sarah’s eyes go wide, John B shakes his head while Pope looks completely bashful, hanging his head low, unable to look at you all as he stops next to Ariana.

"Pope, Kaitlyn... welcome to the villa," Ariana says, her tone casual. "Pope, Rima is standing alone as she has chosen to remain single.” She informs him. “How does it feel to see her standing there completely alone?"

Pope winces, refusing to look at Rima. "Honestly... I feel like a dick.” He sighs. “I wasn't expecting Rima to stay with me, to be fair, because I didn't consider our connection to be a super strong one before we left. And, even though she’s chosen to not couple up with me, or anyone, I still feel terrible for not being someone she could be certain about." He admits. “And I feel bad about the other people I’ve possibly confused or hurt…” His eyes lock with Cleo’s.

Rima lets out a dry laugh from her spot as Ariana turns to her. "Rima, you are now single and vulnerable. How are you feeling?"

"I feel okay," Rima says, careless. "I wasn’t even sure what I was expecting. But to be honest, I’m actually more hurt for Cleo right now than I am for myself. Because Pope, once again, led a girl on and didn't stand on his word." She lets it all out, turning to Cleo with a soft smile as Cleo returns the gesture, mouthing ‘thank you’ and holding up a heart with her fingers.

Ariana smiles sadly, quietly, before turning her eyes to arguably the most anticipated choice of the night as she calls your name.

"Please, stand."

You take a shuddering breath and stand up, knees feeling like jelly. You can feel everyone’s eyes locked onto the side of your face.

"You were coupled up with Rafe," Ariana says, her voice echoing in the air. "Tonight, the choice is yours.” She draws out. “...Do you stick with Rafe, twist and couple up with one of the Casa boys, or remain single?"

You look at Ariana, and a wave of emotion hits you so hard that tears instantly build in your eyes. You bite your lower lip, trying to stop them from falling, but a single tear slips down your cheek.

"I guess I have to start by saying that this decision is far from easy. I think everyone who’s been locked in here with me knows that…" you joke, voice trembling slightly. "I came in being 100% loyal to Rafe. I didn't want to do a single thing to mess up what we had built. I felt confident in the connection, in us, and honestly, in everything he told me. But at the end of the day, just like every guy before him..." you glare briefly at Mattheo. "Rafe made me realize how naive I was for that."

Across the fire pit, John B, Pope, and JJ’s faces twist into expressions of utter confusion and concern. They look at each other, then back at you, completely unaware of where this was going.

Because they knew Rafe’s decision. And everything that happened at Casa.

But you didn’t.

"I really enjoyed my time with Rafe. And I found myself falling for him.” You admit, tearfully. “But I won’t allow myself to be fooled by yet another spineless man, especially not with the evidence right in front of my face,” you huff, wiping your tears. “Especially when there is a much better, clearly more genuine connection standing right in front of me.” You smile, eyes drifting as you gather yourself in one breath, looking at Ariana. “So, tonight, after days of making choices for Rafe, I’m making this one for me,” you take a deep breath, fighting even more tears. 

“....And I am choosing to couple up with Theo."

Theo lets out a heavy breath, stepping forward instantly to wrap his arms around you as the guy’s jaws drop, the girls clapping for you. Theo pulls you into a tight embrace, whispering a quiet ‘thank you, bella’ into your hair before taking your hand firmly in his.

Ariana smiles gently, watching the pair of you. "You have chosen to couple up with Theo.” She announces, smile fading only a bit following her next words. “This means, if Rafe returns from Casa Amor alone, he will be single and vulnerable.” She tells you seriously. “Do you think Rafe has made the same choice?"

You look at Ariana, your jaw tightening.

"Yes," you swallow hard. “I do.”

"Well, there’s no better time to find out," Ariana says, her voice ringing clear.

The entire villa seems to hold its breath, the silence nerve-wracking. You tighten your grip on Theo’s hand, bracing yourself for the sight of Rafe walking through those doors with Sofia. You prepare your heart to feel anger, betrayal—

Then, a figure rounds the corner of the walkway.

It’s Rafe.

He walks in...

and he’s completely alone.

And you swear you’ve never felt your heart drop so fast and so far. 

Gasps and murmurs rip through the fire pit—the girls mumble curses, their mouths wide open, eyes wide. The guys are shaking their heads, confused and disappointed. You feel the blood completely drain from your body, head to toe, your heart skipping multiple beats.

Rafe is alone. 

He didn’t bring Sofia back.

He didn’t bring anyone back.

He walks down the path, his shoulders tense, jaw tightly clenched. But the second his eyes sweep over the fire pit and land on you... he stops dead in his tracks for a fraction of a second. His eyes look down at your hand tightly intertwined with Theo’s, and you can see the exact moment his heart breaks into a million pieces.

A look of hurt flashes across his face before he quickly tries to mask it as he walks over to stand next to Ariana.

"Rafe... welcome back," Ariana says, her voice full of sorrow. "Rafe, as you can see... Y/N has chosen to couple up with Theo…”

“Yeah,” his voice comes out weak as he glances down at his shoes, bouncing on his feet as he looks back up, eyes stuck on yours, a silent question in them—why? “Yeah, I see that…”

“How does it feel to see her with another guy?"

Rafe stands with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, jaw flexing violently. He swallows hard.

"Uh, shit hurts. Yeah, it really fucking hurts.” His face twists as he fights tears. “Casa Amor was terrible... especially being away from her every single day. I thought we were good, so good.” His knees buckle involuntarily, fighting himself. “I was practically counting down the days. So, to come back here and see her standing there with another guy…” he tries to find the words but can’t, opting to shrug in defeat. “But it is what it is, I guess."

You scoff, rolling your eyes, but Rafe catches it, his eyes narrow.

“Oh, I’m sorry, you’re upset?” He calls you out.

You reel your neck back at his words. “Excuse me?”

“Well, it’s almost like I’m the one standing alone and you’re pissed about it—”

“It’s not my fault you didn’t bring your fucking girlfriend back.” 

“I—”

“Let’s calm down,” Ariana interjects as Rafe stops, huffing, trying to shrug it off like it’s nothing, but everyone at the fire pit can tell he is devastated, never having seen him so wordless, so calm and casual about you. His eyes are full of a bleeding pain that makes your stomach turn.

"Rafe, you are now single and vulnerable," Ariana says softly.

He simply hums and nods, his eyes meeting yours a final time before he looks away. And you can’t help the guilt that stirs in your stomach, but it wasn’t your fault…

Right?

"Lastly," Ariana announces. "Cleo, please stand."

Cleo stands up gracefully.

"Cleo, you were coupled up with Miles.” Ariana says. “What is your decision tonight?"

The girl takes a deep breath, fighting a smile. "Coming into this villa, I made a connection right away," Cleo explains, looking at Pope. "But I don't think it was equally or mutually reciprocated. Ever since Justin walked through those doors, he gave me that feeling I missed out on the first time—the feeling of someone being 100% on me and being completely certain of it.” She smiles. “I know I was coupled up with Miles, but that connection quickly died out. And, while Pope and I had a serious conversation before he left, I just didn't see him actually standing on his word, and clearly, I was right. I have to do what’s best for me at the end of the day, so,” she sucks in a deep breath. “I’m choosing to couple up with Justin."

Justin lets out a sigh of relief, a huge grin breaking out as he steps forward to join her, all of you clapping for them.

Justin wraps his arm around Cleo’s waist, kissing her cheek before the two of them sit down together as a new couple.

"Congratulations, Cleo and Justin…but we are not quite finished," Ariana announces, turning back to the final decision. "It’s time to see what Miles decided."

And for the last time that night, all heads turn to the villa entrance, the ‘Love Me Not’ sign flickering as a shadow rounds the corner and Miles comes bounding down the walkway a moment later, looking incredibly cheerful…walking hand-in-hand with a gorgeous girl.

And when you get a good look at the girl, your breath gets lodged in your throat.

Sofia. 

Miles is holding hands with Sofia.

This time, there’s no gasps or low chatter—it is completely silent as everyone watches the pair enter the villa.

Ariana welcomes Miles and Sofia back, informing both Miles and Cleo that they are now in new couples, but you don’t really register her words. Not even as she asks Miles about his experience, and he shamelessly grins.

You chose Theo.

Rafe is single.

Miles brought Sofia back.

You finally snap back to reality when Ariana’s voice breaks through, looking at the remaining, unchosen Casa Amor boys. "Brandon, Thomas, Mattheo... unfortunately, your time in the villa has come to an end. Please, say your goodbyes."

The boys step forward, sharing quick hugs with the other guys they came in with and all of you girls as well, bidding a polite farewell and ‘good luck’ to the original boys before the three of them turn and walk out of the villa doors for good, waving goodbye as you all sit.

Cleo is under Justin’s arm, Sarah and John B are sat together, You and Theo are side by side, JJ and Haja are sat silent by one another, Miles and Sofia are slung over one another, all while Rafe, Kiara, and Rima remain at the far end of the fire pit.

Kiara is visibly fuming, Rima is unreadable, and Rafe’s eyes are glued to you.

But still, Ariana isn't finished yet.

"Islanders... unfortunately, the night is not over," she drops a final, brutal bombshell, looking at the rest of you now sitting down. "Currently, we have two single girls standing before us—Rima and Kiara. And we have one single guy—Rafe.” She reminds, looking somewhat upset. “Rafe... you must now make a choice.” She reveals, everyone getting more confused the more the seconds tick by.

“You must choose which of these two single girls you would like to couple up with.” Ariana lets out, everyone gasping. “The girl left single will be dumped from the island...tonight."

A horrific silence falls over the group as Ariana prompts both Kiara and Rima to both step forward, standing side-by-side.

Rafe stands up slowly following them, his hands still in his pockets. He looks at the two girls, but then his eyes slowly drift over to you, sitting next to Theo. His gaze never leaves yours, burning into you. There’s no anger in his eyes—just sadness.

The silence stretches as he thinks until, finally, he clears his throat.

"I don’t think it’s any secret," Rafe starts, his eyes finally moving away from you, "That there is only one girl I actually want.” he shrugs. “And I’m hoping to God I can figure out what the fuck went wrong tonight because I am at a real loss for words.” He scoffs, almost criticizing himself. “And even though I’m making a ‘choice’ right now, I think we all know I’m really not. But regardless, being faced with keeping one of these girls here, there is one who I’ve grown to think of as someone I could be friends with, and it’s pretty hard for me to make those.” He laughs, lifting the mood for only a second. “We’re both pretty headstrong, goal-oriented, and although there isn't a romantic spark between us, I’d be more than happy to hold things down with her until I can figure out what happened tonight." He sighs, glancing at you one last time.

"The girl I am choosing to couple up with... is Rima," Rafe announces, his voice firm.

Rima lets out a breath, stepping forward to stand next to him as you all clap, tears in your eyes, not only from his words, but the realization that was coming.

"Rafe, you have chosen to couple up with Rima," Ariana says, stepping forward. "Which means... Kiara,” She starts, turning to the girl as all of you tear up, audible sniffs coming from where Sarah is sitting next to John B. “You are single…vulnerable…and dumped from the island."

All of your heads drop at her words, wiping fat tears away as Sarah bursts into silent sobs. Despite all the disagreements and petty drama, Kiara was a day one, been here since the very first minute, and the thought of losing her is heartbreaking for everyone, especially Sarah, and JJ, who looks devastated by the consequences of his actions.

You and the girls don’t wait to rise from your seats, sad, and gather around Kiara, crying and hugging her tightly as Ariana concludes the recoupling and exits the villa as you and the girls disregard every major change that Casa Amor has brought and escort Kie up to the bedroom to pack her things, leaving everyone else at the firepit.

KIARA heads straight into the glam room to start packing her bags the second you’re inside the villa, and you all crowd around her, trying to help her fold her clothes through tears.

As Kiara throws some shoes into her suitcase, the door swings open. JJ walks in, his face pale, eyes bloodshot.

"Can I please talk to you for a second…before you go?" he asks, his voice cracking.

Kiara stops what she’s doing, slowly turning around to face him. The grief on her face hardens into a teary-eyed rage. "Talk to me?” she scoffs, all of you watching silently. “You want to talk to me now, JJ?"

"Please," he begs, stepping closer, further inside the room.

"No, you know what? Fine. Let's talk," Kiara snaps, her voice rising as she steps up to him, right in front of everyone, you all watching the confrontation unfold. "Right here."

"I chose you tonight, JJ." Kiara cries, her tears spilling over. "I sat there for days, missing you, holding out hope for you! And I stood at that fire pit and chose you, even after I saw what the hell you were doing over there, all for you to walk through those doors with another girl?” She seethes, hurt. “You’ve been stringing me along this entire time! Why even beg for another chance if you were just going to throw it away in a matter of days?"

"Kie, I’m so fuckin’ sorry," JJ pleads back, his hands running through his hair in frustration. "But the closer we got... it was hard, man! It was so hard for me and I just didn't see us goin' anywhere!” He finally admits. “We're just two completely different people, Kie, and I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you that—"

"No, you’re not!" Kiara fires back, her voice shaking. "You should have told me that before you left because I know you knew before then, that’s not something you realize overnight, asshole! You made me look like an idiot!"

"I didn't have a fuckin’ choice, Kie!" JJ defends himself, his voice cracking with emotion as you all step in, trying to calm them down. "There was no time—"

"There’s always time to be fucking honest, JJ!" she screams.

The argument rages on, bitter and full of unresolved hurt, until, you assume the boys hear, and John B and Pope finally step in, breaking them up and pulling a desperate JJ away as you and the girls console Kie. 

She turns back to her suitcase, finishes packing in a furious silence, and says a tearful, heartbreaking goodbye to all of you, suitcase in hand.

You all walk her down the steps, rubbing her back as she calms herself.

Goodbye Confessional : Kie "I'm not going to lie, it stings. A lot," Kiara says, a bitter laugh escaping her. "To sit there, choose to be loyal, and watch him walk through those doors with a brand new girl on his arm? It’s humiliating. But more than anything, I’m just…angry." She leans forward. " It just proves to me that he wasn't mature enough for what we had. That Thomas was right—maybe guys like JJ don’t ever change. And you know what? It’s his loss. And even though I am gutted to be walking out tonight because of him, I’m also so grateful for what I did find here.” She smiles. “Despite everything that might’ve been thrown around or said, those girls are my sisters for life. I’m gonna miss them.” Kiara wipes a stray tear from her cheek with the back of her hand, lifting her chin high as she gives a final nod to the camera. "My Love Island journey cut short, and it definitely didn't end the way I wanted it to. But I’m walking out of here with my head held high, my dignity intact, and knowing I was completely true to myself. JJ can have his fun.” She shrugs, throwing up a peace sign. “I'm going home."

She hugs you all tightly one by one, whispering farewells and apologies before she wheels her suitcase out of the villa doors for good. You all watch sadly as she goes, this goodbye significantly more emotional than the previous ones.

And once she’s gone, out of sight, the entire group spreads apart like shotgun ammo, breaking off into separate corners, because a lot of people are still very pissed off.

“You are all pieces of shit,” Sarah scoffs, hair whipping around her as she storms away from the villa entrance. 

The boys all look around cluelessly, offended. “What did we do?” John B points to himself.

"Are you serious?" Sarah yells, stepping forward with her hands on her hips. "JJ is the literal reason Kiara just got fucking dumped."

"You completely played her.” Cleo chimes in, rushing to Kie’s defense. “You humiliated her!"

"Whoa, whoa, chill!" John B steps in, throwing his arms out to shield JJ as the girls gain on him, while Miles and the other boys crowd around him too. "It can’t be entirely on JJ. You guys don't know how it went down over there!"

"Don't defend him!" you snap.

"Look, we got the text early as hell in the morning." Miles argues, raising his voice over the shouting. "JJ wanted to tell her, he wanted to explain things, but we didn't have time. Besides, let’s be real—they weren't gonna work out anyway! It’s not his fault."

“Y’all are only saying that because you all did some fucked up shit,” Rima snaps back, voice bitter. “John B was sitting here letting a copy of Sarah talk shit about her, Pope was enjoying getting his fly unzipped a little too much, Miles was dry-humping people like he gets paid for it, JJ was playing tongue-hockey for three days and three nights, and Rafe was kissing his ex!” Rima airs it all out, prompting one huge argument as everyone paces after another, dissolving into smaller, bitter arguments.

Rima pivots, pointing directly into Pope’s chest. "And don't you try to look away! You brought another girl back after literally pillowtalking Cleo and begging her for another chance?!" She hisses, Cleo standing behind her with her arms crossed.

"Rima, please, just let me—" Pope stammers, trying to side-step her to get to Cleo. “Let me talk to you. Please.”

"...Fine." Cleo interrupts smoothly, stepping between them, grabbing Pope firmly by the forearm.

Miles cuts in then and tries to step in front of them. "Cleo, wait, I would like—"

Before he can finish his sentence, Cleo shoves her flat palm into Miles’ face, dismissing him without a backward glance. "I do not care about a single thing that comes out of your mouth right now. Me and you have been done. Go play with your new girl."

As Cleo drags Pope away toward the kitchen, Sarah wraps her fingers around John B’s wrist. Her expression is serious, something heavy behind her eyes. "We need to talk." She isn't furious, but her tone leaves zero room for argument. She needs answers about what he didn't say in her defense when Delaney was throwing herself at him.

And that left you, standing near the edge of the pool deck, chest heaving as you try to process the drama around you. Rafe is single, you’re with Theo, Sofia’s in the villa, and Kie is gone. 

Your teeth are grinding, palms pressed into the socket of your eyes when you feel a presence enter your bubble, turning to find Theo. He steps closer, his hand finding the small of your back, asking if you’re okay when a shadow falls over you.

You look up. It's Rafe.

His face is twisted, jaw pulsing as he stares at you, ignoring Theo’s presence. "Can I talk to you?"

The sheer audacity of him standing there, acting like he has the right to an explanation or even a simple conversation after what he did, makes something inside you snap.

"Talk to me?” you reiterate incredulously. “Rafe, get the fuck out of my face," you spat. "You're a dick, do you know that? A...bald-headed dick."

"I've been told," Rafe doesn't even flinch as you push past him, dragging Theo with you. If anything, a desperate, broken look crosses his features. "But I can't say it doesn't hurt coming from you.” He shrugs, swallowing your sharp words down. “But I’ll be a dick. I’ll be whatever the hell you want me to be if that’s what gets you to talk to me.” He tells you, trying to catch your gaze. “Please."

You let out a mocking laugh, looking up at Theo, who gives your waist a supportive squeeze before stepping back to give you space, walking off. 

You turn back to Rafe, eyes blazing.

"You want to talk? " you snap, jerking your head toward the stairs. "Bring your bald-headed ass on then."

Rafe just huffs, and you swear there’s a hint of amusement, a faint smirk on his lips as he follows you up to Soul Ties, hands in his pockets. The silence between you is heavy and the second you hit the terrace, it all comes apart.

"What the fuck happened?" Rafe grits out, his voice strained. "We were good. I did everything right, everything you asked, and I walk back in to find you coupled up with some new guy?"

"You want to know what happened?" you seethed, tears you’ve been fighting all night finally spilling over your cheeks. You point a trembling finger directly at his chest. "You kissed her, Rafe. You kissed Sofia! Twice! We got the fucking video! I saw it with my own eyes—"

"Now, hold on, wait a minute.” He sighs, closing his eyes for a moment. “You don't understand—"

"Oh, I understand perfectly.” You cut him off, eyes wide and manic before they narrow again. “You told your ex-girlfriend you missed her and you kissed her."

"That wasn't the whole conversation!" Rafe shouts back, desperately trying to grab your hands, but you smack his fingers away. "I pushed her away! Every single time she tried something, I made it 100% clear that I wasn't into it! If I wanted to be with Sofia, don't you think I would have brought her back tonight?!” He tries to get through to you. “But I didn't! I walked through those doors alone for you!"

"Or maybe because Miles beat you to it!" you fire back, your voice cracking.

"T-That doesn’t even make sense!" Rafe yells, pacing a tight circle before storming back to you, his eyes wild. "Miles was the last to choose. I did not choose her. I could’ve and I didn’t. Because I didn’t want to! I am over her! She knows that, I thought you did, too—"

"A girl doesn't just lean in and kiss you twice unless you gave her a reason to think it was okay, Rafe!" You're crying heavily now.

Rafe flinches, agony crossing his face. He steps into your personal space, his breathing heavy as he looks down into your eyes. "It’s like you want to believe the worst in me. It’s like you literally cannot trust that I’d actually tell you the truth. You just assume I’m the bad guy."

"Yeah, Rafe! Because I have never in my entire life had a guy actually tell me the truth!" you sob, wiping your face aggressively. "I trusted you. I let my guard down, I actually saw myself with you after this, and you just fucked me over and made me look stupid as hell!"

Seeing you crumble completely breaks him. “I promise it’s not like that. You’re not letting me explain anything—” His anger vanishes, replaced by desperation as he reaches out, large hands gently catching your shoulders, trying to pull you into his chest to console you. "Hey, look at me... please, just listen to me..."

"Stop," you bite out, wrenching yourself out of his grip.

And before the argument can escalate any further, the sound of hurried footsteps echoes on the stairs as Rima, Sarah, and Cleo appear next to the pair of you. Cleo steps firmly between you and Rafe, putting an arm around your shoulders while Rima glares at him.

"That's enough," Rima says, her tone cold. "Give her space. Walk away."

Rafe looks at you, his chest heaving, eyes pleading for you to say something, but you just bury your face in Cleo’s shoulder, sobbing. With a frustrated huff, Rafe turns and storms down the stairs.

Once he’s gone, the girls lead you to Say Less.

You sit on the edge of the semi-circular cushin, tracing your fingers over your eyes to wipe away the smudged mascara, still angry-crying.

"I just can't believe him," you whisper, your voice thick with sadness. "He made me feel so stupid. And his fucking ex is in here now and I have to sit here and watch them look at each other from afar, pretending like they don't like each other when they were clearly doing shit behind everyone's backs." Your breath hitched, shaking your head. "I don't even know what kind of messed-up love triangle—love square—fuckin’ love hexagon I’ve gotten myself into. I'm sitting here with all these stupid feelings for Rafe, but then I have feelings for Theo who has been nothing but amazing to me. But then Sofia is here, clearly wanting Rafe back, but she's coupled up with Miles. Like, why the fuck did Miles even bring her back? I’m so lost on that…"

Rima rubs your back as you try to steady your breathing, the girls all giving you pity looks as you continue wiping at your eyes. "You know what? I'm done talking about it.” You breath. “Someone else speak before I flip this place upside down…"

Sarah sighs softly, leaning her head against the seat. "I get it, babe.” She pouts at you. “Honestly, I'm feeling a bit thrown off too. Things with John B are... okay, I'm glad he chose to stay coupled up with me, but I can't shake the feeling that he's holding something back.” She shakes her head. “Just now, I asked him about Delaney, he got really defensive and then immediately tried to sweet-talk me. I don’t know, I feel like there's something he's just not telling me about what happened over there with her."

“What is done in the dark will always come to the light,” Rima throws out. “I say keep pressing him about it. Because these boys can play guilty all they want, but they didn’t look too guilty when they were catching ass and swapping DNA.” Rima declares before turning her attention to Cleo. "What about you? What happened with Pope in the kitchen? Because I was this close to murdering him for you."

Cleo lets out an exhausted breath. "I don't even know if I believe a word that comes out of his mouth anymore.” She shrugs. “But he basically told me that the only reason he brought Kaitlyn back was as a safe option. He was convinced you were going to twist, and he didn't want to get eliminated before he ‘had a chance to try again with me’."

"Seriously?" Rima scoffs, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah," Cleo says. "Apparently, Kaitlyn is cool with it. She’s just happy to be here to see if she can find a connection with someone else. That’s what he says but…I don’t know if I believe that shit." Cleo huffs. “Plus, I’m really into Justin. So, it’s a toss up either way.”

“I say stick with Justin.” Rima tells the girl. “He’s been sure about you. Pope hasn’t. Case closed.”

Cleo nods, as if to say ‘you have a point’.

They continue talking about the way the night unfolded, occasionally rubbing your arm or calling out to you as you stared down at your hands. 

THE air in the glam room as all of the girls get ready for bed is no better.

Near the back of the room, the new girls—Haja, Kaitlyn, and Sofia—are unpacking their suitcases, claiming their vanity mirrors and organizing their makeup and skincare. 

Though, while Haja and Kaitlyn make polite conversation, trying to ease the tension, Sofia takes a different approach, making it a point to mark her territory.

Every few minutes, she casts a sharp glance across the room at you. When you stand up to grab something, Sofia purposefully re-routes her path directly past you, brushing her shoulder slightly against yours as she walks too close, a tiny smirk playing on her lips. 

You keep your head down, jaw clenched so tight it aches, hands trembling. You’re keeping it cool, but all of the other girls see exactly what Sofia is doing.

Confessional: Cleo “Sofiaaa, girl, you need to watch yourself.” She smiles, shaking her head. “She thinks she’s being cute and playing mean girl, but she doesn't realize she’s playing with the wrong one. My girl has already been pushed to her limit tonight, and trust me—something about that girl tells me that doesn’t play.”

WHEN the lights click off, plunging the bedroom into a darkness, the room feels like a prison.

Cleo and Justin climb into their bed, turning away from the rest of the room. 

Sarah and John B cuddle close, the unspoken doubts still hanging between them. 

Pope and Kaitlyn lie with a certain distinct distance between them, while Miles and Sofia share a bed on the far side, ignoring the glares they received before the lights went out.

You climb into bed next to Theo. He doesn't say a word about what happened with Rafe, he doesn't ask for details or push you to talk. He just opens his arms, and you slide right into them, burying your face in his chest as you let out a silent and exhausted sob. 

He holds you tightly, his fingers gently stroking your skin.

But as you lie there, you can't stop thinking about the half-empty space across the room—Rafe and Rima’s bed.

Rima is huddled under her blanket, peaceful. But out on the daybeds, Rafe is lying alone, a single blanket pulled over his broad shoulders, staring blankly up at the dark sky, seemingly unable to find the stars in it without you next to him.

And he doesn't close his eyes once. 

Knowing that every single time he did, he only saw flashes of you.

next chapter>

When you first laid your eyes on the blond, your heart forgot how to beat for a second. It was during the slumber party challenge, the girls and the boys were all piled onto the massive white sheeted bed that had quickly turned into a colorful mess of the girls trying to find their partner with paint.

All of the girls quickly learned that there clearly had been someone else kissing the guys, because no girls from the villa had the red paint.

And of course, Ariana announced that there was bombshells who kissed the guys while the girls blindfolded tried to find their connection. All the girls whined, until Ariana spoke up. “And girls, I know I forget a lot but this time I didn’t forget about you. Please welcome Caleb!”

You couldn’t see clearly from the start, but soon you saw a figure walking down the stairs. It was a tall, blond guy, all easy confidence and a genuine smile.

He was easily one of the best looking guys you’d ever seen in person. He had sunkissed skin, sharp jaw, and warm eyes that scanned the group. You couldn’t blame Melanie for jumping up and down on the bed, squealing with pure excitement as the sheets twisted under the movement. The girls were losing it, and really so were you on the inside.

Caleb laughed a little at the over the top welcome. When it was his turn to speak, he stepped forward and said where he was from, the southern drawl rolling out so naturally it hit you right in the chest. Yeah.. you loved yourself a cowboy.

Something about the way he carried himself, made your stomach do backflips in a way you hadn’t expected on day whatever this was.

You tried to play it cool, sitting there in your white lingerie, but your eyes kept drifting back to him as he made his way around the bed, greeting each girl with a make out. When he got closer to you, your heart picked up. You hoped he’d notice you the most out of everyone. Of course, not in a desperate way, but there was something about him that felt different from everyone else.

Maybe it was the way he looked like a guy who might actually mean what he said. Or just him being very cutesy. Or maybe both. Either way, you wanted to find out whatever it was.

Somehow, your wish came true. The chemistry between you and Caleb was even better than you’d hoped for. From the first day, he matched your energy in a way that felt natural, rather than forced.

But of course, nothing in the villa stayed simple for long. Kenzie had the same type, apparently, and zero shame about going after what she wanted. You tried not to feel greedy but it stung. She already had Corbin, like wasn’t that enough? You’d pulled the girls for a chat the day after Sol, Jen, and Caleb entered, telling them straight up that you wanted to see where things could go with him.

The next day, you decided not to wait. You spotted Caleb by the firepit talking to Sincere and walked over. “Hey, do you wanna go for a chat?”

He smiled warmly and nodded. “Lead the way.”

Once you were settled on the cozy couch of soulties, you swung your legs over his lap, getting comfortable. “So how do you feel about yesterday?” you asked, studying his face.

Caleb let out a small laugh, his hand resting on your knee. “I can’t lie I was a bit nervous walking into the villa.”

“Yeah?” You smiled, feeling your cheeks warm. “I was kind of nervous when you came in too.”

“Really?” His eyebrows lifted, his proud little smirk appearing. “I’m lowkey feeling kinda proud right now that I made you nervous.”

You laughed. “Who caught your eye first?”

“Should I be honest?”

“Obviously.”

“Probably you.” he said sincerely.

You covered your mouth for a second. “Shut up.” You played around “Are you saying that just now because I asked? You might be going around telling all the girls that.”

Caleb laughed, shaking his head as he squeezed your leg gently. “No, I promise. It’s not like that.”

A comfortable silence settled for a few seconds. You bit your lip, the question bothering you, “So.. how’d you feel about our kiss?”

He pretended to think hard. “I don’t know.. maybe I need a reminder?”

You couldn’t help but smile as you leaned in, your hand brushing his chest. The kiss was soft and sweet and exploring, exactly like how you’d felt when you two kissed for the first time. When you started to pull away, he chased it with two small kisses, both of you breaking into wide, ear to ear grins.

Two days later, everything changed for the better. America had voted, and somehow they saw exactly what you saw; the spark between you and Caleb. When your name was called with his at the recoupling, a wave of relief washed over you. He walked over to you with a genuine smile, and he pulled you into a warm hug.

He looked genuinely happy, his bright smile lighting up his whole face as he whispered in your ear, asking if you were okay. You were happy too, happier than you’d been since stepping foot in the villa.

That first night coupled up, you chose your cutest set of pajamas, soft pink shorts and a matching top that made you feel pretty. Caleb was already under the covers when you climbed in beside him. Without a word, he opened his arms, and you curled right into him, resting your head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady under your cheek, and his arms wrapped around you protectively, one hand gently rubbing your back.

“Goodnight.” He murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head.

You smiled against his skin. “Night, Caleb.”

It was simple, but it was everything. You were exactly where you wanted to be.

The entire week that followed felt like a dream. You and Caleb spent every free moment getting to know each other deeper than you expected was possible in the villa. It was crazy how quickly it happened, but you two already felt like you’d known each other for way longer than a week and a half.

Caleb hated feeling a certain type of way when he saw you with someone else. He hated the tight twist in his chest every time another guy pulled you for a chat. He hated watching from across the villa as someone else got to sit with you on the daybeds, making you laugh, trying to build something.

And don’t even get him started on the challenges, moments when a guy chose to kiss you out of all the girls. Seeing another man’s lips on yours, even if it was “just a challenge” made something ugly flare up inside him.

He knew he shouldn’t feel that type of way. This was love island after all; kisses, chats, and tests were part of the deal. You two had only been coupled up a short while, and he trusted the connection you were building. You were sweet, genuine, and the way you looked at him after every conversation made him feel like the luckiest guy in the villa.

But it wasn’t every day that his woman got kissed by other men.

Caleb brushed the feeling aside, forcing himself to stay cool and confident. He didn’t want to come off insecure or controlling because that wasn’t him. He’d seen enough guys in the villa spiral and ruin good things by acting on every jealous impulse.

So he smiled through it, focusing instead on the moments that mattered: waking up with you on his chest, talks where you both opened up, and the way your hand always found his when you walked through the villa.

He knew the guys from the villa well enough by now or at least he hoped he did. Most of them respected the couples and would tell him straight if they were actually feeling you. But every time one of the others stayed a little too long in conversation with you, Caleb found himself watching, jaw tight until you came back to him with a bright smile that melted everything else away.

It especially didn’t help when a new bombshell came in and made it crystal clear he had come straight for you.

The Islanders had gotten ready for the kissing booth challenge. The rules were simple: first the boys would be blindfolded with noise cancelling headphones while the girls went down the line kissing them. The boys would rate each kiss out of ten, and the top girl would win bragging rights. Then the roles would reverse.

You were almost one of the last girls standing in line when the boys’ turn to kiss came around. Caleb moved down the row, and when he finally reached you, he made it obvious it was him. He started with a kiss on your neck, trailing upward until his lips captured yours. His hand gently held the back of your neck, pulling you closer. You melted into it instantly, the familiar tenderness making your knees feel weak.

Caleb had already kissed most of the girls by that point, and he was over it. He’d had enough of the random lips and at this point, he only wanted to kiss you.

You obviously knew your man’s lips. Even blindfolded, you could tell it was him the second he touched you. When it was time for the girls to give their ratings, you waited until your turn and smiled.“I mean, I think I already know who that was,” you said confidently, “and if I could, I’d give him a twelve out of ten. But since that’s probably not allowed, I’ll just settle for a ten.”

Caleb, laughed shyly but there was clear pride on his face too, he was proud that his girl could recognize him so easily among everyone else.

Bryce was the last guy to go down the line, because all of the other guys had already had their turns. But it obviously wouldn’t be love island if a bombshell didn’t come in during a challenge. Caleb saw the guy walking from the entrance, tall, complete opposite of him and the guy stopped Bryce from doing his part. “Don’t mind if I do?”

The girls were still blindfolded and wearing the headphones, completely oblivious to the new guy walking in.

“How was that kiss?” Zach asked, standing by the board with the marker ready as the girls told about their thoughts.

When it came to your turn, you shrugged with a small laugh. “I don’t know.. it wasn’t bad, but it definitely wasn’t my man.”

When you were finally able to take your blindfold off, you saw the bombshell standing in front of you all, the girls with their mouths open. You glanced over at Caleb, before the girls were ushered toward the firepit with the new arrival. His name was Aidan, he was tall, darkhaired, and confident as he introduced himself.

The guys peeled off to the daybeds for their usual debrief. “Dude!” Zach spoke up first, “Bryce didn’t even get to kiss the girls.” Bryce nodded, chuckling. “Yeah, they were definitely excited to see the new guy.”

Sincere leaned back and pointed toward the firepit, nudging Caleb with his elbow. “There goes your girl.” You and the new guy, Aidan, made your way together towards the kitchen.

Caleb watched you sitting with Aidan, the new bombshell leaning in as you two talked. The jealousy flared hotter, but he decided not to say anything. “Do you think she pulled him or he pulled her?” Zach asked.

Caleb shrugged, eyes still locked on the kitchen area where you and Aidan had moved to continue chatting at the counter. “I dunno, but either way I’m cooked. If she pulled him, then she’s got some slight interest. If he pulled her, then he’s clearly going for her hard since she’s the first one he’s talking to.”

The guys murmured in agreement, but Zach tried to offer some comfort. “I mean, you know her. I don’t think it’ll be that easy for her to turn her head.”

Caleb nodded slowly, appreciating the words even if they didn’t fully help him. After a few minutes, he stood up and stretched, acting casual. “Dude?” Kc laughed, “are you going to the kitchen because they’re there?”

Caleb let out a short laugh, not even bothering to deny it. “Yeah.”

Later that night, after the long day and villa chatter had finally died down, everyone got ready for bed. You changed into your comfy sleepwear and padded over to the shared bedroom, a small smile tugging at your lips when you spotted Caleb already under the covers waiting for you, one arm behind his head.

You wasted no time wrapping yourself around him, legs tangled with his and your head resting on his chest. Even after the time you’d spent together, you were still excited every night to share a bed with him. There was something so comforting about his warmth and the rhythm of his heartbeat.

You two chatted softly like you always did before bed, like little observations about the other islanders, funny moments, and plans for the next day. Eventually, Caleb’s voice grew a little more serious. “So.. what did you two talk about?” he asked, referring to Aidan.

You tilted your head up to look at him. “Oh, nothing much. He just asked how I feel being in a couple with you, if we’re closed off, and stuff like that.”

Caleb’s hand paused on your back. “What’d you say?”

You smiled gently, tracing lazy circles on his chest. “I told him we’re not closed off yet, but I feel really great with you. That I’m not really waiting for anyone else to come in, and just excited to see where things go with you.”

The relief on Caleb’s face was immediate. His shoulders relaxed, and he pulled you a little closer, pressing a kiss to your forehead. Hearing you be so honest and hearing you affirm your connection out loud, settled something in him. Hopefully Aidan would take the hint and try to get to know someone else more romantically instead of focusing on you.

When the lights finally turned off, you lifted your head from his chest and nestled your face into the crook of his neck. You pressed a soft kiss there, then sucked lightly, obviously not enough to leave a mark, just enough to feel the warmth of his skin. You soothed the spot with your tongue before trailing up to capture his lips in a kiss.

It was sweet and comforting, the kind of kiss that said everything words couldn’t in the dark. You stayed like that for a while, exchanging soft kisses until the tiredness started to win. With a contented sigh, you pulled back slightly, smiling against his mouth. “Night, baby.” you whispered.

“Night, baby.” Caleb murmured back, his arms tightening around you protectively.

The next morning, you sat on the poufs with Trinity and Kayda, sipping coffee and enjoying the sunshine. The guys were working out nearby, muscles flexing as you three enjoyed the show.

That’s when Aidan walked over. You expected him to pull one of the other girls, but he stopped right in front of you. “Hey, you wanna go for a chat?”

You couldn’t exactly say no without seeming rude, so you agreed with a polite smile. “Sure.” He suggested the speakeasy and you nodded, following him inside but making sure to leave the door open. You settled onto the couch, keeping things light and friendly.

He started with somewhat easy questions, like where you’re from, what you do outside the villa. The conversation flowed nicely for about ten minutes. It was harmless, even kind of nice..

Until it wasn’t.

“So, did you enjoy our kiss yesterday?” Aidan asked, leaning in a bit.

The question instantly brought you back to how things started with Caleb and you had zero interest in going there with Aidan. “It was cool.” you laughed lightly, shrugging it off. “I don’t really have any complaints.”

“That’s great” he said with a smile. “How about we try again?”

You stared at him for a second, caught off guard. “Uhh, I don’t know.. I don’t think it’s going to be that easy.”

Aidan laughed, playing off the embarrassment. “Maybe another day?”

You gave a small, noncommittal smile. “We’ll see.”

After your chat with Aidan, you found Caleb in the kitchen talking to Sincere. You walked up behind him and slipped your hand around his waist, leaning into his side. “Hey, can I steal him for a bit?”

Sincere waved you off. “Go ahead. He’s all yours.”

You led Caleb up to soulties, the cozy spot feeling like the perfect place to talk. The second you sat down, you turned to him. “Aidan pulled me again.”

You could tell Caleb was getting annoyed, but he was clearly trying not to show it too much. “Did he?”

“Yeah” you said, sighing. “And he wanted to kiss me.”

“What?” Caleb’s eyes widened, surprise flashing across his face. He was expecting anything but this, because yesterday you made it clear that you weren’t going to be that easy.

“Yeah. I obviously told him no, but he asked if maybe another day and I just said ‘we’ll see’ because I didn’t know what else to say.”

Caleb nodded slowly, processing everything. “You handled it well. But I don’t like that he keeps going for you when he knows we’re coupled up.”

Before you could dive deeper, you heard the islanders yelling from downstairs. Trinity’s voice carried up clearly. “I got a text!”

You and Caleb immediately got up and leaned over the railing. Trinity read it out loud: “Islanders, the hideaway is open tonight. Please vote for the couple you want to send in.”

Your eyes met Caleb’s at the same time. A big smile broke across both your faces. Trinity looked straight up at you. “Bitch, you gotta go!” she yelled, grinning.

The rest of the islanders cheered and hyped you two up with no hesitation. You and Caleb broke into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around you securely. “I guess we’re going to the hideaway,” you said, laughing softly against his chest.

The girls immediately started running up the stairs to help you get ready. Caleb got the hint and gave your butt a gentle, playful pat as you pulled away. “Can’t wait to see you downstairs.”

In the dressing room, the girls were hyping you up like it was a wedding. They helped you pick out the perfect set, and you ended up choosing a white lingerie that made you feel sexy. You layered a silky dark blue nightgown over it, the fabric soft and flowing beautifully against your skin.

Before you and Caleb went into the hideaway, the islanders made a song for you two, with plenty of cheeky lyrics.

When you entered the hideaway, the space felt like pure luxury compared to the main villa. It was big and romantic, and the first thing you both noticed was the inviting hot tub bubbling away in the corner. You walked over to the sign next to it and read it out loud.

“Stay wild..” You turned to Caleb. “Oh, we’re definitely staying wild tonight. I can promise you that.”

Caleb chuckled, pulling you close before you both explored further. You wandered into the bedroom area and stopped in your tracks. “Holy shit, Caleb.. that’s all for us?” The massive bed looked incredibly comfortable, complete with plush pillows and soft lighting. It felt like a whole different world.

Caleb’s eyes scanned the room and landed on a big mirror on the wall. “Y/n, look what I found.” he said, pointing with a smirk. The mirror had text that read: Pull here for a good time.

“Pull it!” you told him, curious.

He reached out and tugged on the handle. The mirror swung open to reveal a little compartment filled with handcuffs, a belt, game cards, and a few other things clearly meant for a very good time. You laughed and pulled out the belt, playfully snapping it in the air toward him.

“It don’t hurt..” Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Keep doing it.”

After spending some time relaxing in the hot tub, you both dried off and made your way toward the bed. Caleb lay back against the pillows, looking ridiculously attractive. You straddled his lap, pulling the covers up over your shoulders as you settled on top of him.

“Ughh..” you groaned. “Can we please just get the lights off now?” you complained. “Because I’m holding myself back from jumping your bones right now.”

Caleb let out a deep laugh, his hands resting on your thighs. “That right?”

Before he could even reach for the switch, the main lights dimmed and turned off automatically, leaving only the soft LED lights glowing around the room. You both paused, surprised, then broke into laughter again.

“Guess the hideaway heard you.” Caleb said, grinning up at you, his hands sliding up your sides.

You leaned down until your lips met his, your bodies pressed chest to chest. The kiss started slow, but heat quickly took over and it didn’t take long for Caleb’s hands to slide down and find your ass, squeezing with both hands. The firm grip pulled a soft moan from your throat, and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into your mouth.

Before you knew it, Caleb flipped you both over with ease so he was hovering above you. He continued kissing you hungrily, occasionally breaking away to trail his lips down your neck, sucking lightly on your skin before finding his way back to your mouth.

His hand moved from your waist to your thigh, smoothing over the soft skin there before sliding higher. He played with the waistband of your panties, teasing you until you were aching for more.

“Please, Caleb..” you pleaded.

He didn’t tease you for long. Caleb slipped his hand into your panties, sliding his fingers over your slick folds. The sensation earned a louder moan from you.

He quickly pulled his hand out just long enough to tug your panties down your legs, leaving you more open for him. Bringing his two middle fingers to his mouth, he spit on them before returning to your core.

He entered you slowly with one finger, then added a second when you gasped saying “I want more.”

The stretch and rhythm of his fingers pulled another moan from your lips. Your head fell back against the pillow, mouth open as his fingers worked you perfectly.

As much as he wanted to kiss you and swallow every sound, he also loved seeing you with your head thrown back, back arching off the bed. It was a sight he couldn’t get enough of.

While your back arched, he took the opportunity to reach behind you and unclasp your bra. It took a little struggle with one hand, but he eventually got it open and tossed it aside.

He leaned down, taking one of your nipples into his mouth, sucking and teasing with his tongue while his fingers kept their pace. The multitasking was impressive, you’d give him that.

“Hm” he hummed against your skin, getting your attention. “I bet he wishes he got you like this. Think that?”

From your point of view, Caleb was still a little jealous about Aidan, but it didn’t bother you. You silently thanked everyone who had voted for you two to get this time alone in the hideaway so he could get his jealousy out.

Caleb kept working you, curling his fingers just right until your thighs started to tremble.

He rode out your high with you, whispering praises against your neck as you came undone beneath him. When your body finally relaxed, he slowly pulled his fingers out and brought them up to his lips, tasting you with a satisfied groan.

“Fuck, you taste good, baby.” he complimented.

After Caleb let you catch your breath, he leaned back down to kiss you hard, his tongue sliding against yours with renewed hunger.

He pulled the sheets up over both of you, creating a private cocoon that blocked out the rest of the world. It felt incredibly intimate with just the two of you tangled together under the soft fabric.

“Can you handle more, baby?” he asked sweetly.

You nodded immediately, absolutely not wasting this rare chance at alone time with him in this villa. “Yes.. please.”

Under the covers, you gladly helped him take off his boxers, both of you giggling as the fabric got tangled for a second. Once he was free, Caleb’s hands gripped your waist tightly as he positioned himself between your thighs.

He pushed in slowly, giving you time to adjust to his size. The stretch was perfect, and a moan escaped your lips. At least you were now promised, or at least really hoping, to have a sexy boyfriend after this villa and a fire dick every night once you got out.

When you finally gave him the sign to move, Caleb didn’t hold back. His thrusts came harder, and deeper, the bed creaked rhythmically beneath you, and you were so thankful the hideaway was soundproof enough that no one else in the villa could hear you two.

The wet slaps of skin on skin filled the small space under the sheets, mixing with your shared heavy breathing.

“Think he could fuck you like this?” Caleb growled against your ear, his hand sliding up your thigh and spreading you wider for him.

“Fuck..” you moaned, nails digging into his back hard enough to leave marks that would definitely show tomorrow. “No.. only you, Caleb.”

It seemed to spur him on even more. With a sound in his throat, he flipped you onto your stomach, pulling your hips up so your ass was raised while your chest pressed into the mattress.

He took you from behind, sinking back into you in one smooth thrust. His hand fisted gently in your hair, obviously he wasn’t trying to be rough, but just to tilt your head back so he could kiss you sloppily while still pounding into you.

The new angle was incredible, he was hitting that perfect spot with every thrust, making your eyes roll back. Your moans were muffled by the pillow and the heavy sheets, but Caleb seemed to love every single sound you made.

He reached around with one hand, finding your clit and rubbing it in tight, expert circles. The dual sensation pushed you right toward the edge again while he chased his own release, hips snapping against you relentlessly.

You came harder this time, clenching around him and shaking as pleasure crashed through you. Caleb followed right after, groaning your name. At the last second, he managed to pull out, stroking himself a few times before finishing across your lower back in hot pulses.

He collapsed on top of you, both of you panting heavily under the messy sheets. Your bodies were slick with sweat, hearts still racing from the intensity of it all.

After a moment, Caleb rolled off you with a satisfied groan but immediately pulled you into his chest, wrapping his strong arms around your body. He pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, his thumb stroking soothing circles on your back.

“I wasn’t too rough, was I?” he asked quietly, genuine concern in his voice as he checked on you.

You smiled against his skin, still catching your breath. “No.. it was perfect.”

He hummed happily, hugging you a little tighter. You yawned, the exhaustion finally hitting you hard after the long day and the passionate night. Caleb chuckled softly, recognizing the sign immediately.

“Get some sleep, baby.” he whispered, kissing the top of your head again. “We can talk about everything tomorrow.”

You nodded sleepily, already drifting off in his warm embrace.

"I got a text!" Kayda screamed to villa. Everyone started to cheer as they all gathered around her.

'Islanders, it is now time to send a couple to the hideaway.' Immediately screams and chants were given. It was time to decide who to send, but before a decision could be made, another text was sent, this time to you. Everyone was anxious now, what would this text say?

'Instead of the Islanders getting to choose who gets to go to the hideaway, the choice has been given to America.' you read aloud.

This changed everything. Instead of you guys picking, America got to pick, and you wondered what they had up their sleeve considering the viewers liked to be unpredictable. Another text was sent, but this time to Caleb.

"For fucks sake, just tell us already!" Trinity yelled out impatiently jumping up and down. You watched as Caleb opened his phone to read the text. He paused for a second, did a double take and then spoke the infamous words.

"Caleb and Y/n, you have been picked by America to go to the hideaway. Please get your things to leave right now."

You couldn't even get a reaction out before the girls were jumping on you and screaming their heads off. You couldn't believe this was happening. America was actually sending you to the hideaway. With Caleb.

"Oh fuck.." you started. It was hitting you now. You were about to be sent to the damn hideaway. With Caleb. And everyone knows what happens in the hideaway.

The girls could see the panic in your face and immediately rushed you to the dressing room. As you walked up the steps, you heard Caleb shout,

"Don't take too long with my girl. We got some exploring to do together." That cheeky mother fucker.

*In the dressing room*

You nervously checked yourself out in the mirror. Making sure that nothing was out of place. You wanted everything to be as perfect as possible. Thank God the girls helped you get ready, otherwise you would have been a complete mess.

"Wow.." you gasped in shock before turning around. You didn't even see him come in.

Caleb was speechless when he saw you. Your skin was glowing, under the light, your hair was down and fluffed out, and the lingerie you had on simply had him speechless. To him you were breathtaking.

"Do I look okay?" you asked him nervously, your fingers unintentionally grabbing at your thigh stocking. You could see him taking you in, absorbing this moment, and you didn't miss the way his eyes darkened when he looked back up to make eye contact with you.

"You are absolutely amazing" He spoke confidently. He held his hand out for you to take. This was it, it was time to go. He gave you a reassuring smile and pulled you closer to him once you gave him your hand.

His lips smacked onto yours. It was intense, it was steamy, and it had you ready to enter the hideaway.

"Lead the way cowboy"

*Before you entered the hideaway*

As you both walked down to the floor of the villa, you could already hear the chant of the entire crew as they cheered for you both.

"Oh shit! It's time to play,

Caleb and Y/N in the hideaway!" the boys chanted.

You couldn't help but laugh. While the hideaway was a big deal and you were internally freaking out, you were glad to get some relief before you both walked in.

"Eat that kitty,

Eat that kitty,

Eat that kitty in the hideaway!" the girls sang.

Before you could say anything Caleb scooped you up in his arms. He had your legs wrapped around his waist while his hands held you up which were unapologetically on your ass. To play along and feed into the guys excitement, you lifted up your arm and swung it in a circle.

You wouldn't be surprised if people living outside the villa could hear the screams.

"I'm ready to ride my cowboy tonight y'all!"

'You definitely will be' Caleb thought to himself before finally taking them both to the hideaway.

*In the hideaway*

You had both taken the time to go with the flow. When it was time to go to the room, then it was time, but you both didn't want to rush this moment.

"Did you honestly think we would get to this moment?" you asked him as you both sat at the edge of the hot tub while simultaneously feeding each other the chocolate strawberries that were made for you guys.

"I had no doubt we would get to this moment" he replied confidently as he wiped some chocolate off the side of your lip with his thumb gently. "What about you?" he asked, his hand now on your thigh and making sure to give you a reassuring squeeze.

"I was scared at first that we wouldn't make it in all transparency." You told him gently, almost in a whisper because you didn't want this to change the moment you two were currently having.

"Can I ask why?" he wanted to know. He wanted to see why you thought that so he could understand.

"Because when we first got coupled up together, I remember watching you put so much effort into Kenzie. And although I wanted to get to know you before, I could see that you were all in and I didn't want to get myself hurt in the process." you started off.

If there was any time to be vulnerable before things got further, it would be right now, at this moment. And although being vulnerable was something you hated to show, you and Caleb both knew how important it was to express these thoughts and feelings before you both explored each other intimately.

"But then when Kenzie didn't write you that letter and I saw how heartbroken you were, I didn't think you were going to be able to come back from that and that you were going to close yourself off for good." You explained carefully to him. You don't know what he was currently thinking right now at this moment. But you continued on.

"And then right after we got coupled up, I see you pulling Kayda for chats, and honestly it hurt. I thought this was over before it could even start because I clearly wasn't what you wanted or were looking for." you finished.

Now that you got it off your chest, it felt like you could finally breathe. you were glad to have gotten your feelings out, but you were scared of his reaction. Would this ruin the night for you both? What felt like hours of silence, finally ended when Caleb reached his hand up to your cheek to get your attention.

"I have no excuse for how I handled that." he started as his thumb began to stroke your cheek. Caleb was nervous, he didn't want to explain things in a way that could be interpreted differently. But he wanted to be honest as well.

"Yes, I was hurt by what Kenzie did, and I did try and see if I had a connection with Kayda and explore that." he paused for a second to gather his thoughts. You could see the nerves on his face that he didn't want to say the wrong thing. So you reached your hand up to his that was currently placed on your cheek and squeezed his wrist to signal that it was okay. That he could be honest with his feelings.

"But at the time, I was blind to see what was right in front of me. I didn't realize that I had you until a while ago." he explained to you.

"What made you finally realize that you wanted me?" you asked him. He hesitated, but after another gentle squeeze to his wrist for encouragement he continued.

"When I heard you talking to the girls about how you would step aside and let me explore Kayda because you wanted me to be happy. You were being so selfless at the time. And it was something that I completely admired about you from that point on. Although we are all here to find love and do what we have to do to get it, you are still stuck to your morals. You didn't change yourself just for the sake of the game." You didn't know what to say to that. You weren't sure that you could really say anything at all.

Caleb watched as the emotion flickered in your eyes to the point where it looked like you were about to cry. And at that moment, he didn't care about the objective of being in the hideaway. He just wanted to comfort YOU.

"Hey, don't cry please." he whispered as he got closer to you. You could feel his body heat immediately. It was comforting in a way.

"I just honestly didn't think you would see me in that way. I seriously thought I was going to be sent home soon." you confessed to him.

"I wouldn't let you leave. Not then and definitely not now." he stated firmly while looking you in the eye. You could feel your body slowly start to react to the intense eye contact he held with you.

"What about when its time for Casa Amor?" you asked him. You needed to know if there was any slight possibility of him changing his mind. You did not want to waste your time.

"I won't be interested in anyone else that comes in Y/n." he said.

"You say that now." you whispered and looked down, trying to not let your emotions get the best of you.

"And I'm telling you. I'm not interested in anyone else. I only want to be coupled up with you. And I plan on showing you that. But I think the real question is do you want to remain coupled up with me?" he asked.

Of course you still wanted to be coupled up with him. You're not sure that you might have given him any indication that you wanted to be coupled with someone else. But you know what you want.

"I wanted you then Caleb, and I still want you now. I just don't want to get my heart broken if you perhaps change your mind about me."

Caleb couldn't take it anymore and slowly leaned in to kiss you. Unlike other times when it was aggressive and lustful during the challenges, this one was completely different.

It was raw and emotional, and most importantly very real. When you needed to catch your breath, you slowly pulled away. Caleb couldn't help but imagine what you were like in an intimate way. He was ready to explore all of you in every way possible.

"I'm not changing my damn mind about you at all Y/n." he promised. You believed him. Deep down you knew he was telling the truth.

"Do you want to go inside?" you asked him the magic question finally, and in response he couldn't help but to give you his most infamous smile and stand both of you up and lead you to the bedroom of the hideaway.

*In the bedroom of the hideaway*

Your stomach was a ball of nerves once you both walked in. The room was just how Kayda and Zach described it. A giant, comfy bed in the center, red velvet walls, and the infamous 'open if you dare' wardrobe that had all kinds of toys, blindfolds, and other essentials.

'They really weren't kidding about this place' you thought.

Caleb watched as you sat at the edge of the bed, still in your lingerie, and still looking as beautiful as ever. In all honesty, he was ready to devour you.

You watched him take a step closer to you. The eye contact was intense and you could feel that ball of nerves deepen with every second you held the contact. It wasn't until he was directly in front of you that you had to look up at him.

You watch as he bends down on one knee to be at somewhat eye level with you. Since he was tall, he still towered over you slightly. You watched as he trailed his hand from your thigh all the way down to your ankle to give a slight squeeze of comfort and then to your toes.

The breath you were currently taking as he lifted your foot up and started to kiss at the base of your foot was cut off early. Slowly, he took his time making sure to kiss every inch that he could get his mouth on. Your leg was on fire, and you didn't expect to have this feeling just from him kissing your damn leg of all places.

"You're so fucking beautiful, you have no idea" he whispered as he got to your knee. His free hand continued to caress your other thigh as he moved his kisses up higher.

"Caleb..." you whispered breathlessly as his kisses now got to your thigh. He looked from his position, still kissing you, but making sure to look at you. To let you know that he means everything he says.

"You have no idea what you do to me." he whispered to you. Caleb didn't want to rush this moment. He wanted to take his time with you. You deserved to have a great experience, and he wanted to give you that great experience all by himself.

Just when he was about to reach your inner thigh, he pulled away and stood up. You watched as he walked over to the closet filled with toys and such things.

"What are you doing?" you asked him quietly, not wanting to ruin the moment. He stayed silent for a second, before turning around to look at you. He had a blindfold in his hand but you noticed that mischievous glint in his eye.

"Do you trust me?" he asked you as he stood back in front of you staring down. He watched as you nodded your head in response.

"I need to hear you say it, Y/n." he told you. He wanted to be absolutely sure you were okay with this. He didn't want to break your trust at all.

"I trust you." she whispered back to him. He puts the blindfold on you and all of a sudden your vision goes pitch black. The only thing you can sense and feel is the mattress underneath you.

"I got you." Caleb whispered as he guided you to lie completely on the bed.

"I'm going to take very good care of you." he promised.

You gasped as you felt him spread your legs apart. The heightened senses made you much more alert. But it was also exciting. you were ready for whatever it was that Caleb had planned. You could feel him move so that he was placed in between your legs.

The smell of his cologne reached you, signalling he was really close to you now.

"I'm so fucking lucky." he whispered to himself, although you were sure you weren't supposed to hear that, it made you feel happy. It gave you the reassurance that you've been wanting from him.

Caleb took his time admiring you. Even when blindfolded, you were still beautiful. He leaned down so that his face was close to yours. You could feel his breath on your skin which gave you goosebumps.

Suddenly you felt his lips on your forehead, then your nose, then both sides of your cheek, and then finally your lips. Both of you moved in sync as you made out. The kiss was unlike anything you've experienced before. Sure you've made out with plenty of guys, but not like this. This was much more intimate than you ever experienced.

You reached your hands up, one being placed on his shoulder, while the other felt its way up his chest and to his hair. You pulled him as close as you could to you. You wanted to feel all of him at this very moment. And when you take the chance to boldly bite his lip is when he slid his tongue into yours.

This was indescribable. It was everything and more.

Caleb pulled away after a few minutes, which at first made you pout and whine. But he kissed you reassuringly that you would get more.

"I want to taste more of you baby, let me do that please." he whispered to you. His hands caressed every inch that he could get his hands on. He was in fucking heaven. He peppered open mouthed kisses on your neck which you couldn't help but dig your fingernails in his back when he found a certain weak spot. He groaned in response, but its nothing but a little pain that he couldn't handle.

As he makes his way further down, you couldn't help but try to sneak the blindfold off to take a peak. Just before you could even catch somewhat of a glimpse, you gasped at a sudden stinging sensation on your thigh.

"Did I say you could take it off?" Caleb asked you. His thick country accent suddenly became deeper, and the wetness between your legs became more prominent.

"I'm sorry." you whispered to him.

"That's a good girl." he praised you. He couldn't help but look at how your panties were already ruined from your wetness. He grabbed both sides and slowly took them off of you while making sure to kiss the new amount of open skin.

Suddenly it hit you that he could see the most intimate part of you. Your legs closed instinctively, but before you could close them tight, his hand quickly got in the way to block it from happening.

"I don't fucking think so." he spoke. And although you couldn't see, you felt him open your legs wide open again. The cool air came into contact and your body couldn't help but react in response.

"Caleb." you gasped out. You wanted to feel him. You wanted to see him. You wanted him practically on top of you. You just wanted him to do something.

"Please." you begged desperately.

Caleb loved watching you squirm, the way your body reacted to his touch, and the way you clearly wanted him was driving him crazy. He didn't waste any more time and dove in.

You gasped when you suddenly felt his mouth on your inner thigh, very close to that spot. You bit your lip in anticipation as he got closer. The heightened sensation of his touch was almost overstimulating. Right when you had felt like you could breathe, it was ripped away and you let out a broken moan once you felt his tongue on you.

It wasn't rough, it wasn't fast, the pace was slow and sensual. Caleb couldn't help but groan the second he tasted you. He was already becoming addicted and he wanted more and more of you.

"Fuck Caleb." you moaned out loud. You didn't care how loud you were at this point. This was the sole purpose of being in the hideaway, and you both were going to take advantage. Your hands tugged on his hair as he continued to taste you, his tongue eventually coming in contact with your clit which only made you tighten your grip on his hair.

Caleb was excited, he was so ready to have his way with you, but he still wanted to taste more of you. His mouth greedily continued to taste you, making sure not to miss any spot he hasn't tasted yet. He could do this all night if you would let him.

"More please." he heard you beg as his tongue flicked around with your clit. He took it further and decided to slip a finger in. The wetness that he immediately felt awoken something in him that he had never felt. But if you were already this wet just from his tongue and fingers then he was ready to have more.

The filthy moans escaped your throat as you felt his fingers sliding in and out of you. Your hips started to involuntarily move on their own, matching the pace of his rhythm.

"That's my girl." he praised you as he took his time to explore inside you. He loved the way you looked in this moment. Vulnerable but open just for him.

His movements gained momentum which had you becoming breathless. You could feel yourself getting close. Right when you were about to beg him for more, his fingers suddenly hit a specific spot within you that had you mewling.

"F-fuck Caleb" you whined as the sensation started to get more intense.

"What baby? That feel good?" he teased as he continued his pace.

"Please don't stop." you whined, you were so close.

"I won't baby." he promised. He wanted to see you fall apart just from his fingers, and he could feel you getting so close. Right when you least expected it, that feeling in your stomach released and it was the most intense, pleasurable feeling you have ever felt.

"Caleb, fuck!" you moaned as you rode out your high on his fingers still. Your thighs were shaking and you could feel your own wetness on them.

"Fuck, you're fucking breathtaking right now." Caleb complimented you as he slowly took his fingers out of you. You could barely hear him, too dazed out from your post orgasm. Suddenly, you felt him take the blindfold off and at first you had to squint your eyes to adjust the light.

Your eyes met his as you were still recovering. His hand came up to fix any pieces of hair that were out of place. You grabbed his face and pulled him in for a deep kiss. One that you didn't care if you passed out from if you couldn't breathe anymore. You wanted him so bad. You pulled away when the tightening in your chest became too much from the lack of oxygen.

"I want more of you." you told him quietly, almost afraid to speak it into the universe. He leaned down to give you another kiss.

"You're getting all of me tonight. Am I getting all of you?" he asked gently. Almost afraid that you would reject him too.

You nodded your head, but he tugged a strand of your hair, signalling that he wanted a clear answer from you.

"You're getting all of me." You promised. You watched as he took his time sliding the straps of your bra off of your shoulders. Almost as if he was unwrapping a very expensive present.

When he finally got you free of it, he immediately leaned down to put his mouth on one of your nipples. This new sensation had you in overdrive. Your legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as your hands held his head in place.

His tongue flicked around the sensitive area and you couldn't help but let out a very loud moan once you felt him softly tug on it with his teeth gently.

"Fucking hell." you cursed. His free hand making sure to give your other boob the attention he deserved. He took his time, tasting each one, feeling each one.

"I want you inside me Caleb, please." you finally begged. You didn't want to wait any longer. You wanted to feel him so desperately. His thumb traced the edge of your lip as he stared at you like you were the most sacred thing he could ever have in this world.

"Are you sure you really want this?" As much as he wanted you as bad, he still wanted to make sure you had no hesitations. He wanted to be absolutely sure.

"Yes, I really do want this." you answered him confidently. He slowly got up from you to stand. You watched as he carefully undid the strings of his sweatpants and dragged them off. You took the moment to admire him. He was so fucking handsome, everything you wanted and more.

He watched your reaction when he finally took his boxers off. Both of you now completely bare in front of each other. There was no going back now. He watched as you took in every detail that you could of his body, the way your eyes took in everything about him.

"You're so handsome." you whispered to him. He took that moment to get on the bed and get between your legs, you could feel how hard he was. You also didn't miss the length and size of him. You could see why he walks heavy now.

'He's gonna ruin me.'

He could sense a slight nervousness within you and he decided to ease that by kissing you again. He was not going to rush this, he was not going to have this moment ruined for either of you. You were grateful that he did this first. You didn't want anything to go wrong.

Deciding to be bold you slid your hand in between your bodies and gently grabbed a hold of him. A somewhat animalistic groan escaped his throat. He wasn't going to be able to contain himself much longer.

You took your time, feeling him, getting used to his size that was currently wrapped around your hand.

"You see what you do to me, Y/n." he said as he tried to maintain his composure.

You could definitely see it. You saw everything that you were doing to him. You guided him to your entrance, making sure to at least get your wetness on his tip. He was thick, and you couldn't help but make a tiny gulp as you realized what this man was truly about to do to you.

"We're gonna go slow." he told you. He did not want any room for error, he wanted to make sure everything went right. Caleb was not going to mess this up for you both.

"You tell me the second you get uncomfortable." he demanded. You nodded your head and for once he took that as an answer. You were honestly afraid to speak at this moment. But you were ready. Beyond ready for him.

He distracted you with kisses, kisses on your lips, down to your neck and chest to help you feel comfortable. You were thankful for that. When he came back to kiss you again is when he slowly began to penetrate you.

He was so fucking thick. There was a slight sting that you couldn't help but let out a sound of shock mixed with slight pain and pleasure. He was going to fucking ruin you, and he was barely inside of you.

"Fuck." Caleb cursed as he felt your tightness begin to surround him as he slowly began to stretch your walls out. He was already addicted to you, and now that he knows what you feel like on the inside, he was never going to let you fucking go.

He heard you let out a whimper as he continued to slowly stretch you out. He looked at you, making sure you were okay, and when you signaled him to keep going, he took that chance to get his entire length inside of you.

You felt beyond full. So full that you could hardly breath. Caleb was no different. He could feel your walls clamping down on him, pulsing around his tip which if he wasn't careful, he would be cumming early. Your nails dug into his skin even more as you became more aware of how deep he was inside you. He took that moment to stay still, giving you the time you need to adjust. But how could you adjust with a size like this?

You leaned up to kiss his shoulder, and wrapped your legs tight around his waist which made him shift inside you.

"Don't move." he commanded. His hands held you still as he did his best to compose himself still.

"You can move Caleb. It's okay, I'm ready now. Please." And since you finally gave him the reassurance he needed, he took that moment to pull himself slightly out but then immediately pushed himself back in.

The moan you made had him go feral and he gradually picked up the pace. He watched the facial expressions you would make. The one that drove him crazy was when your eyes would roll to the back of your head and you could barely get a word out.

He wasn't one to talk either. Each time his hips gently smacked into you, he felt how tight you were and couldn't help but groan at how your walls suffocated his dick. He took your wrists in your hands and placed them above you, pinning you so you couldn't move.

"You feel so fucking amazing baby." he moaned as he continued his sinful thrusts. You moaned in response as he continued to hit a particular spot within you that made you go crazy. Your legs only wrap around his waist tighter since you couldn't move your hands at all.

"Please don't stop." you begged him. You never wanted this feeling to go away, you never wanted this moment to end. You had given Caleb the most sacred part of you, and now that he had it, you didn't want him to let you go.

"Woah!" you gasped as he suddenly flipped you two over so that you were now on top and him beneath you. You looked at him a little lost while he only smirked at you in return.

"You said you were going to ride your cowboy right? Saddle up baby, your cowboy is waiting." he said cheekily. His hands immediately grasp onto your hips.

You start slow, rolling your hips back and forth to find yourself a good rhythm. Caleb was in absolute heaven. He watched every little move, sound, and facial expression that you made. His hands continue to guide your hips while occasionally reaching down to squeeze a handful of your ass.

"You look so fucking beautiful like this baby." he praised you. You couldn't help but blush at the compliment. It made you feel so good about yourself in this moment with him.

You switched up the pace, this time circling your hips at a specific angle that had him touching that certain spot.

"Shit." you muttered as you felt that spot continued to get penetrated.

"Feel good baby?" Caleb asked. You nodded your head while linking your hands with his. Fingers interlocking. You were going to make this man cum just like this you decided.

Using his hands as leverage, you lift your hips up to where he was halfway inside of you and bounce back down on him. Caleb could've come right then and there. The way you continued to bounce up and down as he felt the tip of his dick touch that spot that drives you crazy. He could feel himself getting so close.

"Fuck baby, keep going." he begged you. A fire was lit inside you. You wanted him to beg like that more often. You loved the feeling it gave you. You continued to bounce on him, the very tip still kissing that spot within you and you could feel yourself getting closer.

"Fuck, I'm close." you whispered breathlessly as you continued to ride him. Your hands squeezing his for some extra comfort.

He took that moment to release his hands from yours and grabbed your hips, taking control of your pace. He slammed you back down on him, his dick entering fully inside you where you could barely get a moan out.

His hips relentlessly smack into you and the moans that escaped your mouth only pushed him to go harder. Caleb was never going to forget this moment. This was a picture that was now embedded in his memories forever. Your eyes closed shut and your face dripping in pleasure because of him.

"Fuck I'm cumming Caleb!" she screamed as her walls clamped down on him. Caleb couldn't help but cum inside her at that moment, his thick release drenching her walls as they pulsed around his dick. Both were in orgasmic bliss.

Your body gave out and you landed on top of him, both worn out, bodies sweaty, and out of breath. You took that moment to wipe the sweat off his forehead. He looked amazing like this.

"You were so fucking amazing baby." he praised you. His hands unable to stop touching you.

"Are you feeling okay?" he asked you. You smiled and gave him a reassuring 'yes' and placed your head on his chest. Still taking in the recent events of what just occurred between you both.

"Don't get too comfortable baby, we're going again in about ten minutes." He told you.

You looked up at him to see if he was joking, but he was indeed not. He gave you that handsome smirk of his and pulled you as close to him as you could.

"I told you. I'm having my way with you all night." he promised.

And dear God did he live up to that promise.

You furrow your brow, your eyes adjusting to the room. Across from you, Sarah is rubbing her eyes, her blonde hair tangled around her face. Kiara is already sitting up, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn, while Cleo and Rima are still buried beneath their duvets.

"Rafe?" you mumble, your voice thick with sleep. You sit up, looking around the spacious room. Usually, Rafe is either pulling you back down into the pillows, complaining about how loud the birds are outside, or creepily watching you sleep.

Today though, his side of the bed is perfectly neat, the sheets smoothed over.

"John B isn't here either," Sarah says, her voice laced with confusion as she swings her legs over the edge of the mattress. "Maybe they went down to the kitchen early? He was talking about making pancakes last night."

"JJ’s gone too," Kiara adds, looking at the empty spot on the bed next to hers. She sighs, running a hand through her curls.

"Mm, let them be gone," Cleo grumbles from beneath her blanket, her muffled voice sounding completely unbothered. "More space for us. Sharing a bed with Miles is like dangling above the Grand Canyon. Jus' fightin' for my life every night..."

You nod, swallowing down a weird spike of anxiety in your chest. It makes sense, the boys frequently wake up early to hit the gym or raid the fridge, making you all breakfast.

Still, a strange quiet hangs over you, clouding your mind. It just feels different.

You throw on a casual oversized shirt and slide into your slippers, walking to the glam room to fix your face. For the next forty-five minutes, the routine is completely normal. You, Sarah, Kie, Cleo, and Rima take turns in the bathroom, doing your makeup, gossiping about the night before, and spraying an excessive amount of perfume. By the time you all walk down the stairs, dressed in your bikinis, you're fully expecting to hear the clatter of weights or dishes or JJ’s loud laugh.

Instead, the villa is completely dead.

"...Okay, now this is weird," Rima says, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. 

"Maybe they're by the pool?" Sarah suggests, walking out through the wide open glass doors onto the deck.

You all follow her out but even then, the outdoor daybeds are empty. The pool is undisturbed, reflecting the morning sky. The gym equipment is sitting exactly where it was left yesterday, completely untouched. 

"What the hell?" Cleo says, crossing her arms over her chest as she looks around. "Where the hell are they? Did they get kidnapped by production in the middle of the night?"

"I don't know, but it’s creeping me out," Sarah says, walking over to the kitchen island. There are no signs of breakfast. No coffee brewing.

Nothing. 

You lean against the edge of the sun lounger, your stomach doing a nervous flip. Your mind immediately goes to Rafe. He wouldn't just leave without letting you know before he got pulled away. "Do you think it’s a bombshell thing? Like when me and Cleo got pulled?" you ask, the words tasting sour on your tongue. "Like, maybe they got pulled out for a challenge or a date with someone new?"

Sarah scoffs, shaking her head as she walks over to join you. "A bombshell? For all five of them at once? No way." She reels back. "That’s crazy. Usually, they send one or two girls in to stir the pot, not pull the entire male population of the villa."

"Yeah, that doesn't make sense," Rima agrees, sitting down on the edge of a daybed. "If it was a bombshell date thing, they’d only take one or two guys, max. Maybe they’re just filming some promotional stuff outside the villa?"

"Without us?" Cleo raises an eyebrow. "Please. We're the main attraction." 

Just as you open your mouth to suggest other possibilities, the familiar high-pitched ping of a text message echoes across the deck and you all freeze.

Rima dives for her phone, which is sitting on a nearby table. Her eyes widen as she taps the screen.

"...Oh my god," She breathes, her jaw instantly dropping.

“What? What is it?”

But she remains silent, face slowly getting more contorted the longer her eyes stay on the screen.

"Read it, Rima! Don't just stare at it!" Kiara exclaims, crowding around her along with Sarah and Cleo. You step closer, slowly, your heart racing.

Rima clears her throat, voice riddled with disbelief as she reads the screen aloud.

Girls, it's time for a little change of scenery. The boys have been whisked away to Casa Amor, where five brand new bombshells are waiting to get to know them. But don't worry... you won't be lonely for long. #NewBoysNewToys #CasaAmor

"Casa Amor?!" Sarah shrieks, clutching her hair. "Right now?!"

You suck in a deep breath, your chest tightening as the rest of the girls jump around and cheer, excited.

You felt like you and Rafe had just finally gotten into a really good, steady rhythm. The thought of him in a completely different villa surrounded by five girls who are custom-built to turn heads makes your stomach churn.

"So, that means new boys are coming here?" Rima repeats, her eyes wide as she swiped her hair from her face, smiling brightly. "Like, today?!"

"That's what it says," Cleo says. "Well, damn. I guess Miles is going to have to see if his loyalty holds up. Because Lord knows I'm about to see what these new boys are about." She shrugs carelessly. " I hope they're hot."

"I can't believe this," Kiara mutters, her smile fading as a realization comes to the forefront of her mind. "...JJ is going to lose his mind. He’s like a...toddler with shiny objects. If a girl so much as breathes in his direction—"

Before Kiara can even finish her sentence, you hear a marching band of footsteps. The sound echoes loudly across the courtyard, cutting through the air, and you all whirl around toward the entrance to see the glimpse of toned legs, abs, and happy trails bounding into the villa.

"Oh my god, they’re here," Sarah whispers, her voice suddenly dropping an octave as she repeatedly smacks your arm.

You expect to see five completely new, incredibly muscular, glowing male bombshells swaggering through the doors in slow motion, grinning like tigers, ready to sweep you all off of your feet.

Instead, as the five guys come sauntering in, laughing and shouting, nearly all of your smiles drop.

One by one, the boys come into clear view under the sun.

Your breath hitches in your throat.

Next to you, Sarah’s face drains of all color. Kiara stops pacing entirely, her body locking up. Cleo’s eyes narrow to dangerous slits, and Rima lets out a sharp, choked noise that sounds like a gasp mixed with a curse.

It isn't a group of strangers.

It’s all of your exes.

Your jaw clenches so hard your teeth ache. A burning, hot wave of what you can only describe as unfiltered fury rushes from the tips of your toes straight up to your chest, all the way to the tips of your ears.

You stare at the boy walking at the back of the pack—dark hair, the same smug posture. 

Mattheo.

The silence that settles over the villa is suffocating, deadly as the boys stop their boisterous entrance, realizing they’re being stared at like ghosts or criminals.

The look on every one of your faces is a nothing short of either profound shock or total disgust.

“Hey, ladies,” one of the guys smirks. He’s decently tall, dark hair, and a face littered with moles. “...You all don’t look too happy to see us.” he jokes, and Sarah rolls her eyes.

“Seriously, Thomas?"

“Sorry,” the boy throws his hands up in mock surrender. “Forget how bossy you can get,” he winks, Sarah scoffing as he turns to the rest of you. “Well, there goes my introduction." He claps his hands, flashing a lopsided smile. "Hi ladies, I’m Thomas. But you can call me Tommy.”

Confessional : Thomas "Hey, I'm Thomas, I'm twenty-four, and I'm a professional track star from California.” He flexes his arm. “I'm over the dating apps. It feels like everyone is just looking for the next best thing, and nobody actually wants to sit down and build something real." He speaks honestly. "I'm not a fan of drama at all. I like things straightforward, chill, and honest. I guess my biggest red flag in a girl is someone who is totally wishy-washy, no offense, Sar—but yeah, someone who doesn't know what they want and expects you to wait around while they figure it out.” He admits. “I'm here to find a real connection, and someone who's sure about me." He smiles to himself.

Confessional : Sarah "I haven't seen his face in what feels like an eternity.” Her jaw drops, stuttering for words. “We were so on-and-off for years, and it was exhausting, but seeing him standing in front of me? My jaw? On the floor." She deadpans, scoffing. "We text here and there, just checking in, but in person? Wow. He is... way hotter than I remember.” She gushed. “When we were together, he had this super short buzzcut, but with the longer hair? Yeah, he looks good." She giggled, biting her lip.

You all wave, greeting Thomas as Sarah shooks him a cheeky look. Then another guy steps forward, looking somewhat shy, but also cocky at the same time as he introduces himself. “Hey,” he starts, his voice low and dark, carrying the remnants of an accent you can’t fully place. “I’m Theodore. But, please, call me Theo.” He greets, eyes shifting to Kiara who doesn’t wave at him. “Good to see you again, Kie.” He gives her an awkward, tight-lipped smile.

Kie huffs, tongue prodding the inside of her cheek as she crosses her arms. “Can’t say the same.”

Confessional : Theodore "I’m Theo. I'm twenty-three, from Italy, and I work as a mechanic." He says casually. "Uh, people usually tell me I have a bit of a dark, mysterious vibe, but...I’m just a guy who likes his space.” He shrugs. “I came here to have some fun, meet beautiful women, and see what happens. In the past, my main issue has been letting people get too close to me. I don't like feeling trapped. If things get too heavy, too fast, I tend to pull back. I feel like I just need someone who understands that you can't rush a man.” He admits. “I'm looking for a girl who can keep up with me without trying to tie me down right away. Or one that makes me want to be tied down..."

Kiara’s arms are crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes locked on Theodore as he glances her way with a lazy, knowing smirk. 

Confessional : Kiara "I have such...mixed feelings about Theodore being here.” She bites her lips, groaning. “We didn't end on the worst terms, but it definitely wasn't good. We had this whole 'friends with benefits' thing, but the problem was, I started really falling for him. And the second it started getting deep and I asked for something more... he ghosted me." She emphasized, curling her lip. "Literally left me on read, would not pick up a single call, and I haven't heard a single word from him since. It's so awkward seeing him. Part of me wants to hear him out and see if he actually has an explanation, but the other part of me just wants to give him the coldest shoulder possible.” She rolls her eyes, huffing. 

“...Well, while those two glare each other to death, I guess I’ll introduce myself,” another guy steps forward, eyes lingering on Cleo for a moment. He had an undeniably handsome face, these blue-ish green eyes, and arms completely covered in intricate, stunning tattoos. “I’m Brandon. Just Brandon.”

Confessional : Brandon "Hey, I'm Brandon. I'm twenty-five, originally from Sydney, Australia, but I'm currently living and working out of Brooklyn as a tattoo artist." He turns, giving a good view of one his sleeves, and the muscles beneath it. "I've spent the last few years traveling all over the world, which has been amazing, but it's made me realize something pretty sad,” He shrugged, pursing his lips. “I'm always the temporary guy in everyone’s life. I come into town, we have a great time, and then I move on because I just can't seem to stay planted." He shrugs, though a smile remains on his face. A pretty one, too. "I'm sick of being a pit stop. I'm here because I want to find someone who actually makes me want to settle down and stick around."

Cleo stares at Brandon, her expression unreadable but her eyes dangerously sharp. 

Confessional : Cleo "Okay, let me clear something up real quick. Earlier, I talked about an ex who played me and literally robbed me blind." She pinches her fingers, holding them up to punctuate her words. "Brandon is not that guy. Thank God. Brandon is actually my most recent ex. But... he did break my heart a little. We met in the Bahamas while I was working and I really thought we were building something serious, then out of nowhere, he just tells me he accepted a tattoo residency all the way across the country.” She deadpans, rolling her eyes. “Obviously, communication just died after that. He left. So seeing him here? It brings up a lot of stuff I thought I buried..."

“Alright, I can’t let everybody get ahead of me,” one of them cuts in. He has a flawless complexion, a perfectly sculpted physique, and a blinding smile. “What’s up, ladies? I’m Justin.”

Confessional : Justin "What’s up?” He waves gleefully. “I'm Justin, twenty-three, from LA, and I work as a fitness model." He smiles, winking. "Look, I know what people think when they look at me. I'm used to being treated like the trophy boyfriend. Girls love showing me off, but when it comes down to actually having a conversation or anything, they don't care what's going on in my head." He pouts, slumping in his seat. "I'm sick of being judged by my cover. I want someone who wants to read the actual book. I'm looking for a girl with deep emotional intelligence, someone who can match my energy and look past the surface. I want a real partnership."

Rima is the only girl who doesn't look completely miserable. She actually lets out a small laugh, shaking her head as Justin catches her eye and winks. 

Confessional : Rima "Justin!" She beams. "Honestly, out of all the exes you guys could have dragged into this villa, I'm relieved it's him." She shrugs, jutting her bottom lip out. "I genuinely believe Justin and I were a good match. The problem was just that we were both incredibly headstrong, and our schedules were insane with his modeling and my work. It just fizzled out because we didn't have time. But we're still really close. We actually talk pretty often, so having him here... it's a breath of fresh air compared to whatever horror show the other girls are dealing with."

“I guess I’m getting the short end of the stick, but you know what the say—save the best for last,” this guy smirks. He has a dark, boyish look with sharp eyes and an even sharper jawline, and a slight, confident tilt to his head that makes your blood boil. “I’m Mattheo.”

Confessional : Mattheo "How’s it goin’? I'm Mattheo, I'm twenty-three and I'm from Vegas." He throws his hands out, a grin on his face. "I came on this show for one person, and one person only.” He clarifies, dropping your name. “...I treated her terribly in the past, and I know it." He admits, having the audacity to look sorrowful. "I was young, stupid, and I made a lot of mistakes. But I'm a completely changed person now, and I'm here to prove that to her. I just want a second chance to show her that the guy who hurt her...isn't who I am anymore. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to win her back."

Your jaw is clenched so hard it looks like stone. Your eyes are shooting absolute daggers at Mattheo. 

Confessional : You "I am pissed." You seethed. "I do not speak to him for a reason. I don't want him here.” You shook your head, lips parted. “Why would I? This is the guy who used to constantly shame me. He put me through hell, cheated on me multiple times, and he made me feel like I was absolutely nothing." You ranted, hands moving wildly. "I spent a long, painful time building myself back up from the mental suffering and the emotional dents that he left on my soul. And you guys throw him in here like a new doll in a Barbie dreamhouse.” You emphasize every word, eyes narrowed. “Seeing him walk through those doors... it feels like it just sends me back a thousand steps. I hate that he's here. I really do."

You stand completely frozen, your mind racing a million miles a minute. Your eyes flicker away from Mattheo’s gaze, landing on the grass as a sickening realization hits you.

You turn towards the girls, eyes wide. "Wait, if they're here..." you think aloud, heart dropping into your stomach as you point to the five new boys. "That means the guys are also..." you trail off as the girls listen, also putting the pieces together as your shoulders finally slump in defeat. "That means—"

"SOFIA," Rafe breathes, brows furrowed.

Rafe is standing amongst the villa boys, body tense, eyes wide with shock and a boiling kind of intense anger.

He isn't smiling. At all.

He actually looks like he’s about to punch through a wall.

Standing right in front of him, smiling softly with a perfectly manicured hand resting on her hip, is Sofia, his infamous ex, with her long, dark cascading hair, soft, striking facial features, and stunning figure.

"Hi, Rafe." Sofia says softly, biting her lip softly.

Confessional : Sofia "Hi, I'm Sofia, I'm twenty-three, and I work as a bartender back in North Carolina." She wiggles her fingers, blushing. "And yes... I am Rafe's ex-girlfriend. The one that's been apparently causing so many problems." She rolls her eyes. "I came on Love Island for one specific reason—to get my man back.” She shrugs cutely, looking briefly at the ceiling. “I really, really miss what Rafe and I had. We had a history, we know everything about each other, and I know that deep down, he still cares about me." She declares. "I know he thinks he's building a new connection with...I forgot her name," She giggles, doubling over before composing herself. "But, I know him. He just needs a little...reminder of what we used to be."

On the other hand, Rafe is pacing, running a frustrated hand through his hair, his chest heaving. He looks completely livid.

Confessional : Rafe "Sofia?" He criticizes. "Out of every. single. girl on the planet, you bring her here?” He seethes. “Why? And what does she even want?" He emphasized, voice sharp. “I'm pissed. I know exactly why she's here. And it's for all the wrong reasons, and reasons I, quite frankly, don't give a fuck about." He throws his hands up, reeling back. "And I know she is going to try her absolute hardest to throw a fucking wrench into everything. And the worst part? I know how this shit works." He scoffs. "I didn't even want to come here. I was happy where I was. But I already know this gonna stir some shit up regardless and there isn't a fucking thing I can do about it until I see her again," Rafe sighs, groaning and mumbling under his breath before staring blankly at the camera as a horrifying thought suddenly hits him. "Wait... hold on. If our exes are here... does that mean— Oh, fuck me.”

Standing on the Casa Amor deck are four other girls, the guys looking as the next girl steps forward. Piercing blue eyes, flowing blonde hair, and a flawless, tanned physique. “Hi." She smiles, swaying on her feet in a yellow gingham-patterned bikini. "I’m Delaney.”

Confessional : Delaney "Hey y'all, I'm Delaney," She squeals, kicking her feet. "I'm twenty-one, I'm a model living in South Carolina, and I'm so excited to finally be here! I'd definitely describe myself as a classic southern belle, but don't let the sweet accent fool you," She lowers her gaze, peering through her lashes. "I know exactly what I want.” She winks. “I came here to find true love, and hey, if it helps further my modeling career a little bit, I'm not going to complain!” She laughs. “But I need a man who is completely devoted to me. In the past, I've dealt with guys who just couldn't keep their eyes to themselves, *cough* JJ," she throws in, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "And I am totally over it."

JJ is scratching the back of his neck, looking incredibly stressed as he forces a tight, awkward laugh. 

Confessional : JJ "Man, Delaney... that's a blast from the past." He laughs awkwardly. "Look, it's already kind of known that I used to be a player. When Delaney and I were...'together', she really thought she could be the one to break me out of that lifestyle. But the truth is, I just wasn't ready. She would constantly catch me looking a little too long at other girls, flirting with other girls, and it just made things impossible. We had some really great times, don't get me wrong, but she could tell I wasn't ready for a real relationship, and honestly, she wasn't really ready for the reality of being with me either."

“Um, hi?” a girl steps forward—sharp, beautiful features, long dark hair, and an incredibly sophisticated aura. “I’m Kaitlyn, if anyone cares.” She introduces herself, breaking some of the ice with the lighthearted interjection, eyes traveling to one boy in particular, nodding once in his direction. “Nice to see you, John B.”

Confessional : Kaitlyn "Hi, I'm Kaitlyn, I'm twenty-two, and I'm a junior tech lawyer from San Francisco.” She smiles brightly, flipping her hair over her shoulder, narrowing her eyes. “My dating life up to this point has basically been a series of incredibly safe, predictable choices that honestly bore me to tears.” She laughs, covering her mouth. “I am so tired of the corporate, buttoned-up guys—preppy, competitive pricks who thinking competing with me in workplaces is some kind of flirtation tactic. I came here because I want to find someone who makes me feel just a little bit...reckless.” She teases, sliding her tongue across her teeth. 

John B stands in front of the girls, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh. 

Confessional : John B "Kaitlyn is an amazing girl, really smart, but the reason we didn't work out is completely on me.” He groans. “I just wasn't very attentive to her. Plus, she's a junior tech lawyer, so she was already swamped with work to begin with, and whenever we actually did manage to find time to spend together, I was distracted or doing my own thing." He admits painfully. "It wasn't the quality time she hoped for. She always said she felt like an afterthought to me most of the time.” He grimaces. “There's no real hard feelings between us, at least that's what she says, but I know for a fact she would never date me again. She deserves someone who actually puts her first, and I'm focused on Sarah anyway."

The next bombshell steps up, a striking woman—incredibly tall, athletic, and gorgeous, with a fierce presence. ”Heyyy, boys,” She greets, wiggling her fingers at the guys. “I’m Haja.”

Confessional : Haja "Hey everyone, I'm Haja, I'm twenty-five, and I'm a professional dancer from Houston, Texas, baby!” She exclaims, a bright, inviting smile on her face. “I've spent the last few years of my life completely living out of a suitcase, touring all over the world with some of the biggest musical artists in the industry. And, though I’m eternally grateful, it's been impossible for me to build a real emotional connection with anyone.” She pouts, tilting her head. “I'm always just a passing moment in someone's life. I came here because I'm ready to stop being a side note. I want to be the main event."

Miles stands back, his jaw tight as he watches Haja talk to the group, trying to appear composed as he glares her down. 

Confessional : Miles "Uh, yeah, Haja and I dated for a bit.” He scratches at his chin. “It just really wasn't a good fit at the end of the day. She was touring constantly, never around, and it's hard to maintain anything real when someone is on the other side of the country every single week." He chuckles, but it’s off—nervous.

Confessional : Haja "Miles is going to play the victim, I already know it.” She deadpans. “But the truth about our relationship is that Miles was manipulative as hell, especially emotionally." She rolls her eyes, curling her lip up in disgust. "If I did the slightest thing wrong—even if it was totally accidental and I apologized for it, he would spend the next two weeks doing petty, malicious shit just to make me upset.” She snarled. “He was so tit-for-tat, always keeping score. I'm not here to win him back at all. I'm here to find a new, real man."

Then the final casa girl steps forward—a stunning figure, dark eyes, and a sultry expression. “Hello, boys,” She greets, looking them all up and down, voice smooth. “I’m Winnie.”

Confessional : Winnie "I can’t believe I’m here!” She squeals, looking around. “I'm Winnie, I'm twenty-two, from Miami, and I am a total, undeniable, unapologetic hopeless romantic.” She admits, smiling. “The Miami dating scene is brutal, and I have been ghosted one too many times by guys who just want a quick fling. I'm looking for a guy who is one hundred percent focused on me, someone who isn't intimidated by a girl who knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to be a little bit possessive over what's theirs.” She shrugs. “If I like you, and you like me, I want everyone to know it."

Pope looks completely stunned, his eyes wide as he looks at Winnie. 

Confessional : Pope "Winnie and I... we got along pretty well, at first. She's great.” He admits, shoulders in the air. “But the main issue was that I constantly felt like a second choice to her. She had this ex-boyfriend that she was still close friends with, and they would text and hang out pretty frequently. There were multiple times where I felt like she put his needs above mine. It got to a point where I just had to find the courage to end things. We haven't spoken a single word since the breakup, so seeing her here is definitely wild."

BACK in the main villa, the five new, yet not-so-new, boys are awkwardly standing around, trying to make small talk with all of you girls who, mostly, look like you're ready to launch them into the sun.

Before anyone can say anything, the click of high heels echoes and you look up as Ariana walks gracefully out onto the pool deck, wearing a stunning dress. 

"Hi, girls," Ariana says, her voice echoing as she waves and you all cheer at her arrival. "And hello, boys. Welcome to the villa."

You all gather around the fire pit as she asks you to, the tension thick.

You make sure to sit as far away from Mattheo as physically, sandwiching yourself between Sarah and Kiara as Mattheo takes a seat on the complete opposite end, his eyes tracking your every move, which only makes your skin crawl.

Confessional : You Your lip is curled, head ducking in irritation. “Does he have a staring problem or what?”

"Ladies, I know these are some very... familiar faces," Ariana starts speaking, raising an eyebrow at the girls. "But let's not beat around the bush. Girls, how are we feeling right now?"

Sarah takes the opportunity to speak first, letting out a breathy, nervous laugh and glancing quickly at Thomas. "I mean... shocked.” She says truthfully. “Completely shocked. Seeing him walk through those doors was the last thing I ever expected. It's definitely weird."

You all hum in agreement as Ariana turns. "Kiara?" She prompts.

Kiara’s face is tight as she shrugs awkwardly. "Awkward. Very awkward.” She winces at her own words. “There are a lot of unanswered questions sitting across from me right now." She hisses, not even look at Theodore, but he just keeps that same lazy smile on his face.

"And you?" Ariana turns her gaze directly to you.

Your jaw clenches again, tongue swiping over your teeth as you think. "I'm pissed.” You grit out, an unamused smile on your face. “To be honest. I don't think it’s a secret that my past relationship was...shitty.” You say, glaring directly at Mattheo. “I spent a long time healing from it, and having him stand in front of me right now sorta feels like a sick joke."

Mattheo flinches slightly at your words, his calm facade cracking for just a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovers, looking down at his hands.

Ariana nods sympathetically. "I understand this is incredibly intense for all of you.” She gazes around, hands clasped. “But there is a reason behind this madness, and you are not the only ones in this predicament.” She starts, voice dropping. “Right now, over at Casa Amor, the boys have just arrived... and they have been greeted by five new bombshells who just so happen to be their exes."

Scoffs, sighs, humorless laughs—they all leave the five of you at once.

"Fuck," you whisper, closing your eyes for a second. 

Rafe is with Sofia. 

The girl whose name alone had nearly pushed the two of you apart, amongst other things. Regardless, your chest aches with anxiety, not knowing what the fuck was bound to happen from here.

"Now," Ariana continues, her tone turning serious. "As Casa Amor kicks off, I will require every single one of you to be in a new couple.” She looks around, eyes narrowed. “However, the decision of who you couple up with for the duration of Casa Amor will come down to a public vote. Because of that, the official coupling vote won't be happening today.” She reveals, and you all feel at least a little relieved. “You will have exactly twenty-four hours, as singles, to get to know the guys and explore new connections, then the public will decide who they think you fit best with."

Ariana smiles as you all whisper, the guys too, giving you all one last look before turning on her heel. "The villa is yours." She narrows her eyes, winking goodbye. "Good luck."

The moment Ariana walks out of the villa, you all turn to the boys.

"Okay," Cleo says, standing first and stepping forward with her hands on her hips. "We need to debrief. Go...inside, go by the gym, go wherever—just give us thirty minutes. Alone." She tells the boys, cocking an authoritative eyebrow at them all.

The boys look at each other, nodding awkwardly. Thomas clears his throat, "Yeah, totally. Take your time," And they head inside toward the kitchen, leaving the five of you alone on the outdoor daybeds.

The second they’re out of sight, you collapse into a tight circle on the biggest daybed.

"Guyssss," Sarah whines, kicking her feet and pouting. "Thomas?! He looks so good, you guys, I hate it! But John B is literally with his ex right now." Her face twists in sadness. "I'm losing my mind. Ugh."

You all dismiss her, laughing and rolling your eyes.

"Okay, I feel like we should dish everything out," Rima says, trying to bring some order. "Honestly, if anyone wants my opinion, Justin is a pretty green flag, if any of you were interested in going after him. Nothing ended terribly between me and him, we're still friends, and Sarah, you said you and Thomas still text, so I’m assuming you’re in the same boat?"

Sarah nods, crossing her legs under her. “Yeah, Thomas is great guy. Really, I was the problem. I didn’t want to be in a relationship, so we just kept leaving and coming back until he decided he didn’t want to be in that loop anymore. I couldn’t blame him.” She shrugged. “Kind of regret it, now, though. Ugh, he’s hot!”

"I can’t say much good about Theodore," Kiara scoffs, shaking her head. "He’s got a good heart, but he literally ghosted me the second I caught feelings.

“Brandon did the exact same thing to me,” Cleo interjected. “We were good, then a better job came along somewhere across the country and we never spoke again." She shrugs, her expression hardening. "Brandon can look as pretty as he wants with those new tattoos, but I'm not stupid.”

Then, all four girls turn their eyes to you.

"And then there's Mattheo," Sarah says softly. "You don’t seem to…like him.”

“I hate him.” You scoffed, leaning back on your hands. “He’s an absolute piece of shit and I have no idea why he’s here or what he wants, but I don’t care."

"As you shouldn’t," Sarah says, reaching over to squeeze your hand. "We are all praying for whatever poor girl the public decides to pair him up with. I just pray to God it isn't you."

“How bad was the break-up?” Rima digs in, looking at you.

You sighed. “It wasn’t even the break-up that soured everything. It was the relationship. It sucked to begin with, but,” You shrugged, shaking your head. “I was young, dumb, and blind. Just know, he’s a liar and a master manipulator.” You warn. “He is evil. Just trust me.”

You didn’t really feel 100% comfortable opening to them all about your past with Mattheo and turning this debrief into a support group. You didn’t want to be pitied, right now. 

"Well, if the public pairs you up with him, they are genuinely sick," Sarah says, rolling her eyes. "Don't worry, babes. If you get stuck with him, we’ll sleep out on the daybeds with you so you don't have to be near him.” She comforts. “I know we aren’t Rafe, so we don’t have a wall of abs and biceps that conquer mountains—

“Watch it,” you warned her playfully, a small smile on your face. “Or I’ll start to think I have to worry about you trying to steal him, too.” You joked, the girls laugh.

 “Ew, gross. Never. I see that man as a brother," Sarah laughs out, finishing her sentence. “But seriously, we’ve got your back.”

Your eyes well up with a pool of grateful, yet angry, tears, and you nod. "Well, thank you. Seriously.” You nod. “I just... I don’t know, seeing him brings back so many horrible memories. I don't even want to hear his voice." You let out a shaky breath, looking out toward the pool as your jaw clenches. "And I can't stop thinking about Rafe.” You sigh, shoulders slumping. “You guys know how much of a sore topic his ex was between us. He told me about her, and it took a lot for him to open up about how much she used him. And I feel really, really confident in Rafe's loyalty to me, but I just don't know about Sofia. I don't know what kind of person she is, what manipulative game she might be playing to get him back, and it's making me so anxious, my stomach hurts..."

"I get it," Sarah sighs, leaning her head on your shoulder. "I mean, it just came out that John B was in communication with his ex right before he came on the show? Now that she’s sitting with him at Casa... I'm so nervous. I don't know if there's, like, some unresolved shit there."

"I don't know how to feel," Kiara mutters, staring at her lap. "That spreadsheet stuff really turned me off from JJ. I feel like I can only hope and pray that he thinks about me before he does anything reckless, but I feel like that’s a very high hope. I just pray he isn't thinking with his dick..."

Cleo cuts in, waving her hand dismissively. "I'm really not all that nervous about Miles. I don't really care what he does over there, to be fair. Our connection has been rocky, anyway.” She admits. “I'm going to put my energy into getting to know these new guys, because I almost 100% sure that Miles is not a safe bet or someone I even want. He’s probably sweet talking someone right now."

"I feel you,” Rima jumps in, crossing her legs, shielding her eyes from the sun. “I'm still interested in getting to know Pope," Rima says with a slight shrug. "But honestly, I'm just not sure he would pick me over another girl at the moment. No offense, Cleo, but he is still clearly into you.” She motions, and Cleo just nods, an expression that says ‘fair’ on her face. “But hey, maybe him being obsessed with you will actually ensure my safety.” Rima jokes. “I don't think Pope would bring another girl back when he’s already stuck between two here." She pauses, rolling her eyes. "But... you never know what men will do."

BY late afternoon, there’s music bumping, and the villa is lively—a celebration thrown in honor of the boys' arrival. Drinks are flowing, the sun is blazing, and everyone is lounging around the pool and yard.

Despite the initial shock, as the hours tick by and you all focus on just treating the boys like regular bombshells rather than ghosts of your past, the mood starts to lighten.

Thomas gravitates toward the daybeds, but instead of pulling Sarah, his eyes are locked on Kiara. He sits next to her, flashing a bright smile, completely charmed by her laughter. Turns out, he’d actually known of her already. Living in California, he’d heard of her organizations and environmental efforts, and you think he’d been using that as the point of conversation for the last two hours.

Meanwhile, Theodore, true to his alleged mysterious nature, lounges by the edge of the pool, his torso dripping with water. He splits his time trying to spark up a conversation with Sarah for a while, but his gaze constantly wanders over to you. 

He eventually pulls you up for a brief chat by the outdoor bar.

"You look beautiful, if I didn’t tell you already," Theodore says, his slight Italian accent smooth as he hands you a drink. "I saw a few of the episodes before I came in. I see you've been having a tough time with the drama here."

"I'm managing," you say politely. 

“How’s the relationship with…”

“Rafe.” you tell him, nodding.

“Yes, Rafe,” Theo perks up, sipping his own drink.

“Good,” You nod. “Better.” Your smile grows wider, looking up at the boy in front of you. "I think we were getting back to normal, to something solid, before…"

Theodore just chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. "Solid can crack.” He shrugs. “And I like a challenge, piccola."

“P-what?” You laugh, almost spitting out your drink. “What did you just call me?”

Theo smirks, ducking his head as he laughs. “Piccola,” he reiterates. “It’s Italian. It translates to ‘little one’, but culturally it’s used the same as ‘baby’ in English.” He explains, narrowing his eyes at you. “You’re cute when you’re confused.”

“Well, I didn’t expect you to actually speak Italian, for one.” You admit honestly, leaning more comfortably against the bar.

“Why’s that?” He presses.

You shrug. “I don’t know, maybe I thought you were being a little performative.” You tease. 

“Nah,” Theo shakes his head, taking a deep breath. “I just don’t speak it often. But for a girl like you, I’m trying to use everything I’ve got.”

You grow silent as your cheeks grow warm, ducking your head to shield your gaze, grounding yourself as Rafe sticks to the back of your mind. Theo was cute, charming—but he wasn’t him.

On the other side of the deck, Brandon was turning on the charm, making Rima laugh as he tells a story about a botched tattoo he had to fix back in Brooklyn. Justin and Cleo are standing right beside them, his eyes are glued to Cleo as she speaks, completely captivated by her.

And then, there's Mattheo. 

He tries multiple times to approach you after you conclude your chat with Theo, walking over with a fresh drink or trying to catch your eye. But every single time he gets within a three-foot radius of you, you immediately stand up, walk away, or strike up a conversation with someone else. 

You give him absolutely zero time of day, icing him out.

AS the sun begins to set, you’re all wrapped up deep in a game of Truth or Dare.

Everyone has circled up on the giant outdoor cushions surrounding the fire pit. It doesn't take long for the game to take a typical turn—dares starting out innocent but quickly escalating into something more intimate.

Justin gets dared to give Cleo a lap dance, which leaves Cleo laughing and fan-girling as he grinds against her, his chest flexing. 

Rima gets dared to share a thirty-second kiss with Brandon, and she doesn't hold back at all, pulling him in by his neck for a breathless make-out session that leaves the rest of the group cheering, jaws on the floor.

However, when it comes to you and Sarah, the boundary is pretty firmly drawn.

Theodore turns his dark eyes to Sarah. "Sarah, truth or dare?"

"Truth," Sarah says instantly, not wanting to risk anything.

"Is there any part of you that wants to see if what you and Thomas had in the past can beat what you have with John B right now?" Theodore asks smoothly.

Sarah doesn't even hesitate. "No.” She answers easily. “Thomas is a great guy, but the past is the past for a reason."

A few turns later, Mattheo looks directly at you, his voice low. "Truth or dare?"

"Skip," you say coldly, staring directly past him.

"Come on, just a dare," Mattheo pushes, trying to look vulnerable.

"So, when I said skip, I classified that as a no," you snap, your voice sharp enough to cut glass. “You should be used to rejection, no?” 

The circle goes quiet for a second as you turn away from him, staring at the fire. You’re completely unwilling to step outside of your couple and you are damn sure unwilling to interact with this urchin across from you. 

You respect Rafe, and yourself, way too much to let him get to you, even for a game.

Kiara gets dared to body-roll against Theodore, and for a moment, she hesitates, her gut screaming at her. She wants to respect her coupling with JJ, but that humiliating spreadsheet challenge from yesterday is still burning a hole in her mind. So, with a tight jaw, she completes the dare, grinding briefly against Theodore, but she pulls away quickly.

WHEN night falls, the realization hits that everyone is technically single, and the bedroom situation needs to be figured out.

During the discussion, Kiara, Sarah, and yourself stand firm. 

"We’re sleeping on the daybeds tonight," Kiara announces. “Sorry, boys.”

You still weren’t sure where you stood with her. There was still lingering tension between you, Cleo, and her—but you took Rima’s advice straight. She was right, this experience was too short to spend the whole time mad at each other. So, you were cordial, but you weren’t overly friendly, as you once were.

Cleo and Rima look out at the dark courtyard, mosquitoes and fireflies already buzzing. "Uhhh," Cleo says, shivering slightly. "I love you all down to the ground, but I am absolutely not looking forward to getting bit up by bugs tonight. Would you feel some type of way if we didn't sleep out there with you?"

You shook your head. "No, it's totally cool, go inside, it’s okay" you reassure them with a smile, waving them off.

Rima grins mischievously, grabbing Cleo’s arm, whispering to her as an idea came to mind. "Watch this. Come,"

The two of them sprint right into the bedroom where the five boys are unpacking. Rima claps her hands loudly. "Sorry, boys, but you gotta pack it up. You guys can’t just come in here and steal our beds. We’d like a peaceful night before we’re forced to share a bed with you anyway, so, move it.” She throws them out, a smile on her face. “You are sleeping on the daybeds tonight. These beds belong to us."

The boys let out a chorus of groans and laughs, but Brandon raises his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, fair enough," The guys grab their blankets and head outside to the daybeds.

Rima and Cleo then run back out to inform the trio of you before the guys come trailing out, shoving each other onto the daybeds as you all bid them goodnight and head inside. As you walk into the bedroom, you can’t help but just stand and stare at your and Rafe's empty bed, a pout forming on your face as you throw yourself face first into the mattress, splayed out like a starfish.

“My shaylaaaa,” you whine, voice muffled as the girls giggle around you, watching you flip over, now on your back, staring sadly at the ceiling. "I can still smell his cologne on the sheets," you pout as you clutch his pillow to your chest.

"You are so dramatic," Cleo laughs, throwing a pillow at you.

You sit up, chewing your lip, your playful pout turning into a genuinely vulnerable look. "Seriously though... do you think he's sleeping alone tonight?” You ask, looking so child-like as you peer at them all. “Like... what do you think is happening at Casa?"

Sarah’s expression softens, and she walks over to sit on the edge of the mattress. "Girl, please. They couldn't tear you two apart if they tried.” She reassures. “You and Rafe are completely inseparable. He’s probably losing his mind right now wishing he was here with you, being disgustingly engrossed in each other."

"Seriously," Cleo adds, leaning against the doorframe, a small laugh on her lips. "Rafe looks at you like you're the only woman left on earth. Have some faith, babe."

You let out a soft sigh, hugging the pillow tighter. "Thanks” You sigh. “I'm pretty sure all of our guys are doing great out there. I have faith in them."

They all agree with your high spirits, save for Cleo and Kie, who are undoubtedly doubting their partners the most.

THE next morning arrives with the familiar blinding light and heat of the sun. You wake up, your neck aching slightly from not having Rafe’s chest or arm to lean on. But the real ache is in your chest. It feels incredibly weird not waking up wrapped in Rafe’s embrace, again, and not hearing him grumble about the light, not having him kiss your forehead or pull you back into him. 

Your mood is evidently dampered, a blanket of sadness settling over you.

You and the rest of the girls eventually drag yourselves to change and get ready. As you're sitting at the vanity, the door opens, and the new boys walk in, carrying plates of breakfast they each made for you all.

Thomas smiles warmly, walking over to Kiara and handing her a beautifully stacked plate of eggs and toast. “I wasn’t sure what to make, but—” he scratches the back of his neck as Kiara smiles, touched. 

"No, this is great. Thank you, Thomas."

Theodore walks in next, holding a beautifully arranged small fruit platter. He sets it down carefully between you and Sarah. "Buongiorno," he says smoothly, giving you a lingering look as you crane your neck to look at him.

“Thanks,” Sarah says, offering a smile before returning to her hair. He’d expressed interest in the both of you last night, but you figured he’d decided to focus on you since Sarah shut him down, claiming he just “wasn’t her type.”

“Let me guess, ‘good morning’?” You ask playfully, a smirk growing on his face as he plants his hands on the back of your chair.

“Sì,” he smiles, looking down at you. “You’re a fast learner.”

You just shrug cockily, taking a bite of an apple slice as he stares at you.

Brandon walks in with a plate of breakfast for Rima, making her cheer as he walks toward her, biting her lip. Meanwhile Justin brings Cleo a perfectly made iced coffee with a heart-shaped pancake, flashing his smile.

Then, the door opens one last time.

Mattheo walks into the room, holding a single mug of coffee. The room goes completely silent for second as they glance at you, then him, then try and return to their conversations as to not make this more awkward than it already is.

Mattheo clears his throat, walking over to the vanity where you're sitting. He sets the mug down right next to your makeup bag. "Here," he says, his voice quiet, trying to sound gentle. "Black with just a splash of oat milk and a spoonful of sugar. Just how I remember you like it."

You don't say a word. You don't even look up at him. You keep your eyes entirely locked on your mirror, applying your lip gloss as if he isn't even there.

Realizing he isn't getting a response, Mattheo swallows hard, nods awkwardly, and turns around, walking out of the room as the other guys follow, bidding farewells and 'see you later's', and letting the door shut behind him.

The second the click of the door echoes, you stand up. You pick up the warm mug of coffee by the handle, face completely blank. You walk into the en-suite bathroom, lean over the sink, and pour the contents of the mug straight down the drain.

Outside the bathroom door, the girls erupt into shocked gasps and hysterical laughter, still fiddling with their hair and makeup.

"Oh my," Cleo laughs, clapping her hands.

You walk back into the bedroom, setting the empty mug down with a cold scoff. "I can't stand his ass." You snarl as you sit back down at the vanity, a reluctant smirk breaking across your face. "And he didn't even make it right.” You scoff. “Probably remembering some other bitch's coffee order."

The girls get choked up with laughter, doubling-over as you fight your own amusement, the tension breaking.

Before you can even finish eating your fruit platter, a familiar text alert chimes.

“Aw, damn,” Cleo pouts, knowing what was coming as you flipped open your phone, reading the text aloud.

Girls, please gather around the fire pit immediately. It’s time to hear the voice of the public. #ThePublicHasSpoken

YOUR stomach drops and you all head out to the fire pit, taking your seats—girls on one end, guys on the other, looking equally nervous.

Ariana walks out, looking at you all with a serious expression. "Good morning, Islanders,” she greets, a smile on her face. “Yesterday, I told you that the public would be voting on which connections they want to see explored. And today, I have the results.” She drags out, meeting each of your eyes. “When I call your name, I will reveal who the public has officially coupled you up with for the duration of Casa Amor."

The silence stretches, and you all avoid each other’s eyes, nervous.

After at least a full minute’s silence, Ariana speaks. "Sarah,” she calls. “The public sees a spark of unresolved chemistry, but they also want to see a potentially fresh start. They have spoken and coupled you up…with Thomas." 

You all clap lightly and Sarah nods, giving Thomas a polite, friendly smile.

Sarah and Thomas walk up and join hands halfway, standing next to Ariana, in front of you all. “Sarah, Thomas—how do you feel about what the public voted?”

Sarah purses her lips, standing politely beside Thomas. “I’m not sure,” She admits honestly, looking down. “I just think we left the past in the past and I’m okay with that.”

Thomas nods. “I agree. I’ll always have love for Sarah but I think our fire fizzled out a long time ago.” He laugh nervously, looking down briefly.

Ariana shoots them a pitiful look. “Well, either way, congratulations to you two.” She says, turning back to face the rest of you.

"Cleo,” she calls out. “The public loves your fierce energy, and they want to see if a certain model can handle it. They have coupled you up with... Justin." 

Cleo beams, clearly thrilled, while Justin flashes a proud smile. They both stand up and Justin extends his hand out for her to take as they join Sarah and Thomas.

“Congratulations to you both,” Ariana smiles. “How are you feeling?”

Cleo smiles, bigger than she has in a while. “I’m excited,” she admits. “I think he’s sexy, obviously,” she says, eliciting a chorus of small giggles. “And I think we made some great conversation yesterday, so I’m happy.”

“Justin?”

“I’m happy, yeah, I’m happy.” He smiles, looking down at Cleo, their hands still intertwined. “Cleo’s great, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like her, so I’m excited to see where this goes.”

“That’s amazing to hear,” Ariana cooes, turning back to the remainder of you—Kiara, Rima, you, beside Theodore, Brandon, and Mattheo.

"...Kiara." Ariana's eyes flicker to the girl. "The public wants to see how you handle the vegas bad boy.” She teases. “They have officially coupled you up with... Mattheo. Would you both please join the other two couples?"

Kiara’s jaw drops and for the first time in days, she makes eye contact with you before snapping her gaze towards Mattheo whose jaw is clenched. She lets out a disgusted groan under her breath, only loud enough for you and Rima to hear. Rima squeezes her shoulder, while you sit, feeling an immediate wave of gratitude that it wasn't you, but feeling horrible that she got stuck with him.

Kiara and Mattheo stand and they walk side by side to join the other couples, not making contact as Mattheo clasps his hands in front of him and Kiara mindlessly fixes her dress.

“What are your thoughts?” Ariana asks once again. “Do you agree with the public’s decision?”

Kiara immediately responds. “Absolutely not.” She scoffs, offering no further elaboration.

Mattheo chews the inside of his cheek, ignoring her comment. “I’d have to agree. I think Kiara’s a great girl…but she’s not who I came for.” He says, eyes glued to you.

All you do is glare at him before abruptly ripping your eyes away, figuring he didn’t even deserve the luxury of simply even looking at you.

“Well, hopefully, the two of you can find some common ground,” Ariana throws out, pitifully. "Rima," she continues. "The public wants to see if you might be able to tame a certain flight risk. They have coupled you up with... Brandon."

Rima beams, winking at Brandon, who grins back as they rise and take each other’s hand, joining the other couples.

"That leaves our final single girl." Ariana looks at you, her head held high. "The public thinks you have unmatched chemistry with a certain boy in another villa, but they want to see if it holds up in the presence of a certain charming Italian.” She amuses, everyone around letting out small laughs. “They voted to couple you up with... Theodore."

You let out a massive sigh of relief. Theodore. Thank God. Anyone but Mattheo. 

Theodore gives you a slow, reassuring nod from across the deck, standing up to walk over and help you up, the two of you walking in sync to join the other couples.

“You two look happy,” Ariana eggs on. “What are we thinking?”

“I’m happy,” Theodore smiles, but his smiles always look like smirks. “I’ve had my eye on her since we walked in, so I’m hoping I can leave a lasting impression, maybe get her to take me home with her.”

You smile, ducking your head as Ariana calls your name and you look up, opening your mouth to speak. “It could be worse,” you throw out, eyes flashing towards Mattheo for less than a second. “But yeah, I’m excited to get to know Theodore. He's been nothing but sweet to me.” You nodded.

You kept it calm, civil. You didn’t want to be stuck up and rude but you also didn’t want to give off the wrong impression.

Because you missed Rafe, you wanted Rafe. 

"Well, congratulations.” Ariana nods, examining all of the couples. “And good luck. To you all.”

AFTER Ariana departs, the villa fractures, all of the couples breaking apart to have private conversations.

Sarah and Thomas were sat by the daybeds, the vibe between them relaxed.

"Honestly," Sarah says, crossing her legs. "You know I don't have any negative feelings toward you at all, but I was kind of hoping the public would put me with someone else. I’m not really open to exploring anyway but, it would’ve been nice to explore a totally new connection here, not drag up a past that we both know didn't work out."

Thomas nods understandingly, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, no, I get it. No hard feelings at all.” He agrees. “To be honest... I’ve had my eye on Kiara. I really wanted to couple up with her but, I mean I can still pull her for chats and everything.” He shrugs. “Since I moved to California, I've heard so much about her and the things she does. I really admire her and she seems really passionate about it all, and I think she’s beautiful, of course."

Sarah’s eyes light up, a grin breaking across her face. She immediately pushes him toward her friend. "Oh my god, go for it!” She gushes. “Kie is amazing, and I mean we’ve had our differences and I think she’s definitely a bit lost, but honestly, you two would be so cute together. Go, go talk to her." She shoos him away.

OVER by the sun loungers, Cleo and Justin are non-stop smiling at one another, wrapped in each other’s presence and conversation. You'd never seen her click so fast with anyone, well, aside from Pope during the earlier days.

"I'm not gonna lie," Cleo says, leaning back with a smirk. "I’m actually really excited it was us. I’ve already told you that you’re my type ‘n everythin’. So, I’m happy, y’know? I’d like to get to know you..."

Justin smiles, his eyes locked on hers. "That makes two of us.” He flirts, sliding closer. “Honestly, when I first saw you, I thought you were almost like Rima, but in a completely different font. You both have that fierce, independent energy.” The statement makes Cleo’s face twist. “But I promise you, that's not the reason I'm pursuing you!” He defends. “I’m not that kinda guy. I think you're absolutely beautiful, and I want to see where we can go. But, I guess I was just saying that there’s no denying that I have type."

Rima walks past them, giving Cleo a cheeky thumbs-up and a wink. She had already given Cleo the ‘go’ earlier, assuring her she was completely over Justin and even putting in a good word for him.

OVER by the outdoor gym, one couple is completely miserable, though. Kiara is sitting on a weight bench, her arms crossed, looking at Mattheo with complete disinterest and disdain.

"Look, “ Kiara starts, her voice clipped. "I don’t know why they put me with you. Okay?"

Confessional : Kiara "Even if me and her might be at odds right now or not even really friends anymore... that does not mean I am ever going to get to know her piece of shit ex-boyfriend. Absolutely not. I get there are two sides to every story but she seems pretty adamant on the fact that he's a terrible person. And I'm not interested."

Mattheo keeps up his perfectly calm, collected demeanor, nodding slowly as if he’s a deeply enlightened man. "Look, Kiara, I completely understand why you're closed off towards me.” He nods. “I know I was a…dick, in the past. But I’m being completely honest when I say I came here to make amends with her. I figure if I can prove to the rest of you, first, that I've actually changed, maybe you guys can…I don't know, help put a good word in for me with her?"

Kiara just scoffs. “I don’t know what happened between you guys but, she seems to hate you and all you want is to get her back. I'm not exactly seeing where I fit into all of that...”

Mattheo sighs. "I'm not a bad guy," He pleads, face scrunching in desperation as he nearly pleads with the girl. "You want the truth? I can't stand to see her getting close to that guy—what's his—Rafe? Yeah, Rafe." He throws his name out there, the sound sounding not far from the hiss of an angry snake. "I was stuck watching her oogle him on an 85-inch flat screen for two weeks. I just...it made me realize how much I miss her."

Kiara groans. “Again, tough luck." She deadpans. "I don’t want to be stuck in the middle of that. And if she left you and still despises you all this time later, then I'm assuming she's gone for good reasons." She states, blunt. "You want advice? Either find someone else or just tell them you want to go home. But...just leave her alone. But, considering I can already see the type of persistent guy you are, I know you aren't going to listen to a word I just said, so, good luck.” And with that, she stands, rolling her eyes and walks away, leaving him standing alone.

MEANWHILE, Rima and Brandon are chatting by the pool bar, and you swear you've never seen Rima with literal stars in her eyes until today.

"I think you're really cute," Rima says straightforwardly, sipping her drink. "You're definitely not my typical type, and honestly, I'm kind of scared you might still be as flaky as Cleo says you were. But... I'm open to seeing what happens."

Brandon smiles softly, his tatted arms resting on the counter. "I think you're beautiful, Rima. I love your personality, too.” He says earnestly. “I don't still have those same romantic feelings for Cleo, but I really do want to apologize to her, at least, for ghosting her the way I did." His face falls. "I was pretty selfish back then. I just want to clear the air but if she shoots me down, I completely understand. I won't push it.” He tells her. “But honestly, my real interest is in you. I mean, from the moment I watched you come in, I started counting down the days until I knew I'd get the chance to get to know you."

"Oh," Rima perks up. "So, you guys have been watching us?"

Brandon nods. "Hell yeah," He laughs. "They have us locked up in a hotel room for weeks before they set us free. All we can do is watch you all."

Rima hums, looking around because fixing him with a playful, pointed stare. "So?" She shrugs, cocking a perfectly plucked eyebrow. "What are your thoughts?"

The man pretends to think, eyes never leaving her. "I think all of you women are probably the most attractive women I've ever seen in my life, for one." He offers honestly. "Looks and personality wise, for that matter. But, the guys?" He winces. "I think you could all do a lot better..."

"Does that 'better' happen to be you?"

He smirks then, edging closer to her. "For you? Yeah, it does."

YOU and Theodore were sitting on the beanbags. You’ve come to learn over the past twenty-four hours or so that Theodore is pretty quiet, a little mysterious, and not very talkative, which makes you a little confused about him.

"I want to be completely honest with you," you say, looking him in the eye. "I am not entirely open. Rafe and I aren’t closed off but...he means a lot to me."

Theo hums, shifting. "Are you saying it would take a lot to get in between that?" He asks, but the words come out more challenging.

You dismiss the undertone, nodding and relaxing in your own seat.

Theodore nods, his dark eyes staring into yours. "I respect that. I understand. But I can’t deny that I do think you are incredibly beautiful.” His voice dips, damn near throwing everything you just said out of the window as his eyes bore into yours. “You caught my eye from the moment you came in on that first day and you haven't lost it once since." He flirts. "And seeing you in person?” He whistles, hand ghosting over your arm. “Jaw-dropping, really. And your personality tops it all off.”

Confessional : Theodore "I get it. She's loyal to Rafe, which is attractive, if I’m being honest—loyalty—but if she is entirely unwilling to break off that connection with him..." He lets his words die, shrugging. "but I’m hoping I can wear her down. We'll see how the next few days go."

IN the middle of the afternoon, as everyone is still scattered about, talking—that dreaded text chime rings through the villa.

“Oh, sh—I got a text!” Thomas shouted, a boyish grin on his face as he stands, voice loud.

Islanders, it's time to saddle up and show us what you've got. Welcome to the Rodeo Challenge! #HoldOnTight #BuckingBronco

IN the center of the lawn sits a massive mechanical bull surrounded by a giant inflatable protective ring.

The theme is wild-west sexy, and damn, did you look good. Everyone had their staples—cowboy hats, bandanas, leather belts, denim, paisley patterned patches.

The afternoon sun is blazing down on the villa, and the twangy beat of a country-pop song is already thumping through the outdoor speakers.

You all step out, clad in your wild-west glam, but the second you step out into the sunlight, every single eye in the villa glues itself to you. Your skin glows against the vibrant red gingham-patterned tie halter top, which loops into a bow in front of your cleavage and flawlessly frames your shoulders. 

The frayed denim shorts hug you perfectly, leaving very little to the imagination, while a wine-colored bandana swings and sways casually from your right back pocket. Atop your head sits a brown leather cowboy hat, casting a sultry shadow over your eyes. 

Still, everyone looked delicious.

Before anyone could speak, the text tone goes off, and Sarah goes fishing for her phone, reading the text aloud. 

Islanders, welcome to Raunchy Rodeo! The rules are simple—each of you must ride the mechanical bull for as long as possible, but you must do it in the absolute sexiest, most scandalous way possible. At the end of the challenge, the girls will vote on who the sexiest guy was, and guys will do the same for the girls."

“That’s it?” Sarah asked, face twisting.

“Right?” Kie jumps in. “I was hoping there was a catch.”

“Maybe you just gotta ride it and find out—” Thomas starts, attempting a joke as suddenly, a second alert blares from Sarah’s phone.

She gasps, reading the update aloud. "Wait!' She perks up, reading the new message

Islanders, the ride isn't over when you bite the dust. Once you're thrown from the bull, you must lasso your lover—grab the golden rope, choose one islander to sexily tie up, and seal the deal with a scandalous kiss!"

Just then, the bull comes to life, making you all flinch — gears whirring, all of your eyes go wide as it spins for a second, wondering how they hell you were supposed to stay planted on that thing.

“Oh, hell no,” Cleo scoffs, laughing as you all watch the bull spin wildly.

Suddenly, another text tone goes off, Rima digging her phone out of her shorts, taking a moment to read the text. “Well, I guess I'm up first,” She smiles, giddy, tucking her phone away. She struts up to the bull, stepping into the ring before saddling up.

Rima brings her typical confidence to the challenge, and the moment the bull starts spinning, she drops incredibly low onto the saddle, arching her back and leaning into the motion. She turns it into a literal dance routine—a slow, heavy chest-pop and a sexy wink right towards the boys', more specifically—Brandon, who blows a kiss right back. 

Everyone is cheering her on, watching her handle it like a pro until one swift swing has her flying off, laughing. “I did good!” She laughs, still on her back, sticking two thumbs in the air. You and the girls cheer her on still as she gets up and climbs out the ring, high-fiving her.

Scrambling out of the inflatable, Rima instantly snatches up the golden lasso on standby, and, with a wicked grin, she struts straight over to the boys' lineup, eyeing them all before throwing the loop over Brandon. She pulls the rope taut, winding it tightly around his waist to drag his chest flush against hers, before planting a hard kiss right on his lips.

Then Sarah’s device pings again, signaling her turn as she climbs onto the bull with a loud, giggling shriek, her blonde ponytail swinging, a pink bandana around her neck. The bull gives a sharp tilt, and Sarah’s almost flies straight off of it. She screams, clamping both eyes shut, holding onto the leather strap with both hands for dear life. She manages to give a cute ‘yee-haw!’ before the bull does a sudden spin, sending her sliding off into the inflatable after a solid fifteen seconds. 

She sits up, laughing hysterically, flipping the loose hairs out of her face.

Sarah grabs her rope with a giggling shriek as she marches right over to Brandon as well and playfully whips him with the rope, sliding it behind his neck, using the ends to tug him down. "Sorry, Rima, he's just too hot!" she laughs, leaning in to give him a fun, still relatively tame, kiss.

Confessional : Sarah "I couldn't help it!" She laughs. "None of the guys are really my type but it's something about those damn tattoos!"

Then, it’s Kiara’s turn and she steps up, playfully serving face as she steps into the ring. She mounts the bull confidently, gripping the rope with one hand while tossing her gorgeous curls back with the other. As the bull starts to buck, Kie rides smoothly, keeping her posture upright and arched, locking eyes with Thomas, giving him a sultry hair flip that has him cheering loudly from the sidelines.

Eventually though, her hand slips and the bull tilts back, sending her sliding off.

Though, she pops up from the padding, entirely unbothered, and grabs the rope, keeping her gaze locked onto Thomas. She saunters over and loops the rope around his shoulders, circling him before pulling him down to her level as she delivers a slow, lingering kiss that completely melts his goofy demeanor.

Confessional : Kie "Kissing him was way better than I thought," She bites her lip before seemingly realizing what she said, straightening out. "Not that I was thinking about it."

When it’s Cleo’s turn, she brings it all the way on—straddling the bull with a confident smirk, completely unfazed by the mechanical roaring beneath her and the unpredictable jerky movements. While holding on tightly, she leans all the way back until her curls practically touch the bull's back, sliding one hand slowly down the side of her thigh. It’s smooth, effortless, and has everyone damn near drooling.

You probably cheered the loudest watching her, if it weren't for Justin whose voice boomed over everyone’s, hyping her up. 

Though, you think he was the real reason she fell, because she was so busy laughing at his antics that she slipped and rolled off into the inflatable.

Cleo shakes her head, still laughing as she grabs her lasso. She struts directly toward Justin, slithering up and down his frame as she ties a harness around him in record time, so fast none of you really noticed until she was tugging him forward, lip tucked between her teeth. Justin seems all too happy to be at his mercy and she matches his energy with a passionate, jaw-dropping kiss that leaves him completely speechless and grinning like an idiot.

Then, you feel a vibration against your leg, pulling out your phone.

It’s your turn. Show ‘em what you’re made of! #ThisTownAintBigEnoughForAllOfUs

You can’t conceal your excitement as you pocket your phone and adjust the brim of your brown cowboy hat as the music thumps, your bandana swinging against your denim shorts as you saunter over to the bull.

But instead of mounting the bull normally, you swing your leg over the saddle, but you face the back, mounting the bull in reverse.

"Oh my god," Sarah squeals from the sidelines, slapping all of the girls arms. "She’s doing it backward! Yes!"

Instead of the leather strap behind you, you grab the bull’s tail, locking your thighs tightly around the seat. When the machine starts, you don't fight the bucking motion, you go along with it. And because you're facing reverse, the movement forces your body into a slow, mesmerizing roll of your hips. With every twist, spin, and jolt of the bull, you sway almost effortlessly.

You pinch the front of your cowboy hat, looking directly at the boys over your shoulder. The ghost of a smirk is plastered on your face, and the shadow of your cowboy hat cuts across your sharp expression. You have this undeniable, intoxicating aura and even more, you look completely breathtaking, dangerous, and sexy as hell. The bandana whips through the air as the bull speeds up, but you just hold your gaze right on the boys, completely unbothered. You stay on for, what has to be, almost a full minute before sliding off gracefully with one particularly harsh jolt, landing on your feet in the padding.

When your feet hit the ground, everyone is going wild—shouts and whistles as the girls all jump and crowd around you while you grab the rope.

Confessional : Theodore "Dio mio... backwards?” His eyebrows are wide in shock, pupils blown. “And when she looked right over her shoulder, fuck, I swear to you, for a split second, I forgot my own name."

Confessional : Mattheo "Yeah, that was…something.” He blushes, palming the back of his neck. “Hot is an understatement."

Confessional : Cleo "Listen... Mattheo. I understand it now, honey. I would want her back, too!” She bursts into a fit of hysterical laughter. “If I fumbled a literal goddess like that, I would also fly across the world, show up on a reality TV show, and beg on national television. It’s not like I didn’t get it before but, like, I get it now. We all get it. Ohh, I know that boy is pissy!"

Before the cheers can even die down, you grab your lasso, locking eyes with Theo, walking over with a confident smirk. You spin the rope with one hand, circling him , letting the rope restrict his arms against his torso, pulling his body flush against yours, and lean up to give him a kiss that leaves him visibly dazed and the rest of the villa screaming.

Once you’re done and settled and all of the girls have gone, a ping comes from the boy’s side, just before Thomas glances at his phone and steps up first for the boys, full of energy.

He starts off strong, yelling something hilarious, but his long legs work against him. The second the bull does a rough double-spin, his balance goes out the window. He gets launched off within ten seconds, doing a dramatic, theatrical roll into the ring that has all the girls screaming with laughter as the guys clap him on the back.

He scrambles up, laughing as he grabs the rope and stumbles over to Kie, playfully looping it around her waist and pulling her into a messy, but surprisingly sweet and sexy kiss that has her laughing against his lips.

Then, Theodore’s phone goes off and the guys cheer him on, patting him on the back as he climbs into the ring. And you’ll admit, seeing him damn near shirtless did things for you, watching as he mounts the bull slowly, keeping his unbuttoned flannel shirt flowing. He rides the machine, steady, his dark eyes locked on you the entire time. 

Everyone is clearly entranced and he’s obviously using his eyes—their darkness, they way their lidded in the sexiest way possible—to his advantage. 

Riding the bull doesn’t seem to be a struggle for him, and you’re almost certain that when he’s 'thrown off', he was really just bored and decided to get off, shooting a wink on his way out of the ring.

The second his feet hit the grass, he doesn't waste a single second. Theo grabs his lasso and walks straight toward you. Winding the rope securely around your waist as he yanks you firmly against his bare chest, pushing your cowboy hat up with the tip of his nose to see your face better.

You grin nervously, cheeks hot. "Hi," you breathe, and he chuckles, his dark eyes dropping to your lips before he leans down, delivering a breathtakingly sexy kiss that snatches the air from your lungs. He keeps it calm, though, stepping back with a smirk before returning to the boys' side.

Next, Mattheo steps up. Unfortunately, him being a dick didn’t negate the fact that he was a very attractive man—solid abs, an ever-present smirk on his face. But you ignore it all, everyone cheers him on and you just stand back with your arms crossed, glaring into his soul, making him feel just as uncomfortable as he once made you feel. He climbs on, glaring back in your direction, and attempts to ride the bull with only one hand tucked into his pocket. However, his posture is incredibly stiff. He misses the fun, playful vibe of the challenge entirely, looking tense and frustrated as he gets thrown off after twenty seconds and you scoff.

Mattheo rises up and grabs the rope, marching directly to you. Without a word, he wraps the rope around your wrists, tying your hands together before winding them tightly behind his own neck, forcing you close for a forceful kiss. But you don't give him the satisfaction.

With a cold, sharp smirk, you effortlessly slip right out of his knot as his lips move against your stiff ones, holding your hands up and letting to loose rope fall to the ground.

"You were never very good at that," you quip sassily, pushing him off you, casually wiping your lips with the back of your hand, leaving him standing there, sheepishly.

After Mattheo resettles with the guys, Justin’s phone goes off and its his turn. And he manages to turn his ride into a literal fitness magazine shoot. The second his feet touch the inflatable ring, he’s posing playfully, but he still makes it look good—shirtless, shorts hanging low on his hips. He jumps onto the saddle, and as the bull starts to move, he starts ticking off body-builder poses—flexing his biceps, and flashing his perfect smile at Cleo, even pointing a her.

And although, he gets flipped off after twenty seconds or so, Justin bounds up, grinning ear to ear as he grabs his lasso. He struts straight to Cleo, twirling the rope before wrapping it snugly around her hips. He pulls her into a deep and slow kiss, before slowly pulling back and walking away.

Last, Brandon walks up to the bull and just casually pulls his shirt off like its nothing, revealing more tattoos than you aware of. He was practically painted in them and the collective intake of breath from the girls, and the guys, is audible.

Brandon’s physique is other worldly—remarkably lean but packed with dense, hard muscle, and his abs are so sharply defined they look like they were carved out of stone. The intricate tattoos winding across his chest, up his neck, and completely coating both of his arms top it all off, making him look ruggedly beautiful.

But what completely wins you all over isn't just the body, it's his charm. As he mounts the bull, he isn't taking himself seriously at all—he grips the rope, his tatted torso flexing as he rolls with the bucking motion.

And then, he looks over at the girls and flashes this incredibly dazzling, dimple-ridden smile that completely softens his rugged look, making him look sweet, playful, and charming all at once. Every single one of you melts, there was no denying it. Rima bites her lip, and even Cleo tries her best to hide a massive grin as he rides the bull perfectly for nearly a minute before sliding off, giving a playful bow.

Brandon snatches up the lasso, dimples flashing as he walks over to Cleo. Instead of making it an awkward spectacle, he loops the rope loosely around her, using the close proximity to lean down and whisper a genuine, yet low-key apology to smooth things over.

It works beautifully, and Cleo’s eyes soften as she smiles, accepts the apology, and grants him a soft kiss. But knowing he's into Rima, Brandon smoothly steps over to her right after, planting a wet, playful kiss right on her cheek, making her giggle.

Confessional : Rima "I'm not mad he chose Cleo, it was friendly and he told me he wanted to smooth things over, which I admire. I think it's respectful." she says casually. "I just wish I was the one to get tied up." She winks

Confessional : Cleo

"Feeling Brandon's lips on mine for the first time in a long time had me feelin' a little hot, I can't lie!" Cleo laughs. "But, no, I did appreciate his apology. I wasn't expecting some serious sit down from him. He's not that kind of guy. I'm just glad we can be okay and move on."

As Brandon rejoins the guys, the text tone goes off another time, Justin pulling his phone from his shorts, reading the text aloud over the music. 

Islanders, it looks like that mechanical bull wasn’t the only thing getting completely turned on today... It’s now time to decide who actually knows how to handle a wild ride. Guy, vote for the sexiest girl. Girls, vote for the sexiest boy. #SaveAHorseRideABombshell #ExcellentHipAction 

The second the text comes through, you and the girls immediately huddle up, the guys circling each other as well.

"Whew, okay," Rima starts, fanning herself. "The bull was doing its thing, but my eyes were doing the most work." She jokes. "Who are y’all thinking?"

Sarah laughs at her antics, biting her lips. "...I think I might be a bit bias, but we can rule out Thomas in my opinion, because bless his heart, he looked like a helicopter spinning out of control." She holds back a fit of laughter, making all of you giggle. "That had to have been, what, ten seconds max?"

"And Mattheo looked stiff as a fuckin' board," you chime in, rolling your eyes as you adjust your shorts. "He was trying so hard to look all brooding that he forgot you actually have to put some work in. Like, you’re not a pillow princess, babe.” You rolled your eyes, making the other girls stifle laughs. It was…ugh."

"I mean, what about Theodore though?" Cleo pipes up, twisting a coil around her finger. "He definitely had me excited. It was kind of hot how he didn't even look stressed, but I do think it was a little serious for the vibe, you know? It was lacking a bit."

You all nod, humming in agreement.

Kiara crosses her arms, a knowing smirk on her face as she glances over at Justin and Brandon, who are laughing by the pool table across the yard. "Justin’s little routine was cute, but it felt like I was watching a fitness infomercial.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “If we are talking about real, live action, panty-dropping sex appeal... we all know who took it home."

"Brandon," You all say in unison, bursting out laughing. 

"When he took that shirt off? I started salivating, I swear.” Rima gushed. “The abs, the tats? It's honestly not even fair for the other guys."

"I hate to give his ego the satisfaction," Cleo laughs, shaking her head, "but Rima’s right. The man is sexy."

"It was the smile for me," you admit, cracking a smile under your cowboy hat. "I’m a sucker for dimples. And he's got one of those faces that makes it impossible to be mad at him."

"Alright, so it's unanimous," Kiara says. "Brandon it is."

With your vote officially locked in, you all turn to the boys and wait, watching them whisper. They’re huddled up in a tight circle, gesturing wildly.

It takes them a solid two minutes of intense arguing before they finally agree and turn to face the group of you.

“Okay, we’ve decided,” Justin starts, tilting his head. “Would you ladies like to do the honors?”

You all shake your heads, crossing your arms. “Gentlemen, first.” Cleo tuts.

Justin tilts his head, eyes on her. “I...don’t believe that’s how the saying goes.” He muses, teasing.

Cleo narrows her eyes at him. “Just tell us who you chose.” She quips.

Justin throws his hands up in mock surrender, nodding. “Yes, ma’am.” He submits, clearing his throat. “We think you all did great, some real show-stoppers,” Justin dragged out dramatically. “But we all agreed that this girl really stole the show and looked good as hell doing it, so we voted…Y/N.” He throws both of his hands out in your direction.

They all clap it up as you pretend to be shy, shielding yourself, playfully waving them off.

“Let’s go, babe!” Rima cheered, flipping her hair over her shoulder and looking at the boys. “Alright,” she starts, everyone quieting down. “We chose this boy because he really gave us everything.” She gushes. “Plus, the tattoos gave him some brownie points for sure, sooooo, we voted…Brandon!” She smiles, all the guys immediately clapping him on the back as you and the girls clapped, scoffing at their antics.

In the middle of their rowdiness, your phone goes off, though no one hears it. You fish the device out of your pocket, opening up the message. “Wait, I got a text!” you announce, everyone quieting down and turning to you.

“Really? What’s it say now?” Sarah inquires as they all crowd you as you read it out.

Y/N and Brandon, as the winners of today’s challenge, you two have won a private date outside the villa!

The words barely leave your lips before everyone goes absolutely chaotic.

"Oh my god!" Sarah shrieks, jumping up and throwing her hands in the air. "Yes! Get out of here!" She yells, clapping her hands loudly.

“I hate you,” Rima sneers playfully, shoving your shoulder in a joking manner, a grin on her face.

You stand there, holding the phone, a wide smile breaking across your face. You look over at Brandon, who is already grinning, dimples on full display as the guys surround him, roughing up his hair and slapping his tatted shoulders.

You and Brandon made short, small talk yesterday, but haven’t expressed a romantic interest in each other, especially considering your coupling with Theo and with your heart being completely locked down by Rafe, and Brandon’s eyes are firmly set on getting to know Rima—but neither of you are mad about this at all. 

In fact, you’re both overjoyed to get a free pass out of the villa—get some free drinks, and escape everyone for a few hours with a change of scenery.

"Wear a hoodie and don't smile at her!" Theodore yells, laughing as he pulls Brandon into a bro-hug. 

"Man, I'm just excited to see what the outside world looks like again," Brandon laughs, looking over the crowd at you, giving you a playful, friendly wink. "You ready to get out of here?"

"More than ready," you laugh back. 

But as the celebration rings out, Mattheo is standing completely frozen, knuckles turning white as he curls his hands into fists. The fake, calm, 'reformed man' facade he’s been trying to pull off all day is shattering the farther you walk away. His face is dark, his jaw clenching so hard you can practically hear his teeth grinding together from across grass. 

He glares directly at Brandon, then shifts his burning eyes to you, looking like he just watched his prize at the county fair get handed to someone else. He looks furious, seething over the fact that that his plan to win you back was getting derailed every time he tried.

Theodore, on the other hand, is relatively unbothered. His eyes narrow slightly as he watches you laugh with Brandon. But he doesn't look angry like Mattheo—that’s just not him—but there’s a slight look of disappointment on his face as he watches you and Brandon head inside to get dressed up, walking side by side, talking enthusiastically.

Confessional : You "Do Brandon and I have romantic vibes? No.” You say bluntly. “I know my stance. Brandon knows it, I think everyone does, and I know he’s trying with Rima. But winning this challenge?” You perk up, jumping in your seat. “I am that bitch!” You hype yourself, giggling, re-adjusting your cowboy hat. “I’m surprised I even remember how to do that. That could’ve been overly embarrassing if I fell off in, like, ten seconds. I’m just glad to get some fresh air and hang out with Brandon, he’s honestly a chill guy. I could see myself being friends with him."

Confessional : Brandon "Honestly? I’m stoked I won, means I get to leave the villa for a bit, clear my head, and have a laugh." He gives a casual smile. "And sharing the win with Y/N is awesome.” He gleams. “She did her thing. I mean, mounting the bull backwards? That shit was hot, easily the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a long time.” He chuckles, deep. “I know she’s completely locked down with Rafe, and I’ve got nothing but respect for that. Rafe is a lucky dude. I'm not trying to step on his toes or anything. I don’t see us being anything other than friends, but hey, a free date outside the villa with a beautiful, cool girl? I'm not complaining."

As you and Brandon disappear into the villa, the rest of the islanders sit around, gushing about the challenge. Everyone was on the daybeds or by the pool or in the kitchen, chatting, but Mattheo was secluded on the terrace, fuming.

Confessional : Rima "I am so happy for my girl! Like, obviously I wanted a piece of that tatted cowboy for myself—did you see those abs? I was drooling,” she fawned, sighing. “but if anyone deserved to win today, it was her. Watching her ride that bull backwards was iconic. And honestly, the best part of the entire thing was watching Mattheo’s face.” She burst out laughing. “I know that boy is going to be crying himself to sleep tonight, and I love that."

Confessional : Theodore "She looked incredible. The outfit, the way she handled the bull, hell, even the cowboy hat was doing things to me... she’s gorgeous. And dangerous. And extremely sexy.” He laughs to himself, realizing he was getting lost in his head. “I voted for her, of course. It is a bit of a shame she is going on a date with Brandon instead of me, but it is what it is. She tells me she's completely focused on Rafe, and I like a girl who stands her ground, but I hope the door doesn’t stay completely locked."

Confessional : Mattheo "It’s ridiculous. The public pairs her with Theodore, and now she’s going on a date with Brandon?” He hisses, narrowing his eyes. “It should have been me. I came on this show for her, to show her I’ve changed, and she won’t even look me in the eye. She’s out there riding mechanical bulls backwards, acting like she’s completely single, and now she’s going off with this guy? What does he have that I don’t? Some tattoos? A couple of dimples?” He scoffs. “She’s just doing this to punish me. It’s pushing my buttons, she knows it is."

BACK in the villa, the girls have cornered you in the glam room just before you headed downstairs to leave with Brandon, shutting the door tightly behind you to lock the boys out.

"Alright, layout the optionsss!" Sarah squeals, running over to your wardrobe. "You need to look good, bitch, like you always do, but that’s beside the point. And not because you're trying to couple up with Brandon, but because we need Mattheo to lose his mind when you walk down those stairs."

"Exactly," Cleo laughs, leaning against the vanity as she watches you touch up your lip gloss. "Give him a taste of what he fumbled, honey. You should’ve seen his face. He was pissed."

You laugh, pulling out a gorgeous, flowy sundress that beautifully compliments you, pairing it with some simple jewelry and letting your hair fall perfectly around your face as you don't say much, not wanting to think about your ex.

"Oh! Ask him about his tattoos, I need leverage." Rima winks, leaning against the closet door. "And look, if you get bored, just ask him why he ghosted Cleo so we can get more dirt on him because I still want to know."

"Hey!" Cleo throws a makeup sponge at Rima, laughing. "But seriously, just have fun. Enjoy the break from us, the drama, and relax, and stop thinking about Rafe." She plucks your arm. "You’ve had the same notch in between your eyebrows since we found out what was going on."

You sigh, giving the girls a massive group hug before grabbing your small clutch bag. "Thanks.” You give them a downturned smile. “Keep an eye on Mattheo for me, make sure he doesn’t try to steal a pair of my underwear to try and put a spell on me." You teased.

"It'd only give me an excuse to beat up a man," Rima promises with a smirk and you wave them all goodbye.

You walk down the stairs of the villa, heels clicking. Brandon is already waiting by the front doors, looking remarkably handsome in a clean, short-sleeved black button-down shirt that lets his arm tattoos peek out, paired with some basic pants. He looks up as you descend, his eyes widening slightly before that smile takes over his face.

"Wow," Brandon says genuinely, shaking his head. "You look great."

"Thanks, cowboy," you tease, walking over to him. "I take it you weren't a fan of Theo's hoodie idea?" You taunt, a friendly smile on your lips as Brandon laughs under his breath.

"Eh, he'll be alright." He replies back, smiling smally.

"Ready to blow this popsicle stand?" You tease with a faux-country cadence to your words, nudging his shoulder.

He nods, guiding you out. "Let's do it."

As Brandon leads you out to the car, you catch one last glimpse of the villa over your shoulder.

Mattheo is standing by the kitchen island, staring daggers straight at Brandon’s back, chest heaving with a glass clutched between his fingers. Next to him, Theodore watches you go with an unreadable look, flashing you a soft smile as you return the favor.

You turn back to the door, a completely unbothered smirk plastered on your face as you slide your arm politely through Brandon's.

MOMENTS later, you and Brandon are whisked away to a secluded stone terrace overlooking the cliffs of the island. A spread of champagne, strawberries, and charcuterie sits between you on a rustic wooden table.

The atmosphere is calm, relaxing as you both take your seats across from one another.

"Well, cheers to being the sexiest motherfuckers in the villa," Brandon chuckles, clinking his champagne glass against yours as he scoots himself in. His smile is warm, and up close, his tattoos are a lot more intricate, you noticing one in every spot, leaving little space without any ink.

"Cheers," you laugh, taking a sip. "Honestly, I needed to get out of that villa for a second. This whole ex thing is messing with my head..."

Brandon leans back, looking at you curiously. "I bet.” He nods. “Do you mind if  I ask you about your connection. With Rafe, I mean.” He clarifies. “Where’s your head at?"

You sigh, running a finger around the rim of your glass. "I won't lie and say I'm feeling one hundred percent relaxed right now. This entire Casa Amor thing makes me so...jittery and anxious. But... I want to try with Rafe. He’s the only one I want, and I'm just praying he’s holding it down over there."

"That's respectable," Brandon nods genuinely. "What about Theo, though? How are you feelin’ about that?"

"I mean, I can't deny that he's a pretty good-looking guy," you say honestly, shrugging one shoulder lazily. "But he seems kind of closed off and quiet. I've already spent weeks breaking down the walls of one closed-off guy so, even if I was open, I’m pretty damn sure I don't want to do that all over again. I don't plan to." You lean forward, tilting your head. "Can I ask you something?” You fire back. “What’s the story with you and Cleo? The whole ghosting situation?"

Brandon sighs, his eyes dropping to the table as he rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, about that,” he starts, nervous. “Look, I really have grown out of that kind of behavior. I feel really fuckin’ bad about how I did her. I'm glad I got the chance to pull her aside, and give her a real apology, though. I really did care for her, but at the time, I was just a selfish guy.” He admitted. “I cared about myself and my career more than I cared about her feelings, or anyone else's for that matter."

"And now?" you ask, quirking an eyebrow.

"I mean, I do still have that like lingering interest in Cleo," Brandon admits open-heartedly. "I’d be open to give things another shot if she’ll let me, but I doubt that. Besides... I do have a lot of interest in Rima. She’s just so fierce, beautiful, confident, and she does really draw the attention of every room she walks into.” He tells you.

You hum, accepting his words, storing it all in the back of your mind.

The rest of the date goes beautifully. It’s calm, friendly, and, by the end of it, you think that you've made a really great friend in Brandon.

WHEN you walk back into the villa, Brandon waves you off before heading over to the outdoor gym area where the guys are crowded, while you gather with the girls who are in the kitchen.

"You’re back!” Sarah gasps, jumping up at your presence. “How was it?" she asks eagerly.

"It went exactly how I thought it would," you smile, pouring yourself a glass of water. "I mean, Brandon is attractive, I can't deny that, but I just don't see him that way. He’s a friend, for sure." You turn directly to Cleo. "But we did talk about you.” You tell her, the girl making a face that told you to go on. “He said he feels really bad about how everything went down, that he was just really selfish at the time and that's all it was. He says he really cared about you and he's grateful you allowed him to apologize." Your eyes fleet between her and Rima, carefully deciding your next words. "...He also said he does have a lingering interest in you still and he'd be open to giving it another shot, but he doesn't think you are."

Cleo shrugs her shoulders, her expression softened but resolute as Rima remains relatively unbothered, yet still involved in the conversation. "Yeah, I figured.” She sighs lightly. “I’m open to making amends and being cool, but I am not giving him another chance in that way. I gotta stand on what I said—if you keep going back to the same tree in a forest, you’re lost."

"Mhm.” She hums, pointing at Cleo. “You ate that shit, by the way." she says, making you all breath laughs. "But that's reasonable." Rima assures, shrugging one shoulder.

"I still think you should go for him, though," Cleo tells her, casual. "I'm done with him but he does seem genuinely different, in a good way."

Rima scoffs, sipping her drink. "Oh, don't worry. I will take extra good care of him." She winks, making Cleo laugh.

OVER by the gym, Brandon sits on the grass, looking at Theodore and Mattheo.

"Don't worry," Brandon jokes, turning to Theodore with a grin. "I'm not trying to steal your girl." He then cuts his eyes to Mattheo, repeating the same tone. "Or yours."

Theodore scoffs, a smirk on his lips, but Mattheo ignores the comment, still reeling. "How was the date?" Theo asks, setting a dumbbell down.

"It was great," Brandon says honestly. "Great girl. But nothing more. She's beautiful, really amazing, but just not my kind of relationship girl. We're better off as friends, I can definitely see that." 

Brandon turns back to Theodore, clapping him on the shoulder. "And honestly, Theo? I think she might be little bit open.” He says honestly. “I think she’s just terrified of getting hurt, and nervous because she doesn’t know what could be happening with their guys. I think you just got to crack that door open a little bit, and you're in."

Mattheo stands in front of a bench, fingers gripping the edge of it as he leans over. He’s offended by Brandon's words, chest burning with fury, but he forces a tight, fake smile and nods.

“Glad you had a good time, man.” He interjects, walking off.

AS night falls, you and the girls are in the dressing room, discussing how everything is progressing as you get ready for bed.

"Can I be honest?" Kiara says, braiding her hair, a chorus of hums sounding out as replies. "I feel guilty because…I think I really like Thomas. I don't know if it's just because I miss JJ so much, and I see a lot of JJ in Thomas. Like, they have a very similar, funny, goofy sense of humor. But I don't want to lead him on, because he seems like a genuinely good guy." She shivers, letting out a groan. "And on top of that, I am not sharing a bed with Mattheo. He makes my skin crawl."

Sarah turns to Kie. "I'm glad you and Thomas are hitting it off. I can see you guys being a match.” She offers honestly. “But... I'm a little on edge about sleeping in the bed with him tonight. I don't think I'm going to." She shakes her heard. "I don't want to disrespect John B, and honestly, it’s just weird to share a bed with someone you’ve literally had sex with in the past."

Rima lets out a soft laugh from her vanity. "Well, count me out of the daybeds tonight.” She says. “I am actually really excited to share a bed with Brandon. That rodeo challenge still has me reeling,” she fawns, knees buckling as her eyes roll back, the rest of you laughing at her theatrics. “Lord have mercy. He looked so dreamy on that bull…I might not be able to keep my hands off him tonight. Sorry in advance, girls."

"I'd have to agree," Cleo tosses in. "I'm really feeling Justin. I can't wait to sleep like a baby on top of those abs tonight."

The dressing room erupts into a chorus of loud laughs at her words.

"And what about you?" Sarah asks, turning to you. “How’s Theo treating you?”

"He seems pretty sweet, I guess," you admit honestly, slipping into your sleep shorts. "He seems like a decent guy. But again... I just finally got things back to normal with Rafe before he left. I don’t want to fuck it up.” You stood firm. “So, I can withstand the mosquitoes on the daybeds if it means respecting Rafe at the end of the day. And I can only hope to God he’s doing the same."

WHEN it comes down to it, only Cleo and Rima head into the main bedroom, intending to sleep with their partners.

You, Sarah, and Kiara grab your pillows and head out onto the daybeds, settling onto three separate outdoor daybeds under the humid night air.

Just as you curl up under your blanket, adjusting your pillow, the glass sliding door to the deck softly opens.

You look up, finding Theodore. He’s wearing just a pair of grey cotton shorts and some kind of oversized band tee that looks like he’s had it for years. 

Sarah and Kiara sit up slightly, watching him as he approaches.

Theodore walks over to the edge of your daybed, rubbing the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable.

"Uh, hey," Theodore says softly, his voice quiet. "... I saw you guys coming out here, and...to be honest, I would feel a lot better if you came inside into the bedroom."

You pout and shake your head gently, pulling the blanket up to your chin. "Oh," your voice falls. "I appreciate it, but I just really don't want to do anything that I wouldn't want Rafe doing."

Theodore smiles softly, nodding his head. "I understand that, and I respect it completely.” He reassures, hands up in surrender. “But... I just can't stomach the thought of you sleeping out here on a hard cushion, getting bit up by all these mosquitoes and being uncomfortable, while I am sound asleep in a giant, comfortable bed inside that really, technically, belongs to you."

Theodore steps closer. "Look, we can share the bed inside. I promise you, I will keep space between us, we can even put a row of pillows right down the middle of the mattress. Or... if you want, I can just give you the indoor bed completely, and I come out here and sleep on the daybed."

Your heart melts just a little bit at the kindness of his gesture. You smile warmly at him, sitting up. "Theo... thank you so much for the offer. Honestly. That is very sweet of you. But honestly, if I take the indoor bed, that just leaves you out here sleeping next to Kiara and Sarah, and I’d honestly just rather stick out here with my girls for tonight."

You stand up for a brief second, stepping close to him, and wrap your arms around his neck for a brief hug. "Thank you for being so sweet, though." You mumble into his shoulder.

Theodore hugs you back gently, nodding against your hair. "Of course. Sleep well."

He pulls away, giving a polite nod to Sarah and Kiara before heading back inside.

You climb back into your daybed, curling up on your side. Next to you, Sarah and Kiara smile warmly.

"He’s a good guy," Sarah whispers, giving you a look.

"Yeah," you mutter, closing your eyes as the sound of the ocean waves echoes. "He is."

And as you drift off to sleep, the night air more biting than you remember without Rafe’s large, warm presence, your last thought drifts right back to him. 

Please be sleeping alone, Rafe, you plead to whoever might be listening. 

Please.

next chapter>

The lime is already pinched between your fingers by the time he leans back, biting into it with a crooked grin.

His eyes sink shut, that burn that was there when the two of you started the bath numbed now from a few good pulls.

Rafe sets the empty shot glass on the edge of the tub and sinks a little deeper into the water with you.

“Great week,” he says, completely relaxed.

You smile and tip your head back against him, and he presses a kiss to your hair.

“Yeah?” You ask.

“S’perfect,” he says quietly, like he’s mostly talking to himself. His arm tightens around your waist and a pleased look settles across his face. “Closed a big deal. Made us a shit ton of money, baby. Good tequila. Stunning… stunning wife.”

“So charming, baby.”

“Think I earned a celebration. Don’t you?”

“I’m so proud of you, Rafe,” you whisper, feeling his smile against your skin.

“Never get tired of hearing that, pretty.” His voice slurs from the alcohol, his southern accent bleeding into each word. The depth and tenderness in his tone go straight through you.

The song changes and Rafe immediately starts smiling, dropping his head back against the tub as he settles deeper into the water.

“Fuck, I love this song,” you sigh happily, your hips quickly finding the rhythm he knew they would when he made the playlist in the first place, perfectly placing it in the middle of the list.

“I know you do,” he chuckles, his eyes falling lower, watching the way your body rolls with the music, the lyrics leaving your lips through a smile. “You gonna dance for me?” He asks, like he’s surprised in the slightest, helping you to your feet.

His rich chuckle bounces off the walls as candlelight flickers across your bare, wet skin. The lights are down low enough that he can catch every movement, but he’s kicking himself for not making it just a little brighter.

His chain glints against damp skin as he moves with the music too, ever so slightly, droplets of water sliding over broad shoulders and down his chest. His hair is half pushed back, the other half fallen loose, leaving messy blonde strands hanging in front of his lidded eyes. He breathes deeply, the cut of his stomach muscles deepening every time he chuckles.

His eyes trace down your body as you move, one hand holding your ankle under the water, the other draped over the back of the tub watching it all.

Rafe watches the little river of water slide down your curves as your hips switch to the beat. The wedding ring on his finger sparkles as he keeps time with the song drifting through the speakers.

“You are unbelievable.”

He lifts the tequila bottle passing it to you with a smile, watching as you lift it to your lips, taking a pull.

“Just perfect. Aren’t you?” He asks in a daze as his hand closes gently around your calf and he guides your leg toward him. The movement sends water sloshing against the side of the tub as you balance carefully, still laughing while he settles your foot against the center of his chest.

His lips brush your ankle, pressing a kiss there as his rough hand slides up your leg, kissing you again, just a little higher.

Something in his expression softens when you finally lower your foot back into the water. Your body pulls toward him like a magnet when the song changes.

“My girl,” he hums as his hands settle against your waist, guiding you down to straddle his lap, water rolling over the edge of the tub, landing against the marble floor with a splash.

“Careful,” he teases you playfully, tugging you closer until your knees slide against either side of his hips, the liquor and momentum leaving you slipping forward, catching yourself on his shoulder with one hand, the tequila bottle still hanging loosely from your fingers in the other.

“Fallin’ right into my lap, pretty. How did I get so lucky, hmm?” He murmurs, lips humming against yours, his hands pulling you to grind on top of his lap.

His head tips back against the tub, eyes roaming down your body, watching the way you fit on top—glossy bubbles sliding and popping as they roll over your tits. He groans like he’s starving for it—and he is.

“One more shot, baby. I don’t know how much more I can take,” he whispers as his hand slides up your body. He reaches up, tapping the edge of the tub for the salt, a quiet chuckle leaving him when he finds it.

His other hand slides up your neck, twisting in your hair, pulling you back just enough to sprinkle some salt on the top of your cleavage.

“Lips, doll,” he whispers against your skin and you giggle breathily, lifting the bottle holding a shot in your mouth as his tongue drags along your breast, cleaning up the salt.

He closes his fingers around your neck, pulling you close, parting his lips for you to spit it inside. The corners of his lips curl upward as the liquor pours into his mouth from yours, humming out a moan before he bares his teeth, biting down on the lime.

His eyes slam down, going from sweet to sour, his head quickly falling forward as your fingers wrap around his cock.

One hand slides into your damp hair while the other takes the bottle off your hand.

“Fuck, baby,” he pants hungrily between kisses, moaning into your mouth as you suck on his tongue, tasting the tequila and lime.

Your fingers stroke the underside of his thick cock, making him groan, his breathing choppy as you stroke him with the cadence of your kiss. Your fingertips ghost over his swollen tip, making him curse under his breath before biting your lip.

“Just can’t help but tease me, can you?” He mutters, his abs flexing as you toy with his cock, bucking into your hand as he bites his lip.

Rafe’s fingers tighten on the tub's edge, knuckles turning white. The blood in his cock pumps harder, his eyes growing heavier.

He nuzzles into your chest, grabbing your breasts in his big hands before pressing them together, sucking down on your nipples as your hands wrap around his neck, skimming through his hair.

You gasp as his palm presses between your thighs, rubbing before he slips his fingers through your folds, swirling over your clit, before moving a little lower.

You whimper against Rafe’s lips as he pushes in one finger, then another, curling them inside you. “Oh my god,” you moan deeply, head falling back as he works you with his hand, your body hot and dizzy, pleasure coursing through your veins as he touches you just right.

His hand falls away, wrapping around himself, the velvety head of his dick pressing against your clit, the both of you smiling in anticipation, a little sloppy from the booze, moaning when his tip bullies your entrance, stretching you out when you spread your thighs.

Rafe’s hand squeezes the back of your neck, pulling you down toward his lips. The humidity and tension between the two of you make it harder to breathe.

“Take this fuckin’ dick, huh?” He mumbles, your nails clawing into his massive shoulders, whimpering as you take every inch.

Rafe huffs, tossing his heavy head back, hands landing on your hips with a splash. His biceps swell, pulling you to rock against him.

Water starts to move around you, crashing against the back of the bath and rolling over the edge. “Mpfhh… Shit, pretty. That’s it,” he praises, feeling your pussy squeeze around him.

The two of you start moving with each other as the pressure builds inside, both of you just seconds away from coming undone in each other’s arms.

“Bounce for me,” he mumbles as his gaze falls just like before, eyes stealing glances at your tits soaked in soapy water.

“M’so close, Rafe,” you squeal as you work yourself quicker, bouncing up and down on his cock, your body slapping against him as the shallow water sloshes around you.

You cry out in pleasure, voice bouncing off the walls of the bathroom as he drills up into you, fucking his dick deep.

“Cum for me,” he whispers, and you do. Your perfect pussy flutters around his throbbing dick as he empties himself deep, filling your warm walls with his cum.

Your body becomes one with the water, lips mirroring his as you come down from your highs together.

The music keeps playing softly through the speakers while the water settles around you again, the ripples gradually disappearing as your kisses turn softer. Rafe’s arms stay wrapped around you, holding you close while he sinks deeper into the tub with a contented sigh.

The bottle sits abandoned on the edge of the tub now, forgotten beside the limes and empty shot glasses. The playlist shifts again and a low laugh rumbles out of him, recognizing the opening notes before the lyrics even begin.

You laugh softly when he starts mumbling along under his breath, the words slurring together as his lips brush yours.

“You love this song.”

“Mhmm, s’perfect.” His eyes stay closed as he hums a few more lyrics, his hand drifting lazily up and down your back beneath the water.

“Y’know this is my favorite fuckin’ thing?” He mumbles.

“Tequila baths?”

“Nah.” His forehead bumps yours as a laugh rumbles out of him, the corners of his lips lifting. “You and me.”

You flip your phone over, shielding the bright screen with your hand, a text popping up.

Sorry to wake you, sleeping beauty. But a new bombshell has arrived in the villa and he’s chosen you for a secret morning date. Please get dressed quietly without waking any of your fellow Islanders. #NewBoyInTown #Snatcheez

Your face twists.

A new bombshell. And he picked you? 

You look back at Rafe’s sleeping form, his shoulders rising and falling in the dark. Things between the two of you have been a rollercoaster, to say the very least. But you felt like you were close to finally finding a steady rhythm, and a date with a new guy is the last thing you need to throw off the balance. 

Still, you don’t have a choice. This is Love Island. If you get a text, you move.

Tip-toeing lightly on the cold floorboards, you slip out of the bedroom and make your way down the hall toward the dressing room. When you push the door open, the bright vanity lights are already on.

Standing by the mirrors, unzipping her dress, is Cleo. She’s dressed up, her hair perfectly done, but she looks like she’s just walked a mile in high heels.

When she catches your eye in the reflection of a mirror, her face lights up with a knowing grin. "Oh! You must be the second date," she gushes, turning around completely to face you.

"Cleo?" you whisper tiredly, glancing back at the door to make sure no one followed you. "You’ve already been out?"

"Girl, yes. I was woken up hours ago," Cleo says, laughing softly as she fans herself. "Let me tell you right now, you are in for it. That man is an absolute dreamboat. Tall, gorgeous... a real gentleman."

You let out a breathy, nervous laugh, walking over to your wardrobe rack to find something to wear so you could just shower, freshen up, throw on your outfit, and head out. "Really? I'm kind of losing my mind right now. I was not expecting this at all."

"Just go in with an open mind," Cleo encourages, walking over to pat your shoulder. "I know you’re pretty much locked down with Rafe, but it never hurts to be reminded of what else is out there.” She comforts, pulling up her pajama pants. “Good luck, babe."

"Thanks," you say softly.

Once she slips back out to catch a few more hours of sleep, you quickly get to work. You choose a beautiful tropical outfit—a two-piece set that highlights your figure without trying too hard. You lay it out before you shower. Afterwards, doing your makeup, keeping it clean and simple, and styling your hair. Just as you’re putting the finishing touches on your jewelry, your phone buzzes, your name catching your attention.

…Your date is waiting. Head out to the front of the villa where a car is ready to take you away. #DestinationRomance

Taking a deep breath, you slip your phone into your small bag and walk out through the front doors of the villa. A sleek, black car with tinted windows is idling in the driveway. The driver holds the door open for you with a polite nod, and you slide into the backseat, watching the villa fade into the distance behind you.

The car drives for about twenty minutes, winding away from the coast and heading deep into the heart of the island. When the vehicle finally comes to a stop, you realize you’ve been brought to a breathtaking tropical botanical terrace. Towering ferns, vibrant hibiscus flowers, and massive monstera leaves enclose the space, and the air is thick with the scent of wild orchids and the distant sound of a rushing waterfall. A beautifully set wooden table for two sits under a canopy of green with fresh fruits, pastries, and sparkling juice.

As you step out of the car, a man stands up from the table.

He is, without a doubt, breathtaking. He stands well over six feet tall, with a flawless, deep dark complexion, and style that screams effortless sophistication even in the tropical heat.

As you approach, a warm, incredibly charming smile breaks across his face. "Hi there," he says, his voice carrying an accent. He steps forward, extending a hand to meet yours. "I’m Miles."

"Hi, Miles.” You smile politely. “Nice to meet you," you say, letting him take your hand. Instead of an awkward handshake, he gently holds your fingers, guiding you toward your chair.

"The pleasure is entirely mine," Miles says, looking you up and down with an appreciative, respectful gaze as he helps slide your chair in. "I have to say, you look absolutely stunning. Pictures and TV don't do you nearly enough justice."

"Thank you," you say, a warmth creeping up your neck as you settle into your seat. "You don't look too bad yourself."

Miles chuckles, a deep sound as he sits down opposite you and pours you a glass of juice. "I try my best. Have to make a good impression, don't I?"

As you start to look over the breakfast spread, you feel the initial awkwardness melting away under his easygoing personality. "So, Miles, you invited me all the way out here. Tell me a bit about yourself."

He smiles. "Well, I'm twenty-seven, born and raised in South London—Peckham, if you’re familiar," he says, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed posture. "And I work as a Brand Consultant. Basically, I help people and businesses figure out who they are and how to present themselves to the world."

"A brand consultant," you echo, smiling. "That sounds fancy. So what brings a successful London guy all the way to a villa in the middle of nowhere?"

Miles’ smile softens into something more genuine, his dark eyes locking onto yours with an intense focus. "To be completely real with you? I’m tired of the games. Back home, it’s all about situationships and all that complicated, short-term mess. I’ve met too many girls who are far more interested in my Instagram following or what events I can get them into than me. I guess I came here looking for a woman who has real substance, y’know? Someone with ambition who knows who she is... but also has a bit of a wild side to match my own."

You nod, impressed by how articulate he is. He speaks with a lack of arrogance, yet he knows exactly what he brings to the table. "That’s really good to hear, honestly. It’s hard to find people who actually want depth these days."

"Exactly. And from what I've seen of you, you've got plenty of it," Miles says smoothly, taking a bite of a strawberry. "Which is exactly why I wanted to get you out here.”

You hum, plucking a grape from the fruit platter. “I ran into Cleo right before I left the dressing room, and she was absolutely gushing about you." You tilt your head, a playful smile on your lips as you shift the conversation. "How was your date with her?"

Miles lets out a sudden laugh, shaking his head as he rests his forearms on the table. "Asking me about another girl on our date? Is that your way of shooting me down already?"

You laugh, waving your hand defensively. "I was just curious. Cleo is a great girl."

"She is, she's lovely," Miles agrees easily. "We had a great chat, very sweet girl. But right now, my focus is across this table.” He deflects. “I want to know how you're doing. Tell me about your current situation in the villa. I've been watching, so I know you're coupled up with…Rafe, is it?"

Your smile wavers just a fraction. "Yeah. Rafe. He and I... it’s been a bit rocky, to say the least. We’ve had some really high-highs and…some pretty heavy lows."

"So I've noticed," Miles murmurs. "He seems intense."

"He can be," you admit, tracing the rim of your glass. "But he’s also unlike any guy I’ve ever met before. In a good way." You clarify. "He’s incredibly protective, and he cares really deeply. But he’s just got a lot of layers to uncover. It’s hard to explain unless you’re in it with him."

Miles watches you closely, observing the soft look that enters your eyes whenever you speak about Rafe. He lets out a lighthearted sigh, pressing a hand to his chest. "Ouch. Right in the heart. You're really trying to break me early, aren't you?"

You giggle, shaking your head. "I'm just being honest. I don't want to lead you on or make you think I'm just completely single and looking to jump ship."

"Hey, I respect the honesty. More than you know," Miles says, his tone shifting into something a little more intimate, a challenging smirk playing on his lips. "But just because you’re set on Rafe doesn’t mean my interest is just going to fade away. I don't scare off easily. And a girl like you is worth putting a bit of effort in for. I can only hope to change your mind over the next few days."

The sheer confidence in his voice sends a little thrill through you, but you keep your composure, offering him a small, polite smile. "We'll see about that."

The rest of the date passes by in a blur. Miles is incredibly charming, a true gentleman who asks questions and actually listens to your answers. But soon, the date comes to an end, the morning sun has fully climbed into the sky, and it’s time to head back.

WHEN the car pulls back up to the villa, reality hits you like a barrel of bricks. The sun is completely up, shining brightly over the pool deck, meaning the entire villa has to be awake. 

And you now have no choice but to enter the villa... together.

You walk through the front doors first, stepping out onto the main patio. You’re walking a few paces ahead of Miles, hips swaying, trying to process the morning, when you realize the entire cast is gathered around the outdoor kitchen and sun loungers.

The second they hear your heels clicking against the deck, everyone turns to look.

"Where have you been all morning?" Sarah asks loudly from the daybed, her brows furrowed in confusion. "We woke up and you were just—"

Her voice completely cuts off as Miles comes trailing in right behind you, head held high.

A collective gasp echoes through the girls. Sarah’s jaw drops, Kiara halts mid-sentence with her coffee mug halfway to her mouth, and Rima instantly sits up completely straight on her sun lounger, her eyes widening.

You feel incredibly sheepish, the heat rushing to your face as you walk into the center of the patio. But the worst part is the weight you feel from the outdoor kitchen.

You look up, and your eyes lock right onto Rafe.

He’s standing by the blender, his knuckles white as he grips the edge of the counter. His face is absolute stone, jaw clenched, and his eyes are burning a hole straight through you.

You immediately leave Miles’ side, offering a quick, awkward smile to the group as you walk straight toward the kitchen counter, straight toward him.

"Hey," you say softly, stepping into his space.

Rafe doesn't look at Miles. He keeps his eyes locked entirely on you. "What's that about?" he asks, jutting his head out in Miles’ direction, trying not to seem put off.

Without hesitating, you reach out and slide your hand into his, intertwining your fingers, looking up at him. "I got a text this morning when everyone was still asleep. I didn't really have a choice, Rafe. I had to go."

Rafe looks down at your joined hands. He lets out a long, slow breath through his nose, the tension in his shoulders dropping. He knows how the show works. He knows the producers pull these stunts to stir the pot, but that doesn't mean he likes it.

He nods slowly, swallowing hard. "Yeah. Yeah, I know," he mutters. He glances up for a brief second, his eyes narrowing as he takes in Miles, before looking back down at you. He leans forward, pressing a firm, lingering peck against your cheek. "I still made you a smoothie anyway," he says, his voice softening as he reaches over and hands you a freshly blended pink smoothie. "Figured you'd be hungry."

A rush of relief and affection washes over you. "Thank you." And he hums.

Meanwhile, over by the daybeds, the remaining girls—Sarah, Kiara, and Rima—have already descended upon Miles like a pack of wolves, introducing themselves and trying to get to know him.

"Wait, Cleo," Rima asks, looking over at where Cleo is sitting calmly on the edge of a lounger, sipping her fruit water. "Why aren't you jumping up to go after the new guy? He's hot!" She talks about Miles like he isn’t feet in front of her.

Cleo and Miles exchange a knowing look across the deck, matching smirks breaking out onto both of their faces.

"We actually already met this morning," Cleo says smoothly.

"Cleo was my first date of the day," Miles adds, giving her a charming wink. "The early bird catches the worm, right?"

"Aww," Sarah squeals, clapping her hands together. "A double morning date!"

After chatting with the girls for a few minutes, Miles turns his attention toward the boys' side of the deck. John B, JJ, Pope, and Topper are standing near the pool table, watching him with varying looks of curiosity. 

Miles starts to walk over with an easy smile. As he passes the kitchen counter, he stops right in front of Rafe.

He looks at Rafe, a casual smile on his face, though there’s an underlying sharpness in his eyes. "Apologies for stealing her away this morning," Miles says, offering a relaxed nod. He looks at you for a split second before looking back at Rafe. "You've got a good girl there. I’d keep her close if I were you."

Rafe stands entirely frozen, his expression completely blank as he stares at Miles, unsure of what this guy is even trying to say to him. Is it a compliment? A threat? A warning?

Confessional : Rafe "Who the fuck is this guy? Seriously. You just letting anybody in here now?” He asks, lip curling “He walks in here, takes my girl out on a date behind my back, and then tells me to keep her close? Like... thank you, Captain Obvious. I know she’s a good girl, that's why she's with me.”

Before Rafe can say anything reckless, John B and JJ step in, clapping Miles on the back and stealing him away to grill him about his dates and his life back home.

With the boys occupied, the trio of girls instantly gather together, gesturing for you and Cleo to come up to the terrace with them. You grab your smoothie, kiss Rafe, and follow them.

"Okay, spill everything. Like, now." Rima exclaims, leaning against the railing. "Cleo, you first. How did the date go? Are you excited? Is he your type?"

Cleo chuckles, leaning back on a chair. "Honestly? He’s definitely my type. He's good-looking, very mature, and the date was great. He’s smooth, knows how to talk to a woman, and he doesn’t feel like he’s trying to put on a show. I'm definitely into it."

The girls squeal, Cleo rolling her eyes as she tries to hide her smile.

"I love this for you!" Sarah cheeses, shaking the girl's shoulders. "I really hope you guys hit it off."

Then all eyes instantly snap over to you.

"And you!" Sarah says, pointing a finger at you, her eyes wide. "Girl, when you walked in with him, my jaw dropped to the floor. Did you see Rafe's face?” She asked. “I thought he was going to flip."

"I know, I saw," you sigh, rubbing your temple. "Miles was great. He’s a gentleman, respectful, very charming..."

"But...?" Kiara prompts, leaning forward.

"But I’m not turning away from Rafe so easily," you say firmly, eyes lingering on her longer. "And I told him that. I told him that Rafe is unlike anyone else and that I’m really happy where I am."

Kie doesn't respond after that, opting to look down.

"Ooooh," Rima coos. "Did you actually tell him that? How did he react?"

"He just laughed it off," you explain, shrugging. "He basically said he respects the honesty, but he’s not scaring off easily, and he hopes he can change my mind while he's here..."

"Oh wow," Sarah murmurs. "Looks like Rafe better watch out."

"Seriously," Rima chimes in, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "He is super hot. I definitely want to get to know him."

Sarah turns to her, a teasing smirk on her face. "Rima, be honest, do you think he stole your spotlight today as the newest bombshell?"

Rima cracks a confident grin, flipping her hair once more. "Never."

You all smile and burst into laughter, the tension in the air breaking.

AROUND mid-afternoon, everyone is relaxing by the pool when that familiar, dreaded text tone echoes across the deck. "Text!" John B calls, pulling out his phone to read it aloud.

Islanders, it’s time to find out who is truly aligned and who is just faking it for the cameras. Today, you will be playing... Couple Goals! #TruthHurts #GameOn

A collective groan and cheer rose from the group as you all headed towards the game area. 

The producers had set up a small stage area near the fire pit, complete with three podiums for the single islanders—Rima, Miles, and Topper—who would be hosting the game while the current couples took their seats on benches facing the stage, each equipped with a large whiteboard and marker.

Miles stands at the center podium as he speaks into his microphone. "Alright, they’ve told us we'll be asking you all a series of questions, and one of you will write down what they think your partner’s answer will be on your whiteboard. The goal is to see which couples actually know each other, and the couple with the most points at the end wins a special prize."

All of the couples turn, whispering to each other.

"What d'you think it is?" Rafe asks, leaning down.

You shrug, leaning into him as well. "I feel like they've used the Hideaway a lot recently. Maybe a date? Or some kind of advantage?"

Though, your conversation is cut short when the game begins. It starts off incredibly silly and lighthearted. The questions are standard, baseline relationship trivia.

"What is your partner’s absolute favorite food?" Rima starts you all off.

You write down 'spicy tuna rolls' for Rafe, and when he reveals his board, it matches perfectly, and he gives you a proud grin.

"What is your partner's biggest, most irrational fear?" Topper asks.

JJ writes down 'spiders' for Cleo, but Cleo’s board says 'coconut crabs', leading to a hilarious argument where JJ insists they’re the ‘same thing’. John B and Sarah are right behind you and Rafe, and Kiara and Pope manage to score a few points on questions about childhood pets and hometown details, keeping the leaderboard incredibly tight.

But as the game progresses, the questions start to take a messy turn. 

"What is your partner's biggest regret since entering the villa?" Miles asks.

The air grows noticeably colder. You watch as Pope hesitates, his marker hovering over the board before he writes something down, avoiding Cleo’s gaze entirely. Though, everyone got that question wrong.

Finally, Miles steps up to the microphone for the very last question. "Alright, islanders. This is the final question of the game, worth double points.” He says, an unreadable smirk on his face, “Ladies, write down the name of your partner’s most recent ex-girlfriend."

Slowly, you turn your head to look at Rafe.

The playful demeanor he had just seconds ago vanishes completely. His entire body goes stiff, shoulders tightening as his jaw locks into place.

Rafe has never mentioned an ex to you. Not once. You know about his family drama, you know about his struggles with sobriety, but past relationships?

You look down at your blank whiteboard as the silence stretches out. You can feel the eyes of the three other islanders on you, being the only one without an answer written down. Desperate to just put something down to keep the game moving, you press the marker to the plastic, scribbling down a random, common name.

"Alright, let's see those answers!" Rima calls out.

Sarah reveals her board, which matches John B’s board perfectly, securing them the lead. Kiara writes down a name that matches Pope's. Cleo writes down a name for JJ, and though it's close, it's not right.

Then, it’s your turn. You slowly lift your board, revealing the name.

Miles looks at your board, then looks over at Rafe. "Rafe, let’s see what you wrote down."

Rafe slowly turns his whiteboard around. Written in jagged, harsh black letters is a name, one that doesn't match the generic one you've scribbled down.

Sofia.

A silence falls over the patio. You feel a strange knot twist tightly in your gut. You look up at Rafe, trying to catch his eye. "Who’s Sofia?" you ask softly, your voice barely audible over the microphone. 

Rafe doesn't look at you. He quickly lowers his board, wiping the ink away with the palm of his hand, completely erasing her name in a matter of seconds. "Just an ex," he mutters, his voice flat. He doesn't offer another word, his eyes fixed firmly on the ground between his feet. 

And because you and Rafe got that final question wrong, Miles tallies up the scores on the main monitor, and...

"With a total of ten points... the winners of Couple Goals are Sarah and John B!" Miles announces into the microphone. "You two have won a romantic evening date outside of the villa."

The group cheers, clapping as John B pulls Sarah into a bear hug.

After the challenge ends, the islanders quickly disperse across the villa to escape the afternoon sun. John B and Sarah hurry upstairs to get dressed for their date, by the daybeds, Cleo and Kiara are sitting together in silence, while Pope and JJ are over by the outdoor weights, Pope aggressively lifting dumbbells while JJ cheers him on. Near the pool loungers, Rima has successfully cornered Miles, chatting him up with a bright, flirtatious smile.

You walk through the doors into the main house, your mind entirely overtaken by the look on Rafe's face during the game.

You find him in the living room. The shades are drawn to keep the space dark, and he’s sitting alone on the couch, staring at a movie playing on the television screen. He has his arms spread out over the back of the sofa, but his eyes are completely blank, entirely disconnected from whatever is happening on the screen.

You take a deep breath, walking into the room quietly. You saddle up right next to him, sliding your legs onto the couch and easing into his side, trying to gauge his mood.

Rafe doesn't move away, but he doesn't wrap his arm around you either.

"Hey," you start softly, keeping your voice gentle as you look up at him. "The challenge was fun…"

"Yeah," he mutters, his eyes still fixed on the TV.

You pause, biting your lip before trying to ease into the conversation about his ex. "So... Sofia.” You mutter. “You’ve never really brought her up before."

Rafe’s jaw works and he lets out a short breath. "No reason to. It doesn't matter. It was a long time ago."

"I was just curious," you say, your voice soft as you reach out to touch his forearm. But you just couldn’t drop the conversation. "...You know a lot about my past, Rafe. I just thought... I don't know, it felt weird realizing I didn't even know her name."

Rafe finally turns his head to look at you. "You haven't exactly gone into detail about your exes either," he fires back, his tone mildly defensive.

"Because you've never asked." you argue softly, your brows knitting together. "If you’d asked me, I would’ve told you, Rafe. I want to be open with you. I'm just trying to get you to open up to me a little bit.” Your face twists. “…Why are you getting so defensive?"

Rafe lets out a frustrated sigh, pulling his arms down and rubbing his face with both hands. "I just don't feel like talking about people who don't matter to me anymore," he says. "Sofia is a distant memory, someone I don’t know anymore, and someone who doesn’t know me. I’d like to keep it that way."

The finality in his voice is clear. You stare at him for a second, hoping he'll soften, but he just turns his gaze back to the television screen, shutting you out entirely.

Letting out a shaky breath, you stand up from the couch. "Fine," you whisper.

Needing an escape from his bad attitude, you head out to the pool deck. The sun is starting to dip lower, casting long shadows across the water. You quickly drop your cover-up onto a chair and slide into the deep end of the pool, letting the cool water submerge you. 

You swim around aimlessly for a bit, staying underwater for as long as your lungs can handle, welcoming the silence beneath the surface.

When you finally kick your legs and break through the surface, gasping for air, you wipe the water from your eyes and freeze.

Standing right at the edge of the pool, looking down at you with an observant expression is Miles.

You gasp slightly, startled by his sudden presence. "Jesus, Miles! You scared me..."

Miles lets out a low chuckle, shoving his hands into his pockets as he kneels down slightly at the edge of the pool. "My apologies, didn't mean to."

You catch your breath, treading water as you look up at him. "I thought you were over there with Rima."

Miles shifts his weight, a slow smirk playing on his lips as his brown eyes lock onto yours. "I was. But I’d much rather talk to you."

You roll your eyes slightly, though a faint smile tugs at your lips despite your foul mood. "You’re very headstrong, aren't you?"

Miles bursts out laughing, a rich sound. "If my mother has anything to say about it, absolutely.” He nods. “I know what I want, love. No point in beating around the bush." His laughter fades as he studies your face, taking in the stress etched into your brow. "You alright? You look a bit conflicted."

"I'm fine," you shrug, swimming closer to the edge and resting your forearms against the cool tile. 

"Right," Miles murmurs softly. He glances back toward the villa's large glass windows before looking down at you again. "That challenge earlier... Rafe didn't look too happy about that ex-girlfriend question, did he?"

You let out a sigh, shrugging your shoulders again. "It’s just a sore subject, I guess. I wouldn't be too thrilled to talk about my exes on national television either."

Miles leans forward a bit more, his voice dropping into a lower tone. "Maybe. But there's a difference between being uncomfortable and what I saw over there.” He eggs on. “Rafe had a look of pure regret on his face when her name came up." He tilts his head, his gaze piercing. "I’ve known folks back home who had that exact same look when things went south. Usually, they ended up right back in the arms of the person who put it there in the first place."

Your heart hitches painfully against your ribs. “…What’re you trying to say?” You stare up at him, your voice hardening. "That Rafe is still hung up on his ex?"

"I’m not saying anything, love. I’m just telling you what I observed," Miles says, his expression entirely calm. "Rafe is a very…mysterious man, isn't he? Even before I came in, when I was sitting in holding watching everything play out on screen... I could never really decipher him."

"That's because you don't know him," you fire back instantly.

Miles fixes you with a long, unblinking look. "And you do?"

The question hangs heavy in the air, completely knocking the wind out of you. Before you can even attempt to come up with a response, Miles offers you a polite, quiet nod, turns, and walks away.

You stand frozen in the water, his words echoing through your head. 

FOR the rest of the afternoon and evening, a gloomy cloud settles over you. You move through the villa like a complete ghost, barely speaking, your mind spiraling.

When bedtime finally arrives, the bedroom is filled with the usual hushed chatter and shifting sheets, but you don't engage. You get into bed, rolling onto your side, facing entirely away from Rafe's side of the bed, staring blankly at the wall.

A few minutes later, the mattress sinks as Rafe climbs in. The room falls into darkness as the main lights are switched off.

You lie perfectly still. 

After a moment, you feel his large, warm hand slide gently onto your shoulder, his fingers squeezing. "Hey," his voice is a low whisper in the dark. "You awake?"

Your chest aches with sadness and confusion, and you bite your inner cheek, forcing yourself to remain completely motionless, pretending to be fast asleep.

Rafe waits in the silence for a long moment, his hand lingering on your shoulder. When you don't respond, he lets out a quiet, heavy sigh, slowly moving his hand. He rolls onto his back, leaving space between the two of you as he lets you sleep.

THE morning brings no relief. You wake up feeling drained, an ache having settled into your chest. The quietness surrounding you is extremely noticeable, considering you haven't uttered a single word since opening your eyes.

While the rest of the villa starts to wander down to the kitchen for breakfast, or into the dressing rooms to get ready, you find yourself completely isolated in the bathroom. You stand in front of the mirror, gripping the edges of the marble sink, staring at your reflection, but you aren't really seeing yourself.

Instead, Miles’ words from the pool are sending you spiraling into a acid pit of flashbacks of your own past relationship.

Before coming here, you were with a guy who completely tore you apart piece by piece. He was violently verbal in his abuse, constantly using your vulnerabilities to make himself feel powerful, tearing down your self-esteem just to build his own ego back up. And the worst part? There was always another girl in the mix. Always an ex, a friend, a coworker—someone he was secretly texting, someone he was comparing you to. And whenever you finally gathered the courage to confront him about it, he’d find some way, any way, to flip it on you.

And his favorite excuse? The one that always made your self confidence drop from 100 to below zero?

“You’re a fucking stripper for Christ’s sake. You literally dance naked on random men for money, and you're trying to lecture me about what I do while you’re doing that?”

The memories hit you like a burning slap, a familiar wave of self-doubt crashing into you. Because he’d act like you were the light of his life one day, then belittle you the next, as if you weren't doing it all to better yourself in the end. As if he was some kind of provider, like you weren't living dollar to dollar for both of you. All because you weren’t really ever what he wanted, you were just there to make him feel better about himself. No other girls gave him the time of day, and his ex wanted nothing to do with him. You figured he took your kindness for weakness, making you his easiest target.

What if history was bound to repeat itself and you weren’t just too blind to notice?

Tears prick the corners of your eyes, blurring your vision as your breathing becomes shallow just as the bathroom door suddenly clicks open, and Sarah walks in, a hairbrush in hand. "Hey, have you seen the—"

She cuts herself off immediately, her eyes widening as she takes in your posture. You’re completely still, staring at the mirror with tears silently streaming down your cheeks.

"Hey... hey, what's wrong?" Sarah asks, worried. She drops her hairbrush onto the counter, immediately turning around to lock the bathroom door behind her. She rushes over, grabbing both of your shoulders gently, forcing you to look at her. "Hey, look at me. What is going on?"

The second her hands touch your shoulders, a choked sob escapes your throat, and you bury your face in your hands.

"Do you... do you think Rafe is just using me?" You sob, your voice cracking.

Sarah looks at you like you’ve just spoken a foreign language, her expression hardening into shock. "What? No! Absolutely not. Why on earth would you think that?"

"The challenge yesterday," you cry, wiping your face as you try to get the words out. "He completely shut down when his ex’s name came up. And he wouldn't tell me anything about her, Sarah. And then... Miles... he told me he saw the look on Rafe's face. He said guys who look like that usually end up right back with their exes, and he asked me if I even really know who Rafe is." You let out a ragged breath, looking at her with wide eyes. "What if he's right? What if Rafe is still completely hung up on her and I'm just an idiot sitting here letting myself get hurt again?"

The second the words leaves your mouth, Sarah’s face goes from worried to angry.

"Are you kidding me?" Sarah snaps, her hands dropping to her hips as she paces a step back. "Miles said that to you? What the hell?" She turns back to you, grabbing your hands tightly. "Listen to me. Miles is just saying whatever he can to put a wedge between you and Rafe. He saw a fire, and he decided to pour gasoline on it. He’s playing the game, like an asshole."

You sniffle, looking down at your joined hands, calming yourself. "But Rafe wouldn't even look at me, Sarah. He completely blocked me out."

"Because men are idiots." Sarah defends fiercely. "Lots of people absolutely hate talking about their exes. John B hates talking about his past, hell, I hate talking about Topper. That doesn’t mean that we miss them, or that we want them back. It just means that some people... some people leave scars on your heart that are so deep, they’ll always be sore. Scars that never fully heal because the betrayal or the pain was just that bad. It has absolutely nothing to do with how Rafe feels about you."

Sarah reaches up, gently wiping a stray tear from your cheek with her thumb, her eyes soft. "Sweetie, it hasn’t even been two weeks and Rafe looks at you like you're the only girl in the entire world. We all see it.” She reassures. “Don't let a guy who has been here for five minutes ruin that, okay?"

You listen to Sarah's words, and for the first time in twenty-four hours, the knot in your chest begins to loosen. You take a deep breath, calming yourself down.

"Okay," you whisper, offering her a weak smile. "Thank you, Sarah."

"Anytime, babe," She smiles, giving your shoulder a firm, reassuring pat. "Now wash your face, get ready for the day, and go talk to your man.” She urged. “And Miles better pray he doesn’t doesn't get a face full of my fist."

ONCE you’ve completely calmed down, fixed your makeup, and gotten dressed for the day, you finally gather the courage to head down to the kitchen.

When you step out, you realize the kitchen is completely empty except for one person.

Rafe is standing by the stove. He’s dressed in his usual shorts, his hair a bit messy from sleep. But when you look at the kitchen island, your eyes widen. He has set up a huge breakfast spread—way bigger than usual. There are plates of eggs, bacon, sliced avocado, toasted bagels, and a fresh glass of juice.

When he hears your footsteps, he snaps his head around. His eyes find yours, and a look of pity and guilt flashes across his face.

"Hey," he says softly, his voice a little raspy.

"Hey," you reply, walking over slowly and taking a seat on one of the barstools.

Rafe quickly grabs a plate, loading it up with a bit of everything, and slides it gently in front of you. He sits down on the stool right next to yours, pulling his own plate forward.

For the first few minutes, the two of you eat in silence. The only sound the light clinking of silverware and you can still feel the weight of yesterday, but you don't want to push him again.

But Rafe clears his throat and sets his fork down, staring intently at his plate as his chest rises and falls with a heavy breath.

"...Sofia was my first real girlfriend," he says out of the blue.

You freeze, your fork halting halfway to your mouth. You slowly set it down, turning your entire body to face him, staying completely silent to let him speak.

Rafe swallows hard as he looks up at you. "I felt like a dick for how I acted yesterday. I didn't sleep at all last night because I knew I hurt you, and I hate myself for that."

"Rafe..." you murmur softly, but he shakes his head, needing to get the words out.

"No, just... let me speak, please," he pleads quietly. He takes a breath, looking back down at his hands. "Sofia... we were polar opposites. Completely different worlds. But when we first started dating, she made me feel... seen. For the first time in my life, I felt like someone actually cared about me for who I was, not just my family's money or my problems. But after a while... I realized she didn't see me as her boyfriend. She saw me as a project. Something broken that she could fix, so she could get rewarded for it later."

Rafe’s jaw clenches, a flicker of old, bitter resentment passing through his eyes. "The night we broke up... we were at a party. She went to the bathroom and left her phone open on the table. A text popped up from her best friend, and I... I looked at it. It was a whole group chat filled with texts about guys they were with, about me. She was telling her friends about her 'rich ass boyfriend,' and she literally replied with things about how most of my money was going to be spent on her soon anyway... but that she had to fix 'whatever the hell is wrong with me first.'"

You pout as you look at him, your heart breaking at his words.

"I broke up with her that same night," Rafe says, his voice dropping into a flat whisper. "She tried to apologize, chased me, called me a million times... But I haven't spoken a single word to her since. But when her name came up yesterday... it just brought every bad thing I felt that night."

He finally looks up at you, his eyes swimming with a desperate sincerity as he grabs your barstool, dragging you closer as the legs screech against the floor, hands on your thighs. "It’s still a sore subject for me because that was the very first time I ever gave someone a real chance, and she completely destroyed my trust. But I want you to know... Sofia is nothing to me. She’s dead to me. The only woman I care about, the only woman I want to move forward with... is you. I swear."

Hearing his explanation, you slide off your stool, stepping directly into the space between his knees. You reach up, cupping his face with both hands, and press your lips firmly against his.

Rafe lets out a shaky breath into the kiss, his arms instantly wrapping around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest as if he’s terrified you’re going to disappear.

"...Thank you for telling me. And  I’m so sorry you had to go through that." you whisper against his lips, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.

Rafe buries his face in the crook of your neck, letting out a long, relieved sigh. "I'm fine," he murmurs, his grip tightening. "As long as I have you, I'm fine."

THE aftermath of your reconciliation lasts through the afternoon, but the energy of the villa is far from resolved. Late in the evening, a high-pitched alarm suddenly blares through the outdoor speakers, a bright flashing light on the main screen.

Every single islander's phone buzzes simultaneously. JJ grabs his first, reading the screen.

Islanders, tonight, the truth will be projected for all to see. Welcome to... #MOVIENIGHT! Grab your popcorn and head outside immediately. #PopcornReady #NoWhereToHide

You all exchange varying looks as you anxiously file out to the garden deck, where production has set up a cinema projector screen against the main wall, with rows of plush white couches laden with bowls of popcorn and drinks.

Standing at the front of the stage, looking incredibly glamorous in a stunning evening gown, is Ariana.

"Hello, islanders," She greets, a beautiful but ominous smile on her lips. "Please, take your seats."

Everyone sits down in their respective couples, the tension thick. You and Rafe sit closely on the center couch, his arm wrapped tightly around your shoulders.

"Before we begin tonight’s screening, I have an important announcement to make," Ariana continues, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Tonight, there will be a recoupling. And tonight, the power is entirely in the hands of the girls. Our newest female bombshell, Rima, will have priority."

A collective murmur goes through the girls. You shift uncomfortably, but Rafe only tugs you closer.

"But before you ladies start contemplating your final decisions," Ariana adds, her smile turning distinctly mischievous, "it’s only fair that you get a full look at everything that has been happening in this villa when your eyes weren't watching…”

Ariana steps off to the side, and the projector screen suddenly flickers to life, the words "THE REEL TRUTH" flashing in bold letters.

The clips begin to play back to back, exposing every single secret, private conversation, and hidden confessional from the last twelve days.

The first clip cuts to a confessional from Day One. John B appears on screen, shrugging with a boyish grin.

“Sarah and I kept locking eyes during the coupling, so I was kinda bummed when she went with Topper…” John B shrugged. “But your boy never gives up, so of course I had to show her what she was missing. Even if she doesn’t know it was me…yet.” He winked.

Sarah’s head snaps over to John B, her jaw dropping. "You did kiss me!" She smiles, nudging him in the ribs.

Topper lets out a loud scoff, glaring at the screen, muttering under his breath. "Unbelievable."

The screen instantly transitions to a clip from Day Three in the kitchen.

“You know,” JJ started, leaning against the outdoor kitchen counter. “I’m a big believer in exploring all my options. I know you and the buzzcut are 'a thing,’ but I can’t help that you’re easily the hottest girl in this villa.” You rolled your eyes at his words. “I think we’d have a lot more fun than you and Mr. Serious over there.” 

You laughed, leaning back against the fridge as you cracked open a can of soda. “I can’t tell if you’re joking or dead serious.” You chuckled. “JJ, you are a menace. Are you ever not hitting on someone?” 

“Hey, I’m a bombshell. It’s in the job description. Did you not read yours?” he teased. “But for real. You’re gorgeous, man. Just…keep me in mind if he gets too moody for you.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder to where Rafe was. 

“I… appreciate the offer, JJ,” you said, patting his arm politely as you moved to exit the kitchen. “But I think I’m exactly where I want to be.” 

Surprisingly, Rafe’s laughs, his arm tightening around your shoulder. He glares playful daggers across the couches straight at JJ as everyone chuckles. JJ clears his throat nervously, looking away. You were sure no one took him, or that clip, too serious.

The next clip was from Day Four, showing your private date with Rafe. The audio plays clearly over the speakers.

“…When you asked if I’d worked anywhere else… that’s, um, why I got quiet.” You choked out. “I did a lot of what I had to do to survive.” You told him, swallowing harshly. “…I worked as a bottle girl in some pretty shady clubs. I… I even stripped for a while.”

You close your eyes, a slight flush rising to your cheeks.

“Why the hell would they put that in there?” He fumes under his breath, sitting up straighter.

You put a hand on his, shrugging. “We’re on TV, Rafe.” You remind him. “Everyone was bound to figure it out anyway.” Despite your words though, he huffs, rubbing a hand up and down your arm.

The screen cuts to Day Five, a private chat between you and Cleo.

“I think…I want to go home.” 

You blinked, genuinely shocked. “What? Why?” 

“Because I’m tired of feeling like an idiot,” Cleo said, her voice cracking slightly as she looked at you, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. “I came here wanting to actually get to know someone. I gave Pope a real chance, and he lied to me. And looking around this place? I don’t feel a single connection with any of these other guys. John B is clearly pining after Sarah, Topper is a snake, JJ is… well, JJ, and Rafe is completely obsessed with you. I don’t want to sit around here acting like a background character just to survive an elimination. It’s embarrassing…”

Pope looks down at his lap, a heavy look of guilt washing over his face, while Cleo crosses her arms tightly, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

Next is a secret, whispered conversation between you and Sarah.

“…Honestly,” you started, palming the back of your neck, lowering your voice. “I think we need to…gently persuade Kie to go with JJ. If she stays with Pope, it’s just going to make Cleo want to leave again, and Pope clearly doesn’t know what he wants anyways.” You explained in a whisper. “If Kie goes to JJ, it gives Cleo and Pope space to either fix their issues or move on entirely.” 

Sarah nodded, her mind turning. “I agree,”

“What the hell?” Kiara’s head snaps around, glaring at both you and Sarah. "Wow. So you guys were plotting on me behind my back—"

“Can we just get through it without anyone else talking, please?” John B throws out, silencing her and every one else.

You and Sarah exchange nervous glances, not responding as the clips keep rolling. A scene plays, showing Pope and Kiara.

“Kie, I’m not gonna to lie to you…” He began, a hand on hers. “The spark was real for me too. But…” He sighed. “…my mind isn’t exactly made up between you and Cleo. I still have a lot of interest in Cleo and I don’t want to throw that away if there’s still a chance. But, at the same time, I do want to get to know you. I don’t know, I guess I’m just in a weird position mentally…”

The screen then flashes to a confessional from JJ, looking hurt and bitter.

“I’m being a dick? Look, I’m tired of being the guy girls use for a good time and then drop the second they find someone more ’serious.'” He pouted. “I actually liked Kiara. I thought our date meant something. But if she’s just going to label me a red flag like everyone else before she even knows me? Fine.”

JJ curses under his breath, dropping his head but quickly recovers as Kiara side-eyes him.

Then, a clip of Sarah confronting JJ.

“You’re being a dick,” Sarah said flatly. 

JJ’s face twisted. “What—” 

“You heard one confessional, probably half of one, and decided to completely punish Kiara for it. She wasn’t calling you a player to be mean, she was saying she was scared to get her heart broken because she actually really likes you.” Sarah defended. “You need to get the full story before you start throwing a fit.” She snapped. “Go and talk to her like an adult.”

A soft confessional from Sarah pops up next, providing a brief moment of lightness.

"Everything with John B just feels so… natural. I don’t feel like I have to put on a show or say the perfect thing.” She smiled, her cheeks taking on an adorable shade of pink. “With Topper, I always felt like I was walking on eggshells, constantly staying on top of myself just to keep his head from turning. With John B, we’re literally geeking out over how old my house is over scrambled eggs, and…I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier.”

John B beams, kissing the top of Sarah's head, while Topper looks absolutely sick to his stomach, shifting angrily in his seat.

The screen shifts back to Pope, a look of profound guilt on his face in a confessional.

“I feel… I feel terrible. I chose Kiara because I wanted to see if there was something real there, and I do care about her. I really do. But…seeing Cleo over there, laughing with JJ… it hurts.” He admitted. “It shouldn’t, but it does. And the worst part is knowing that Kiara can see it all over my face.”

Kie huffs, mildly embarrassed, and Cleo slumps in her seat, but her eyes stay intensely focused on the screen, as if she isn’t trying to let them wander elsewhere.

The video shifts to the night of the party—the private conversation between JJ and Rafe after Rafe’s outburst.

“I… I struggled with alcohol for a really long time, man. Like, really bad.” He admitted, the weight semi-lifting. “…I’m recovering. I’ve been sober for a long while now. But it’s still…” JJ’s eyes widen in immediate understanding as Rafe’s words trail off, the pieces of the puzzle instantly clicking into place in his mind—why Rafe never had a drink at the villa, why he always stuck to water or soda, and why he looked so tense all afternoon. “I just planned to hang around today, chill out, and just get through the party,” Rafe continues, his hands shaking slightly as he rubs the back of his neck. “But everyone is fuckin’ drunk. The smell is everywhere. And she just… she kept pressing me about it. Over and over. ‘Take a drink, let me get you a drink.’ I just… I panicked, man. I lost it. I snapped at her, but I didn’t mean to.”

You squeeze Rafe’s arm tightly, leaning your head against his shoulder as the rest of the islanders steal glances at the two of you, shocked, but silent.

But the next scene only makes matters worse—the bathroom argument between you and Rafe soon after that conversation.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” Rafe snaps, turning around to face you fully, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. 

“You don’t wanna talk to me?” You reiterate, eyebrows shooting up into your hairline. 

“Not right now, I don’t.” Shrugging like a kid with a bad attitude. 

You scoff. “That is so unfair,” you fire back, stepping closer, your voice rising in frustration. “You’re seriously mad because JJ told me a secret? Rafe, I told you things about my life on our date that I have never told anyone, and on television for that matter. I shared my own shit with you purely because I wanted to be open and honest with you and you can’t even do the same.” 

Rafe just stares at you, his eyes completely unreceptive to your perspective. “I never wanted you to know,” he says, his voice dropping into a flat, harsh whisper. 

“Why?” You breathed, pleading, voice soft. 

“Because it’s my business. Not yours. And not JJ’s. Mine.” “…We’re supposed to be partners,” you whisper, your voice cracking. It hurt him more than he’d care to show or admit in the moment, like being stabbed from all angles. Rafe wasn’t giving you the cold shoulder to be mean, not necessarily. He just couldn’t fathom the thought of someone knowing who he really was and still being able to see any good inside of him. To be able to still love him. 

“Yeah, well, maybe that was a mistake,” Rafe mutters, the words creating a lump in his throat as he turned back to the sink, the words forcing themselves out—anything to make you leave. And they cut deep. Deep enough. 

“Yeah,” you nod, trying hold back your own emotions. “Maybe it was.”

A few people wince, you included, as Rafe’s jaw clenches. But even then, the show isn't done. It cuts directly to the aftermath of Rafe’s apology out on the daybeds later that night.

“…Will you come back to the bed now?” 

“Yeah,” you smile softly, bumping your nose against his. 

“Okay,” Rafe says, standing up and pulling you to your feet, wrapping his arm securely around your waist. “Go ahead back up to the room. I’ll meet you up there in a second. I’m gonna make us some tea to get warm.” 

“Okay,” you smile, kissing his cheek before turning and walking back into the warm house. 

The moment you disappear through the glass doors and slide them shut, the soft expression vanishes from Rafe’s face. He stands alone in the dark, his hands dropping to his sides. Suddenly, he lets out a quiet curse, pacing back and forth as he violently rubs the back of his neck. A heavy wave of guilt hits him as looks back toward the bedroom window, his chest tightening with guilt.

You look up at Rafe confused, confused by his reaction after you left that you hadn’t witnessed.

“What was that?” You asked, voice hushed, low enough for only him to hear.

Rafe tenses, hoping you wouldn’t have noticed. "Hm?"

“That look. The one you had after I walked away.” You press, and Rafe looks down at you, lips parting to respond when another scene starts, Kiara appearing on screen in a confessional, looking thoroughly annoyed.

“Honestly? I hate to say this, but,” Kiara starts, a disapproving look on her face. “I think she has very little self-respect for letting a guy yell at her and make a huge, public scene like that in front of the entire house, and then just…forgiving him the next morning. Like, he was screaming in JJ’s face over nothing. If a guy treated me like that, he’d be out the door in a second.”

You freeze, humiliation hitting you. You look over at Kiara, who suddenly looks very uncomfortable, avoiding your gaze completely as you scoff, your assumptions about her turning about to be completely true.

The screen keeps going, hitting John B next in a private conversation with JJ and Pope. 

"Honestly, man, I just don’t know about Sarah," John B says, sighing. "There’s just a lot of drama between her and Topper. It’s exhausting." 

Sarah’s head snaps over to John B, her eyes blazing with fury. "Excuse me?"

Then, Topper appears in a confessional, an arrogant smirk on his face. 

"Now that Ruthie is gone, I definitely want Sarah back," Topper shrugs. "Mainly because she’s easy. I know exactly how to play her." 

A collective gasp echoes across the deck. Sarah looks like she’s about to throw her popcorn bowl straight at Topper's head.

Then it’s a confessional from Cleo.

“I am going to be entirely real right now—I am getting so tired of Kiara not knowing what she wants.” Cleo threw her hands up. “She spent days making it seem like Pope was her top choice, acting like she was so guilt-ridden by her feelings for him. Then she gets exactly what she wants at the recoupling, and now? She’s walking around this villa looking borderline depressed at the mention of me and JJ being friends.” Cleo rolls her eyes. “Pick a lane, girl.”

Kiara glares at Cleo, her face flushing. But Cleo just glares back, shrugging.

The screen cuts to Rima talking to the girls.

"Pope was right up my alley. Seriously. He is so incredibly smart, he has a fantastic build, and he was so respectful. He got a little nerdy talking about his work and goals, but honestly? I find that incredibly attractive. A man who knows where he’s going in life is a major turn-on. He is definitely high on my list."

Pope blushes furiously, while Rima just straightens in her seat, winking at him.

The screen transitions to a conversation between you and Cleo in the kitchen, eating.

“Y’know,” You started through a mouthful. “Stop me if I strike a nerve, but, I thought you and Pope were cute.” you shrugged. 

Cleo makes a face. “Really?” 

You nod, still chewing. “Hell, yeah.” You emphasize. “I still think you guys would be a great match. But I understand that he…y’know, fucked up beyond repair.” 

“Well, beyond repair is a stretch…” Cleo mutters under her breath, playing with her salad as you pause and look at her.

Pope’s eyes light up slightly, looking over at Cleo, who quickly shifts her gaze away.

Then, a clip of Rafe and you sitting by the daybed plays.

“... Do you want to close things off between us?" Rafe asks on screen. 

The proposal catches you completely off guard. Your breath catches in your throat, your mind spinning as you look up at his intense, hopeful expression. But it’s like logic hits you suddenly. You look down at his chest, a hesitant, slightly guilty feeling twisting in your gut. "Rafe... I... I think it’s a little too early for that," you say softly. "We’ve only been here for ten days. The first recoupling was literally two nights ago. I really, really like you, and I am completely focused on you... but closing things off this early feels like we're rushing into something huge on a reality show where we don’t know what's coming next. I just want to make sure we're taking our time and doing this right."

The rest of the villa watches in shock, realizing you actually turned down Rafe's proposal to close things off—basically saying no to being his girlfriend.

The screen cuts to Pope talking to John B in the bedroom. 

"Honestly, man, I wish I never coupled up with Kiara," Pope admits on screen. "And seeing Cleo with JJ and Miles? It makes me so…jealous. I miss her, man." 

Kiara looks like she’s about to cry, completely humiliated.

But next is the girl in question talking to Sarah.

 "I definitely have a thing for JJ over Pope," Kiara admits. "But I think JJ is completely off my case now, especially after that confessional where I basically called him a man-whore." 

JJ winces, rubbing the back of his neck.

The final few clips show the secret dates from the last two days. First, Rafe and Rima's date, where Rima asks about his relationship with you…

 "I'm really into her," Rafe says firmly on screen. "I don't see my head turning anytime soon, or at all." 

Rima smirks, reaching over and putting a hand on his arm. "Well, you never know... especially now that I'm here." 

Rafe simply quirks a single, unimpressed eyebrow at her hand. "I can't stop you from trying. But I'd advise you against it."

Then, Rima's date with Pope.

"What are my chances of you choosing me if the guys pick?" Rima asks. 

Pope rubs his neck. "Like... twenty-five percent." 

Rima raises an eyebrow. "Where's the other seventy-five?" 

Pope responds instantly, "...With Cleo."

Next is Miles' date with Cleo. The clip shows them laughing hysterically, Miles feeding her a strawberry, the chemistry evident—a cute display that obviously might ruins Pope's chances of ever getting her back.

Then, it’s Miles' date with you. The screen projects Miles looking directly at you with that intense, confident gaze. 

"Just because you’re set on Rafe doesn’t mean my interest is just going to fade away," Miles’ voice echoes. "I don't scare off easily. I can only hope to change your mind."

Rafe scoffs beside you, shaking his head. But then, the last clip plays, and it wipes any amusement from Rafe’s face.

"Do you... do you think Rafe is just using me?" You sob, your voice cracking with absolute desperation.

Sarah looks at you like you’ve just spoken a foreign language, her expression hardening into shock. "What? No! Absolutely not. Why on earth would you think that?"

"The challenge yesterday," you cry, wiping your face as you try to get the words out. "He completely shut down when his ex’s name came up. And he wouldn't tell me anything about her, Sarah. And then... Miles talked to me by the pool. He told me he saw the look on Rafe's face. He said guys who look like that usually end up right back with their exes, and he asked me if I even really know who Rafe is." You let out a ragged breath, looking at her with wide eyes. "What if he's right? What if Rafe is still completely hung up on her and I'm just an idiot sitting here letting myself get hurt again?"

And now? Now, Rafe is fuming.

The projector screen suddenly cuts to black, the words "THE END" rolling up the screen.

The second the outdoor lights fade back on, the group explodes into pure chaos, and almost everyone is screaming at each other.

next chapter>

You frown slightly, eyes dropping to the pot. “Yeah… why?”

Rafe moves back to the sink, but not all the way. He turns the water back on and picks the wings up again, rinsing them under the stream, but his movements are slower now. More deliberate. Like he’s listening without looking like he is.

“Okay, good,” Becca says. “So- random question- are you busy Saturday?”

Your hand slows on the spoon, the cheese sauce thickening as you drag it along the bottom of the pot. You glance up briefly, catching Rafe in your peripheral. He isn’t looking at you, but there’s a shift in him. Subtle. His shoulders tighten just slightly, his attention no longer fully on what he’s doing.

“Uh… you know you asked me that two days ago?” you say.

There’s a pause on her end. “Did I?” she says quickly. “Sorry, I’ve been extremely busy with planning and stuff, my brain is literally-”

You narrow your eyes a little, suspicion creeping in. “Becca… what are you doing that-”

“Nothing,” she cuts in immediately, too fast to be casual. “Why? Does it sound like I’m doing something?”

Rafe shuts the water off again, setting the chicken aside. He grabs a paper towel and dries his hands slower this time, gaze flicking toward you for half a second before dropping again like he caught himself.

You notice it, but you don’t sit in it.

“I don’t know,” you say, stirring again. “You’re just being weird.”

“I’m not being weird,” she says. “You’re being weird for thinking I’m being weird.”

You let out a small laugh under your breath. “Okay… well I’ll let you know. I might have something going on.”

Rafe’s head tilts slightly at that, barely noticeable unless you were already watching him.

“What do you mean might?” Becca presses.

“I don’t know yet,” you say, shrugging even though she can’t see you. “I’ll text you, okay?”

Another pause. Longer this time. “Okay,” she says finally. “Just… don’t make plans.”

You blink, confused. “That’s literally the opposite of what you just said.”

“I know, I know. I just-whatever. I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”

“Alright… love you, bye.”

“Bye.”

The call ends. You pull the phone away and set it back down on the counter, your attention drifting back to the pot as the sauce bubbles softly. For a moment, neither of you says anything. You shake your head slightly and pick the spoon back up, stirring again.

“She’s acting strange,” you mutter.

Rafe hums like it doesn’t matter, picking the wings back up and turning the water on again. “Yeah?” he says. “Sounded normal to me.”

You glance at him. He doesn’t look back. Not really. His focus stays on his hands, on the sink, on anything but you just a little too intentionally. You notice it. But you let it go.

-

Dinner comes together easier than it should. You move around each other in the kitchen without thinking about it, passing things back and forth, reaching for the same drawer at the same time without bumping into each other. It’s familiar in a way that feels almost dangerous if you think about it too long. Conversation fills the space in pieces. Nothing heavy. He tells you about things happening on the island, small bits of drama you’ve mostly stepped away from. You listen, half engaged, half removed from it now, responding just enough to keep it going. By the time everything is finished, the table is covered more than it needs to be. Macaroni, wings, vegetables, drinks. It looks like you cooked for more people than just the two of you.

You sit across from him, adjusting your plate slightly as you settle in. It feels normal. Too normal.

“So,” Rafe says, breaking the quiet as he scoops some macaroni onto his fork.

“So?” you respond, lifting your glass of water and taking a small sip. You’re not even thirsty. You just need something to do. You’re still not sure why you asked him to stay.

“You ready?” he asks.

You pause. “Ready…?”

“For the baby,” he says. “I mean, I know you’ve prepared your house and everything, but are you ready ready?”

You look down at your plate, your fork nudging your food around for a second while you think. “Uh… I think I am,” you say slowly. “I mean, I’m new to this. We both are. I’m as ready as I can be, and I’ll figure the rest out as I go.” You shrug lightly, taking a bite before looking back up at him. “You?”

He leans back in his chair, arms crossing loosely as his gaze drops to the table. His brows pull together slightly, that familiar look settling over his face when he’s thinking too hard. “You know… I thought I was,” he admits. “I thought I could do it. But honestly, the closer we get, the more unsure I feel.”

It doesn’t sound like something he planned to say out loud.

“We just have to take it one day at a time,” you say.

He looks up then, meeting your eyes. “Yeah,” he nods. “We do.” There’s a small pause before he speaks again. “I’ve been thinking about moving out of Tannyhill.”

Your head lifts immediately. “What? No. You can’t do that. Why would you do that?”

He exhales, rubbing the back of his head. “It’ll just be the two of us,” he says.

“Two of us?” you repeat.

“Me and baby Cameron,” he says, nodding toward your stomach. Your hand moves there automatically, resting over the curve. “It’s a lot of space,” he adds. “We don’t need all of that.” He says it simply. Not for sympathy. Not to make a point. Just as a fact.

But it still lands heavier than it should. You clear your throat, shifting the conversation before it can settle too deep. “We still need to name her,” you say.

“I thought we agreed on Quinn,” he says, a small smirk forming.

“Did we?” you smile, glancing down at your plate.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure we did.”

“I don’t remember that,” you say. “I said we’d think about it.”

He leans forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. “Alright,” he says. “Do you have any better suggestions?”

You take a sip of water before answering. “I like Blythe,” you say. “Or Esme.”

He nods slowly, like he’s actually considering it, like he’s picturing saying it out loud. The moment stretches longer than it should. You’re halfway through chewing when you feel it- his gaze. It’s not casual. Not the kind you can ignore. When you look up, his eyes are already on you, steady and warm, like the ocean right before the sun fully sets. Calm on the surface, but deep enough to pull you under if you’re not careful. There’s a faint smile on his lips. Not teasing. Not smug. Just… there. It makes your stomach drop.

You glance behind you instinctively, like maybe there’s something else he could be looking at, then back at him again. Your chewing slows, then stops completely.

“What?” you ask, a little more self-conscious than you mean to sound.

He blinks like he’s coming back to himself, shaking his head slightly, but the look doesn’t fully leave his face. He drags his tongue over his bottom lip before he speaks. “Nothing… just memories.”

Your brows pull together. “What memories?”

He doesn’t answer right away. He lets the silence sit between you, not tense, just full. Like he’s sorting through something he’s not used to saying out loud. “Just… everything that led to this,” he says finally, his voice quieter now. “Not even the physical stuff. Just… us. How intense everything was. How we were with each other.”

Your chest tightens before you can stop it.

“How we ended up loving each other enough to make her,” he adds, glancing down briefly toward your stomach.

You swallow, reaching for your glass and taking a sip of water, this time because your mouth actually feels dry. “All in a year too,” you say, trying to keep your tone light.

He lets out a quiet breath through his nose, leaning back in his chair, arms crossing loosely over his chest. “Isn’t that crazy?” he asks. “How much can happen that fast?”

You shrug, eyes dropping to your plate as you push your food around with your fork. “Time flies,” you say. “Feels like yesterday you were forcing me to slow dance to Migos at Becca’s party.” There’s a small smile in your voice, intentional. You’re trying to steer it somewhere safer.

He nods, but he doesn’t laugh right away. His eyes move over the table, the plates, the food, like he’s seeing it from the outside. Then he pushes his chair back and stands. Your head lifts immediately, your stomach tightening for a completely different reason. For a second, you think he’s about to leave. That maybe you said the wrong thing. That maybe he’s realizing this isn’t going the way he thought it would.

But instead, he walks around the table. He stops in front of you and holds his hand out.

“I owe you a do-over,” he says, voice soft but steady.

You look down at his hand, then back up at him. There’s no playfulness in his expression now. No edge. Just sincerity. “Rafe… I don’t know,” you say, exhaling quietly as your eyes drift back to the table.

“I don’t blame you,” he says easily. “But you deserve a real slow dance. Not one in the middle of a party with Migos in the background and horderves being served around us.”

Your lips press together as you think. He nods his head slightly toward the living room, giving you an out without saying it. You know this is a bad idea. You know exactly where this kind of moment can lead. And still, you place your hand in his. He doesn’t react dramatically. He just closes his fingers around yours and gently helps you to your feet.

He leads you into the living room, and you’re suddenly aware of how unfamiliar he looks there. He’s been in your house before, but never like this. Never just existing in it. Not relaxed. Not part of it. He glances around briefly, taking it in without commenting, then pulls his phone from his pocket.

“What’s a good song?” he asks, scrolling.

You hesitate, your hand slipping from his as reality creeps back in. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” you say softly. There’s no conviction in it. You hear it as soon as the words leave your mouth.

He looks up at you, sliding his phone back into his pocket for a second, his head tilting slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re saying that like it’s illegal.”

“It probably should be,” you mutter. And yet you’re already stepping closer. The only real space between you now is your stomach.

He straightens a little, hands folding loosely behind his back as he watches you. “But it’s not,” he says.

You glance down at the floor, then back up at him. “Unchained Melody,” you say quietly.

His brows lift. “I’m sorry?”

“You asked for a song.”

He lets out a soft breath that almost sounds like a laugh, pulling his phone back out and typing. A second later, the music starts, tinny through the speaker but loud enough to fill the room. He sets the phone down on the coffee table and steps back toward you, holding his hand out again. “May I have this dance?” he asks, just formal enough to make it lighter.

You let out a small laugh despite yourself. “You may.” Your hand fits into his again, familiar in a way that feels dangerous. His other hand settles at your side, careful, naturally adjusting to the curve of your stomach without making it a big deal. Yours rests on his shoulder. You start to sway. Slow. Simple. No performance. Just movement. The music hums between you, and for a moment, everything else fades.

His eyes find yours, steady, searching. You try to hold it, but it’s harder than it should be.

“I missed this,” he says quietly.

Your breath catches. “Just being around you,” he adds. “It’s nice. Being around someone who actually cares. Someone I care about.”

You swallow, your fingers tightening slightly against his shoulder. “You still care?” you ask, even though you already know the answer. You just need to hear it. This time, you don’t look away. He doesn’t hesitate.

“I’ll never stop.” The music plays softly from his phone on the coffee table, the sound a little tinny but still warm enough to fill the room. Your hand rests in his, your other on his shoulder, his palm steady at your side, careful where it brushes your stomach. You sway together slowly, neither of you rushing it, neither of you speaking for a moment.

It feels easy. Too easy.

His thumb shifts slightly where it rests, a small, absent movement that sends a quiet awareness up your spine. You focus on your breathing, on the rhythm of the song, on anything that keeps you from thinking too hard about how natural this feels.

His gaze doesn’t leave your face. “I missed this,” he says again, softer this time, like he’s not even sure he meant to say it out loud.

You swallow, eyes dropping for a second before lifting back to his. “This isn’t… what we’re supposed to be doing.”

“I know,” he says. But he doesn’t step back.

That’s the problem. You tilt your head slightly, searching his face. “Then why does it feel like we’re just pretending nothing happened?”

“We’re not pretending,” he replies quietly. “We’re just not fighting it for five minutes.”

Five minutes. Like this is something temporary. Contained. You shift your weight, the movement bringing you just a fraction closer. His hand adjusts instinctively, steadying you, and for a second it feels less like tension and more like something solid. Something that could hold. That’s what makes you pull back. Not fully. Not enough to break the dance completely. Just enough to create space.

His brows knit slightly. “What?”

You shake your head, letting out a small breath. “We can’t do this halfway, Rafe.”

His hand stills against you. “I’m not trying to do anything halfway.”

“It feels like it,” you say gently. “Because this-” you glance between you, at your hands, your bodies too close for something that’s supposed to be simple, “-this isn’t just nothing.”

He watches you, really listens this time. You can see it in the way his expression shifts, the way he reins himself in instead of pushing forward. “I know it’s not nothing,” he says.

“Then what is it?” you ask, and there’s no bite to it, just honesty.

The question hangs between you. He exhales slowly, like he’s choosing his words instead of reacting. “It’s me trying to be around you without messing it up.”

You almost smile at that, but it fades too quickly. “You think this isn’t messing it up?” you ask quietly.

His jaw tightens just slightly. “I think pretending I don’t feel anything would mess it up more.”

That lands. Harder than you expect. You look down at your joined hands, then gently loosen your grip. Not pulling away completely, just enough that the shift is clear. “I don’t know how to do this,” you admit. “I don’t know how to stand here with you like this and not… fall back into something I worked really hard to get out of.” He doesn’t interrupt. Doesn’t try to fix it. “I meant what I said earlier,” you continue, voice softer now. “I want stability. I want this to be good for her.” Your hand drifts instinctively to your stomach. “But I can’t lose myself trying to make it work between us again.”

His eyes follow your hand, then lift back to your face. “You won’t,” he says.

You shake your head slightly. “You don’t know that.”

“I do,” he replies, more firmly now. “Because I’m not asking you to jump back into anything.”

“Then what are you asking?” you press.

He hesitates. Just for a second. “I’m asking for a chance to be around,” he says finally. “To show up. To not screw it up this time.”

Your throat tightens. “That sounds a lot like the beginning of something.”

“Maybe it is,” he says. “But I’m not trying to rush you into it.”

The honesty in that makes it harder, not easier. You take a small step back, this time letting the distance fully settle between you. His hand drops from your side without resistance. “I can’t think about ‘maybe’ right now,” you say. “I need things to be clear.”

“They can be,” he says quickly. “We take care of her. We figure out how to be around each other without making it complicated.”

You let out a quiet breath. “And what if it still gets complicated?”

His expression softens. “Then we deal with it when it happens.”

That’s such a Rafe answer. Simple. Forward. Not wrong, but not as careful as you need. You study him for a long moment. The way he’s standing there, not pushing, not reaching for you again, just… waiting.

That’s new.

“I’m serious,” you say. “No blurring lines. No pretending this is something it’s not.”

He nods. “Okay.”

“No showing up and doing things like this,” you add, gesturing lightly to the space between you. “Because it makes it harder.”

There’s the smallest flicker of something in his eyes. Disappointment, maybe. But he nods anyway. “Okay,” he repeats.

You hold his gaze, making sure he means it. “We’re just… figuring out how to be good parents.”

“Yeah,” he says. The music keeps playing for another few seconds before he finally steps away, reaching over to pause it. The room feels different immediately. Quieter. More grounded.

You wrap your arms loosely around yourself, not cold, just adjusting to the shift.

“Dinner was good,” he says after a moment.

You let out a small breath that almost turns into a laugh. “That’s your takeaway?”

He shrugs, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. “Trying to keep it normal.”

You nod slowly. “Normal is good.”

There’s a beat of silence. Then he reaches for his keys on the counter. Not lingering. Not dragging it out.

“I’ll get out of your hair,” he says.

You walk him to the door without thinking about it. It feels automatic now. Familiar in a way that doesn’t feel dangerous. At the door, he pauses, hand resting on the handle. “I meant what I said,” he adds quietly. “About showing up.”

You nod. “I know.”

He studies your face like he wants to say something else, but decides against it. Another new thing.

“Text me if you need anything,” he says.

“I will.”

He opens the door, stepping out onto the porch. The night air drifts in for a second before you follow him out halfway.

“Drive safe,” you add.

He huffs a small laugh. “I always do.”

You watch him walk to his truck, the same way you did earlier, except this time it feels different. Less uncertain. More… defined. He doesn’t look back until he’s at the door, one hand resting on it as he glances up at you. “Goodnight,” he says.

“Goodnight, Rafe.”

He gets in, the engine turning over a second later. You stay on the porch until his headlights disappear down the driveway. Only then do you go back inside, closing the door behind you.

The house is quiet again. But this time, it doesn’t feel like something was left unfinished.

It feels like something was set in place.

—

You wake to the repeated vibration of your phone against the mattress. It’s persistent enough to pull you out of sleep, even if you try to ignore it. You groan, pushing yourself up onto your elbows, eyes scanning the tangled sheets as you try to figure out where the sound is coming from. You reach around blindly for a second before your hand finally lands on it. You grab your phone and squint at the screen. Becca’s name flashes across it. Of course. You swipe to answer and bring it to your ear as you let yourself fall back onto the bed.

“What,” you groan, your voice irritated even if you don’t fully mean it.

“Are you up yet?” she asks, way too cheerful for this hour.

“I wasn’t,” you say, a little sharper this time. The tone surprises even you. Hormones.

“Oooh, snappy,” she teases. “I’m headed over there. I need you to shower and wash your hair too, please. I’m stopping to get us some food, which will take about fifteen minutes, so you should be just getting out of the shower. Oh—and make sure to shave.”

You blink at the ceiling. “If I’m shaving, I’m going to need a little more than fifteen minutes in the shower,” you mutter, already swinging your legs over the side of the bed.

“First of all, I’m talking about your legs,” she says immediately. “Second, not that I’m against the bush administration, but you let yourself grow out so much you need that much time in the shower?” She laughs.

You roll your eyes as you stand, stretching slightly before heading toward your bathroom. “I’m not talking about that,” you say. “I’m talking about my belly being in the way. I don’t know why I keep procrastinating buying that shower stool.”

“Just hurry,” she says. “I have a dress I need you to try on.”

“I hate you,” you groan, dragging a hand down your face.

“I love you too,” she replies, already hanging up.

You stare at your phone for a second before dropping it onto the counter and turning on the shower.

You take your time, even if she told you not to. You wash your hair thoroughly, working conditioner through slowly, then carefully shave your legs, shifting awkwardly to work around your belly. By the time you’re done, the bathroom is thick with steam. When you finally step out, you wrap a towel around yourself and take a deep breath as you open the bathroom door, the cooler air hitting your skin.

You barely take two steps into your room before you jump.

“Jesus-” you gasp, grabbing your chest and leaning against the doorframe.

Becca looks up from where she’s sitting on your bed like nothing happened, pushing a piece of her freshly flat-ironed hair behind her ear. It’s rare to see her without her curls. “What?” she asks.

“You scared me,” you say, exhaling as your heart settles. You push yourself off the frame and walk over, dropping onto the bed beside her.

“Girl, you knew I was coming over,” she shrugs, already digging into a store bag. She pulls out a soft pink dress and holds it up briefly before laying it flat on the bed. “We have somewhere to be in a few hours.”

“We?” you repeat, raising a brow.

“Yes, we,” she says. “I’ve been telling you to get ready for today for the past few days.” She circles the bed and moves to your nightstand, picking up a cup of tea and handing it to you along with a bag that smells amazing.“Eat first,” she says. “You’re not ruining the dress.”

You don’t argue. You open the bag and pull out a bagel egg and cheese sandwich, taking a bite almost immediately. It’s warm, salty, exactly what you need. It doesn’t fully fill you, but it quiets the hunger enough. Once you’re done, you stand and slip the dress over your head. You pause in front of the mirror. It’s… really pretty. Not one of those shapeless maternity dresses meant to hide everything. This one fits. It hugs your body in a way that makes your stomach look intentional, beautiful even. Soft pink, flattering in a way that catches you off guard.

“Aren’t you forgetting underwear?” Becca says from behind you, a smirk in her voice.

“Hush,” you reply, rolling your eyes as you walk to your dresser. “I was going to get to that, but you’re rushing me.” You pull out a pair and step into them before smoothing the dress back down.

“We don’t have a lot of time,” she says, already standing and moving toward you. “We still have to do your hair and makeup.”

You look at her through the mirror, narrowing your eyes slightly. “Becca… where are we going?”

Becca meets your eyes in the mirror, but only for a second before she looks back down, already reaching for your brush like the question didn’t matter.

“You’ll see,” she says casually.

You narrow your eyes a little more. “I don’t like that answer.”

She just smiles to herself, sectioning your hair with practiced ease. “Good thing you don’t need to.”

“Becca,” you warn, but there’s no real heat behind it.

She ignores you, dragging the brush gently through your damp hair before plugging in your blow dryer. The hum fills the room, cutting off any further interrogation for the moment. You watch her in the mirror as she works. Focused. Too focused. Every now and then, her eyes flick to yours like she’s checking something, but she never actually answers you.

“That’s a lot of effort for a mystery event,” you mutter.

“It’s not that much effort,” she replies over the noise. “You just forgot what it feels like to get ready for something that isn’t a grocery run.”

You roll your eyes, but you don’t argue. She’s not entirely wrong. She finishes drying your hair and moves on quickly, grabbing her flat iron and smoothing out a few sections, adding soft waves at the ends. Nothing dramatic. Just enough to make it look intentional.

“Okay,” she says after a few minutes, stepping back to assess. “Cute.”

You tilt your head slightly, examining yourself. It is cute. Soft. Put together in a way that feels… different.

“Makeup?” you ask.

She’s already digging through her bag. “Light,” she says. “We’re not doing a full beat.”

You sit back on the edge of the bed while she works, dabbing concealer under your eyes, brushing through your brows, adding a soft gloss to your lips. It’s quick, but precise. She knows your face well enough to not overdo anything.

When she’s done, she tilts your chin side to side, inspecting. “Perfect,” she says, satisfied.

You grab your phone off the bed, checking the time. “Becca.”

“Mhm?”

“It’s been almost an hour,” you say. “Where are we going?”

She zips up her bag and slings it over her shoulder like she didn’t hear you. “Shoes,” she says instead, nodding toward your closet.

You let out a slow breath, standing and walking over. You slip on a pair of simple sandals, adjusting the straps before turning back to her. “You’re being suspicious,” you say plainly.

She grins. “I know.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“It’s not supposed to be.”

You stare at her for a second longer, trying to read her, but she’s locked in. Whatever she has planned, she’s not giving it up. “Fine,” you mutter, grabbing your bag. “If I don’t like this, I’m leaving.”

“That’s fair,” she says easily, already heading for the door.

You follow her downstairs, your hand instinctively resting on your stomach as you walk. There’s a quiet anticipation building in your chest now, mixed with just enough anxiety to make you question everything.

Outside, the air is warm, the sun sitting high enough to make everything feel brighter than it should.

Becca walks ahead of you like she knows exactly where she’s going.

You pause at the door for a second, glancing down at yourself one more time. Pink dress. Hair done. Makeup done. No explanation. Something is definitely going on. You step outside anyway, locking the door behind you.

“Last chance,” you say as you walk toward her. “Where are we going?”

She opens the passenger door for you with a smile that tells you everything and nothing at the same time.

“Get in.”

You hesitate for half a second. Then you do. And whatever she has planned, you’re already in it. The drive is quiet at first, filled only with the soft rush of wind slipping through the slightly cracked windows and the low hum of the engine beneath you. The silence isn’t uncomfortable, just… loaded. You sit with it for a minute, watching the road stretch ahead, until music begins to filter through the speakers.

Soft at first. Then recognizable.

You turn your head slowly, already suspicious, and the second the opening of Juno comes through, your eyes narrow at her. Becca doesn’t look at you. That’s how you know she’s proud of herself.

“You’re so annoying,” you say, but there’s no bite behind it. A smile slips through anyway as you reach forward and turn the volume up. She immediately starts singing, dramatic and off-key on purpose. “You let Rafe make you Junooo,” she croons, completely ignoring the actual lyrics.

You laugh despite yourself, shaking your head. “Technically I didn’t let him. It just happened.”

Your eyes drop for a second, almost unconsciously, to your left hand resting in your lap. Your ring finger is bare. Your mind flickers back without permission. A specific night. A specific moment. You push it away just as quickly.

“Gross,” Becca says, making a face like she physically regrets saying anything.

You laugh again, turning your head toward the window to hide it, watching the scenery blur past. It takes a minute before something feels off. Familiar. Your brows knit together slightly as you sit up a little straighter, looking more closely at the streets she’s turning down.

“Becca…” you say slowly, suspicion creeping into your tone.

“Yesss?” she answers, and the way she drags it out tells you everything you need to know.

You turn fully toward her now. She’s already smiling. Not a normal smile. A guilty one. The kind she gives right before she admits she’s done something she wasn’t supposed to.

“Where the hell are we going?” you ask, sitting up more despite the seatbelt pressing against you.

She shrugs, but it’s too quick, too rehearsed. “Relax.”

You don’t. Because now you recognize exactly where you are. Your parents’ neighborhood. Your chest tightens slightly as the car moves deeper in, your eyes scanning the houses you’ve known your whole life. Then you see it. Your parents’ house. From a distance, you can already tell something’s different. The driveway is full. Cars lined up, more than usual. You lean forward a little, trying to get a better look.

“Are my parents having some event I don’t know about?” you ask, confusion threading through your voice as you glance at Becca.

“Uhhh… I don’t know,” she says, shrugging again.

You look at her but she looks straight ahead. For a second, you think she’s lying. Then she drives past your parents’ house. Relief hits you so fast it almost makes you laugh. You lean back into your seat, exhaling, shaking your head.

“Okay, you’re weird, but that was—”

The car slows. Your stomach drops before your brain catches up. She’s turning. Into a driveway. Not just any driveway. Rafe’s.

Your entire body goes still as the car rolls to a stop. You don’t reach for the handle. You don’t move.

“What’s going on?” you ask, your voice quieter now, but sharper.

Becca doesn’t answer right away. She just puts the car in park and turns to you slowly, that same guilty smile still sitting on her face, but softer now. Less mischievous. More… careful.

“Okay,” she says, holding her hands up slightly like she’s about to negotiate. “Before you get mad-”

“I’m already mad,” you cut in, though it comes out more confused than anything.

“You can’t be mad,” she counters quickly. “You’re pregnant. It’s bad for the baby.”

You stare at her. “That’s not how that works.”

“Close enough,” she mutters. You glance toward the house again. It looks normal from the outside. Too normal. No decorations. No noise. No sign that anything is happening. Which somehow makes it worse.

“Becca,” you say, slower this time. “Why are we at Rafe’s house?” 

She hesitates. Just for a second. Then she exhales. “Because he wanted to do something for you,” she says.

Your stomach flips. “What?”

“He-” she pauses, like she’s choosing her words carefully now. “He came to me. A few days ago. Asked if I would help him plan something.”

You blink at her. “Plan what?”

She gives you a look. And that’s when it clicks. Your chest tightens. “No.”

Becca’s mouth presses into a line like she knows exactly what you’re thinking. “Yes.”

“No,” you repeat, already shaking your head, your hand instinctively going to your belly. “Becca-”

“Just listen,” she says gently, reaching over and squeezing your arm. “He didn’t want to mess it up. He literally said that. Word for word.” You swallow. “He didn’t know what to do, so I took over. Obviously,” she adds, a little pride slipping through.

“That tracks,” you mutter automatically, but your mind is somewhere else.

“He’s been… trying,” she continues, quieter now. “Like actually trying. He’s the one who suggested it being here. Said it’d be easier. More space. Easier for you.”

Your eyes flick toward the house again. Tannyhill. Big. Clean. Controlled. You imagine him inside. Pacing. Checking things. Wondering if you’re going to walk through the door or turn around and leave.

“I told him,” Becca adds, “that if he did anything to stress you out, I would ruin his life.”

That pulls a small, breathy laugh out of you. “I believe you.”

“Good.”

There’s a quiet moment between you. Then-

“They’re all inside,” she says softly.

Your heart starts beating faster. “Who is all?”

“Your parents,” she says. “A few family friends. Some people from town. It’s not… huge. Just people who matter.”

You nod slowly, trying to process it. “The Pogues?” you ask.

She shakes her head. “No. I figured you’d want something separate with them. Something more… you.”

You appreciate that more than you can put into words right now. Silence settles again, but it’s different now. Heavier. Anticipation.

“You don’t have to go in if you don’t want to,” Becca says after a second. “We can literally leave. I’ll text him some lie. Say you got sick. Blame it on me.”

You look at her. Really look at her. Then back at the house. Your hand smooths over your belly again, grounding yourself. He planned this. Not perfectly. Not on his own. But he tried. For you. For her. You exhale slowly.

“No,” you say finally.

Becca watches you carefully. “No?”

“I want to see it,” you admit.

Something softens in her expression. “Okay,” she nods.

She gets out first, walking around to your side before you can open your door. When she does, she offers you her hand without a word. You take it. Carefully, you step out of the car, your sandals hitting the pavement softly. The air feels warmer than before. Or maybe that’s just you. Your heart is pounding now.

“Ready?” she asks.

You glance at the house one more time. Then nod. You walk up the driveway together. Each step feels heavier than the last. The front door is closed, but you can feel it. The people inside. The noise waiting on the other side. Becca squeezes your hand once. Then she opens the door.

“Okay-”

The room explodes. “Surprise!”

The sound hits you all at once. Voices. Cheers. Laughter. You freeze in the doorway. Your eyes scan the room quickly, trying to take it all in at once. Decorations. Soft pinks and neutrals. Balloons. A table set up with gifts. Food laid out neatly. Your parents are there. Smiling. Watching you. And then- Him.

Rafe is standing a little off to the side, like he didn’t want to be the center of it. Like he wasn’t sure where he was supposed to stand. But his eyes are on you. Only you. There’s something different in them.

Not nervous in the chaotic way you’re used to. Steady. Hopeful. Like he’s waiting to see if he got this right. Your throat tightens.

For a second, the room fades a little. It’s just him. And the quiet effort sitting behind everything around you. You didn’t expect this from him. Not like this. Not without strings. Not without pressure. But he isn’t moving toward you. He isn’t claiming anything. He’s just… there. Waiting. Letting you feel it first. Your hand presses gently against your belly again.

And for the first time since you pulled into the driveway- you don’t feel overwhelmed. You feel… seen.

For a second, the noise washes over you without meaning.

“Surprise!” Laughter follows. Clapping. Someone cheering too loudly.

You stay where you are in the doorway, one hand still resting on your belly, the other loosely at your side as your eyes adjust and begin to take everything in piece by piece. It’s not overwhelming in the way you feared. It’s… thoughtful. Soft pinks and creams woven through the room instead of anything loud or overdone. Balloons gathered neatly in corners, a long table set up with food that actually looks like things you would eat, not just whatever people throw together for events. A gift table off to the side. A banner, but simple. Not tacky.

It feels like you.

Your mom is the first to reach you. “Oh my baby,” she says, pulling you into a careful hug, one hand immediately cradling the back of your head like she’s done since you were little.

“You didn’t tell me,” you murmur against her shoulder, your voice softer now, still trying to catch up.

She pulls back, smiling. “That’s the point of surprises sweetheart.”

Your dad stands just behind her, hands in his pockets, but his smile gives him away. He steps forward and presses a quick kiss to your temple. “Looks like someone’s loved,” he says simply.

Your throat tightens at that. You nod once, swallowing it down. When you look past them, you start to recognize more faces. Eve is already waving at you from across the room, her smile wide and excited. “Congradulations again!” she calls. 

Marie is beside her, shaking her head with a small laugh. “You know I can’t wait to spoil her.”

That makes you laugh softly, some of the tension leaving your shoulders. “You guys came all the way out here?” you ask, stepping further into the room now.

“Of course we did,” Marie says like it’s obvious. “You really thought we’d miss this?”

You shake your head, still processing, your eyes moving across the space again. A few of your friends are here from New York, people you didn’t expect to see here, all smiling, all watching you like this moment matters to them too. It’s not just thrown together. It’s intentional. Your chest warms in a way that catches you off guard.

And then, without meaning to, your eyes find him again. Rafe hasn’t moved. He’s still standing off to the side, near the edge of everything. Not in the center. Not next to your parents. Not beside Becca. Just… present. Giving you space. His hands are in his pockets, shoulders relaxed, but there’s a quiet alertness in the way he watches you, like he’s paying attention to every small reaction you have without making it obvious.

Becca appears at your side again, nudging you lightly. “See? I told you not to be mad.”

You let out a small breath, shaking your head. “I’m not mad.”

She studies your face for a second, then smiles, satisfied. “Good,” she says. “Because you’re hungry, and you’re pregnant, and I’m not dealing with that combination if you were.”

You huff a quiet laugh. Someone hands you a drink. Someone else is already guiding you toward a chair. Conversations start up around you, overlapping, easy, warm.

You sit down slowly, smoothing your dress over your knees, your hand naturally finding your belly again.

“She’s already spoiled,” Eve says, nodding toward the gift table.

“As she should be,” Marie adds.

The afternoon settles into something easy. At some point, you stop standing at the edge of everything and let yourself fall into it. Conversations overlap, people move in and out of the kitchen and living room, music hums softly in the background. Someone insists on starting games, and suddenly you’re surrounded again, pulled into a circle with a pen in your hand and a card in your lap.

“Okay, no cheating,” Eve says, pointing around the room like she’s in charge of something official. “You have to guess the baby item blindfolded.”

“That feels unsafe,” you mutter, but you’re already laughing.

Becca ties the fabric over your eyes anyway. “You’ll live.”

One by one, things are placed in your hands. A pacifier. A tiny sock. Something you’re convinced is not baby-related at all until Marie confirms it absolutely is. You laugh more than you expect to. You forget to be careful for a little while. You forget to monitor every feeling. Even when you lose, even when everyone teases you, even when the pogues aren’t there, it still feels full. Loud in the best way.

Later, plates are passed around, and you eat at the table with everyone talking over each other again. It feels familiar in a different way than last night. Less chaotic, more… rooted. You catch glimpses of Rafe without meaning to. He moves through the space quietly. Refilling drinks. Making sure people have what they need. Checking in with your parents. Listening more than talking. Every now and then, his eyes find you. And every time, he looks away first.

By the time the second round of food comes out, your social energy dips. Not dramatically, just enough that you feel it settle into your shoulders. You slip out quietly with a slow step away from the table and into the kitchen. The moment you step in, the noise dulls behind you. Not gone, just softer. Manageable.

You exhale, longer than you meant to, and move toward the counter. Your hand presses lightly against your lower back for a second before you reach for a glass. “Okay,” you murmur under your breath. “Just needed a second.” You fill the glass with water, taking a long sip as you lean your hip against the counter.

It helps. The quiet. The space. You close your eyes for a second, letting it settle.

“You okay?” His voice is softer here.

You open your eyes. Rafe is standing just inside the kitchen, not too close, not crowding you. Like he made sure you saw him before stepping in fully.

“Yeah,” you say, nodding once. “Just needed some air.”

He glances toward the other room, then back at you. “They’re a lot.”

You huff a small laugh. “They are.” There’s a beat. “Thank you,” you add, looking at him properly now. “For… all of this.”

His jaw shifts slightly, like he doesn’t quite know what to do with the gratitude. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “Of course.”

You take another sip of water, then glance down at the counter. “There’s like… no fruit out there,” you say, almost absentmindedly. “Everything’s heavy.”

He blinks once. “Seriously?”

You nod, a small smile tugging at your mouth. “I’ve been thinking about fruit for the last twenty minutes.”

That makes him smile. “Alright,” he says simply. Before you can even ask what he means, he turns and walks to the fridge.

He opens it. You expect the same sad, half-empty situation from the other day. It’s not. You pause mid-sip. The fridge is full. Actually full. Containers. Fresh groceries. Organized. You spot strawberries, grapes, cut pineapple, even those little pre-packed fruit bowls stacked neatly on the shelf.

You lower your glass slowly. “…Rafe.”

He doesn’t look at you right away. He just reaches in, pulling out a container of fruit like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “What?” he says lightly.

“That was not like this the other day.”

He shuts the fridge with his hip, finally glancing at you. “Yeah. I went shopping.”

You stare at him. “You hate grocery shopping.”

“I know.” He grabs a fork from the drawer and pops the lid open, setting it down in front of you.

“You said I need to do better,” he adds, a little quieter this time. “So I am.”

That lands. You look down at the fruit, then back up at him. There’s no performance in it. No expectation.

Just… done.

You pick up the fork and take a piece of strawberry, the sweetness hitting instantly. “Okay,” you say, nodding slightly. “This is exactly what I needed.”

He watches you for a second, something soft in his expression again. “How are you feeling?” he asks.

“Tired,” you admit. “But good.”

He nods once, leaning back against the counter across from you, keeping that same respectful distance.

“You did good,” you add after a second. “You and Becca.”

He huffs quietly. “Becca did most of it.”

“You still thought of it.”

He shrugs, but there’s a small hint of something there. Pride, maybe. Or relief. “It mattered,” he says simply.

You nod. “I know.”

There’s a quiet that follows, but it’s not awkward. You take another bite, glancing down at your belly as you rest your free hand over it. “She’s been active today,” you mention.

His eyes drop immediately, attention shifting without hesitation. “Yeah?”

“Probably all the sugar,” you say, smiling slightly.

He steps a little closer this time, slower, giving you time to react. “Can I?” he asks, nodding toward your stomach. You nod. His hand rests there, gentle, familiar now in a different way than before. Just present.

He stays like that for a moment, quiet.

Then- “She’s got a lot of people already,” he says softly.

You look up at him. “Yeah,” you agree.

He nods once, more to himself than anything. “And she’s gonna have everything she needs,” he adds.

You study his face for a second, then glance back down at your belly, your hand now resting over his.

“Yeah,” you say again, quieter this time. And standing there in the kitchen, away from the noise, with fruit in your hand and his palm warm against you, it doesn’t feel overwhelming. It just feels… steady. The moment settles into something quiet. Your hand rests over his, both of you focused on the small space between you, the soft curve of your stomach, the steady rhythm of something bigger than both of you. It’s calm. Grounded. Easy in a way that doesn’t feel dangerous.

The kitchen door swings open. “Well, this is cute.” Becca’s voice isn’t sharp, but it’s not soft either. It lands somewhere in the middle, observant, a little too aware. You both look up at the same time. Rafe’s hand drops almost immediately, not abruptly, not guilty, just… respectful. He steps back a half step, giving you space again before Becca can even fully walk in. You notice that. Becca notices that too.

Her eyes flick between the two of you for half a second, taking in the distance, the fruit on the counter, your expression. She doesn’t comment on it. Instead, she claps her hands together lightly. “Alright,” she says, like she’s redirecting on purpose. “We’re not hiding in here all day.” You let out a small breath, already knowing what’s coming. “It’s time to open gifts.” You glance toward the doorway, hearing the faint rise in voices from the other room, people settling, chairs shifting. Becca looks at you a little softer now. “Everyone’s waiting.”

You nod, setting the fork down. “Okay.”

Then she looks at Rafe. Not harsh. Not welcoming either. Just… measured. “And you,” she adds, tilting her head slightly. “You should probably come too.”

He raises a brow slightly. “It is your child,” she says, like it’s obvious. No attitude. Just fact. There’s a beat.

Rafe nods once. “Yeah. Okay.” No pushback. No sarcasm. Just agreement.