when you returned, sweat dampening your temples, you pushed the front door open carefully, its creak cutting through the early silence of the house. your ears caught the low murmur of voices from the dining room, the kind of tone used when people didn't want to be overheard. your steps faltered as the words floated toward you, muffled but sharp enough to pierce.

"she's still so young..."

"we have to intervene before it gets worse."

"he's not stable, ted. he never has been."

your chest tightened, hand gripping the banister as you leaned in closer. their words swirled together, fragments of judgment and concern. your brow furrowed, heart pounding as you strained to catch more of their quiet condemnation.

then, the scrape of a chair broke the moment. panic surged through you, and you darted up the stairs, your legs moving faster than your racing thoughts. once in your room, you closed the door softly, leaning your back against it as if to barricade yourself from the weight of the conversation. your breaths came in quick bursts, mind scrambling to piece together what you had just heard.

a knock at the door snapped you from your thoughts. your mother's voice, gentle but laced with something heavier, followed. "hon? can i come in?"

you hesitated, swallowing hard. "yeah," you said, your voice steadier than you felt.

the door opened, and your mom stepped inside, her warm smile softening the tension in your chest. amanda crossed the room, sitting at the edge of your bed with a careful grace. her presence was calm, but you could see the storm behind her eyes, the kind of worry only mothers carried.

"honey," she began, her tone measured. "first of all, i want you to know i'm not attacking you in any way. i'm just... concerned."

the words hung in the air, heavy and expectant. your fingers twisted in the hem of your tank top, your stomach knotting. you had known this moment was coming, the confrontation.

"about what?" you asked, though you knew. the question was more for defense than curiosity.

amanda's sigh was soft, almost reluctant. "you know we care about rafe. we've known him practically all his life. but baby... he's had his struggles. and if he's going down a dangerous path, we don't want him dragging you with him. you're our girl. our only girl. if he's really trying to change, then we'd love to see that. we'd support him. but for now..." her voice wavered slightly, but her resolve didn't. "i don't think it's a good idea for you to see him."

you froze, chest tightening. the words hit you like a sudden wave, knocking you off balance. you searched your mother's face, hoping to find some hesitation, some crack in her decision, but there was only earnest concern. it wasn't fair. you knew your mom was speaking from love, from fear, but the idea of turning your back on rafe, on them, felt impossible.

"mom, you can't ask me to stop seeing him," you said, your voice trembling but firm. "that's not fair. not to me, not to him. he's my boyfriend. and i swear, he's trying. he's doing better. you've seen him twice now, haven't you?"

"i have," amanda admitted, her gaze softening, but only slightly. "and i want to believe he's on the right path, i really do. but..." she reached out, her hand brushing your knee. "it's not just about him. it's about you. your safety. your future. you're so young, sweetheart, and you have so much ahead of you. we don't want anything, or anyone, holding you back."

your throat tightened, emotions bubbling to the surface. you bit the inside of your cheek to keep from lashing out, to keep your voice steady. "rafe isn't holding me back," you said, each word deliberate. "he's part of my life, mom. i know he has his flaws, but so do i. i'm not perfect either. you just... you don't see it because i don't let you."

your mom blinked, surprise flickering across her face. you hadn't meant to admit that, but the words were out now, hanging between them like a fragile truth.

amanda sighed, her hand dropping to her lap. "we're just trying to protect you, del. that's all."

"i don't need protecting," you said, your voice quieter but no less resolute. "not from him."

you sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation pressing down, your mom stood, smoothing her skirt. "just... think about what i've said, okay?"

you didn't respond, your gaze fixed on the floor. when the door clicked shut behind your mom, you exhaled shakily, the tension in your body refusing to dissipate. you picked up your phone, your fingers trembling as you typed out a message to rafe.

can you come over later? need to see you.

you stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send. the thought of being told to stay away from him felt like trying to cut off a limb. rafe was messy and chaotic and flawed, but so were you. and somehow, in the middle of all of it, you had found something that made sense. something you weren't willing to let go of.

you hit send, your fingers gripping the phone like it was the only thing tethering you to reality. the room felt too quiet, too still. your mother's words echoed in your head, layering over carter's accusations from the day before, forming a cacophony of doubt and disapproval. it was suffocating, but beneath the weight of it all, there was a spark of defiance.

you could be with who you wanted. you had to.

you stood abruptly, the motion pushing your chair back with a dull scrape. pacing your room, you tried to shake off the suffocating feeling of being judged, your bare feet brushing against the soft rug with each step. your reflection in the mirror caught your eye, and you paused, staring at yourself like you were searching for answers in the face staring back at you.

you could still feel the pull of rafe's presence, the way his sharp-edged intensity softened when it was just the two of you, like the world and its expectations faded into the background. no one else saw that side of him, not your parents, not carter. they only saw the danger, the trouble he carried like a second skin. they didn't see the boy who set up a kiddie pool on the beach just to make you smile.

your phone buzzed in your hand, snapping you out of your thoughts. you glanced down, your heart skipping at the sight of his name.

on my way. everything okay?

you exhaled a breath you didn't realise you'd been holding. even through a screen, his concern was palpable, steadying you in a way you hadn't expected. you quickly typed back, 

yeah, just need you.

time dragged after that. you tried to distract yourself, tossed on a playlist, scrolled through your phone, even pretended to read a book, but nothing could drown out the anticipation. your nerves were taut, vibrating under your skin like a plucked string.

finally, the soft hum of an engine cut through the stillness, followed by the crunch of tires on gravel. you shot up from your bed, your heart pounding as you peeked out the window. rafe's truck sat in the driveway, his figure already stepping out with the easy confidence that always seemed to come so naturally to him.

you didn't wait. you slipped out of your room, padding down the stairs as quietly as possible. the last thing you needed was to draw your parents' attention. the moment you opened the door, there he was, rafe cameron in all his unruly, magnetic chaos smiling back at you.

his hair was a little mussed from the wind, his sleeves pushed up to reveal those damn forearms you could never not notice.

"hey," he said, his voice low and tinged with something unreadable.

"hey," you replied, stepping aside to let him in. the air between you was thick, the tension from the past few days still lingering like smoke.

his eyes scanned your face, trying to figure out your frown. "what's going on?"

you shut the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment as you gathered your thoughts. how were you supposed to explain everything? the voices in the dining room, your mom's well-meaning ultimatum, the tightrope you felt like you were walking every second of every day.

"my parents," you began, your voice quieter than you intended. "they... they don't think we should be together. they want me to stop seeing you."

rafe's jaw tightened, his expression hardening like a storm rolling in. "because of what carter said?"

"because of everything," you admitted, your fingers twisting together. "because they think you're... dangerous. bad for me."

"and what do you think?" his voice was sharp, but there was an edge of vulnerability there, buried beneath the anger.

you looked up at him, her chest tightening. "i think you're the only person who actually sees me," you said, the words tumbling out before you could stop them. "the real me. not the perfect daughter, carter's little sister. just... me."

for a moment, he didn't say anything. his gaze softened, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. then he stepped closer, his presence filling the small space like gravity.

"and i'm not letting you go," he said, his voice low and sure. "not because of them, or anyone else."

your breath hitched, the conviction in his tone stirring something deep inside of you. you felt like you were standing at the edge of a cliff, the pull of him irresistible, impossible to fight.

"good," you whispered, your voice barely audible. "because i'm not letting you go either."

his hand brushed against yours, tentative at first, before his fingers tangled with yours. an anchor.

"come on," you said suddenly, tugging him toward the stairs.

"what are we doing?" he asked, following you with a faint smirk.

"escaping," you said simply, leading him up to your room.

they sat on your bed, the world outside fading as they talked in low voices. about your parents, about carter, about the impossible expectations you both seemed to be drowning under. and somehow, amidst all of it, you found comfort in each other.

at some point, he leaned back against the headboard, pulling you with him until you were tucked against his side. his arm draped over your shoulders, his thumb tracing absent patterns on your arm.

"you know," he said after a while, his voice softer now, "i've never had this before. someone who actually stays. who actually fights for me."

your heart ached at the vulnerability in his words, the cracks in his armor showing through. you tilted your head up to look at him, your fingers brushing against his jaw.

"get used to it," you said, your voice firm but tender. "i'm not going anywhere."

his gaze met yours before he leaned in and kissed you, slow and deliberate. like he was trying to memorise your taste.

rafe's gaze lingered on your face, his smile slipping into something softer, more vulnerable, as he took in every detail of you. you were a mosaic of imperfections, and to him, you were perfect.

without a word, he pulled you closer, his hands cradling your cheeks as he pressed tender kisses all over your face. giggles spilled out like music, filling the quiet room with something warm and alive. he kissed every inch he could reach, as though he were mapping you in a way that no one else could.

when he finally stopped, his lips hovering just above your skin, he looked down at you, stretched out in his lap. your hair spilling like silk across his legs. your cheeks were flushed from laughing, and your eyes sparkled in the dim light of the room, holding a kind of joy that made his chest ache.

"i love you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, but it carried the weight of everything he felt. "so much. you know that, right?"

your grin widened as you beamed up at him. "i love you infinitely, rafe. you know that too, right?"

he froze for a moment, your words settling over him like a wave that refused to break. he felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, hot and unbidden, threatening to spill over. quickly, he looked up, blinking them away with a shaky smile, hoping you wouldn't notice just how much those simple words had shattered something inside him, something old and heavy that he didn't even realise he'd been carrying.

but you noticed everything. "rafe," she murmured, your hand reaching up to cup his jaw, your thumb brushing lightly against his skin. "it's okay..."

he exhaled a shaky breath, his head dipping to rest against yours. "you don't know what you do to me," he admitted, his voice raw, almost broken. "im sorry baby i wish i was better for you..."

you tilted your head, your eyes searching his face. "you already are better," you said, tone unwavering. "you don't have to prove anything to me. i see you, rafe. the real you. and i love him."

he leaned down and kissed you again, slow and deep, pouring every unspoken word into the press of his lips against yours.

when he pulled back, you were still smiling, your fingers trailing along his jaw in a way that made his heart feel too big for his chest. "you're stuck with me now," you teased softly, though your voice held a quiet conviction. "no take-backs."

he laughed, a low, raspy sound, and pressed his forehead to hers. "good," he murmured. "'cause im not lettin' you go anywhere."

the sun hung high in the sky, painting the waves with golden threads as cora's boat gently swayed. the breeze carried the faint tang of saltwater, mingling with the dreamy tunes playing from the speaker propped on the deck. you lay stretched out on a cushioned bench, your skin soaking up the warmth, mind adrift. you reached lazily for a skewer of fruit from the snack spread you'd packed, savouring the tangy kiwi on her tongue.

"so," cora began, her voice soft but pointed, "your parents are still on edge about rafe?"

you sighed, your sunglasses slipping down your nose as you turned your head toward your best friend. "ugh, yes," you said, your voice tinged with frustration. "it's like, they've known him forever, right? they've seen him at his best and worst. and now, suddenly, they don't trust him? it's ridiculous. he's been nothing but good to me."

cora hummed, thoughtful, as she adjusted her position on the lounge chair. the sun cast a glow across her features, her brow furrowing slightly. "i mean, i get it though," she said carefully. "rafe's... unpredictable. he always has been. your parents aren't just looking at how he treats you now; they're thinking about everything they've seen before. you know, the fights, the partying, the whole 'dangerous aura' thing he's got going on."

you froze mid-reach for another skewer, chest tightening at the words. you placed the fruit back down and slid your sunglasses off completely, looking at cora with a flicker of disbelief. "you don't trust him either, do you?" you asked, your voice quieter now.

cora's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "no, no, that's not what i'm saying." she sat up, tucking her legs beneath her as she faced you fully. "look, i don't have a problem with you and rafe being together. i never have. i see how happy he makes you, and that's all that matters to me. but..." she hesitated, her fingers picking at a loose thread on her towel. "i just think your parents have a point, you know? we've never seen him in a serious relationship before. it's new territory for everyone, even him."

the words stung more than you wanted to admit. you looked away, gaze fixed on the horizon where the sea met the sky in a hazy blur. you pressed your lips together, thoughts swirling.

cora must have sensed the shift in your mood because she reached over, her hand warm as it covered yours. "hey," she said softly, her tone apologetic. "you know i'm always on your side, right? you can talk to me about anything. i just want to make sure you're okay. that's all."

you nodded slowly, your fingers curling around cora's for a brief moment before you pulled your hand away, reaching for your sunglasses and sliding them back on, masking the flicker of hurt in your eyes. "thanks, cora," you said, your voice steady now.

cora hesitated but then let the moment pass, her tone brightening as she changed the subject. "so, your birthday's coming up," she said, a teasing lilt in her voice. "what's the plan, miss almost-twenty?"

your expression shifted instantly, a grin spreading across your face. "oh my god, it's going to be amazing," you gushed, the excitement bubbling over. "i'm throwing this huge party at my place. my parents are conveniently going on some trip with ward and rose that weekend, so the house will be mine. it's perfect."

cora laughed, leaning back against the cushion. "you're really leaning into the whole 'birthday queen' thing, huh?"

"obviously," you shot back, smirking. "i've already got half the playlist figured out, and i'm thinking a theme. something classy but still wild."

"very you," cora said with a grin. "let me know if you need help decorating. i've got a whole collection of fairy lights and candles that could make it look like a magazine shoot."

"you're the best," you replied, beaming. "seriously, i'll need all the help i can get. carter's been hovering like some overbearing third parent lately. he'll probably be looming in the background to 'keep an eye on me.'"

you both laughed, but your grin faltered for a split second as memories of carter's disapproving glare crept into the back of your mind. the way he'd called you delusional. the way he'd exposed rafe's past like a weapon.

cora noticed but didn't press, instead tossing you a piece of watermelon from the snack bowl. "don't worry about carter," she said lightly. "we'll make sure he's too distracted to ruin your night."

you caught the fruit with a small laugh, popping it into your mouth. "you better," you said, tone playful but carrying an edge of sincerity.

the sun dipped lower in the sky as the two of you fell into easy conversation again, your laughter blending with the gentle lapping of waves against the boat. yet, beneath your smiles and plans for your birthday, your thoughts lingered on your parents, on carter, and on rafe. your life felt like a tightrope walk, each step fraught with the possibility of falling, but you were determined to keep moving forward.

but now, as harry dodged spells on screen, you noticed the way rafe was staring straight ahead, his jaw tight, the muscle there ticking every so often. he wasn't watching the movie. in fact, he wasn't even pretending to.

"rafe," you said softly, nudging him with your shoulder. he didn't answer, his gaze fixed on some unseen point beyond the screen. you tried again, your voice more insistent this time. "rafe, what's wrong?"

it took him a moment, his silence thick enough to make your stomach twist. finally, he sighed, his hand coming up to rake through his hair in a gesture you recognised all too well, frustration. "i don't like that gage is here," he admitted, his voice low, rough. "never liked him. even before i knew about you two." his words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laced with a restrained edge.

you tilted your head to look at him, studying his face. the dim light from the tv cast shadows across his sharp features, highlighting the tension etched into his expression. you knew rafe well enough to know this wasn't just jealousy; it was deeper, darker, a possessive streak running through him like wildfire.

"you don't have to worry about him," you murmured, your hand reaching out to trace a light pattern along his forearm. your touch was soft, soothing, but he didn't respond, his body still coiled tight like a spring.

"it's not about worrying," he said after a moment, his voice quieter now, almost bitter. "it's about... him thinking he still has something. like he's got a chance."

you couldn't help the small laugh that escaped you, leaning up on your elbow to face him fully. "rafe, he doesn't. he's nothing to me. just a memory from years ago."

his eyes finally flicked to yours, a storm brewing in their depths, but the sharpness there began to soften under your steady gaze. you gave him a small, playful smile before climbing onto his lap, your knees settling on either side of his hips as you straddled him.

"you're the only one i care about," you said, your voice low and deliberate, the words heavy with meaning. your hands moved to his shoulders, smoothing over the tense muscles there, and your grin turned mischievous as you added, "and besides, he could never do this."

your fingers trailed along the back of his neck, your lips brushing against his in a kiss that was meant to tease, to coax him out of his mood. rafe didn't move at first, his hands remaining at his sides, his jaw still set, but you didn't give up. you pressed closer, your body molding against his, your lips moving against his with more insistence until you felt him finally give in.

his hands came up, large and warm, settling on your waist like they belonged there. he kissed you back then, deep and slow, his frustration melting into something else entirely. when they finally broke apart, his forehead rested against yours, and for a moment, the tension in the room dissipated, leaving only the sound of your breathing and the faint murmur of the movie behind you.

"you're such a pain in the ass," he muttered, but there was no real bite in his tone.

"and yet you're still obsessed with me," you shot back, your grin widening as you kissed him again, tasting the remnants of his stubbornness and the quiet admission of his love in every stolen breath.

rafe's kiss still lingered on your lips, a heat that burned brighter than the faint glow of the tv. the taste of him, a mix of something dark, dangerous, and undeniably addictive, was etched into your senses, leaving you breathless. his arms around you were a fortress, holding you so tightly it was as if he could ward off the entire world just by keeping you there. you let yourself lean into him, your cheek brushing the steady thrum of his pulse. it was faster than usual, a telltale sign of the storm still simmering beneath his calm facade.

the room seemed smaller now, the flickering light from the screen casting a kaleidoscope of shadows across your entwined bodies. outside, the night was quiet, save for the occasional whisper of wind rustling through the trees, but in here, it felt like the air itself had weight. heavy, intimate, charged.

you tilted your head back slightly, catching his gaze. his eyes, sharp and blue, held yours like a vice, unrelenting and full of something you couldn't quite name. you reached up, tracing a finger along the sharp line of his jaw, your touch featherlight but deliberate. "you're brooding again," you murmured, your voice a soft tease, though there was an edge of concern laced through it.

he huffed out a breath, a sound halfway between a laugh and a scoff. "it's hard not to, with you around," he said, the words gruff but not unkind. his fingers tightened slightly on your waist, grounding himself in your presence.

"should i leave then?" you asked, a playful smile tugging at your lips, though the idea of leaving him, of stepping out of this fragile bubble you'd created, made your chest ache.

rafe's response was immediate, his grip firming as if to anchor you in place. "don't even think about it," he muttered, his voice low and commanding, sending a shiver down your spine.

you grinned, triumphant, and nestled closer into him, your head resting against his shoulder. for a moment, the world felt still, the tension between them not gone but transformed into something quieter, more bearable.

but you couldn't help yourself. "so, what happens when the great rafe cameron finally admits he's in over his head?" you asked, your tone light but gaze steady, searching.

he didn't answer immediately, his jaw working as if he was chewing on the thought. when he finally spoke, his voice was softer than you'd expected. "then i guess i'd have to hope you don't make me regret it."

the honesty in his words struck something deep within you, and for a moment, you forgot how to breathe. you looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the cracks beneath the surface, the vulnerabilities he tried so hard to hide.

"you won't," you said simply, your voice quiet but firm, a promise wrapped in the simplicity of two words.

the next morning came softly, the first rays of sunlight creeping through the heavy curtains of rafe's room. you stirred, your body draped lazily over his, the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath you like a lullaby that hadn't yet ended. his arm was slung over your back, loose but possessive, as if even in sleep, he refused to let you slip away.

you blinked against the light, the golden warmth pooling over the sheets and casting an ethereal glow across his face. for a moment, you let yourself study him, how his lashes rested against his cheek, the faint scruff along his jaw, and the way his lips were slightly parted. peaceful wasn't a look you often associated with rafe, but in this moment, he wore it well.

you shifted, propping yourself up on your elbows, careful not to wake him. your fingers itched to trace the sharp angles of his face, to map the boy you thought you hated and the man you might be falling for. instead, you settled for brushing a stray strand of hair from his face, the quiet intimacy of the morning wrapping around you like a cocoon.

his voice broke the stillness, low and gravelly from sleep. "you're staring."

you froze, caught in the act, but the corner of your lips curved upward. "maybe i am. you complaining?"

his eyes cracked open, the deep blue of them still hazy but piercing all the same. "depends. what're you thinkin' about?"

you tilted your head, feigning thoughtfulness, though your grin gave you away. "how ridiculously smug you look when you're not awake enough to hide it."

he smirked, a lazy kind of charm in the way his hand slid up your back, pulling you closer until your face hovered just above his. "careful, or i'll make sure you don't get to sleep at all tonight," he murmured, his voice dripping with teasing promise.

your heart skipped, but you refused to let him see how easily he unraveled you. "you talk a big game for someone who can barely keep his eyes open."

he chuckled, a soft sound that rumbled through you. "keep pushing, baby. see what happens."

before you could retort, the sound of footsteps echoed faintly from the hallway, followed by the sharp rap of knuckles against the door. "rafe! dad wants to talk to you!" sarah's voice was muffled but insistent.

he groaned, his head falling back against the pillow. "of course he does," he muttered, the sharp edge of annoyance creeping into his tone.

you slid off him, settling back against the bed with a knowing smile. "better go. don't want daddy cameron getting impatient."

rafe shot her a glare, though there was no real heat behind it, and dragged himself out of bed, the sheets slipping off his body to reveal the lean, sculpted lines of his frame. you watched unabashedly, chewing at your lip to keep from grinning when he caught you looking.

"enjoying the view?" he asked, grabbing a shirt from the back of a chair and pulling it over his head.

"always," you quipped, your tone light but your gaze lingering.

he shook his head, smirking, and leaned down to press a quick, heated kiss to your lips. "stay here. i'll be back."

and with that, he was gone, leaving you alone in the quiet, sun-dappled room. you let out a breath you hadn't realised you'd been holding, your fingers grazing your lips where his kiss still burned.

after a moment, you got up, padding barefoot to the window. outside, the cameron estate sprawled out like a kingdom, the ocean in the distance glittering under the morning sun. it was easy to feel untouchable here, like the rest of the world couldn't reach you two. but deep down, you knew better. kingdoms always had cracks, and secrets had a way of finding daylight.

the day stretched ahead, uncertain and full of possibility. and as you stood there, watching the waves roll lazily against the shore, you couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming, something that would shatter this fragile peace you'd built, leaving you to piece together what remained.

you lingered at the window, the curtains shifting in the salt-sweet breeze that drifted in from the ocean. it carried with it the echoes of distant waves, their rhythmic crash both soothing and relentless, a song you couldn't tune out. the morning light painted the horizon in streaks of soft gold and muted blue, spilling into the room and turning tanneyhill's walls into canvases for shadows. the house, so grand in its presence, always felt like a paradox, beautiful in its architecture, but suffocating in its silence. it was a place that held secrets in its corners and demanded perfection from its inhabitants.

rafe had always reminded you of this house: alluring, larger than life, but with cracks just beneath the surface. he was a storm you couldn't decide whether to chase or run from. the thought made your chest tighten, the line between desire and danger blurring too much for comfort.

eventually, the pull of reality coaxed you away from the window. your feet pressed against the cool marble as you crossed to the bathroom, the early morning quiet amplifying the sound of your breath. the mirror reflected your face, softened by sleep, your hair a wild halo from the restless night. you turned the faucet, letting cold water cascade over your hands before splashing it against your skin. the chill shocked your senses, grounding you momentarily in the here and now.

one of rafe's hoodies caught your eye, slung carelessly over a chair, its dark fabric a sharp contrast against the pristine room. you slipped it on without a second thought. it swallowed your frame, the sleeves brushing your fingertips, and yet it felt like armour. his scent; spice, smoke, and something inexplicably rafe, clung to it, wrapping around you like a second skin. it tugged at something deep inside you, a longing you weren't ready to name.

your path downstairs was unhurried, your bare feet padding against the steps. the house was still, save for the faint hum of distant conversation filtering in from the back patio. the sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating dust motes that floated lazily in the air. it was almost too serene, a deceptive kind of peace that didn't belong here.

on the patio, sarah lounged on a chair, her phone in hand, her attention flitting between the screen and the world around her. she glanced up as you stepped outside, her gaze sharp and curious, as though trying to piece together a puzzle.

"morning," sarah said, her voice a mix of polite disinterest and something more pointed. "you're still here?"

you raised an eyebrow, folding your arms as the hoodie sleeves bunched at your elbows. "good morning to you, too."

sarah set her phone down, a small smirk curving her lips. "no offence. just... i didn't think my brother would keep you around."

"is that a compliment or an insult?" you countered, leaning casually against the railing, though you could feel the weight of sarah's scrutiny.

sarah tilted her head, her blonde hair catching the light. "honestly? i'm not sure yet. its just that most girls can't hack it with rafe."

"maybe they're smarter than me," you said dryly, though there was a teasing edge to your tone.

"or weaker," sarah added with a shrug. "either way, you're still here. that says something."

before you could respond, the sliding doors behind them opened with a soft whoosh. rafe stepped out, his presence shifting the air, heavy with the kind of intensity that made it hard to breathe. his hair was messier than usual, his jaw set in that familiar way that told you his thoughts were far from calm.

"dad's in one of his moods," he said, his voice low and clipped. his eyes flicked to sarah briefly before settling on you. "might be a good day to disappear."

sarah rolled her eyes. "when is he not in one of his moods?"

rafe ignored her, his focus unwavering on you. "c'mon let's get dressed, we're going out," he said simply, a command wrapped in invitation.

your heart kicked up a beat, but you kept your face neutral. "where?"

his smirk was faint but telling. "you'll see."

the drive was a blur of speed and sunlit roads. rafe drove like he lived; fast, deliberate, and with an edge of recklessness that left you both exhilarated and on edge. the truck roared down the curves of the island, the world rushing by in streaks of green palms and blue water.

when he finally stopped, it was at a hidden stretch of beach, untouched by tourists or time. the sand stretched out in pale, inviting waves, meeting the ocean's steady rhythm. rafe was out of the car before you could ask any questions, his long strides taking him toward the shoreline.

you followed, the wind tugging at your hair, his hoodie, your resolve. you watched him for a moment, the way his broad shoulders rose and fell with his breath, his hands shoved into his pockets like he was holding himself together. he looked like a statue carved from tension, and it made something twist inside you.

"rafe?" you said softly, stepping closer.

he didn't turn immediately, his gaze fixed on the horizon, the ocean's vastness reflected in his stormy eyes. "i don't like feeling out of control," he admitted putting his hands in his pockets, his voice barely above the wind but heavy with meaning.

you hesitated, your hand hovering near his arm before you let it rest there gently. "is this about gage..."

his jaw tightened, the muscle there ticking. "it's about everything. you. me. this..." he gestured between you, frustration lacing his tone. "i'm not good at this. i never have been."

your chest ached at the rawness of his words, the rare vulnerability he was letting you see. you reached up, cupping his face in your hands, forcing him to meet your eyes. "you're better at it than you think," you said, your voice steady despite the whirlwind inside you. "and you're not doing this alone."

he stared at you, his defences cracking just enough for you to see the man beneath the storm. then, wordlessly, he pulled you against him, his grip almost bruising in its intensity. you melted into him, the world fading until there was only the crash of the waves and the steady, erratic beat of your hearts.

the beach stretched out like a forgotten dream, the sand warm underfoot, the waves whispering their secrets to the shore. the wind carried salt and stories from the deep as rafe then disappeared into the truck, his figure swallowed by the horizon. you stood at the edge of the water, the foam lapping at your toes, your mind racing with confusion and curiosity. you watched him rummage in the truck bed, his silhouette darting in and out of view. and when he finally emerged, your breath caught in your throat.

in his arms was a kiddie pool, bright and childish, covered in cartoon prints, its edges floppy and awkward in contrast to the rugged, timeless sea behind them. you couldn't help it. a laugh bubbled up from deep inside you, catching you off guard.

"uh, rafe?" you called, your eyebrow arching in confusion as you took in the scene before you. "what exactly are you doing?"

he shot you that grin, the one that made your chest ache and your stomach flutter, the one that always felt like a secret shared between you. "setting up," he said, his voice low and playful, like this was the most normal thing in the world.

"for... what? you planning on catching some minnows in that thing?"

he blew out a breath of air, puffing his cheeks with the effort, his gaze never leaving you. "you'll see."

and see you did. he went back to the truck, returning with blankets, your glass bong, snacks piled high, and enough bottled water to fill a small store. you folded your arms, your lips threatening a smile you couldn't quite suppress. "are we... camping on the beach? like staying the night later?" you asked, amusement dancing in your tone.

"bingo." he stepped back, admiring his work as the kiddie pool inflated, taking shape like some absurd masterpiece. "i wanted to do something normal. you know, boyfriendly, or whatever."

"normal?" you echoed, biting back a laugh. "you think camping out in a kiddie pool is normal?"

he shrugged, his smirk growing into something mischievous, something that made your heart race. "sure."

together, you spread the blankets across the plastic pool, lining the it with pillows and snacks like you were building a fortress, a private little world under the endless sky. you lit the bowl and took a puff before passing it to him as you settled into your makeshift haven. the smoke curled up between you, slow and lazy, twisting and dancing in the air, mingling with the salt of the sea.

you talked all day, about nothing, about everything. but after a while, there was silence, a soft kind of hush between you. rafe was gazing out at the horizon, his voice quiet when it finally broke the stillness.

"what do you want?" he asked, his eyes tracing the waves, distant and searching, like he was trying to untangle a secret.

"right now?" you teased, playing at being coy, but you knew. you knew he wasn't asking just about the moment.

"don't dodge," he murmured, his voice soft but insistent. when he turned his gaze on you, it was as though he could see right through you. "what do you want in life?"

you paused, fingers tracing the edge of the blanket, thinking about the weight of it. the future. the unspoken everything hanging between you. "i don't know," you admitted, the words feeling heavier than you thought they would. "i guess... to feel free. maybe like i'm worth just as much."

he nodded thoughtfully, taking another drag before handing you the bong. the smoke lingered in the air between you. "i want you in it," he said after a beat, his voice low and deliberate.

you froze. the air seemed to still around you as your heart stumbled in your chest. "what?"

"the future. my future." rafe leaned back on his elbows, looking at you like he could see something far beyond this moment. his voice was steady, serious in a way that made her pulse quicken. "i need you there."

his words settled over you like the warmth of the sun, heavy and absolute. there was no question, no hesitation in his eyes. just the certainty that you were already part of his world, a permanent fixture in his mind, his plans.

"rafe..." your voice was barely a whisper, thick with emotions you couldn't name. you leaned over and kissed him, your lips brushing his in a silent promise. the taste of smoke and salt lingered, and in that kiss, you felt the weight of everything unsaid, everything that had been building between you.

you fell asleep like that, wrapped in each other's arms, the waves your lullaby, the stars above a blanket that covered you both.

morning came like a breath drawn too soon, soft and golden, painting the sky in colours that felt like promises. rafe stirred first, groaning as he stretched, the warmth of the sand and the remnants of sleep holding him close. you blinked awake to the sound of him moving, the rustling of blankets against skin, a sleepy smile tugging at your lips.

"hey baby.." rafe teased, his voice low, still half-dreaming.

you packed everything up in a quiet rhythm, no rush, just the calm certainty of two people who knew each other like the back of their hands. as you finished loading his truck, you glanced over at him, brushing sand from your legs. "i should probably go home. let my parents know i'm still alive," you said, the words light, but there was something beneath them.

rafe raised an eyebrow. "think they noticed you were gone?"

"doubt it," you said with a shrug, though the ache in your chest spoke of something deeper, something you weren't willing to say aloud.

the ride back to your house was quiet, rafe's fingers tapping a soft beat against the steering wheel. when he pulled into the driveway, he killed the engine, his gaze lingering on the front door. you walked inside together, his politeness a stark contrast to the heaviness that hung in the air.

your mother, amanda, glanced up from the couch, offering a distracted smile. "nice to see you again, rafe," she said, but there was no warmth behind it, just the exhaustion of a family that had learned to live with silences.

before you could respond, carter appeared at the top of the stairs, his face darkening at the sight of rafe. his eyes flicked over to you, lingering with a bitterness that sent a sharp chill down your spine. he shot rafe a look that could freeze fire.

"carter," you said sharply, your tone low but full of warning.

rafe, unfazed, leaned down to kiss you goodbye, the press of his lips lingering just a moment longer than usual, his thumb brushing your cheek in a soft goodbye. "see y'later baby," he murmured, before turning to leave.

as soon as the door shut, you turned to your brother. "do you always have to be like this?" you asked, frustration simmering in your voice.

"like what?" carter asked, crossing his arms defensively.

"cold. rude. you used to be best friends."

"until he started sleeping with my sister," carter spat, his voice sharp as a blade. "i'm not going to pretend like everything's fine. he's a bad person."

your heart pounded in your chest. "oh, grow up," you snapped, your temper rising. "you never had a problem with him before. this is childish."

the words seemed to hang in the air like smoke, and carter's face twisted, his anger boiling over. "he's a junkie. you're blind if you can't see it. you really want someone like him around? he's done coke, remember? probably more than once. you want him around you? around us?"

the words hit you like a fist, and for a moment, you couldn't breathe. your parents were silent, watching them, the weight of the accusation thick in the air.

"is that true?" your mother asked quietly, her voice trembling with a mix of concern and disbelief.

your stomach churned, but you forced yourself to look them in the eye. "he's working on it," you said firmly. "he's trying to be better, he hasn't done anything since we've been together. please, he's a good person deep down, you guys know that."

"you're delusional," carter sneered, a bitter laugh escaping him.

"shut up." you shouted, your voice cracking with emotion. your parents stepped in, their faces tight with confusion and tension, trying to break the fight, but the damage was done. ted and amanda exchanged a long, quiet look before turning away, retreating upstairs.

your chest burned with anger, your hands shaking as you glared at carter. "you're a fucking asshole," you hissed, your words full of venom. then, without another word, you stormed up to your room.

inside, you slammed the door, locking yourself away from the chaos. your body trembled as the tears came, quiet at first, then overwhelming. you let them fall in silence, the weight of everything pressing down on you. after a long while, you wiped your face, pushing the tears away, trying to pull yourself back together. you changed into comfortable clothes, a soft set of shorts and a cami, and went to the bathroom to wash your face, the mirror reflecting a girl you weren't sure you recognised.

the thought of your parents, their disappointment, their disbelief, twisted in your mind. they had known rafe for years. how could this change things? how could carter hold onto this grudge?

you finished your skincare routine and crawled into bed, pulling your phone close. your fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before you typed.

i miss you.

it felt small, fragile, but it was all you had to give him right now.

"why am i doin' this again?" he asked, voice rough, edges sharp like the gravel beneath his feet. the question hung between you, heavy and challenging.

you sighed, exasperated but determined. "because," you began, your tone lighter than you felt, "you need to prove you're not just the brooding king of figure eight. consider it... community service."

he raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth. "you're the one dragging me to pick up trash. what's that make you?"

"a saint," you shot back without missing a beat, climbing into the passenger seat. the leather was warm against your thighs, the summer heat seeping through every surface.

rafe slid in beside you, the weight of him shifting the truck slightly. he didn't say anything as he started the engine, but the way his fingers gripped the wheel told you everything. he didn't want to be here. not with you, not with any of your friends, not at all. and yet, he was. the thought sent a small, unwelcome flutter through your chest.

as he pulled out of the driveway, carter's voice sliced through the humid air.

"where are you going with him?" he was standing in the yard, football in hand, a frown etched deep into his face. the sight of him standing there, all righteous anger and protective instincts, made your stomach twist.

you leaned out the window, forcing a lightness into your voice you didn't feel. "beach cleanup. you know, save the planet and all that."

carter's laugh was dry, humourless. "some of us have real priorities."

your smile faltered, but you didn't let it break entirely. "whatever" you said with a shrug, turning back toward the road. you didn't miss the way rafe's hands tightened on the wheel, his knuckles whitening. he didn't like carter's tone, not one bit. but for once, he said nothing, just let the engine growl as you sped away.

the beach smelled like salt and sun and something faintly metallic, like the remnants of storms past. the sand was already hot beneath your feet, the waves lazy in their rhythm, and the world felt slow and forgiving in a way that didn't quite fit either of you.

kelce's voice cut through the stillness, loud and familiar. "ladies and gentlemen, the party has officially arrived!" he was dragging a cooler across the sand, its weight leaving jagged tracks behind him.

"this isn't a party," cora said, rolling her eyes but smiling despite herself. "we're here to clean up."

kelce popped the lid open, revealing a collection of suspiciously bright bottles. "and we'll do it with style," he declared, holding up a bottle of something neon orange.

you shook your head, laughing softly. "you're ridiculous."

"and yet, here you are," kelce shot back, handing you the bottle first. you took a sip without hesitation, the sweetness hitting your tongue before the slow burn of alcohol crept in.

the bottle made its way around, loosening everyone's laughter, turning the chore of picking up trash into something closer to a game. you found yourself smiling more than you expected, the alcohol softening the edges of the day, of everything. rafe stayed close, his presence a steady weight at your side, even as he pretended not to care.

"you're surprisingly good at this," you teased, watching as he grabbed a stray can buried in the sand.

"don't get used to it," he replied, his voice low and dry, but you caught the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.

by the time the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, you were all giggling like children, the kind of laughter that came from too much alcohol and too much sun. when a beach official approached, his stern expression faltered at the sight of your flushed faces and half-hearted apologies. kelce worked his charm, and you all left in a wave of laughter, piling into cars and heading to topper's house.

the backyard was glowing with string lights, their soft warmth reflected in the still water of the pool. you stood at the edge, toes curling over the concrete, the drink in your hand cool against your skin. rafe was nearby, leaning against the railing, his gaze heavy and constant. it was a weight you had grown used to, one you didn't quite know how to live without anymore.

ruthie arrived with her usual energy, cannonballing into the pool and sending water spraying everywhere. carter showed up not long after, quieter, his presence more shadow than substance. you ignored your brother, letting the water cradle you as you floated, your hair spreading out like ink in the dark water.

it was later, as the sky turned navy and the world softened into night, that the knock came. topper practically jumped to his feet, a grin spreading across his face. "finally," he said, like he'd been waiting all day.

he opened the door, and there he was. gage aldrin.

you felt your breath catch, your heart stuttering in your chest. you forced yourself to smile, to stand steady as the memories washed over you like icy water. summers past, his hands on your skin, the weight of him pressing you into the mattress. you had been younger then, reckless in a way that tasted like regret now.

"gage," you said, your voice even, betraying nothing. "surprised you're in town."

"just for the summer," he said, his eyes lingering on you, too familiar.

his presence unsettled the air, turning it sharp and electric. rafe's posture changed immediately, his shoulders squaring, his jaw tightening. you felt it, the possessiveness that radiated off him in waves. gage noticed too. he smiled, lazy and knowing, and you hated him for it.

"looks like i missed quite the party," gage said, his gaze flicking between you and rafe.

"yeah you missed a lot." rafe replied, his tone cold, each word edged with something dangerous.

the tension crackled like static, filling the spaces between them. you didn't dare look at rafe, didn't dare acknowledge the storm brewing in his eyes. instead, you smiled again, the same practiced smile you'd worn for years, and let the night swallow you whole.

gage sauntered inside, the smirk on his lips sharp enough to cut through the thick tension hanging in the humid air. it was the kind of smirk that spoke volumes, that dared anyone to challenge him. rafe's icy glare followed him like a shadow, cold enough to freeze an ocean, but gage seemed impervious, moving with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. his steps were unhurried, deliberate, each one landing with a weight that made the air feel heavier.

he reached the cooler and threw the lid open with a flourish, the motion exaggerated, almost mocking. the beers clinked as he grabbed another case, his movements fluid, controlled, as though he had all the time in the world and no one around him mattered. the cooler was already brimming, but that didn't stop him; he packed the bottles in with a nonchalance that felt deliberate, as if the tension between him and rafe was a game only he knew how to play.

and for a fleeting moment, gage's eyes lifted, catching on you. the weight of his gaze was palpable, like a hand pressing against your chest, making your breath hitch. his eyes lingered, dark and knowing, and even though it was only for a second, it felt like an eternity. you shifted your weight, your skin prickling under the intensity of it, but you refused to look away. not at him.

rafe, on the other hand, hadn't taken his eyes off gage, not for a single second. his jaw tightened, the muscle ticking beneath his skin as though he was grinding his teeth against a thousand unsaid words. you saw it, saw the storm brewing behind his eyes, and when gage disappeared into the kitchen, you finally found the courage to speak. your voice was quiet, trembling at the edges, as though the words themselves were dangerous.

"you know... about gage and i, i gather?" you didn't meet his gaze at first, your eyes fixed on the shimmering water of the pool, the way it caught the moonlight. your chest felt heavy, like the air itself was weighing you down.

rafe's hands flexed at his sides, fingers curling into tight fists, and his voice came out low, almost guttural. "yeah, i know." his tone was sharp, clipped, each word barely contained as though he was holding back the full force of what he wanted to say. his eyes didn't leave the doorway, as if he was willing gage to stay gone, to not push him any further.

your stomach twisted. the past you'd thought was buried was suddenly here, tangible and raw, and you hated how exposed it made you feel. you turned to him then, your hand brushing against his arm, your fingers grazing his skin lightly as if testing his reaction. "it was a long time ago," you said softly, your voice careful, like you were trying to piece together something fragile. "years."

before you could think better of it, you leaned in, her lips finding the sharp line of his jaw. the kiss was brief, almost hesitant, her attempt to calm the fury you could feel radiating off him. his skin was warm beneath her touch, the tension in his jaw unyielding even as you pulled away. you caught a flicker of something in his eyes then, something dark and possessive, but before you could say anything, the sound of footsteps made you freeze.

gage reappeared, beer in hand, his smirk firmly back in place. his eyes swept the scene in front of him, lingering just long enough to catch the way you were still so close to rafe, the faintest ghost of your kiss still marked on his jaw. rafe's hand slid to your waist instinctively, grounding you against him. the shift didn't go unnoticed; gage's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by something harder, something darker, before he covered it up with a lazy shrug and a glance away.

but you felt it. you saw the flicker of tension in his jaw, the way his eyes narrowed just slightly as he grabbed a bottle from the cooler. his gaze darted back to you, quick and deliberate, before he turned and rejoined the others by the pool.

you didn't have time to think before rafe pulled you onto his lap, his hands firm against your hips, keeping you close. it wasn't an offer, it was a declaration. you could feel the heat of him against you, the way his fingers gripped you like he was trying to make a point. you didn't protest; you didn't want to. instead, you leaned into him, your head resting lightly against his shoulder, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothe your nerves.

but you couldn't ignore the way gage's presence lingered like a shadow at the edge of your mind. even as he laughed with kelce, cora, and carter, his easy banter filling the humid night air, his eyes kept finding their way back to you. they didn't linger, didn't make it obvious, but you felt the weight of his attention all the same.

rafe noticed too. you could feel it in the way his body tensed beneath you, the way his fingers tightened just a little more each time he caught gage looking your way. his sharp eyes locked onto gage's once, twice, a silent warning passing between them that only the two of them seemed to understand.

the tension simmered, unspoken but undeniable, as the night wore on. and though you tried to focus on rafe, on the way he held you like you were the most precious thing in the world, you couldn't shake the feeling that the fragile peace between you all was teetering on the edge of something far more dangerous.

the night deepened, the heat of the day slipping away into a crisp coolness that kissed your damp skin. the hot tub steamed, tendrils of warmth curling into the air as everyone piled in, laughter and chatter mixing with the gentle hum of cicadas and the occasional pop of a distant firework. the water glowed faintly under the dim outdoor lights, casting everyone in a soft, golden haze. you leaned back against rafe's arm, your fingers trailing idly along the water's surface as you soaked in the easy rhythm of the evening.

without a word, you slipped away, a small, almost secretive smile gracing your lips. "i'll be right back," you murmured to no one in particular, your voice barely rising above the gentle sounds of the night. the warm air cooled sharply against your wet skin as you stepped out, droplets falling from you as you padded softly across the deck and into the house. your bare feet slapped quietly on the cool, tiled floor, and you made an effort to scurry, careful not to leave a trail of water behind you.

rounding the corner, you stopped abruptly, nearly colliding with gage. he emerged from one of the guest bedrooms like a shadow materialising in the low light, his presence unmistakable and somehow larger than life. his dark eyes locked onto yours, their intensity pulling at something deep in your chest.

"long time, no see," he said, his voice a low murmur that filled the quiet space between you. it wasn't just his words that sent a shiver rippling through you, but the way he said them; smooth, assured, and entirely too familiar.

you blinked, forcing yourself to hold his gaze. he hadn't changed. not his dark, striking features nor the quiet confidence that cloaked him like armour. but that was the problem, wasn't it? gage felt like a relic of the past, a piece of a version of your life you weren't sure you wanted to revisit.

"yeah, it's been... a while," you replied, your voice tight. you took a step back, just enough to reassert the distance between you. but gage moved closer, slow and deliberate, his movements almost predatory.

"so," he started, his tone casual, yet laced with something sharper, "how long have you and rafe been... a thing?" his gaze flickered, tracing your face with an unnerving familiarity.

your stomach churned. you hated how he always seemed to draw you into these moments, his words carefully chosen to dig under your skin. before you could even think of a response, you blurted, "actually, i came inside to use the bathroom." your voice was clipped, polite, and distant, a carefully constructed barrier. "so, if you'll excuse me..."

you didn't wait for his reply, slipping past him and into the bathroom, the lock clicking into place behind you with a resolute finality. for a moment, you leaned against the door, your heart beating faster than it should have been. you closed your eyes, forcing yourself to breathe deeply, to steady the rush of emotions that his presence had stirred.

he's just a ghost, you told yourself firmly, staring at your reflection in the mirror. your damp hair clung to your face, your cheeks flushed from the heat of the tub, or maybe it was something else. either way, you refused to let the past crawl its way back into your present.

when you finally returned to the hot tub, the sound of laughter and the sight of steam rising into the night air was a welcome balm. you slipped back outside, and the moment rafe's eyes found yours, his entire face lit up like you were the only person in the world.

"there she is," he said, his voice warm and inviting, holding up a freshly cracked beer in her direction. the simple gesture made your heart flutter, his easy grin erasing any lingering unease from your run-in with gage.

you slid back into the tub beside him, the warmth of the water and his body washing over you. leaning in, you pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, your lips brushing his skin in a way that made him grin wider. as you took the beer from his hand, you caught the slight narrowing of gage's eyes from across the tub. but you ignored it, letting yourself melt into rafe's presence.

"alright," ruthie's voice broke through the soft hum of conversation. she leaned forward, her eyes glittering with mischief. "who's up for a little truth or dare?"

a murmur of agreement rippled through the group, everyone eager to escape the lull that had settled in. you leaned back against rafe, her hand absently resting on his knee as the game began. truths and dares were exchanged, some lighthearted, others slightly scandalous, and laughter filled the air as the game picked up momentum.

when it was finally your turn, ruthie turned to her with a smile that was far too cunning. "truth or dare?"

you hesitated for a fraction of a second. "truth," you said cautiously, already regretting the decision.

ruthie's grin widened, and your stomach sank. "is it true," ruthie began, her voice dripping with false innocence, "that gage here took your virginity the second summer he started coming to the obx?"

the world seemed to pause, the laughter around the tub dying in an instant. your chest tightened as your mind raced. of course ruthie would bring this up now, you thought bitterly, feeling every pair of eyes on you.

you forced a smile, keeping your composure. "yep," you said simply, your voice steady even though your pulse hammered in your ears. "everyone loses it to someone eventually."

ruthie giggled, but the sound was sharp, cutting. she turned to rafe, her eyes gleaming with malice. "so, rafe, how does it feel getting gage's sloppy seconds?"

rafe's body went rigid beside you, his grip on your leg tightening as his jaw clenched. you could feel the anger radiating off him in waves, but before he could snap, you leaned forward, your voice firm and cutting.

"i don't think it's your turn to ask truth or dare, ruthie," you said sharply, your eyes locking onto hers with a pointed glare. "it's mine, and i'm picking cora anyway."

ruthie rolled her eyes, leaning back with a huff, clearly defeated. but the tension hadn't dissipated. gage leaned forward slightly, his voice low and calm as he spoke. "you know, it's no big deal," he said, his tone casual, yet calculated. "y/n and i... it happened years ago. and i mean, rafe here is the one in the relationship with her now, right buddy?"

rafe's eyes darkened, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "we didn't need your personal opinion on the situation, thanks though, buddy," he snapped, his voice sharp and venomous.

gage's smirk widened slightly, his gaze holding rafe's like a challenge. "hey, no need to get so worked up," he said with mock innocence. "it's ancient history."

the air around them crackled with tension, the water no longer the source of the heat in the tub. before either of them could escalate further, kelce intervened, his voice loud and firm. "alright, alright, let's call it a night," he said, cutting through the rising tempers.

everyone murmured in agreement, the mood deflating like a balloon. but as you leaned into rafe's side, you could feel the storm brewing between the two men, the fragile peace they'd managed to maintain now hanging by the thinnest of threads.

carter's voice echoed in your ears like a cruel specter. 'don't get your hopes up', and later, after everything had crumbled to pieces, classic rafe cameron. you should've known.

you sat up abruptly, the motion sending a spike of pain through your temples. your head throbbed from the champagne and your restless night, but none of it compared to the hollow ache in your chest. you pressed your palms into your eyes, as if you could physically push the memories away.

downstairs, the faint clatter of dishes and muffled voices drifted upward, grounding you in the present. you didn't want to face carter, didn't want to endure his smug, unsympathetic remarks, but the simmering anger bubbling beneath your grief forced you to move. you couldn't let him win.

the kitchen was warm with the scent of coffee and eggs, a sharp contrast to the icy tension that immediately settled when you stepped inside. carter stood by the counter, casually scrolling on his phone as if he hadn't ripped your world apart the night before.

"you're up," he said without looking up. his voice was infuriatingly neutral, as if nothing had happened.

you didn't respond, instead moving toward the coffee pot with deliberate slowness, your shoulders stiff.

"you can be mad all you want," he said after a beat, setting his phone down with a faint clink. "but you know i'm right. it's classic rafe. he does this to everyone."

your grip on the coffee mug tightened, your knuckles turning white. "you don't know what you're talking about."

carter snorted, folding his arms. "don't i? you've known him as long as i have. he's not exactly boyfriend material."

you spun around, your eyes blazing. "and you're an expert on relationships now? spare me the lecture, carter."

"i'm just saying," he continued, unbothered by your anger, "you shouldn't have expected anything different. it's not like he-"

"stop," you snapped, your voice shaking. "just stop. you don't get to sit there and act like you care about me."

his expression faltered for the briefest moment, but he quickly recovered, shrugging. "i was looking out for you. someone had to."

your laugh was bitter, hollow. "looking out for me? you mean controlling me. just like ward controls rafe. you're no better than him."

without waiting for a response, you stormed out of the kitchen, the sound of your footsteps echoing in the quiet house.

later, with the safety of your room shielding you from the world, you called cora. you needed someone who would listen, someone who wouldn't dismiss your feelings with a casual shrug.

"you sound like hell," cora said gently after you had recounted the events of the night.

"thanks," you muttered, your voice heavy with exhaustion.

"i need you to think about this logically for a second," cora said, her tone firm but kind. "what if he's only with hannah because ward made him?"

you froze, the words sinking in like stones dropped into a still pond. "what do you mean?"

"think about it," cora said. "ward's all about appearances and business. hannah's dad is his new business partner. it makes sense, doesn't it? rafe wouldn't just... do this to you."

the realization hit you like a wave, leaving you almost completely breathless. "you really think...?"

"i don't know for sure," cora admitted, "but it's worth considering. rafe's not exactly subtle when it comes to you."

the ocean stretched out before you, a boundless expanse of restless waves crashing against the shore, echoing the chaos in your chest. the horizon blurred where sea met sky, both endless and empty, just like the thoughts you couldn't silence. your bare feet sank into the damp sand as you walked, every step pulling you closer to some semblance of grounding, though your mind remained adrift. the salty breeze tangled your hair and filled your lungs, sharp and bracing, but even that couldn't dispel the ache twisting inside you.

you had come here to escape the suffocating weight of it all, carter's schemes, the event, him. rafe's face flashed in your mind, and you clenched your jaw, the memory of his arm around hannah as vivid as if it were happening all over again.

the sound of approaching footsteps broke through the rhythm of the waves, and your stomach tightened. you didn't have to turn to know who it was.

his voice was low, cautious, as though he knew he was stepping into dangerous territory.

you stopped but didn't face him, your gaze fixed on the horizon. "what are you doing here, rafe?" your tone was sharp, defensive, the words cutting like glass.

"i needed to talk to you," he said, his voice steady yet urgent.

finally, you turned, your eyes blazing as they met his. "talk?" you scoffed, crossing your arms. "about what? how you stood there like nothing was wrong while she clung to you like a prize? or how everything we had apparently meant nothing to you?"

he flinched at your words, the shadow of regret flickering across his face. "it's not what you think," he said, stepping closer.

"then tell me," you interrupted, your voice rising above the crash of the waves. "was any of it real, rafe? us? or was i just convenient for you until someone better came along?"

"it was real," he said firmly, his tone unwavering. "every moment. it's always been real."

you stared at him, the anger and hurt warring within you. "then who is she?" you demanded, the question ripping out of you like a wound. "who the hell is hannah, and why was she on your arm like she owns you?"

he exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as if trying to find the right words. "a few days ago," he began, "out of nowhere, ward started getting close to julian gleesons. i don't know how they met, and i didn't think much of it at first. but then they introduced me to hannah, and... something felt off. like it was all planned."

your eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing in them. "planned? by who?"

"ward," he said, his tone bitter. "but he wasn't alone." he hesitated, his gaze darkening. "it was carter."

your breath caught, disbelief mingling with the sting of betrayal. "carter?"

"yeah," he said grimly. "he's the connection to julian. i found texts between him and ward. carter suggested they set me and hannah up, thought it'd sweeten the deal with her dad. just another move for their stupid business."

the weight of his words settled heavily on your chest. carter's voice echoed in your memory, cold and calculating: 'i'll find a way to break you two up.' you shook your head, trying to make sense of it. "he told me he'd do this," you murmured, more to yourself than rafe.

"and he did," rafe said quietly, his expression softening as he looked at you. "but not because i wanted it. i didn't have a choice. i needed time to figure it out, and i couldn't-"

"couldn't what?" you snapped, taking a step back. "talk to me? tell me the truth instead of letting me walk away like an idiot?"

"i tried!" he shot back, his frustration spilling out. "but you wouldn't let me get a word in. and i was... i was in my head, trying to figure out how to fix everything before i lost you for good."

you blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the crack in his voice. he took the chance to step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

"i was wearing your colour, you know," he said softly. "at the gala. the exact shade of your dress. because i wanted people to know, even if i couldn't say it outright. i've always been yours."

your breath hitched, his words slicing through your defences. you looked away, your hands clenching at your sides. "carter... he hates us together," you said, your voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.

"and i want to kill him for it," rafe said, his tone dark and honest. "but we can't do that. not yet. we have to be smart, calculated. if we want to come out on top, we can't let them see us coming."

you shook your head, the storm inside you refusing to settle. "this is insane."

"i know," he said, his voice softening. "but we can do this. hannah's already told her father she doesn't want to be with me. she's on our side. she even listened when i told her everything about us, about you. and she wants to help."

your suspicion flared again. "why would she do that?"

"because she doesn't want to be with someone that's in love with someone else," he said simply. "and she suggested we go to ward. together. tell him the truth about us. he's always liked you, thought you were good for me. if he knows, he won't stand in our way."

you stared at him, your chest tight with doubt and the flicker of something you didn't want to name. "...are we together?" you asked quietly. 

his hands slid up your arms, warm and steady, until they cradled your face. his touch was tender, his gaze unflinching. "we are if you say we are," he whispered. "so... will you? will you be my girlfriend?"

a smirk tugged at your lips despite yourself, and you tilted your head, feigning consideration. "hmm... yeah, okay."

his laughter was soft, a sound that felt like relief and joy all at once. he leaned in, his lips brushing yours in a kiss that stole the breath from your lungs and anchored you all at once.

and for the first time in days, the storm inside you began to calm.

your heart still raced as you climbed onto rafe's motorbike, the wind whipping through your hair as the two of you sped through the streets toward tanneyhill. the world blurred around you, a dizzying mix of colour and motion, but all you could focus on was the warmth of rafe's body against yours, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your fingers as you gripped him tightly. you'd just taken a step into something real, something finally yours and his, and you couldn't help but feel the intoxicating pull of hope unfurling in your chest. the tension that had plagued you for weeks, the endless ache of uncertainty, began to melt away with every mile between you and the turmoil that had followed you.

when you arrived, the house loomed before you, grand and imposing. you made your way inside, hand in hand, your fingers laced together in a silent vow to face whatever came next. rafe didn't waste a moment. he walked straight into the house, his shoulders squared and his gaze locked on ward, who was sitting in the study, casually flipping through papers.

"dad," rafe said, his voice firm, "i need to tell you something."

ward raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "what is it now, son? something wrong?"

"no," rafe said, stepping forward, his gaze unwavering. "i wanted to tell you that... we're together. and hannah, she's just a friend. if anything, she feels the same way. we're not-"

ward's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his eyes flicking between rafe and you, your heart pounding in your chest.

"wait," ward said, blinking in disbelief. "you two? together? well, i'll be damned." he chuckled, shaking his head, clearly taken aback. "i never saw that coming. but, hell, i'm glad. i've always thought that you two-" he motioned between them, "-would make a good match. she's a good influence on you, rafe. always has been. i'm happy for you both."

you felt your chest tighten, a wave of warmth washing over you. ward's approval, rafe's father's approval, was a validation you hadn't expected. it was a quiet kind of victory, the kind that spoke volumes without saying too much. you could see the pride in ward's eyes, a rare glimpse into the affection he had for his son. rafe looked almost relieved, as if the weight of his father's judgment had been the final piece in a puzzle he'd been trying to solve.

"thanks, dad," rafe said, his voice softer than you had ever heard it. he met his father's gaze, and for a moment, it was as if the entire world fell away.

you smiled faintly, squeezing rafe's hand. you hadn't realized just how much you'd been holding your breath until that very moment, but now, standing here in this space, you felt a strange sense of peace begin to settle within you.

after a few more quiet exchanges, rafe and you made your way back to the front door, leaving tanneyhill behind. the weight of the evening seemed to lift as you made your way to your house, the familiar sight of your front door giving you a strange sense of homecoming.

inside, your parents sat in the living room, their eyes glued to the television, completely unaware of the shift that had just taken place.

you glanced at rafe, your heart fluttering, as you walked into the room. "mom, dad," you began, your voice soft but steady. "there's something i need to tell you."

your mother looked up, smiling warmly, but her expression shifted to one of mild curiosity when she saw the look on your face. "what is it, darling?"

you took a deep breath, squeezing rafe's hand once more before meeting your parents' gaze. "rafe is my boyfriend."

your parents exchanged a surprised glance, but there was no anger in their eyes, no judgment. just a quiet acceptance, a shared understanding between two people who had seen rafe grow up alongside their daughter.

"well, i'll be honest," your father began, leaning forward in his chair, "i didn't see that one coming." he chuckled, a warm sound that eased the tension in your chest. "but i'm glad to hear it. rafe's been a part of this family for years. we've always liked him. and if he's making you happy, sweetheart, then that's all that matters to us."

your mother smiled softly. "your father's right. we've known rafe since he was a boy. and we've always thought you two would make a cute match. i'm just happy you're both happy."

rafe nodded, visibly relieved, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. "yeah," he said, his voice low, "there was a misunderstanding at the event with mr. gleesons and ward. hannah and i... we were just friends. nothing more."

"oh, i'm glad to hear that," your mother continued, her voice warm. "we always liked the idea of you two together."

your heart fluttered in your chest, the knot in your stomach unraveling with each word. "thanks," you said softly, glancing at rafe before looking back at your parents.

with that, the conversation drifted into quieter waters, and before long, you were on your way upstairs.

you flopped back onto your bed, a sigh escaping your lips as you sank into the comfort of the mattress. for the first time in weeks, you felt at peace, like the weight of the world had been lifted, like everything had finally fallen into place.

rafe followed you, a mischievous glint in his eyes. without warning, he collapsed on top of you, his body warm and solid against yours. he whispered in your ear, making you giggle as his lips brushing against your neck as he peppered soft kisses along your skin.

but just as the moment felt like it might stretch on forever, a shadow loomed in the doorway.

"what the fuck?" carter's voice was like a knife through the air, cold and furious.

your heart stuttered in your chest, but rafe immediately pulled back, a low growl escaping his throat. he sat up, his fists clenched, fury flickering in his eyes.

"stay calm," you murmured, your hand reaching out to stop him before the storm could break. "let's not ruin this. not now. please."

rafe's jaw tightened, but he stayed still, glaring at carter as he stood in your doorway, arms crossed over his chest.

"you can't just walk in here and think you can fuck things up anymore, carter," you said, your voice sharp and steady. "everyone knows rafe and i are together now. whatever you were trying to do with ward behind our backs, it didn't work. all you did was give ward a business opportunity, and made us official."

carter's eyes burned with anger, but he said nothing, his hands balling into fists at his sides. without another word, he turned and stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

you let out a shaky breath, your shoulders sagging as the tension bled out of you. you stared at the blanket beneath you, fingers twisting at the fabric, trying to quell the sudden wave of exhaustion that swept over you.

rafe sat back down beside you, his arm wrapping around your shoulders, pulling you close. "you okay baby?" he asked softly, his voice gentle, like he was afraid to disrupt the fragile peace that had settled between you.

"yeah," you murmured, resting your head against his chest. "just... tired. but i'm good."

rafe kissed the top of your head, his fingers gently combing through your hair. "we're good," he whispered. "and no one's gonna ruin that."

notes; back again ! told you all i'd be posting more.

rafe, that name had become a constant echo in your mind, a pulse that refused to quiet, but each time you reached for him, you found only cold space, a distance that wasn't there before. it was like he'd become a ghost, and you were left chasing the remnants of him.

the only thing that held your attention, that anchored you for any length of time, was the dress. it had become almost a symbol, a singular focus in a day that felt fractured. a backless pale blue dress, its hue like the soft, ethereal glow of morning sky, shimmered gently as it caught the light, tracing your figure with an elegance that felt effortlessly captivating. when you had first seen it in the boutique in charleston, the world had fallen away, leaving only that dress. everything about it, the luxurious fabric, the way it clung to your body, the graceful cut that whispered of elegance, felt like it was made just for you, like it was your dress. but as you stood in front of the mirror, brushing your hair, a faint gnawing feeling twisted in your gut. the dress, so beautiful and expensive, seemed almost hollow now, like a piece of armour you could wear but never fully step into. your phone lay silent in the other room, its stillness louder than anything else, louder than your thoughts, louder than the empty space between you and him.

the texts had been few and far between over the past few days, and each one left you with an unsettled feeling, like you were trying to catch smoke in your hands. each message from rafe had felt more distant than the last, colder, as if the warmth between you had been swallowed whole. when you had told him about the dress, expecting some sort of enthusiasm, some sign that he cared, his response had been a simple transaction: show it to me, and i'll pay for it. nothing else. no affection, no interest in how you felt or what you thought. just a command wrapped in practicality, like a business deal you hadn't signed up for. but when the money had transferred into your account, it was almost worse than if he hadn't said anything at all. there had been no caring in that gesture. just a cold, mechanical exchange that made you feel like you were nothing more than a purchase.

was it always about ward? you couldn't shake the thought. was this the reason rafe had been so distant? maybe his father had been pushing him again, forcing him to play a part in something that had never been his choice. you didn't know much, but you knew rafe's moods all too well, especially when his father was involved. you knew the weight of that pressure, how it pushed him into corners, into silence. you sighed and twirled in front of the mirror, trying to shake off the heaviness in your chest, hoping that the movement would make you feel something, anything, but all you felt was the dull ache in your stomach, the one you couldn't name, couldn't quiet. it was there, persistent, gnawing at you like the unanswered questions that lived between the two of you.

the event loomed ahead, hanging in the air like a shadow you couldn't outrun, couldn't avoid. once you were dressed, every step you took in your heels seemed to echo too loudly in the silence of the house. you made your way downstairs, each click of the heels a reminder of the emptiness that was building inside of you. when you reached the bottom, carter was waiting for you, leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed. his eyes narrowed slightly when they met yours, and the air between you thickened with unspoken words.

"don't get your hopes up," carter's voice was low, cold, and the weight of his words pressed down on your chest like a stone.

you frowned, a flicker of confusion passing over you. "what are you talking about?"

he didn't answer immediately, just gave you that same unreadable look, his eyes dark and distant, like he knew something you didn't want to hear. the silence stretched between you, heavy with something you couldn't quite place. then, without another word, he turned and headed for the door, leaving you standing there, your heart pounding in your chest.

the rest of the world seemed to move in slow motion after that. you followed carter, your thoughts spinning as you stepped into the waiting uber black. the car was too quiet, too close, the smell of leather and perfume thick in the air. as they drove, the city lights flickered by like fleeting memories, blurring past you in a haze of color and motion. the streets, alive with people and the hum of life, felt far removed. you couldn't shake the tension in your limbs, the way your mind kept circling back to rafe. what was going on with him? why hadn't he been in touch? why had he sent the money but not a word, not even an acknowledgment of your dress, of you? it was as if he was pushing you away, like he always did when things started to matter too much. but why? why now?

your fingers tightened around the strap of your bag, the fabric of the seat beneath you suddenly feeling too soft, too real. you wanted to ask carter, to demand answers, but the words stuck in your throat. instead, you sat in silence, watching the lights of the town blur past, each one a reminder of how far away you felt from rafe now, how far away you felt from everything you had imagined.

they arrived fashionably late, as always. the night air felt electric, buzzing with the kind of anticipation that seemed to hum through the thick streets. the hotel loomed in front of them, a glass and steel giant stretching into the sky, its sharp angles catching the neon glow of the city like a razor's edge. everything about it was sleek, modern, and far too polished.

as you stepped inside, the air shifted, the weight of it pressing down on your shoulders, thick with perfume and the murmur of conversations swirling around them. laughter echoed, the clinking of glasses sharp against the hum of excitement. the scent of expensive cologne and over-the-top fragrances filled the space, curling around you like something suffocating. every step you took felt louder than the last, every heel click a reminder that you were here, in this gilded cage, surrounded by people who only cared about what the right things looked like.

they were ushered into the ballroom, and your pulse quickened as your eyes scanned the room. it was vast, like something out of a dream. chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals shimmering, bathing the space in a warm, golden light. the walls were lined with windows, offering an unobstructed view of the city, all its lights flickering below like a sea of stars she couldn't quite reach. a polished bar ran along one side of the room, and scattered tall standing tables formed pockets of quiet conversation amid the loud laughter and clinking glasses.

your heart pounded as you moved through the crowd, your fingers trembling just slightly as you held your champagne flute. you searched for him, rafe, trying to ignore the rising tide of nerves in your stomach. you hadn't seen him in days, and the distance between you had begun to stretch too far, like a chasm you couldn't cross. their texts had been brief, almost cold. he hadn't asked about your dress, hadn't mentioned anything about how you looked, and it stung more than you were willing to admit. still, you told yourself he was just busy, lost in his own world, probably dealing with his father's latest demands. you had to believe that. had to.

then you saw him. across the room, near the bar, standing with a presence that drew the eye like gravity. his black suit was impeccable, cutting through the sea of fancy dresses like a shadow, tall, composed, dangerous. your breath hitched at the sight of him. he looked flawless even with his bangs messily falling over his eyes, his jaw sharp under the low light, his eyes scanning the room with that same unreadable, cold detachment you knew all too well. he was exactly the way you remembered, too beautiful for his own good, a king in a room full of mere pawns.

but there was something off. something you hadn't expected. standing next to him was a brunette, a girl whose hand rested on rafe's arm with a casual familiarity, as if she belonged there. she was leaning into him, laughing in a way that made your chest tighten painfully. the girl wore a gorgeous purple dress that caught the light, her smile bright and unguarded, a stark contrast to the tense, careful silence that surrounded rafe. and just like that, you felt something sharp and cold slip inside you, digging into your ribs. jealousy? maybe. or something worse.

rafe's gaze flickered in your direction, just for a second, just long enough for you to catch it. and then, nothing. his eyes slid away from you, as if you weren't even there. there was no warmth, no recognition, just a cold indifference. the brunette, noticing your gaze, flashed you a smile. it was smug, almost cruel in its ease. your stomach churned, but you refused to show it, refused to let anyone see just how much it hurt.

your throat went dry, your mind spinning with confusion and something darker, something that felt like betrayal. how could he? how could he stand there with her when you had shared moments that felt so real, so raw? but maybe that was the problem. maybe you had been foolish enough to think he cared in any real way. you closed your eyes for a moment, trying to steady yourself, but the room felt like it was closing in on you, the air thick and suffocating.

"don't," came a voice beside you, cutting through the chaos. carter. his expression was unreadable, his eyes dark and hard, but there was something in his tone that made you freeze. "don't get too attached to the idea of him. you're not the only one he's playing."

your chest tightened. you didn't want to hear it, didn't want to face the reality of it. but there it was, his words like a cold slap, harsh and unforgiving. you didn't know how to respond, so you said nothing. you couldn't. the knot in your throat was too tight, your mind too jumbled. you looked at carter, then back at rafe, who had already turned away, focusing his attention on the brunette in purple.

without saying another word, you turned and walked away, your heels clicking sharply on the marble floor, the sound of them drowning out everything else. you needed space, air, anything to clear the fog in your head. your breath came in shallow bursts as you made your way to the bathroom, desperate for a moment of peace.

inside, you locked the door behind you and pressed your back against it, sliding down until you sat on the cold floor. your clutch was a lifeline, something solid to hold onto as the tears came, silent, hot tears that refused to stop. you hated how weak it made you feel, how exposed. you didn't cry. you didn't do vulnerability like this.

but here you are, breaking apart in the dimly lit bathroom of a grand hotel.

minutes, but it felt like hours, passed before you could finally stand, your hands shaking as you wiped your face, fixing your makeup with the precision of someone who had done this more times than you cared to admit. the tears had stopped, but the pain lingered like a dull ache in her chest. you took a deep breath, squared your shoulders, and opened the door.

champagne. that's what she needed.

you grabbed a glass from a passing tray, the bubbles cold against your tongue as you sipped, willing yourself to forget everything that had just happened. you mingled with your parents, smiling when you had to, nodding along to conversations, but your mind kept drifting back to him. rafe. the brunette. the cold look in his eyes.

at the front, ward and julius gleeson stood, their voices booming over the quiet murmur of the room. you tried to listen, tried to focus on the words they were saying about business deals and success, but the sound of rafe's laugh, of the brunette's voice, kept interrupting your thoughts. you couldn't ignore it. you couldn't pretend that it didn't bother you.

you watched as ward finished his speech and the crowd erupted into applause. you just stood there, alone in a sea of people, the weight of everything pressing down on you. the champagne glass was empty now, and you felt the last of your defences slipping away.

deep inside, a cold, sharp feeling began to grow, like a storm you could neither outrun nor survive. it was a feeling that told you everything was about to change, and you weren't sure you were ready for it. the shadows in the glass windows stretched longer, darker, as the night wore on. the storm was coming, and you had no idea what would be left of you when it finally broke.

the event stretched on, a tapestry of laughter and clinking glasses that seemed to stretch into eternity. you moved through it like a ghost, your feet light on the polished marble floors, your mind heavy with thoughts you couldn't quite chase away. you felt the weight of every passing second, the way time dragged and twisted, bending to the rhythm of your spiralling heart. you were there in body, but your mind was a thousand miles away, always circling back to him, rafe.

and then you saw him again, standing by the bar, his dark figure surrounded by the usual crowd. but this time, something about him had changed. or maybe it was the way the girl clung to him. the brunette. you didn't know her name yet, but it didn't matter. what mattered was the way her hand rested on rafe's arm, the way their bodies seemed to fit together in a way that made you feel small, invisible.

you stood there, your eyes locked on the two of them, watching as the girl laughed, a bright, carefree sound that grated against the quiet pain you couldn't shake. rafe's hand lingered on her waist, his fingers curling possessively as the girl leaned in, whispering something in his ear. your stomach twisted, a coil of jealousy and longing that tightened with each passing second.

you forced yourself to look away, to breathe, to be somewhere else, but the sight of them haunted you, pulled you back like gravity. you wanted to scream, to demand answers from him, but you couldn't. not here, not now. and then, as if on cue, your parents appeared at your side, guiding you forward with an insistent hand. they led you across the room, a sea of bodies separating them from rafe and his new companion.

ward cameron and rose, ever the gracious hosts, were standing nearby, their eyes lighting up when they saw you and your parents approaching. "darling, come over here," your mother called out, her voice warm but laced with something else, something that made you feel like you were about to be thrust into the spotlight.

ward's smile was wide, too wide, his posture relaxed, but there was something calculating behind his eyes. he was always like that, always reading people like books, flipping through the pages and knowing exactly what to say. they were talking about his big business deal when his voice,  smooth, like velvet, interjected with your name. his tone lighter than air. "nice to see you again, this-" he gestured to the brunette, her eyes sparkling with a kind of quiet self-assurance—"this is rafe's new girlfriend, hannah gleesons."

the name struck you like a slap. hannah gleesons. the words echoed in your head, ricocheting off the walls of your mind. hannah. the name seemed so final, so inevitable. your heart sank, the weight of it crushing your chest in an instant. this was it. there was no room left for hope, no space to pretend that maybe, just maybe, you were still something to rafe.

hannah flashed a bright smile at you, and it was the kind of smile that could belong to someone who knew exactly where they stood. confident. self-assured. smug. you couldn't hide the way it made your skin crawl, how it felt like the world was tilting just a little bit off centre.

you glanced at rafe, but he didn't meet your eyes. his gaze was cold, distant, as if you were nothing more than a ghost passing through his world. your chest ached, a low, gnawing ache that she tried to swallow down. but it refused to be ignored. your hand clenched around the edge of her glass, the crystal cool against her palm.

and then, ward's voice broke through the silence, an odd mixture of casual politeness and something darker. "rafe's finally found someone who can hold him down, don't you think?" his laugh was low, almost too soft, and rose's smile, too, was just a little too tight.

you felt the edges of the room blur, the light around you fading into a haze of something sharp and painful. you knew you should respond, should smile, should act like everything was fine. but the words caught in your throat, sharp and raw, and all you could do was nod politely, even as your insides twisted.

it was then that ward's gaze flicked to you, his eyes lingering just a beat too long on you, like he knew something you didn't. something that made you feel exposed, as though all your secrets were laid bare in front of him.

your heart pounded in your chest, and you tried to keep your face neutral, tried to fight the heat that rushed to your cheeks. but you couldn't fight the sting. not anymore.

it was then that their gazes met, just for a fraction of a second, and your breath caught in your throat. rafe's eyes, that deep, unreadable blue, locked onto yours, and for a moment, time seemed to stretch out. everything around them disappeared, and all that was left was the fire between you, a fire that you had once thought could burn so brightly. now, it was cold, like a dying ember, smothered by indifference.

he said nothing. not a word. his expression was unreadable, like stone, and that, that was what cut the deepest. no apologies. no explanations. just silence.

you didn't say anything either. you didn't trust yourself to speak. not with the sting of his disregard still so fresh in your chest. so, you simply excused yourself, your voice polite, your smile distant. you turned on your heel, walking away from them, from him, as the weight of everything settled like a heavy stone in your stomach.

you needed a drink. something cold. something that could numb the ache you couldn't silence in your soul.

as you made your way toward the bar, you caught sight of carter standing near the edge of the crowd, his eyes sharp, his expression unreadable. "i told you so," he said, his voice low, but it carried a weight, a truth that cut deeper than it should have.

you didn't respond. you didn't want to. instead, you grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray, your fingers trembling just enough for you to notice. you took a sip, the bubbles sharp against your tongue, but they didn't quiet the storm inside you.

hours passed, and the event began to wind down. the crowds thinned, the laughter grew quieter, the glow of the chandeliers dimmer. you tried to slip away unnoticed, but as you made your way toward the door, you felt a hand close around your arm, firm and unyielding.

rafe's voice was quiet as he said your name, low, but it still sent a jolt through you. you spun around, but you didn't let him speak. didn't give him the chance.

"don't touch me," you said, your voice sharp, cutting through the thick air between the two of you. "go enjoy the hotel room you probably got for you and your new girlfriend." the words were like acid in your throat, but they needed to be said, needed to be heard.

rafe didn't respond. he stood there, his face as unreadable as ever. but his silence, his unwillingness to argue, spoke volumes. he didn't care. he was done.

with a final glance at him, you pulled your arm away and turned on your heel, walking away from everything you'd ever thought you wanted. you left the event without another word, your chest tight, your throat burning. the cool night air hit your face as you stepped into the waiting uber, but still, nothing to quiet the storm inside.

what you didn't notice, was that rafe was wearing a matching pale blue pocket square and tie, the same colour as your dress.

notes; guys im alive... barely. i hope you enjoyed this chapter of pure angst. more to come soon xoxo

regarding my taglist, once again, its VERY old (two months lol) ask to me removed idm!

you barely touched your cereal, watching the milk turn warm and the flakes sink like forgotten stones. carter was gone—probably at the field with your dad—but his absence wasn't the relief you thought it would be. it felt like the kind of silence that comes before the sky splits open, a storm waiting to unravel.

your phone buzzed from where it sat on the counter, the sound jolting you back to the moment. you didn't have to look to know it was him.

rafe: come outside.

no punctuation. no pleasantries. just him. direct and unyielding.

you slipped out the front door, careful to pull it shut quietly behind you. the morning sun painted the porch in soft light, but your gaze was locked on him. rafe leaned against his truck, his arms crossed, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. even in the casual sprawl of his posture, there was something electric about him, something that made your heart trip over itself.

"bold of you to show up here," you said, your voice steady despite the chaos inside.

"bold of you to assume i care," he shot back, his smirk deepening.

your arms crossed instinctively, a flimsy barrier between them. "carter knows."

the smirk faltered, his features hardening into something darker, sharper. "what do you mean, he knows?"

"he caught me sneaking in last night." you lowered your voice, glancing at the house, as though carter's shadow might emerge from one of the windows. "he knows something's going on. or at least... enough to be pissed."

rafe let out a slow breath, dragging a hand through his hair in a way that made your stomach twist. "so let him be pissed," he said, stepping closer. "he'll get over it."

you shook your head, her voice tight. "he said he'd end it, rafe. he meant it."

that stopped him cold. his jaw tensed, his knuckles flexing at his sides like he was holding back a storm. "he said what?"

"he said if i didn't end this, he would. and you know he will."

he stared at you for a long moment, his eyes like steel, unreadable but burning. then, he stepped closer, closing the space between you.

"carter doesn't get to decide for you," he said, his voice low, threaded with something dangerous. "he doesn't get to decide for us."

"he's my brother," you snapped, your words tumbling out in a rush, sharp but trembling. "and you're his best friend. do you even realise how... how impossible this is?"

"it's not impossible," rafe said, his tone quiet but unyielding, like he was staking a claim on the truth. "it's only impossible if you let it be."

you stared at him, searching his face for an answer, for a way to untangle the knot tightening in your chest.

he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face, his fingers lingering just long enough to make you shiver. "tell me," he murmured, his voice soft but insistent, "are you scared of what carter might do, or are you scared of what you might feel if you stop pretending this isn't real?"

the words cut through your defences, slipping past the walls you had so carefully built. you hated him for it—hated how easily he saw the parts of you, you didn't want anyone to see.

"i don't know," you whispered, the admission raw and aching.

he tilted his head slightly, his eyes locked on yours. "then figure it out," he said, his voice steady. "because i'm not going anywhere. not unless you tell me to."

you didn't reply, couldn't. instead, you let the silence stretch between them, the weight of his words settling over you like a second skin.

he stepped back, the moment breaking like glass. "get in the truck," he said.

"what?"

"you heard me. get in."

for a moment, you hesitated, your eyes flickering back toward the house, but the pull was too strong. it always was.

they drove in silence, the tension between them crackling like static. he didn't tell you where they were going, and you didn't ask. you just watched the world blur past, the scenery shifting from neat, orderly streets to something wilder, untamed.

finally, he pulled onto a quiet stretch of beach, the kind of place that felt like the edge of the world. he got out without a word, leaving the door open for you to follow.

the sand was cool beneath your feet, the waves lapping softly at the shore, but your focus was on him. on the way he stood at the water's edge, shoulders rigid, like he was holding the weight of something he couldn't say.

"what are we doing here?" you asked, your voice barely audible above the ocean's hum.

he turned to face you, his expression unreadable. "reminding you," he said, "that we don't need anyone else's permission. not carter's. not anyone's."

his words hung in the air, heavy and certain, and for the first time, you let yourself believe them.

when he kissed you, it was slow and deliberate, a quiet claim that left you breathless. and you didn't pull away.

but as they drove back, the house looming closer with every mile, the spell began to unravel. the weight of reality pressed down on you, suffocating and relentless.

you slipped through the front door like a ghost, your heart pounding in your ears as you crept down the hallway. you were almost to your room when his voice cut through the silence.

"you're making this too easy."

you froze, the blood draining from your face as you turned to see carter leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes dark and unyielding.

"you think i don't know where you've been?" he asked, his voice calm but sharp enough to slice through your defences.

your mouth opened, but no words came out.

"or who you've been with?" he pressed, his tone colder now.

your breath hitched, your chest tightening as you took a step back.

"don't even try to lie," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "because you're not as good at hiding as you think you are."

the silence between you was suffocating, and when you finally spoke, your voice was barely above a whisper. "you don't understand."

"then make me understand," he said, his eyes burning with something you couldn't name.

but before you could, he shook his head, his jaw tight. "you can't, can you? because you know this is a mistake. and you're just too stubborn to admit it."

he stepped closer, his presence heavy, inescapable. "whatever this is, it ends now. one way or another."

his words hit like a punch, and as he walked away, the silence swallowed you whole.

but you weren't sure what scared you more—his threat or the part of you that wasn't sure he was wrong.

the house felt brittle, like one sharp word would shatter it into pieces. you stood frozen in the hallway long after carter disappeared, your thoughts spiralling in tight, suffocating circles. you wanted to believe the weight pressing on your chest was anger, defiance even, but beneath it all was something harder to name. fear.

a knock at the door shattered the stillness, sharp and hollow in the quiet. you flinched, startled, your pulse kicking up as the sound echoed through the house. your mother's heels clicked against the floor, a rhythm that felt too steady for the tension hanging in the air.

"kids, come here!" your mother called, her voice lifted into a cheerful trill that didn't quite suit the hour.

you dragged yourself into the living room, your steps hesitant. carter was already standing there, his tall frame a rigid silhouette in the dim light spilling from the chandelier above. he was leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed, every line of his body coiled tight.

on the coffee table lay an envelope, crisp and elegant, its edges impossibly straight as if it had been hand-delivered moments before. the cameron crest was embossed in gold on the front, the shimmer catching the light.

"look at this! an invitation from the camerons," your mother said, practically glowing with excitement as she waved it through the air like a prize. "it's for a formal cocktail party at the grand. ward's hosting to celebrate some big deal for cameron developments. isn't that wonderful?"

wonderful. your stomach twisted at the word, bile creeping up the back of your throat. there was nothing wonderful about being thrust into the orbit of the cameron's—not now, not when your world was already teetering on the edge of something dangerous.

"it's this saturday," your mother continued, oblivious to the tension thickening between her children. "you'll both need something nice to wear. hon, maybe that dress you wore to the fundraiser last month? oh, and carter, don't forget to polish your shoes this time."

you nodded automatically, mind racing too fast to hold onto anything concrete.

you didn't need to look at carter to feel the heat of his gaze. it was searing, a wordless accusation that wrapped around your throat and squeezed.

"it'll be good for all of us," she added, already turning away, her heels clicking once more as she disappeared down the hall, humming to herself about RSVPs and schedules.

the silence that followed was suffocating, heavy and alive with unspoken words.

carter moved first, stepping closer to the coffee table. his eyes lingered on the envelope, his jaw tightening with every second that passed.

"remember, i warned you." he said finally, his voice low, each word a razor-edged warning. it wasn't loud, but it didn't have to be. the menace beneath it cut deeper than if he'd shouted.

your hands curled into fists at her sides, your nails biting into your palms as you forced yourself to meet his gaze. you tilted your chin up, every inch of you radiating defiance you didn't quite feel.

"you can't scare me, carter," you said, voice steady, though your pulse was roaring in her ears.

his lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile, wasn't quite a sneer. "we'll see," he said simply, as if your defiance was nothing more than a nuisance to be brushed aside.

and then he was gone, retreating down the hallway and slipping into his room without another word. the door closed behind him with a finality that made you shiver.

you exhaled slowly, the air escaping your lungs shaky and uneven. your hands trembled as you gripped the edge of the coffee table, leaning against it to steady yourself.

you knew what he was doing. trying to intimidate you. trying to corner you into ending things with rafe before saturday, before the cocktail party turned them all into a stage play for the elite.

but you wouldn't. you couldn't.

rafe's face flickered in your mind—his smirk, his touch, the way his voice softened when he said your name, like it was the only thing he cared to speak. carter could throw all the warnings, all the threats he wanted. none of it would erase what rafe had become to you, what you had become to him.

still, the weight of carter's words clung to you as you made your way back to your room. you sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the faint moonlight spilling through the window. you told yourself you'd deal with it later, that the knot in your chest would loosen by morning.

but you didn't hear carter's phone buzz in his room, didn't see the message that lit up his screen.

ward cameron: thank you for your help with the gleesons, carter. couldn't have sealed the deal without you.

the screen dimmed, the message vanishing into the dark, but its weight lingered, silent and foreboding.

and somewhere deep inside you, beneath all the bravado, a flicker of unease began to grow.

notes ; HI HI HELLO. i know i've still been inactive for ages sorry! but heres chapter twelve finally. regarding my taglist, this is still the old one but if you wanna be removed etc lmk - sorry again