#lachesism

"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.