Chapter Three: Still not cut out for this sort of thing
Chapter Two
Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Routledge!Reader
Summary: A sudden revelation forces you to see Rafe again, but it doesn't exactly go the way that you hoped it would.
Warnings: Swearing, pregnancy (if anything relating to this topic is triggering or makes you uncomfortable, this series is not for you), possible grammatical errors
Word Count: 3.2k
A/N: 18+ ONLY!! Minors DNI! Finally, here chapter three is for you all! Life is kicking my ass per usual, so I’m sorry it took so long. But I’m so proud of how this little series is coming along. I hope you all enjoy! Please leave me some feedback in the comments or reblogs!
Days had gone by and you still weren’t feeling like yourself.
If you weren’t hunched over the toilet dry heaving, you could be found curled up in bed most likely asleep.
You felt bad for the Pogues because they had been picking up a lot of your slack running the shop. John B especially. So you made the executive decision to close for a week and give everyone some much needed time off. Your brother took advantage and took Sarah to the mainland for a little getaway. Kiara was staying at her parents place. Pope and Cleo stayed at the Hayward’s. And JJ.. well, no one really knew what he was up to. But he sent the equivalent of an ‘I’m alive.’ text everyday so you wouldn’t worry.
The Chateau was all yours, even though you didn’t have the energy to do much half of the time.
Though, that day you forced yourself to get out of bed. You wanted your brother and friends to come back worry free and to a clean house. So you got to work tidying up and deep cleaning as much as your body would allow. You fought through the waves of nausea until the only room left was the communal bathroom in the hallway.
Music played softly from the speaker you set on the countertop. You hummed along as you crouched down and opened the cabinets underneath for cleaning supplies. Your eyes skimmed over everything from extra toothpaste to feminine products and toilet paper. Then you stopped, blood turning to ice in your veins.
Feminine products. Tampons. When the fuck did I get my period last?
“No,” you whispered. Standing up straight, you looked at yourself in the mirror.
This whole time you thought you were fighting some stomach bug you couldn’t kick. But with the nausea, exhaustion, and as of very recently, swollen and achy breasts you were doubting yourself.
Without a second thought you hurried to John B and Sarah’s room. She’d mentioned before that she kept a stash of pregnancy tests around, ‘Just in case. We’re not trying or anything.’ she had told you with a sheepish smile. You found the box on the shelf in the closet, shoved in the corner and out of sight. There were different brands, a mixture that Sarah had combined into one box over time. You grabbed two digital tests and one that just showed you the lines, wanting to be absolutely sure if this was really happening.
You grabbed a red solo cup from the kitchen cabinet and scurried back into the bathroom. You followed the directions carefully, dipping the end of the test in and carefully putting the cap back on all three tests. A heavy sigh left your lips as you sat down on the toilet seat and set a five minute timer on your phone.
Your knee bounced nervously and the skin around your thumbnail was getting raw from you picking at it. ‘This isn’t happening. You’re just under a lot of stress.’ you tried to tell yourself. Though your mind was replaying that night at the beach. The buzz from the weed and alcohol made the memory hazy. You can’t recall if he reached in the center console for a condom or not. You were always so careful. Was this really happening after one slip up?
The alarm going off made you jump, lost in thoughts of replaying every detail. You got up slowly and wiped your hands on the old pajama shorts adorning your legs. You didn’t want to look. Deep down you already knew what the answer was going to be, it only made sense. So you swallowed the lump in your throat and turned towards the counter.
Your hands trembled as you picked up the first pregnancy test and turned it over. Two dark pink lines stared right back at you.
“Shit,” you whimpered, tears quickly pooling in your eyes.
You flipped over the next. Big and bold - YES+. A sob bubbled in your throat.
And the last one. PREGNANT.
Your knees tried to gave out underneath you. You braced yourself with your hands on the counter and hung your head, unable to keep your cries held in. Your breaths came out short and uneven, tears blurring your vision as you stumbled out of the bathroom and towards the back door. It felt like the walls were closing in on you. You needed fresh air.
You nearly fell down the porch steps, stopping and once you felt the grass under your feet. A frustrated shout left your lips. Eventually, you sat down on the bottom step and stared out blankly at the horizon. You could still barely hear the music playing from the speaker forgotten in the bathroom. The sobs had subsided but hot tears continued flowing down your cheeks and dripping off of your chin.
What the fuck were you going to do?
You weren’t sure how long you sat out there. You didn’t really care either. By the time you worked up the nerve to go back inside both your speaker and phone were dead.
Hesitantly, you walked back into the restroom. You could barely look at the pregnancy tests as you picked them up off of the counter and dropped them in the little trash. Your head ached as you grabbed your devices and crossed the hall into your bedroom. After plugging them in, you crawled into bed. You were exhausted in every sense of the word, and soon, your heavy eyes fell shut. You hoped that when you woke up this would all just be some sick nightmare.
A noise woke you up some hours later. You rubbed the sleep from your puffy eyes, confused and dazed. The sun had just gone down and crickets were chirping outside your window.
You checked your phone. One missed call from Sarah and a picture of the sunset from JJ. You climbed out of bed to change clothes and grab water from the kitchen. Exiting the room, you were too focused on texting John B to notice whoever was in the bathroom until they cleared their throat.
You froze. Kiara stood in the doorway. Your eyes fell from her face and locked on the little white stick in her hand. She looked at you in disbelief as she asked, (Y/N), what is this?”
You swallowed thickly, feeling like the air was sucked out of your lungs. You had barely had time to even process this was real and happening to you, let alone what to do or who to tell. You tore your eyes away from the two bold pink lines and met her worried brown ones. Your voice was but a whisper, shaking and cracking in the otherwise silent house.
“Please don’t tell my brother.”
Kiara just stared at you, mouth agape and eyes flickering over your face, looking for the right words to say. You turned and entered the kitchen for that water you intended on getting to soothe your hoarse throat. She followed quietly.
She could tell that you had been crying, waiting until you took a sip to speak again.
“How- When did..” she stuttered.
You stared blankly at the floor, arms crossed defensively over your chest while holding the cup up by your face. You blinked a couple of times wracking your brain for something, anything to say.
“I met a tourist a couple months ago at a party.”
Bold faced lie. Kiara was smart, too smart for her own good, and you hoped she wouldn’t see right through you.
“We hooked up a couple times. I don’t.. I guess the condom broke.”
You sniffled dryly, out of tears to cry in that moment.
“Oh, (Y/N),” Kiara breathed, setting the test on the counter then wrapping her arms around you. You didn’t move — didn’t hug her back.
“You can’t tell John B, Kie. I’m begging you,” you muttered. “Not until I figure out what to do.”
She kept you in her embrace, resting her head against yours. “I won’t,” she promised. “No matter what you choose to do, I’ll support you. We all will.”
As reassuring as she tried to sound, you weren’t sure if that was true. Despite being younger, your brother was going to be so disappointed in you. Especially with how often you got on his ass about being careful. You were supposed to be the one setting good examples and being a role model for him and the Pogues.
“Come,” Kie whispered, leading you to the couch and flicking on the TV for some background noise.
You sat next to her silently for a moment before setting your cup on the coffee table. You turned to her and your brow furrowed slightly. “Why’d you come by? I gave you guys a week off and figured this is the last place you’d want to be.”
“I left my charger in the shop. Mom got sick of me stealing hers,” she explained. “I came in to pee and get the keys.”
You nodded and hummed in acknowledgment. Silence fell over the two of you again. You pulled a blanket over your lap, picking at a loose thread and paying no attention to whatever show was on. Your friend watched you silently.
It was awkward. Neither of you knew what to do or say. Both of you were trying to process this new piece of information.
“Dad needs help at The Wreck again tomorrow,” Kiara finally said. “Wanna come? Just get your mind off things?”
You shook your head and gave her a soft smile. “I have some things to take care of. It’ll keep me busy.”
“Sure. The offer’s there if you want to stop by.”
“Thanks, Kie.”
She frowned when the corners of your mouth fell and your eyes reverted back to your lap. She knew she couldn’t leave you alone. So she loaded up Netflix and scurried off to the kitchen to find snacks and keep you company for the night.
She also made sure to help dispose of the tests, but not before you swiped one of the digitals. You stashed it at the bottom of your underwear drawer after she fell asleep. You knew you’d have to tell Rafe, no matter what the outcome was.
Kiara fell asleep some time after midnight. You covered her curled up body with a blanket and smoothed her hair out of her face, then you reverted back to your room. You stared at the ceiling for hours. You didn’t get much sleep, only dozing off a couple of times before waking back up. Your mind was too busy — running through every possible scenario.
“(Y/N),” a whisper and a gentle shake.
Your back was turned towards the door. Kie didn’t know you were awake, watching the sun rise through your blinds for the last hour.
You turned over and she gave you a soft smile. “I have to go,” she told you, scanning your face worriedly. “Are you gonna be okay?”
“I’ll be fine, Kie,” you sat up and outstretched your arms, inviting her into a hug. She squeezed you tightly and you whispered into her shoulder, “Thank you.”
“Always. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
With a firm nod from you, she left. You sighed once the front door closed behind her and eyed your phone sitting on the nightstand. Chewing on the inside of your bottom lip, you reluctantly picked it up. You scrolled a little until you found your message thread with Rafe, mustering up what little courage you had, and sent a text.
YOU: Can we talk? 7:57 am
Surely he wouldn’t reply for a while. There was no way he was awake unless he had an early tee time. So you pushed yourself out of bed, leaving your phone on the behind to take a much needed shower.
You were stepping out when your phone dinged a couple of times. Your stomach dropped anxiously. Wrapped in a towel, you ignored your device and rummaged through your closet for something to wear. Once you were dressed and towel drying your hair, you finally checked your phone.
RAFE: I knew you’d come back around eventually ;) 9:02 am
RAFE: Come by the house at noon 9:11 am
You exhaled a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. You simply liked his last message before dropping the phone back on the bed. That would give you a few hours to figure out how to tell him.
You tried to watch TV to distract yourself, but quickly got bored of that. You tried to lay out on the hammock and read a book, but your thoughts kept drifting. Finally, you just ended up heading out to your car, but not before tucking the pregnancy test into the waistband of your shorts.
You drove around aimlessly. You tried not to overthink. You tried not to imagine how terrible Rafe would react when you inevitably sent his world crashing down around him. You tried not to think about the horrible things he could say to you in response. Though, it wouldn’t be anything he hadn’t already called you before.
Before you knew it, the clock on your dash read 12:00. So you made your way over the bridge and into Figure Eight. Your heart rate picked up as Tannyhill appeared in the distance, and your stomach sank as you turned into the driveway. Rafe opened the front door as soon as you put it in park. If only you could say he was excited to see you, when in reality, he didn’t want his nosy neighbors seeing a Pogue sneaking in while Sophia was gone.
His lips were painted with a smug smirk, as you kept your head down and slipped past him into the house. There was a beat after the door shut and then his hands were on your hips, pulling you flush against him. His nose was buried in the crook of your neck, breath hot on your shoulder. Under different circumstances you would have melted into him.
“Rafe..”
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to stay away,” he whispered. His hands drifted forward and your breath hitched, just not in the way he wanted. His fingers were dangerously close to the test still hidden under your clothes.
“I said I wanted to talk, Rafe, please.”
He didn’t move right away. He breathed in deeply through his nose then finally stepped back and walked around you. He headed into the living room and plopped down on the couch, stretching his arms across the back and kicking his feet up on the coffee table.
You stood in front of him on the other side of the table, trying to keep some distance between you. You avoided his piercing gaze and stared down at your hands as you picked at the skin around your thumb. “Listen, I-I don’t really know how to say this-” you started.
“We really don’t need to do all of this,” Rafe cut you off, leaning forward and putting his elbows on his knees. “I accept your apology. Now we can just move right on up to my bed.”
“My apology?”
“Yeah,” Rafe shrugged nonchalantly. “That’s why you’re here right? To say sorry for yelling at me at The Wreck and throwing a drink on me at the beach? I’m not even trippin’.”
You looked at him incredulously, brow furrowed. “Uh, no. If anybody here is owed an apology, it’s me,” you retorted.
Rafe rolled his eyes and scoffed, shaking his head subtly. He truly didn’t think he needed to apologize to you. Everyone talked to the Pogues the way he did. It wasn’t anything new. He didn’t understand why you were making such a big deal out of this. But he didn’t want to fight. He just wanted to shut you up and put your mouth to better use, so he halfheartedly replied, “Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”
“You can’t even pretend to mean it, Rafe!” you exclaimed. “Why is it so hard for you to just treat us — treat me like a human being?”
He didn’t say anything, unable to give you an answer. His eyes dropped to the coffee table. You were fed up.
You sighed loudly and pulled the pregnancy test out of your waistband. With force, you set it down on the table right in his line of sight. Rafe went stiff, jaw ticking as it clenched. It felt like his heart was about to beat out of his chest. This was quite possibly his worst nightmare coming to fruition.
You were biting your bottom lip so hard you were sure you were drawing blood. You crossed your arms tightly over your chest, looking for some sort of comfort. You watched him closely and waited for him to say something, anything.
“How much?”
That wasn’t exactly what you were expecting. You opened and closed your mouth a couple of times before breathing, “Wha-?”
“Obviously you’re not keeping it,” he stated. When he looked up at you it was like someone else had taken over. His eyes were no longer bright blue like the ocean you loved so much, they were dark, devoid of any and all emotion. “So how much do you need?”
“I don’t want your money, Rafe,” you said incredulously. You couldn’t believe that was his first course of action. “You just want to get rid of it? Like that?”
“How are you gonna raise a baby, huh? You can barely afford to keep the lights on. You work all the time. Gonna have the baby in the shop? Gonna trust your kid brother and his friends to help?” He fired off. You barely had time to process what he was saying, let alone respond. “Daycare? Babysitter? All those things add up quick.”
You pursed your lips, only able to reply with, “We’ll figure it out.”
“We?” He scoffed a laugh, shaking his head.
“Why are you acting like this is all my fault?! It takes two people to make a baby, Rafe!”
“Yeah, and we fucked up, obviously!” He shouted, rising from the couch. “I’m giving you an out!”
You stared at him, unmoving. He thought he could intimidate you by getting loud and using his height like he did everyone else. You’d been dealing with him for too long, though. You weren’t scared of him, and he knew it.
You sighed through your nose, throwing your arms up while replying, “What if I don’t want an out?”
His eyes scanned your face like he was trying to memorize it. The curve of your jaw, the shape of your lips, the color of your eyes. All rationale was out the window. He felt betrayed, angry at himself for even letting this happen. So he was taking it all out on you.
“If I haven’t already made myself clear, I don’t want a baby with a Pogue. I never wanted to have a baby with you. So if you aren’t going to accept my help, that’s on you (Y/N).”
He watched you storm out after the words left his mouth, heart sinking in his chest. He ran his fingers through his hair with a frustrated shout. He kicked the leg of the coffee table, knocking it out of place.
You peeled out of his driveway, heartbeat pounding in your ears. Tears dangerously blurred your vision as you made your way back to your side of the island. Now knowing how Rafe really felt about this, you were left with an impossible decision to make — alone.
A/N: As always, please let me know what you think! To be notified when I post, go to @asapstarkey-library and turn on post notifications! I have discontinued my tag list!
Chapter Three of It's Complicated is dropping today!!!
I HAVE DISCONTINUED MY TAG LIST!
So moving forward, if you'd like to be notified when the series is updated, or when i post a new fic, head over to @asapstarkey-library and turn on post notifications!
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Y/N steps into the room, eyes wide with amusement.
“Wow.” She breathes, half in awe, half in disbelief as Rafe glances around and scratches the back of his head, unsure.
“Not gonna lie…this kinda looks like the set of a low-budget porn shoot.” He says.
“Dude!” Y/N groans, swatting his chest. He catches her wrist, tugging her closer, eyebrow raised.
“‘Dude’? That's what we’re doing now?” He smirks.
“Yeah. Like...don’t ruin this.” She exhales, feigning exasperation.
“I won’t.” He says, pulling her flush against him. “Promise.” He presses a gentle kiss on her cheek before strolling over to the bed, placing their water bottles down, beside it. His gaze travels to the fluffy blanket and scattered rose petals.
Meanwhile, Y/N lets her curiosity get the better of her and opens one of the drawers on the bottom of the bed.
A gasp escapes her lips.
“Oh my god.”
She pulls out a whip and a pair of handcuffs, eyes wide.
Rafe bursts out laughing, raising a brow suggestively.
“Wipe that look off your face." She says, cheeks flushed as she tosses the items back in and shuts the drawer.
“Hey, don’t blame me." He grins, raising his hands in surrender. Rafe drops onto the bed and propping himself up against the pillows, while watching her wander around the room.
She keeps exploring, eventually making her way to the door on the side of the room. When she opens it, her jaw drops.
“Holy shit, Rafe!” She calls.
“What?” He lifts his head.
“There’s a hot tub!” She announces.
He chuckles and gets up to see for himself. But when he looks over her shoulder, his attention barely registers the hot tub, he is far more focused on her beaming face.
“That’s awesome.” He mutters, barely looking away from her.
She turns to look up at him and grins, as his hand naturally finds its way around her waist.
“We can use it later, if you want.” He suggests.
She shrugs playfully, looping her arms around his shoulders.
“We’ll see where the night takes us.” She replies, her eyes twinkling.
He leans in slowly to kiss her softly, just once, before nodding toward the bed and heading back to it. He presses his hands into the mattress, testing it. He sits down, bouncing on it, just as she glances down at her silk robe.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she nods to herself and undoes the silk bow at her waist. The robe slips from her shoulders, falling away to reveal a red lace lingerie set with delicate lace details.
Rafe’s eyes trail over her, his mouth parting. He shifts on the bed, lifting his hips to adjust himself.
“Fuck." He breathes. “You’re always gorgeous but...damn.”
She laughs nervously.
“You really mean that?” She asks, her fingers brushing over the lace.
“Of course I do.” He nods, his gaze stuck on her.
Encouraged by his words, she walks to the bed and crawls over him. His hands instinctively find her waist, grounding them both.
“Hi." She whispers.
“Hey." He replies, voice thick. His eyes search her face, fingers brushing lightly over the lace beneath her chest. He groans as she settles on his lap.
“You’re killing me” He mumbles.
“I can’t believe we’re finally alone.” She murmurs.
“Feels surreal, huh?” He asks as she hums in agreement and he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Then, his expression softens.
“You know...” He starts, voice gentler now. “I got really worried last night.”
“Why?” She asks, her brows pinching together.
He sighs.
“It’s stupid but...when you pulled away, I started thinking that maybe…maybe you weren’t feeling the same way. That you weren't into this, into me, the way I am into you”
“Rafe…” Her heart clenches and her shoulders slump.
“I know, I know. It sounds dumb.” Rafe mutters, eyes flicking away from hers. “I just got scared. That maybe I’d misread everything. That I made you uncomfortable. That I went too far, when you pulled back.”
“You didn’t.” She says softly, shaking her head. “You stopped when I asked you to. Immediately.”
“I know.” He repeats, his voice low. “But in that moment, I didn’t know what to think. My head was all over the place.”
She exhales, watching him.
“This isn’t the first time you’ve doubted how I feel about you.” Her voice is gentle, not accusing. His eyes flick up, a flicker of recognition passing between them.
“Remember the staircase? You said the same thing back then. And I thought…I really thought I reassured you. That I showed you how I feel. That I made it clear.”
“No, no, you did, Y/N.” He rushes to say, his voice tight. “You have. I know you care. It’s just…everything in here feels amplified, like it's all moving at a hundred miles an hour. And I’m not saying I’d change any of it. Being with you, all the moments we've shared, the stuff we’ve already been through, it’s been…intense. And good. And real. And I just-” He cuts himself off, jaw tightening. “I’ve never felt something this fast, this strong. And I don’t even know how to put it into words.”
Her heart swells at the vulnerability in his voice, the way he’s trying to make sense of something that doesn’t need perfect explanation. She leans in, gaze soft.
“Then don’t.” She whispers, lips barely brushing his.
“Y/N-”
“I’m ready.” She whispers, voice trembling slightly. “To do m-more. Tonight.”
He freezes.
“Y/N, I didn’t say that to pressure you into anything. We can take it slow. We can just talk or just cuddle. I've told you I'm okay with that.” He shakes his head.
“I know." She says gently. “But I want this. I want you.”
His hands tighten slightly on her waist and he groans, struggling to keep control.
“Fuck. Are-are you sure?” He asks.
She nods, but he doesn't move. Not yet.
“I need you to say it." He pleads. “Say you want this. Say...say you want me.”
She smiles, arms curling around the back of his neck.
“I want this. I want you, Rafael Alexander Cameron.”
He snorts.
“Full name? Seriously?” He asks and she giggles, before their lips meet again, deeper this time, slower, more deliberate. His hands slide up her back, pulling her in until their bodies press together. He kisses down her neck gently.
“I want you to take the lead.” He murmurs. “Tell me what you want, how far you want to go. Okay?”
She nods, already breathless.
“Words, baby.” His mouth finds the pulse point of her neck.
“Yes." She whispers. “I'll tell you.”
“Good girl.” He murmurs, voice low and teasing. Her body shivers in response.
"Oh, you liked that, didn't you?” He teases, his lips warm against her skin.
“Don’t-Don't even start.” She warns, blushing.
But his grin only widens as he leans in to kiss and suck gently at the sensitive spot on her neck, pulling a soft moan from her lips.
“You’re so damn responsive.” He whispers.
“And you’re really into dirty talk, huh?” She shoots back, biting back a grin.
He chuckles against her neck.
“We learn something new about each other every day. Cute.”
She lets out a breathless laugh, eyes sparkling and for a moment, everything feels easy, warm and exactly where it’s meant to be.
Soon enough, his lips return to hers, slower this time, more deliberate. There's no rush, just the steady press of his mouth against hers as if he's savoring the moment, committing the shape of her lips to memory. His tongue brushes against hers, teasing, tasting, exploring with aching patience. When he finally pulls back, his teeth graze her bottom lip and he lingers there for a breath.
“Fuck, I can’t get enough of kissing you.” He murmurs, breathless. She hums in response, already leaning in for another kiss, softer now. Her hips shift instinctively in his lap, the movement subtle but it draws a gasp from him.
“We should…” She mumbles between kisses. “Get under the covers.”
He nods quickly, reluctantly pulling back to give her space. She climbs off his lap and together, they toss the decorative pillows aside. Once under the blanket, he lifts the edge for her to join and she curls into his side, her body molding with his. Her palm rises to gently cup his jaw. His muscles tense under her touch, his eyes fluttering closed.
“Relax, Rafe.” She says, her voice soft like silk.
“I can’t relax when you’re doing all that.” He groans, dropping his head back into the pillow as she laughs.
“I’m literally not doing anything.”
“No, you know exactly what you’re doing.” He cracks a grin.
His gaze drops down to her flushed cheeks and the way the lingerie clings to her skin.
“Fuck, you…” He mutters under his breath.
His hand slides down her side, settling on her hip. She draws in a breath as he leans down, hovering over her and catching her lips again.
This kiss is heavier, messier and when their hips meet, the heat between them spikes. She gasps softly, feeling how hard he is, pressing against her thigh.
“Sorry." He mumbles, pulling back.
But she shakes her head and pulls him back down. Their mouths meet again and she parts her legs, inviting him closer. He follows, fitting between them easily, his arms circling her waist. Her fingers trace his spine, her nails light but enough to make his breath catch. When his hips press into hers without meaning to, she whimpers into the kiss. His own moan escapes before he can stop it.
He pulls back, only to start kissing down her jaw, her neck and finally her collarbone. That’s when the lights shut off.
“Shit." He mutters, lips still brushing her skin. “I wanted to see you.”
She smiles faintly as his hand brushes against the strap of her bra.
“Can I…?” He asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Actually…” She hesitates. “Is it okay if it stays on?”
He looks at her and immediately nods.
“Of course, sweetheart.” He replies and backs off, giving her space, his hand leaving the strap. “And if you want me to stop-”
“I don’t." She says quickly. “I just…don’t want to take it off. Not right now.”
“Got it.” He nods, gentle now. “Want me to keep going?”
“Yeah." She nods, voice barely above a whisper. "And...you-you can go lower.”
His eyes flick to hers, searching. When she nods again, he bends to press soft kisses down her neck and the top of her breasts. He moves slowly, letting his lips linger on her skin. Her nipples are hard beneath the lace and he gently presses his mouth against them through the bra, drawing a soft moan from her.
“Mmm, Rafe.” She breathes, eyes fluttering.
He looks up with a proud smirk. Watching her come undone beneath him, the way her breath catches, the way her skin reacts to every touch, it’s enough to drive him wild.
One hand glides down her body, tracing the edge of her lace underwear. She gasps and he looks up at her again.
“What do you want me to do?” He asks, thumb slipping under the waistband.
“I…” She swallows, blinking up at him with heavy eyes. “I want you to touch me.”
“Touch you where?” He teases, smirking.
“Rafe.” She groans, laughing despite herself.
"You sure?” He brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Oh my god, ask me one more time and I’m sleeping in the pool.” She glares playfully, while he chuckles and kisses her softly.
“Just making sure this is what you want, Y/N. I don’t want to mess this up.” He confesses.
“For the millionth time.” She whispers, smiling. “I want this.”
He exhales, relieved and slides his hand lower. When his fingers slip beneath the red lace and brush against her, she jolts.
“You have no idea how much I want to do this.” He murmurs, kissing her lips as his fingers move gently, caressing her folds. He teases her gently, tracing her clit in slow circles that make her whimper and gasp.
“You’re so wet.” He whispers in her ear and she arches into him, seeking more. He lets one finger slide in, slowly, watching her face. Then another. She clenches around him, tight and warm.
“You’re tight.” He breathes. “Breathe, baby. I got you.”
He kisses her jaw, cheek and temple. Her body slowly unwinds beneath him and he begins to move, slow and careful, but expertly.
“You’re…really good at that.” She pants.
“I’ve barely even started.” He grins.
He curls his fingers, increasing the rhythm as his thumb continues its slow circles on her clit, coaxing sounds from her. Her face twists with pleasure and he watches every second, utterly entranced as he drinks in every moan and every twitch of her body.
“God.” He groans. “You’re stunning.”
“Rafe.” She moans, eyes closing.
“You like that?” He asks, voice low.
She nods quickly, her back arching.
Then, without warning, he pulls his hand away and she lets out a confused whine. Before she can say anything, he brings his fingers to his mouth, sucking them clean. She stares at him, shocked, turned on and breathless all at once.
“You taste so good.” He mutters, voice rough, leaning in. “Can I…? Do you want me to-?”
He gestures downward and she gulps nervously before nodding.
“You can say no. It’s okay.” He assures her, reading the flicker in her eyes.
“No, I want to.” She says softly. “It’s just…been a while.”
“I’ll go slow.” He promises. “Let me take care of you, yeah?”
When she nods again, he kisses her once tenderly, before sliding down her body, lips brushing her jaw, her neck and her stomach, until he reaches the hem of her underwear and pulls it down. She helps him, lifting her hips and he pauses to take her in. His eyes darken.
“Fucking beautiful.” He murmurs, then leans in and kisses her clit gently.
She gasps, clutching the sheets as he kisses her again, then licks a slow stripe through her folds. Her head falls back, a moan slipping from her lips. He takes his time, tasting her like she's his last meal. His fingers find her again, slipping inside as his tongue swirls around her clit.
Her thighs tremble around his head, but he holds them open, anchoring her to the bed. When her hand finds his buzzed hair, pulling him closer, he groans into her.
“Ray, I-” She starts, cutting herself off with a whimper.
He lifts his head just slightly, his lips glimmering from her slick.
“Let it out, baby. I wanna hear you.”
A soft cry escapes her lips.
“You’re close, huh? I can feel you. Come on, baby.” He urges, curling his fingers deeper, his mouth returning to her.
Tongue and fingers working in perfect tandem, slow and purposeful and his name falls from her lips like a prayer.
Her nails dig into his scalp and shoulders, but he doesn’t stop, if anything, it drives him harder. His own hips rut against the mattress beneath him, needing relief but focused entirely on her.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” She gasps. “Rafe!”
Her whole body trembles, her thighs tightening around his head and he doesn’t stop or pull back until she fully lets go. He doesn’t waste a drop, licking her clean until she squirms from the overstimulation.
Finally, he rises, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and crawling back up beside her. He’s grinning, eyes scanning her flushed face, her glistening skin, the way her chest still heaves.
“You okay? You feel good?” He brushes the hair away from her forehead and cups her face gently.
She nods, eyes still dazed.
“Yeah. Yeah. That was…” She lets out a breath, smiling. “You definitely know what you’re doing.”
He chuckles softly and presses a kiss to her cheek. Shifting his hips slightly to get comfortable, he settles beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She looks up at him, fingers lazily dragging down his chest and he swallows hard under her touch.
She leans in, kissing him gently. Her fingers toy with the chain around his neck letting the gold glide between her fingers, while his hand finds her hip and gives it a soft squeeze, grounding himself. Then she starts kissing down his chest and his stomach, until she’s settled between his legs.
“Y/N-” his voice breaks slightly as her fingers hook into the waistband of his sweatpants. “No, hey…you don’t have to.”
“I want to, Rafe.” She says, her voice calm, certain. “I’m not gonna leave you like that.” Her eyes flick down to the clear evidence of how worked up he is.
“I can handle it.” He says, trying to pull her back up. “You don’t have to take care of me.”
She looks up at him, eyes wide and sincere.
“Let me, Ray.” The nickname does something to him and he groans, already giving in.
She eases his sweatpants down and he lifts his hips to help her. Through his boxers, she palms him gently, feeling the damp spot where precum soaks through. He hisses, head tipping back against the headboard as her hand moves slowly, deliberately.
Her nails catch on the waistband of his boxers.
“Can I…?” She asks sweetly.
He nods, fast and eager, almost dizzy. She smiles softly and pulls them down. His cock springs free, already leaking at the tip, slapping lightly against his stomach and he lets out a breath of relief just from the relief of no longer being confined.
She blinks, slightly wide-eyed. Her lips part and for a second, she doesn’t say anything.
“I know, it’s a lot.” He rushes out. “You don’t have to do anything, seriously. I’m okay.”
She shakes her head, eyes snapping back up to his.
“No, it’s not that.” She licks her lips. “I want to. I just wasn’t...expecting that.” Her brows lift. “You’re…big.”
He laughs and gives her a sheepish shrug.
“Oh, don’t do that.” She grins. “God, I forgot about your ego.”
“I didn’t even say anything.” He protests, hands raised in mock surrender.
Still smiling, she shakes her head and leans closer, her hand wrapping gently around him. He jerks slightly at the contact.
“Relax.” She whispers.
Her thumb brushes over the sensitive head, smearing the precum down his shaft before starting to stroke him slowly. The tension in his shoulders rises and his jaw clenches, like he’s doing everything he can to stay grounded.
“I’m not gonna last long.” He warns, his voice strained. “Not with you touching me like that.”
Her pace stays gentle, steady enough to make him tremble, to leave him gasping, but not quite enough to push him over. She leans down and kisses the tip, so tender it makes him flinch.
“Shit.” He whispers, every muscle in his body coiled.
She runs her tongue softly along the underside, then looks up at him one more time, checking in without needing words, before she takes him into her mouth.
He groans the second she does, head tipping back again. His eyes flutter closed, one hand tangling in her hair.
“Oh my god, Y/N.”
She moves slowly at first, letting herself adjust, her hand stroking what her mouth can’t reach. She glances up through her lashes, eyes slightly watering, cheeks hollowing and her free hand gripping his thigh for balance. He looks down at her and he feels like he is about to fall apart.
“Fuck.” He breathes, completely undone. “You look so good like this.”
She picks up the pace, one hand moving lower to cup and fondle his balls while her mouth works him expertly. His moans grow louder, more ragged. It doesn’t take long before his grip on her hair tightens to pull her off.
“Y/N-I’m-”
But she doesn’t stop.
He groans her name one last time, before he comes with a gasp and she takes all of it, swallowing without hesitation, soothing him with slow touches until he's spent. His body trembles as he melts into the bed, chest heaving.
She pulls back, wipes her mouth and curls up beside him, her nails gently trailing along his chest.
“You okay?” She asks, her voice quiet. He nods, still trying to catch his breath.
“Did you…I mean, did you enjoy-?” “Fuck yes.” He cuts her off, voice still hoarse. She laughs, clearly pleased with herself.
She rests her head on his chest, looking up at him. His arm wraps around her instinctively, fingers stroking her back. He feels her gaze on him and turns his head.
“What?” He asks, brows furrowing. “What’s that look?”
“Nothing.” She says, her voice soft. “You’re just…so beautiful.”
“Careful. You’re gonna make me blush.” He grins.
“I’m serious.” She murmurs. “I still can’t believe I’m here with you.”
“Yeah, I can’t either.” He says, leaning in to kiss her.
“No, I don’t mean the Hideaway.” She explains.
“I know.” He nods, meeting her gaze. “I know what you mean.”
Some time has passed. They’ve both cleaned up, now back in their undergarments. Y/N’s curled up on Rafe’s side, tucked beneath his arm with the hoodie he had given her, hanging loosely off her frame. He didn’t bother putting his sweats back on, just a pair of fresh boxers. Her head rests on his chest, fingers drawing lazy shapes over his torso, tracing the dips and ridges like she’s memorizing them.
“Do you have any kinks?” She blurts, casually making Rafe snort, caught off guard.
“Jesus, Y/N. Let a man breathe.” He mutters.
She grins, giggling into his chest.
“Come on! I already found out you like dirty talk.” She points out.
“Alright, how about what do you think I’m into?” He asks, glancing down at her, amused.
She hums like she’s thinking seriously, tapping a finger against his abs.
“You definitely give…handcuffs and blindfolds kind of guy.”
“Oh yeah?” He asks, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips.
“Your eyes did light up when I showed you the cuffs earlier.”
“Okay, fair. I’ve dabbled.” He chuckles, scratching the back of his neck like he’s been caught.
“I think you’re into spanking, too.” She mutters, her fingers now trailing lower, more deliberate. Rafe’s abs twitch under her touch.
“Occasionally.” He admits, playing it cool.
“And…” She adds, voice a bit softer now. “I think you like choking.”
There’s a beat. Then, he nods, slower this time.
“I do. But only if the other person’s into it too.”
She nods.
“What about me?” She asks after a moment, peeking up at him through her lashes. “What do you think I’m into?”
“You like praise.” He says, without hesitation. His hand traces the freckles on her shoulder. “You basically melted when I called you a good girl.”
Her cheeks warm instantly. She bites her lip and glances down at the oversized sleeve covering her hand.
“Maybe.”
“I think you like being choked too.” He guesses, leaning in. She doesn’t say anything, just meets his eyes and that’s all the confirmation he needs. “But I think I should stop talking, because our families are definitely watching.”
Y/N bursts out laughing.
“I warned mine not to watch anything that had to do with the Hideaway.”
“Well, my little sister definitely is.” He grins.
“Wait, you have a sister? You never told me that.” She tilts her head.
“Yeah. Wheezie.”
“Wheezie?” She furrows her brows.
“Louisa. My mom used to call her Wheezie and it kind of got stuck.” He says, a fond look flickering over his face as he stares at their now joined hands.
“That’s cute.” She murmurs. “Do you guys look alike?”
“Not really. She looks more like my dad, I think. Got our mom’s eyes though.”
“And you?” She asks, her voice gentle. “Who do you look like?”
“My mom. She was…blondish. Had the same nose slope as me.” He touches the bridge of his nose, smile turning soft. A little sad.
Y/N hesitates.
“I don’t want to overstep, but-”
“She’s gone.” He says it quickly, quietly. “Happened when I was twelve.”
“Rafe…” She breathes, her hand instinctively tightening where it rests on his chest.
“It’s okay.” He swallows. “I’ve dealt with it.”
“Grief isn’t something you just…deal with and move on from.” She shakes her head slightly.
“I’m okay.” He shrugs.
“It’s okay if you’re not.”
“Thanks. I just…I don’t want to get into it.” He exhales, suddenly still.
“Okay. We’ll drop it.” Y/N slowly pulls back, giving him space.
He nods, grateful. But there’s still a tension in his jaw.
“I just-I want you to know I’m here. If you ever…you know.”
“I know.” He replies, rubbing his eyes like he’s suddenly exhausted. He exhales, then shifts his body slightly, almost like he’s trying to physically shake the weight off.
“You ready for bed?” She asks, her voice still gentle.
“I didn’t mean to kill the vibe.” He gives a small smile. “It’s just…stuff like that gets heavy sometimes.”
“I understand. You don’t owe me any explanations.” She inhales slowly. “And you didn’t ruin anything. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s not your fault.” He pauses, then shifts the energy with a small smile. “So…kinks?”
She lets out a quiet laugh.
“You were right.” She mumbles.
“Really?” He raises his brows.
She nods and intertwines her fingers with his again, lips curving up.
“You know, I’m glad the others chose us tonight.” She whispers, sincere.
“Yeah. Me too.” He smiles back, this time with no teasing behind it. His hand slides over her shoulder and down her back in slow, comforting strokes. Her head gets heavier on his chest, lashes fluttering closed.
“Did I tire you out?” He teases, his voice low.
“You did.” She murmurs.
He presses a kiss to her forehead, lingering.
“Rafe?”
“Yeah?”
“Just so you know, I do like you and I do care about you.” She murmurs, her eyes closed.
The truth of it sinks in, quiet and sure, like something he’s been waiting to hear.
“I know.” He says, his voice almost shy. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
“Goodnight, Ray.” She mumbles, already half-asleep.
And he watches her for a little longer, letting the quiet wrap around them, before finally letting sleep take him too.
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The girls are huddled on a bench, buzzing with excitement. Across from them, the boys stand in a line, blindfolded and wearing headphones. Maddy stands by a giant whiteboard with everyone's names, holding a heart-shaped board covered in notes.
“Alright, ladies.” Maddy grins, slipping into full presenter mode. “How are we feeling about this kissing challenge?”
Laughter and cheers erupt from the bench. Maddy smirks.
“Ready to kiss some boys?” She teases. The girls erupt again, hollering in agreement as Maddy glances at her board.
“Okay, first up is Kiara!”
Kiara stands, smoothing her dress.
“Wish me luck.” She quips and the girls give her a playful shove toward the lineup.
She starts with JJ. Their kiss is intense, deep. Then she moves down the line: Ryan, Topper, Kelce, Rafe, John B and finally, Pope. That one’s gentler, a little awkward, but still sweet. She gives him another soft peck before heading back to the bench, her cheeks flushed.
The boys take off their headphones as the music cuts.
“So, boys.” Maddy asks. “Thoughts on our first girl?”
“Good kiss.” Pope says, grinning. Kiara shakes her head with a laugh.
“Pretty solid start.” JJ agrees.
Maddy records their ratings and Kiara scores 53 points. She does a little shoulder shimmy, proud of the result.
“Cleo, you’re up!” Maddy calls, as soon as the boys put their headphones back on
Cleo's approach is slower, more thoughtful. Her kisses are softer, lingering a bit longer on new guy, Ryan and Pope. With Pope, there's something deeper. His hands drift up her sides and when they separate, his lips are slightly swollen and shimmering with her Fenty gloss.
Cleo earns 55 points. She flashes Kiara a cheeky middle finger making Kiara laugh.
Next is Sarah. Her kisses are sensual, soft but confident.
“I think I’m getting turned on.” Y/N mutters, fanning herself as Sarah kisses Ryan.
When she gets to John B, her arms loop around his shoulders. He instinctively wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Their kiss deepens and she giggles mid-way before moving to his neck, trailing up to his ear with a slow lick and a playful bite. John B gasps in response and the girls erupt in squeals. Sarah walks back with 63 points.
Then comes Alyssa. She lingers on Topper, but it’s clear her moment is with Rafe. She turns to the girls with a smirk.
“I never got my chance with him so…sorry, Y/N.” She says, before tugging Rafe down into a kiss.
Y/N rolls her eyes, watching closely. The kiss is messy, desperate but Rafe doesn’t lean in. His hands stay crossed behind his back. When it’s over, he wipes his mouth and Cleo elbows Y/N, wide-eyed.
Alyssa scores the lowest, even with Topper’s generous 10. She scowls as she returns to the bench.
Confessional - Alyssa
She stares at the camera, fully offended.
“I got a 52? Are you kidding me?” She scoffs, arms crossed.
Now it’s Maddy’s turn. The girls cheer as she heads to the boys with purpose. Her kisses are slow and deliberate, especially with Kelce. His hands grip her ass as her dress rides up slightly. They kiss longer than anyone else so far and when she pulls back, her cheeks are flushed.
Maddy earns 60 points. Not a win, but close enough to be proud.
Then, Abigail dives in with pure excitement, making the most of every kiss. She scores 53 points and returns to the bench beaming, not worried about the score.
Last but definitely not least, Y/N rises from the bench and walks slowly toward the lineup of blindfolded boys. She starts with JJ. Their kiss begins soft, but he wastes no time making it messier. His hands grip her waist while her nails trail across his abs, exposed beneath his open shirt.
Next is Ryan. She surprises him by pulling him down to her height, confidently guiding his hands to her ass while cupping his face. Their kiss is slow, sensual and charged. Ryan melts into it, drawing her in closer.
“Oh my god.” Maddy breathes, watching with wide eyes as the rest of the girls exchange stunned looks.
Y/N pulls away with a smirk and moves on to Topper. Their kiss is more tentative as he fumbles with his hands, unsure of where to place them. But Y/N holds her ground and kisses him gently, keeping the moment light.
She approaches Kelce, bracing herself for discomfort, but it never comes. The kiss is unexpectedly sweet, stirring up old memories and forgotten wounds. When she pulls away, she pats his cheek twice, almost fondly, before stepping toward Rafe.
She stops in front of him, pausing to take him in. His head bobs lightly to the beat in his headphones, arms still crossed behind his back like they’ve been for every kiss, so far. His polo clings to his chest, the stubble on his jaw making her knees wobble.
She closes the distance, fingers grazing his chest, then his neck, before cradling his face. Her lips meet his softly at first, but the moment they connect, his hands drop to her waist, pulling her in. The kiss deepens. He groans low in his throat, his grip tightening on her ass, not rough, but firm enough to leave a mark in her memory.
She pulls back to breathe, then kisses down his neck, slowly, deliberately. He tightens his grip on her hips, pressing her against him.
“Y/N…” He whispers. Though he can’t see her, she looks up at him anyway, then leans in again. This time the kiss is shorter, but just as intense. So much that it leaves her dizzy and him breathless. Before walking away, she bites his bottom lip gently, drawing another groan. The girls laugh from the bench as Rafe exhales sharply and bends slightly, adjusting his pants, clearly flustered.
Confessional - Y/N
She nods slowly, her voice soft.
“The kiss with Rafe…yeah, it was steamy.” Her eyes drift slightly, a dazed look in them.
“And he…he said my name.” A pause. “He’s still not forgiven, though.”
Still catching her breath, Y/N kisses John B. It’s soft, sweet and brief. She knows nothing else could measure up after Rafe.
Finally, she reaches Pope. Their kiss is warm, unhurried. When she pulls back, she’s smiling and so is he.
Y/N returns to the bench just as the music cuts and the boys remove their headphones, but not their blindfolds.
“Boys.” Maddy announces. “That was our seventh and final girl. Thoughts?”
“Hell.” Rafe mutters, drawing chuckles from the girls. Maddy raises an eyebrow.
“Well, Rafe, it seemed like you got a little more...engaged during that round. Any notes? Comments?”
Y/N rolls her eyes as Maddy looks at her knowingly. She reapplies her lip gloss, trying not to smirk. Rafe shakes his head.
“No notes. Just…she’s a fucking amazing kisser.” Down the line, Ryan nods, clearly agreeing. Sarah elbows Y/N.
“You seem confident.” Maddy teases. “Think you know who you were kissing?”
“I don’t think.” Rafe says. “I know.”
Confessional - Rafe
“When her lips touched mine…I knew. That’s it. I just knew.” He looks dead serious, like he’s just had a revelation.
Maddy turns back to her chalkboard.
“Alright, time for the ratings. JJ?”
“Solid kiss.” JJ replies. “The nail thing? Hot. I’ll give her an 8.”
Maddy scribbles it down.
“Ryan, you seemed to be enjoying yourself…”
Ryan nods, glancing toward where he thinks Y/N might be.
“Yeah, she definitely knew what she was doing. I liked how she took control, put my hands where she wanted.”
Rafe scoffs.
“It’s a 10 from me.” Ryan adds. The girls react with surprise. Even Y/N raises an eyebrow. Maddy clears her throat theatrically.
“Would you kiss her again?” She asks, glancing at Y/N.
“No hesitation.” Ryan says with a grin. Rafe shifts, jaw clenched, clearly irritated.
“Topper?”
“A little awkward, probably my fault.” He admits. “And considering Rafe ‘knows’ who it was, I’d rather not get my ass beat, so…6.”
The girls laugh and Y/N grins, unfazed.
“Good man.” Rafe mutters approvingly.
“Kelce?”
Kelce scratches the back of his neck.
“I had my suspicions before, but Rafe confirmed them. Great kiss. No hard feelings. I’ll give it a 9.”
Y/N gives him a grateful smile as Maddy turns to Rafe.
“Okay, Ra-” “10.” Rafe cuts her off, arms crossed, smirking. Maddy blinks but jots it down.
With John B and Pope’s ratings added, Y/N earns 61 points, which confirms Sarah's win. The girls cheer for the final scores as the boys remove their blindfolds and crowd around the board.
Rafe’s eyes find Y/N immediately, lingering on her flushed cheeks and glossed lips.
Now it’s the girls’ turn, as they line up with playful grins and nervous giggles, slipping on their headphones and adjusting their blindfolds while the boys take their seats on the bench. Kelce stands front and center, holding the heart-shaped board filled with notes.
“Alright, first up is John B!” He announces, earning cheers as John B rises.
John B moves down the line smoothly, planting soft kisses with ease. He lingers a little longer on Sarah, wrapping her up in his arms, making her giggle into his chest. It’s sweet, familiar. He returns to the bench with 53 points, shrugging nonchalantly.
Topper is next and things immediately get awkward. He’s all elbows and bad timing. Pulling Maddy a little too hard, landing a kiss on Kiara’s nose and going way too intense with Y/N.
“I am really, really sorry for this.” Y/N says, readjusting her blindfold, her tone apologetic but honest. “It just wasn’t my speed. I’m gonna have to give it a 6.”
Topper returns to the bench with 50 points as the guys try to lift his spirits.
Kelce’s turn brings a wave of energy. He’s charming, deliberate, taking his time with each girl. Deep kisses, roving hands, a confident swagger and he racks up an impressive 65 points, leaving everyone cheering in surprise.
Pope follows, more tender and precise. His soft touch earns him a ‘10’ from Cleo, boosting him to a solid 58 points.
And then, it’s Rafe. He stands slowly, his jaw tight, but eyes scanning the lineup until they land on her.
She doesn’t know he’s watching, of course. Her head’s tilted slightly to the beat of the music in her ears, her weight shifting from foot to foot. Her hands tucked into her back pockets. And those jeans hugging her figure just right.
He starts with Cleo, a soft kiss and steady hands. Then Maddy, with a light grip around the waist. Alyssa, Kiara, Abigail, Sarah, each kiss deliberate, measured. But they’re just stepping stones. Because then, he’s in front of her.
And something shifts.
He doesn’t hesitate. His hands find her waist and pull her toward him in one swift motion, surprising her. Her breath catches as her fingers instinctively clutch his shirt. The scent of his cologne, familiar yet dangerous, wraps around her like a second skin. She doesn’t know it’s him, but her body remembers.
He cups her face gently, his lips brushing hers, tender at first before deepening the kiss with purpose. His tongue slips past her lips, drawing a breathy sound from her throat. One hand moves to the nape of her neck, holding her in place, while the other slides down, gripping her thighs and lifting her up effortlessly. She gasps as her legs wrap around his waist. His hand grips her ass firmly, massaging the flesh and she lets out a sound she doesn’t even recognize.
His lips find her neck. A kiss. Then a bite. She grips his shoulders hard, nails digging into his skin and he hisses in delight. He kisses her again, hungrier now, messier. Her lip gloss smears onto his lips as her head tilts to chase more.
When he finally pulls back, it’s not to catch his breath but to admire her. Lips swollen. Hair tousled. Cheeks flushed. Two faint marks on her neck.
He knows she’s going to kill him for that. And he also knows he doesn’t care.
He sets her down gently, presses one last squeeze to her ass and walks back without a word. The boys erupt in laughter and high fives and he accepts them all with a smug smile, casually wiping her lip gloss from his mouth with the back of his hand.
Confessional - Rafe
“I particularly enjoyed the kiss with Y/N.” He says, dragging out the words. “No surprise there.” He smirks.
The girls remove their headphones just as Kelce speaks up.
“Girls, what did you think of boy number five?”
“It was nice.” Maddy smiles.
“Very sweet. And very respectful too.” Abigail adds. But Y/N tilts her head, still blindfolded, brows furrowed.
“Y/N, you’re making a face.” Kelce notes.
“I…I think I got some type of different treatment with this one?” She says, laughing awkwardly, touching her flushed cheeks.
“Good different?” Maddy asks and Y/N doesn’t hesitate.
“No, yeah. Definitely good.”
Topper’s laughing, practically shaking Rafe beside him. Rafe just leans back with a smug grin.
“Alright, ladies, time to rate the guy.” Kelce says. The scores go around until it’s Y/N’s turn. Everyone watches.
“I’m probably gonna regret this later when he rubs it in my face.” She begins, sighing. “But…I’d give that kiss a 10.”
Topper cheers, the girls burst into laughter and Rafe just sits there smirking, glitter still shining on his lips proudly.
Y/N is still breathless. But not from the kiss. But from knowing exactly who it was because no one else ever made her feel like that.
JJ is next, springing up from the bench with a grin and ripping off his shirt, earning cheers and laughter from the boys. His score isn't quite what he hoped for, but he shrugs it off with a smirk as he returns to his seat.
“At least I beat JB.” He jokes, making John B chuckle. He plops down on the bench as the final boy stands.
Ryan steps forward, making his way toward the girls with smooth confidence. He works down the line with soft kisses and warm touches, a playful charm in every step. But when he reaches the last girl, his pace changes. There’s a flicker of excitement as he crouches down, his hands gently cupping Y/N’s face. Her lips part slightly at the contact and instinctively, he wets his own before leaning in.
His kiss is nothing like Rafe’s. There’s no rush, no urgency. It’s slow and tender, his lips moving carefully against hers, tongue just teasing enough to leave her wanting more. His hands rest lightly on her waist, fingers squeezing her hips with gentle intent. When he finally pulls away, she’s breathless, leaning in again like she might follow him.
Confessional - Ryan
“Y/N…she’s addictive. Like, once you get a taste? Good luck walking away.” He bites his lip.
From the bench, Rafe watches, jaw tight, every nerve in his body screaming to look away but he doesn’t. He can’t. He sees her response and it knots something inside him.
Ryan straightens and returns to his seat as the girls begin removing their headphones.
“Last boy, ladies, what’s the verdict?” Kelce grins, glancing at the board before turning back.
“It was cute.” Sarah says casually.
“Unexpected.” Y/N murmurs under her breath.
“Sorry, didn’t catch that.” Kelce pipes up. “Care to repeat that for the group, Y/N?”
She hesitates.
“I...I said it was unexpected.”
Rafe’s eyes flick to her, a quiet question in his gaze. Cleo raises a brow, half amused.
“Girl, don’t talk in riddles. Was it good or bad unexpected?” She asks, getting impatient. Y/N lets out a small laugh with the others.
“It was good.” She licks her lips, fidgeting with her ring. “Really good.”
Kelce looks away from the notes in his hand.
“And why exactly was it unexpected?”
“I’m not sure.” She says, softly. “It just…it surprised me. It was a nice kiss.” She exhales. “Can we just move to the rating?”
Kelce nods and asks Cleo to start. One by one, the girls give their scores, until it’s Y/N’s turn.
“So, Y/N.” Kelce prompts, marker in hand. “What’s it gonna be?”
“It was a nice kiss. Sweet. Soft. More my pace, I guess.” She swallows. “I’d give it a…10.”
The boys erupt in cheers around Ryan as Topper’s head snaps back toward Rafe. Kelce raises his eyebrows, scribbling the score on the board.
“That brings boy number seven to a total of 59 points. Ladies, you can now remove your blindfolds.”
The girls step forward to study the board, their eyes adjusting to the light. The boys follow, teasing and comparing scores. Y/N blinks, scanning the numbers, then gasps.
“Oh my god, Topper, I’m so sorry about the 6.” She exclaims, grabbing his arm and he chuckles, shaking his head.
“Don’t worry about it.”
As Sarah points out a name on the board, Y/N turns to her, chatting. When Sarah turns to ask Maddy something, Y/N feels something behind her. Or someone. A hand grazes her waist. A breath brushes her neck. Goosebumps rise on her skin.
“When I give you the signal.” A voice murmurs. “Meet me on the terrace.”
She nods almost imperceptibly, then glances back at Sarah as if nothing happened. But her eyes keep flicking to him. Waiting.
He’s laughing with Pope, fingers running through his hair and then he catches her eye. A wink. A silent cue. He excuses himself before he steps away, heading up the stairs.
Y/N leans into Sarah.
“I’m gonna go…to the terrace.” She murmurs, subtly nodding in that direction. Sarah’s eyes widen, tracking his absence.
“With him?” She asks and Y/N nods.
“We need to talk. Especially after that challenge.”
Sarah sighs, placing a hand on Y/N’s shoulder.
“If anything happens, call my name. Got it?” She advises and Y/N nods, slipping away through the bedroom and up the stairs. She pauses outside the makeup room, inhaling deeply before pushing open the door.
He’s there, sitting on the couch, gaze fixed on the villa below. When the door clicks shut, he turns to her.
Summary: You try to stay away and set boundaries with Rafe. For worse or for better.
Warnings: Swearing, mentions of sex, alcohol consumption, vomiting, possible grammatical errors
Word Count: 2.5k
A/N: Another semi-short chapter. They will get longer as this fic progresses. Once again, this is a slow burn. I’m building things up and trying to set the scene. Feedback is always appreciated!
It had been almost three weeks since that night on the beach. Almost three weeks since you had seen Rafe at all. His two-in-the-morning phone calls and text messages went unanswered by you.
The Pogues didn’t get much out of you about what happened. They just knew Rafe had opened his big fat mouth like he always did and you had enough. You couldn’t tell them too much without giving away your dirty little secret. How you had been able to keep sleeping with him a secret for over four years was a miracle.
You had pretty much been in hiding. You hadn’t left the Cut at all, gone to a single party, or gone downtown at all. You couldn’t keep it up much longer either. You couldn’t stay away forever.
The bell above the door chimed as you walked into The Wreck. It was still early in the day so there weren’t many people in the restaurant. Kiara had asked you to come help her and Dad that day. A couple of employees called out and the business still needed to run. Thankfully, you had worked there your Senior year of High School and a couple years after to keep the lights on and food on the table for you and John B.
“(Y/N)! So good to see you,” Mike greeted you with a bright smile and a tight hug. “How are you? How’s business going?”
“Just taking things day by day,” you answered truthfully. “This Summer seems busier than in the past.”
“You’re telling me,” Mike sighed and wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “I really appreciate you helping out today.”
“Anytime! You know I loved working here back in the day.”
It was true. When your dad was missing, being at The Wreck was your only escape. Balancing school and trying to parent your menace of a kid brother took up all of your time. You couldn’t imagine it any other way though. Had John B not met Kie, and she not helped you get the job, you didn’t know where you would be now. The only reason you quit was to keep John B alive when he and the Pogues went after the Merchant Gold.
Mike handed you an apron and you got to work like you had never left. Time moved quickly as you moved about the kitchen making food. Music played softly from a speaker Kiara had brought. You sang along quietly, dancing around Mike as the two of you worked together.
You felt at peace. For once you weren’t at the Surf Shop, balancing numbers and figuring out how much more you needed to make that month to make sure everything was paid. You weren’t worried about JJ coming home with some elaborate scheme that would surely get all of you arrested. You weren’t worried about making sure Cleo wasn’t getting into trouble with people, Pope’s college papers, or whether or not your brother and Sarah were using protection. For once you had no worries.
And Mike had already said he was going to pay you generously for helping him out. If that was on paper or not, he told you not to concern yourself with that, so you didn’t.
Your phone chimed from the counter behind you. It had gone off a couple of times but you figured it was just your brother updating you on how business was going. Deciding you should check it, you walked across the kitchen and picked it up. You scoffed when you saw you had new messages from someone who was /certainly not/ John B.
Rafe: U up? 2:21 am
Rafe: Um hello? Are u alive? 10:47 am
Rafe: Ur starting to worry me here.. Like fr 3:09 pm
You shook your head and locked the phone back. It’s been three weeks, dude, take a hint.
“(Y/N) can you go help Kiara bus some tables real quick? The rush is over and I’ve got lots of dishes to bring back,” Mike poked his head in to ask you, work phone pressed to his shoulder where someone was surely on hold.
“On it!”
You put your phone back down on the counter and grabbed a buss tub before heading out into the dining room to clean up. You had barely finished bussing your third table when the bell above the door signaled someone walking in. You turned around to greet them, not expecting it to be the last person you wanted to see.
His eyes found you within seconds and there was no escaping. You couldn’t just hide in the kitchen and you couldn’t escape out the side door with no explanation. You had to face him.
Rafe looked almost relieved to see you. His features softened and his shoulders lost tension. He walked straight over to the table you were wiping down and stopped on the opposite side.
“Did your phone break or something?” he asks.
Some greeting that was.
“No.”
“Well, I know my number’s not blocked cause all of my texts and calls have gone through.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” you replied with a shrug, trying to play it off like this didn’t bother you. But the hurtful things he said to you on the beach replayed in your head daily. Your subconscious always reminds you of how he truly felt about you. You went back to cleaning the table, hoping he would take the hint and leave you alone.
He laughed as he questioned, “You’re not seriously still mad, are you?”
What a silly question for him to ask after you quite literally exploded on the beach.
“Yes, Rafe, I am,” you snipped. “And I’m working so you need to leave.”
You grabbed the tub and moved to a different table, moving with haste as you cleared the dishes. Your back was to the blonde Kook but you felt him move closer as he followed you around the dining room. You glanced around, hoping to see Kiara or someone who could save you from this situation.
“C’mon, baby,” Rafe’s voice dropped as he took on a more pleading tone. “Y’know I didn’t mean it.”
Your chest tightened and your face heated up. The same rage you felt on the beach slowly reigniting in your chest. This was just a tactic to get you back into his bed like he had done time and time again.
“No,” you whipped around to face him, the smirk on his lips slowly fading. You pointed your finger and every word off your tongue was laced with venom. “You always do this. You use me to get your fix, then treat me like shit and throw me away when you’re done. I don’t know if it’s some sick kink of yours to belittle me every chance you get, but I’ve had enough.”
Rafe scoffed and shook his head, “That’s not true, (Y/N).. I-“
“Shut up!” You held your hand up, closing your eyes and breathing in deeply. There are still tables in here, keep your cool. When you looked at him again he looked hurt. A small frown tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Just shut up, Rafe. I don’t care what you have to say anymore. I’m done. Do you hear me? I’m fucking done.”
You meant it. Every word you said to him you meant. You were sick and tired of him treating you like all you were meant for was a quick fuck. You were fed up being spoken down to like you were less than because of how you grew up. You were absolutely done being Rafe Cameron’s secret little play thing, and judging by the look on his face, he knew it.
Rafe didn’t say anything else. He stared at you for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face, and then he left.
You were visibly shaking at that point, breaths coming out in short puffs as you tried to calm yourself down. You felt lighter after finally speaking your mind and letting it all out. Though, your eyes stung with unshed tears as the door to The Wreck shut behind him. You just let go of someone you wasted years of your life with after all.
What was supposed to only be a few hours of you helping turned into a twelve hour work day. After your run in with Rafe it seemed like all of Kildare Island and some decided The Wreck was the spot that day. You stuck around helping Mike cook, Kiara take tables, and you even helped the bartender make drinks when they got swamped.
By the time Mike was ready to let you and Kiara go it was just after nine o’clock and the sun was lowering beyond the horizon, casting an orange glow over the parking lot as you climbed into the passenger seat of your curly headed friend’s car. You couldn’t wait to just get home, take a hot shower and absolutely crash.
A few more weeks had passed since Rafe sought you out at The Wreck. You’d barely seen more than a glimpse of him. He’d pass the shop on his boat but never stop for gas or come inside. He’d be at the beach with his friends when you were surfing, always keeping his distance and leaving shortly after.
You had even ended up at the same house party somehow. Some Touron’s parents left him at the AirBnB alone and he threw an absolute rager. The two of you would steal glimpses of each other from across the room without the other knowing. Though you were never in the same part of the house at the same time for more than a minute or so.
It was a relief, truthfully. You weren’t anxious the whole time that he’d walk over and whisk you away to the bathroom for a quickie and someone would see you. You weren’t scared your brother would smell his cologne in your hair from your face being tucked into his neck. You weren’t afraid Sophia would see the scratch marks on his shoulder blades and know they weren’t her doing.
But, God, did you miss him sometimes.
You missed the rise and fall of his chest under your cheek when he was too tired and spent to kick you out of his house and he’d fall asleep holding you close. You missed him playing with your hair as he talked to you, trying to convince you to sneak away from your friends for five minutes so he could take care of you for once. You missed the weight of his lips against yours when all you could do was steal sloppy kisses in the dark and there was no time for funny business. You missed the way he looked at you, even if it was purely lustful and nothing more, his blue irises saying more than words ever could.
But Rafe had made it very clear he would never be with you. And despite those little moments where you thought otherwise, you could never be with someone who made you feel so shitty all of the time. You had to hate Rafe in order to protect yourself.
“Something’s bothering you,” you were snapped out of your thoughts by your brother’s voice.
John B had been watching you from behind the wheel of the boat. You sat at the front, staring out at the water as you mindlessly picked at the skin around your nails.
He got up from his seat and walked over to you, holding out an ice cold bottled beer fresh from the cooler. “What’s on your mind, sissy?”
The snort you let out brought a smile to John B’s lips. He stopped using that nickname years ago, unless he wanted something from you or he got himself into trouble. He was genuinely worried about you though. You hadn’t been acting like yourself for months and everyone was starting to notice.
“Just.. stressed,” you sighed and shook your head, avoiding his prodding hazel eyes.
“Business is good, (Y/N). We’re finally getting our feet under us,” John B tried to reassure you. Little did he know this wasn’t about the shop at all. “We’re finally getting everything we deserve.”
You twisted off the cap of your beer and tossed it in the grocery sack being used as a trash bag hung off of a rope hook. “I know, I know. That doesn’t mean I’m just gonna stop caring. Someone around here has to run payroll and budget,” you continued. “No offense, but none of you are remotely close to qualified. Except maybe Sarah.”
John B laughed but didn’t disagree as you took a swig from your bottle. He wandered over to the edge of the boat to talk to JJ and you watched the other four Pogues as they hung off foam noodles and talked not too far.
As you brought your beer back up to your lips, you paused. Your stomach twisted as the bitter smell met your nose. Suddenly, you were scrambling to turn around and wretched into the water in the knick of time. The sound of the amber bottle hitting the deck of the boat was what caught the attention of your brother and friends.
JJ must have skipped the ladder and hoisted himself onto the boat from the side because he was pulling your hair back in a matter of seconds. He rubbed your back and encouraged you to ‘just let it out’. You could hear John B calling the others back to the boat, your stomach too busy emptying its entire contents for you to protest.
Once everyone was back on board and you weren’t vomiting anymore, John B crouched beside you, “Are you okay? What happened?”
“I don’t know.. One second I was fine and then I just felt sick.”
You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand and sat back against the seat with a heavy breath. Your brother stared at you worriedly and rubbed your knee. “Let’s take you back. I don’t want you out here in the sun in case it gets worse,” he suggested.
“No,” you groaned. “Don’t let me ruin the fun. I’ll be fine, JB.”
JJ had already started cruising towards the Chateau though, so you knew it was pointless to argue.
“We planned on heading down to catch some waves anyway. I want you to rest. Kay?” John B insisted.
He reminded you of your father in that moment. Caring and protective. You tried to be the strong older sister who looked after everyone but he was always looking out for you too. So you nodded and let him wrap a towel around your shoulders for the short boat ride back home.
After reassuring your brother that you’d be fine alone, you headed into the Chateau while they loaded into the Twinkie and headed off to surf. You dropped your belongings on your bedroom floor before falling face first into your bed. Exhaustion caught up with you and in a matter of minutes, you were fast asleep.
A/N: Add yourself to my tag list for this series if you haven't already! As always, feedback is always appreciated!
Summary: You try to stay away and set boundaries with Rafe. For worse or for better.
Warnings: Swearing, mentions of sex, alcohol consumption, vomiting, possible grammatical errors
Word Count: 2.5k
A/N: Another semi-short chapter. They will get longer as this fic progresses. Once again, this is a slow burn. I’m building things up and trying to set the scene. Feedback is always appreciated!
It had been almost three weeks since that night on the beach. Almost three weeks since you had seen Rafe at all. His two-in-the-morning phone calls and text messages went unanswered by you.
The Pogues didn’t get much out of you about what happened. They just knew Rafe had opened his big fat mouth like he always did and you had enough. You couldn’t tell them too much without giving away your dirty little secret. How you had been able to keep sleeping with him a secret for over four years was a miracle.
You had pretty much been in hiding. You hadn’t left the Cut at all, gone to a single party, or gone downtown at all. You couldn’t keep it up much longer either. You couldn’t stay away forever.
The bell above the door chimed as you walked into The Wreck. It was still early in the day so there weren’t many people in the restaurant. Kiara had asked you to come help her and Dad that day. A couple of employees called out and the business still needed to run. Thankfully, you had worked there your Senior year of High School and a couple years after to keep the lights on and food on the table for you and John B.
“(Y/N)! So good to see you,” Mike greeted you with a bright smile and a tight hug. “How are you? How’s business going?”
“Just taking things day by day,” you answered truthfully. “This Summer seems busier than in the past.”
“You’re telling me,” Mike sighed and wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “I really appreciate you helping out today.”
“Anytime! You know I loved working here back in the day.”
It was true. When your dad was missing, being at The Wreck was your only escape. Balancing school and trying to parent your menace of a kid brother took up all of your time. You couldn’t imagine it any other way though. Had John B not met Kie, and she not helped you get the job, you didn’t know where you would be now. The only reason you quit was to keep John B alive when he and the Pogues went after the Merchant Gold.
Mike handed you an apron and you got to work like you had never left. Time moved quickly as you moved about the kitchen making food. Music played softly from a speaker Kiara had brought. You sang along quietly, dancing around Mike as the two of you worked together.
You felt at peace. For once you weren’t at the Surf Shop, balancing numbers and figuring out how much more you needed to make that month to make sure everything was paid. You weren’t worried about JJ coming home with some elaborate scheme that would surely get all of you arrested. You weren’t worried about making sure Cleo wasn’t getting into trouble with people, Pope’s college papers, or whether or not your brother and Sarah were using protection. For once you had no worries.
And Mike had already said he was going to pay you generously for helping him out. If that was on paper or not, he told you not to concern yourself with that, so you didn’t.
Your phone chimed from the counter behind you. It had gone off a couple of times but you figured it was just your brother updating you on how business was going. Deciding you should check it, you walked across the kitchen and picked it up. You scoffed when you saw you had new messages from someone who was /certainly not/ John B.
Rafe: U up? 2:21 am
Rafe: Um hello? Are u alive? 10:47 am
Rafe: Ur starting to worry me here.. Like fr 3:09 pm
You shook your head and locked the phone back. It’s been three weeks, dude, take a hint.
“(Y/N) can you go help Kiara bus some tables real quick? The rush is over and I’ve got lots of dishes to bring back,” Mike poked his head in to ask you, work phone pressed to his shoulder where someone was surely on hold.
“On it!”
You put your phone back down on the counter and grabbed a buss tub before heading out into the dining room to clean up. You had barely finished bussing your third table when the bell above the door signaled someone walking in. You turned around to greet them, not expecting it to be the last person you wanted to see.
His eyes found you within seconds and there was no escaping. You couldn’t just hide in the kitchen and you couldn’t escape out the side door with no explanation. You had to face him.
Rafe looked almost relieved to see you. His features softened and his shoulders lost tension. He walked straight over to the table you were wiping down and stopped on the opposite side.
“Did your phone break or something?” he asks.
Some greeting that was.
“No.”
“Well, I know my number’s not blocked cause all of my texts and calls have gone through.”
“I have nothing to say to you,” you replied with a shrug, trying to play it off like this didn’t bother you. But the hurtful things he said to you on the beach replayed in your head daily. Your subconscious always reminds you of how he truly felt about you. You went back to cleaning the table, hoping he would take the hint and leave you alone.
He laughed as he questioned, “You’re not seriously still mad, are you?”
What a silly question for him to ask after you quite literally exploded on the beach.
“Yes, Rafe, I am,” you snipped. “And I’m working so you need to leave.”
You grabbed the tub and moved to a different table, moving with haste as you cleared the dishes. Your back was to the blonde Kook but you felt him move closer as he followed you around the dining room. You glanced around, hoping to see Kiara or someone who could save you from this situation.
“C’mon, baby,” Rafe’s voice dropped as he took on a more pleading tone. “Y’know I didn’t mean it.”
Your chest tightened and your face heated up. The same rage you felt on the beach slowly reigniting in your chest. This was just a tactic to get you back into his bed like he had done time and time again.
“No,” you whipped around to face him, the smirk on his lips slowly fading. You pointed your finger and every word off your tongue was laced with venom. “You always do this. You use me to get your fix, then treat me like shit and throw me away when you’re done. I don’t know if it’s some sick kink of yours to belittle me every chance you get, but I’ve had enough.”
Rafe scoffed and shook his head, “That’s not true, (Y/N).. I-“
“Shut up!” You held your hand up, closing your eyes and breathing in deeply. There are still tables in here, keep your cool. When you looked at him again he looked hurt. A small frown tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Just shut up, Rafe. I don’t care what you have to say anymore. I’m done. Do you hear me? I’m fucking done.”
You meant it. Every word you said to him you meant. You were sick and tired of him treating you like all you were meant for was a quick fuck. You were fed up being spoken down to like you were less than because of how you grew up. You were absolutely done being Rafe Cameron’s secret little play thing, and judging by the look on his face, he knew it.
Rafe didn’t say anything else. He stared at you for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face, and then he left.
You were visibly shaking at that point, breaths coming out in short puffs as you tried to calm yourself down. You felt lighter after finally speaking your mind and letting it all out. Though, your eyes stung with unshed tears as the door to The Wreck shut behind him. You just let go of someone you wasted years of your life with after all.
What was supposed to only be a few hours of you helping turned into a twelve hour work day. After your run in with Rafe it seemed like all of Kildare Island and some decided The Wreck was the spot that day. You stuck around helping Mike cook, Kiara take tables, and you even helped the bartender make drinks when they got swamped.
By the time Mike was ready to let you and Kiara go it was just after nine o’clock and the sun was lowering beyond the horizon, casting an orange glow over the parking lot as you climbed into the passenger seat of your curly headed friend’s car. You couldn’t wait to just get home, take a hot shower and absolutely crash.
A few more weeks had passed since Rafe sought you out at The Wreck. You’d barely seen more than a glimpse of him. He’d pass the shop on his boat but never stop for gas or come inside. He’d be at the beach with his friends when you were surfing, always keeping his distance and leaving shortly after.
You had even ended up at the same house party somehow. Some Touron’s parents left him at the AirBnB alone and he threw an absolute rager. The two of you would steal glimpses of each other from across the room without the other knowing. Though you were never in the same part of the house at the same time for more than a minute or so.
It was a relief, truthfully. You weren’t anxious the whole time that he’d walk over and whisk you away to the bathroom for a quickie and someone would see you. You weren’t scared your brother would smell his cologne in your hair from your face being tucked into his neck. You weren’t afraid Sophia would see the scratch marks on his shoulder blades and know they weren’t her doing.
But, God, did you miss him sometimes.
You missed the rise and fall of his chest under your cheek when he was too tired and spent to kick you out of his house and he’d fall asleep holding you close. You missed him playing with your hair as he talked to you, trying to convince you to sneak away from your friends for five minutes so he could take care of you for once. You missed the weight of his lips against yours when all you could do was steal sloppy kisses in the dark and there was no time for funny business. You missed the way he looked at you, even if it was purely lustful and nothing more, his blue irises saying more than words ever could.
But Rafe had made it very clear he would never be with you. And despite those little moments where you thought otherwise, you could never be with someone who made you feel so shitty all of the time. You had to hate Rafe in order to protect yourself.
“Something’s bothering you,” you were snapped out of your thoughts by your brother’s voice.
John B had been watching you from behind the wheel of the boat. You sat at the front, staring out at the water as you mindlessly picked at the skin around your nails.
He got up from his seat and walked over to you, holding out an ice cold bottled beer fresh from the cooler. “What’s on your mind, sissy?”
The snort you let out brought a smile to John B’s lips. He stopped using that nickname years ago, unless he wanted something from you or he got himself into trouble. He was genuinely worried about you though. You hadn’t been acting like yourself for months and everyone was starting to notice.
“Just.. stressed,” you sighed and shook your head, avoiding his prodding hazel eyes.
“Business is good, (Y/N). We’re finally getting our feet under us,” John B tried to reassure you. Little did he know this wasn’t about the shop at all. “We’re finally getting everything we deserve.”
You twisted off the cap of your beer and tossed it in the grocery sack being used as a trash bag hung off of a rope hook. “I know, I know. That doesn’t mean I’m just gonna stop caring. Someone around here has to run payroll and budget,” you continued. “No offense, but none of you are remotely close to qualified. Except maybe Sarah.”
John B laughed but didn’t disagree as you took a swig from your bottle. He wandered over to the edge of the boat to talk to JJ and you watched the other four Pogues as they hung off foam noodles and talked not too far.
As you brought your beer back up to your lips, you paused. Your stomach twisted as the bitter smell met your nose. Suddenly, you were scrambling to turn around and wretched into the water in the knick of time. The sound of the amber bottle hitting the deck of the boat was what caught the attention of your brother and friends.
JJ must have skipped the ladder and hoisted himself onto the boat from the side because he was pulling your hair back in a matter of seconds. He rubbed your back and encouraged you to ‘just let it out’. You could hear John B calling the others back to the boat, your stomach too busy emptying its entire contents for you to protest.
Once everyone was back on board and you weren’t vomiting anymore, John B crouched beside you, “Are you okay? What happened?”
“I don’t know.. One second I was fine and then I just felt sick.”
You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand and sat back against the seat with a heavy breath. Your brother stared at you worriedly and rubbed your knee. “Let’s take you back. I don’t want you out here in the sun in case it gets worse,” he suggested.
“No,” you groaned. “Don’t let me ruin the fun. I’ll be fine, JB.”
JJ had already started cruising towards the Chateau though, so you knew it was pointless to argue.
“We planned on heading down to catch some waves anyway. I want you to rest. Kay?” John B insisted.
He reminded you of your father in that moment. Caring and protective. You tried to be the strong older sister who looked after everyone but he was always looking out for you too. So you nodded and let him wrap a towel around your shoulders for the short boat ride back home.
After reassuring your brother that you’d be fine alone, you headed into the Chateau while they loaded into the Twinkie and headed off to surf. You dropped your belongings on your bedroom floor before falling face first into your bed. Exhaustion caught up with you and in a matter of minutes, you were fast asleep.
A/N: To be notified when I post, go to @asapstarkey-library and turn on post notifications! I have discontinued my tag list! As always, feedback is always appreciated!
I’ve been MIA and haven’t updated It’s Complicated, so here’s a life update no one asked for:
The holidays sucked. Family drama that has extended past the holidays that I feel like I’m stuck in the middle of. My birthday was the 3rd and I had the flu the whole week, so I didn’t get to celebrate the way we wanted to. I’ve been working 50 hours a week at a job I hate. And now my boyfriend’s ex is trying to take his daughter away from him.
I’m so glad you all love my lil piece of work, and I’m sorry I’ve neglected y’all of more. I appreciate every like, reblog and comment you’ve left. I’m doing my best. But 2025 has been absolute hell so far. It’s hard to find the time and/or effort to post, let alone write.
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