it's 12am, and the cold air seeps through your bedroom window. your room is dark, other than the soft glow of fairy lights above your bed.
you're about to fall asleep, when you hear the tapping of rocks being thrown at your window. a weird gesture, considering your house only had one floor. you open it, curious at the noise.
natalie stands on your front lawn. she comes over often, but never this late. you can't help but think something's happened with her dad.
"...nat? what are you doing here? its the middle of the night." you ask.
"just... couldn't sleep. bored, i guess. can I come in?"
Rafe had just closed a major deal for his real estate empire, a multi-million-dollar coastal property flip, and he was riding high. To celebrate, he threw a rager, inviting his inner circle, Topper, Kelce, and a dozen other Kooks who orbited his energy. The backyard was a scene: a DJ blasting trap beats, bottles of Patrón and Dom Pérignon littering every surface, and the massive infinity pool glittering under string lights.
His girlfriend, was the centerpiece of the party, oblivious to the deal or the stakes, just happy to be there. She lounged by the pool in a barely-there bikini, hot pink. She giggled with a couple of Kook girls, splashing water and posing for Instagram, her body bouncing with every move, drawing every eye in the vicinity.
Rafe leaned against the patio railing, a whiskey in hand, his sharp blue eyes scanning the scene. He was buzzed, not just from the liquor but from the power of the deal, the kind of high that made him feel untouchable. His white button-up was half-open, showing off his toned chest, and his smirk was all confidence. She caught his gaze and blew him a kiss, her glossy lips puckering. He winked back. She was his, and everyone knew it.
The party was perfect—until it wasn’t.
One of Rafe’s newer hangers-on, a cocky Kook named Bryce, was leaning against the bar with a few guys, his eyes glued to Rafe’s girl. Bryce, half-drunk and feeling bold, let out a low whistle and muttered to his buddy, loud enough for nearby ears to catch, “Damn, Rafe’s girl’s got a body like a porn star. Bet she’s a freak in bed, huh? That ass… I’d hit that.”
The words hit Rafe like a match to gasoline. He froze, his grip tightening on his glass, head snapping toward Bryce.
“My girl what?” His voice was low, venomous, cutting through the music. The guys around Bryce went quiet, sensing the shift.
Rafe stalked toward Bryce, his eyes blazing, every muscle tensed. “Say that shit again, man. Go on.” He was in Bryce’s face now, towering over him, the glass in his hand looking like it might shatter. Bryce paled, stammering, “Yo, Rafe, I didn’t mean—”
Before he could finish, Rafe’s fist cocked back, ready to smash Bryce’s smug face. But Topper, jumped in, grabbing Rafe’s arm.
“Chill, man! Not here. You’ll scare your girl, and you don’t want that, right?” He nodded toward her, who was now looking over, her eyes wide with confusion, clutching her towel.
Rafe’s jaw clenched, his chest heaving, but he glanced at his girl. Her innocent, clueless expression, those big eyes, that pout, grounded him just enough. He didn’t want her crying or freaking out, not tonight. He nodded curtly at Topper, lowering his fist, but his eyes never left Bryce.
“Get the fuck out of my house before I break your jaw.”
Topper, still holding Rafe’s arm, turned to Bryce, his tone firm.
“Dude, go. Now. Don’t make this worse.” Bryce, red-faced and muttering curses, grabbed his drink and slunk toward the gate, the other Kooks avoiding his gaze.
Rafe took a deep breath, downing his whiskey in one gulp. He strode over to his girl, who was still by the pool, her bikini bottom riding up as she fidgeted with her towel.
“Rafe, what happened?” she asked, her voice soft and worried, her lips pouting. “Was that guy mean?”
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek, his anger melting into possessiveness.
“Just some idiot, doll. Don’t worry your pretty little head.” He pulled her close, her oiled-up body pressing against him, her breasts squishing against his chest. “You’re mine, yeah?”
She nodded, giggling, her earlier concern gone. “Always, Rafey!” She pecked his lips, then tugged him toward the pool. “Come swim with me, pleeease?”
He smirked, Bryce’s stupid comment fading as he watched her ass bounce in that tiny bikini. “Anything for you, baby.”
