ditched & devoted- when did you get hot?
summary: shopping for a midsummers dress is looking a bit different this year but playing dress up with Wheezie may have been just the pick-me-up you needed - her hot brother may just be an added bonus
pairing: best friend's brother rafe x fem!reader
previous part next part
words: 2.7k
The sun hadn’t long risen when you woke up on the following Wednesday. The air was just heating up as the Carolina sun reached its peak, throwing out gold and orange rays against the clear blue sky - it was going to be a hot one. A perfect day for shopping on the mainland especially as your usual boutique loved to blast the AC.
You got ready as usual, adding enough make up to feel prettier while trying on clothes but not enough that you left remnants of your face on them. You threw on a summer dress, something breezy but still up to par for the high-end boutiques you’d be scouring later. You decided to skip breakfast as you could treat yourself and Wheezie to something when you were out, might as well make a whole day of it. You knew dressing up wasn’t Wheezie’s idea of fun so anything you could do to make it a bit better for her, you would.
It was just past 10am when you got into your little silver convertible to make the short trek to Tanneyhill. You sped past familiar houses of friends, having made this journey enough times you could probably do it blindfolded and definitely could do it blind drunk (as proven on multiple occasions). Your hair flew across your face, the downside of having the roof down but you refused to have it up in summer, needing to make the most of the sun before a storm inevitably rolled in. When you pulled up, you noticed that Ward and Rose’s cars were already gone, likely at work or even more likely at the country club. Pushing your sunglasses up into your hair, you gave the front door a light knock before letting yourself in, old habits did die hard after all, the foyer was empty- the downstairs seemingly vacant of any Cameron life.
“Wheezieee.” You sing up from the bottom of the stairs.
“I’ll be five minutes.” You could hear her frantically yell back from her room.
You hum to yourself in reply, laughing slightly as you think you hear her trip, knowing you won’t see her for at least another ten. Taking your time, you slowly wander into the kitchen sitting down on one of the bar stools by the island, making yourself comfortable as you pull out your phone when the door to the backyard opens behind you.
You swivel to see Rafe coming in, clearly having just finished his morning swim and distracted as he doesn’t notice you right away, too preoccupied towelling off his short hair. The moment he walks in your eyes follow the water droplets running down his tanned, toned torso, thankful for his distracted state so he doesn’t see you eyeing his arms as they flex with the movement of the towel. It hits you suddenly – since when was Sarah’s brother hot?
You’re pulled from your thoughts when Rafe pulls the towel from his head and drapes it over his shoulder. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees you sat in his kitchen, perched daintily on a bar stool in yet another sundress that drapes across your thighs like it was sewn around you. He recovers quickly, blinking away his initial surprise as you smile sweetly at him.
“Hey...” He greets you, his confusion seeping into his tone as he makes his way further into his kitchen.
“Hey, taking Wheezie dress shopping.” You reply answering his unasked question.
“Right.” He nods recalling the dinner from last week. He reaches the fridge and grabs waters for both of you, sliding yours across the island. “You always dress up this much for shopping?”
“Got to look pretty otherwise all the clothes will look ugly - it’s science Rafe.” You playfully advise with a grin as you accept the bottle.
“You always look pretty.” He drawls, leaning his elbows on the island making himself closer to your eyelevel with a smirk pulling at his mouth. You feel your cheeks heat up at not just his words but also his stare, you watch his eyes drift lower following the pink flush traveling across your face. You drop your chin for a moment to recollect before meeting his eyes again, his smirk just that much deeper.
“I’m not buying your suit too, no matter how many compliments you give me.” You tease, leaning closer to him yourself.
“You’re not even the one buying.” He reminds you.
“You’re right.” You hum. “I’ll get you a Rolex in commiseration. All on daddy’s card.” You wickedly grin as he cringes, wincing away from you and standing tall.
“Don’t ever call Ward daddy - ever again.” He asserts with a grimace pulling a loud laugh from you, he quickly joins you as you nearly slide off of your stool.
“What’s so funny?” Wheezie asks, announcing her entrance making you both pause as the young teen eyes you both suspiciously.
“Your brother’s balding.” You faux gasp as you hop down from your seat and make your way over to Wheezie, closely missing Rafe’s towel as he swings it out to hit you. “And so young too, what shame. Let’s go Wheez.” You quickly link your arm through the teen’s, as you start to see movement from Rafe in your periphery, dragging her out of the house as she giggles alongside you.
The entire drive to the ferry consists of you singing along loudly to your girl pop playlist and Wheezie pretending she’s not enjoying it. The starting notes of a particularly risqué Sabrina Carpenter song filters through your speakers, you squeal attempting to quickly skip it but Wheezie catches your wrist before you can and shouts the lyrics at the top of her lungs making you both erupt into giggles for the rest of the drive.
Once on the ferry you both settle comfortably into a booth, happy to sit with the silence but also occasionally pointing out the different people scattered across the deck; guessing their jobs, their relationships with each other, why they’re not working on a Wednesday. On the mainland, you take Wheezie to your favourite little café buying both of you some breakfast and then an iced coffee for the road that you both leisurely sip as you window shop. Wheezie drags you into random game stores you both excitedly enter the book store before swiftly going into your separate sections – her the comic books and you the new fiction releases. Finally, you have to drag her, with only minimal resistance into the dress boutiques. Your first stop is one you thought she would like, aimed more for young teens but by the bland look on her face she was not feeling the dresses covered in butterflies and glitter. Your second stop was a new attempt to lift her spirits, a store mostly focused on elderly women and you both tried on some ridiculous dresses that looked more like table doilies than clothing and ended at your mid shins. Que the movie montage of you both trying on the ugliest dresses you could find and proceeding to cackle at each other. Afterwards you strolled into the main event, your favourite store, Wheezie’s eyes light up in wonder as she takes in the elegant patterns and sheer amount of colour littering the rails. You’re greeted by one of the workers, their eyes warm with recognition as you all get to work to find the perfect dress.
You all focus on Wheezie first, pulling different dresses from the racks for her to try while she mostly stares in overwhelmed wonder. You direct her to the dressing rooms to start trying some on, just so she can see what styles, colours, patterns she likes. She’s on her fifth dress and you can hear her mumbled complaint thorough the dressing room door before she quietens.
“Wheez, you okay?” You tentatively ask. Silence and Wheezie do not often go hand in hand.
“Yeah.” She quietly replies, so quiet you only just about catch it over the sound of the door unlocking. Wheezie gingerly steps out, not quite making eye contact with you as she stands in front of the mirror in the waiting area. She eyes herself wearily but with a small smile starting to lift at her mouth as she turns gently, letting the skirt of the dress swish lightly at her legs. The dress is deep green with splashes of red, pink and blue making up an abstract floral pattern. It is high at her neck and flows down beautifully with a diagonal hem that goes from her knees to the floor – youthful and playful enough for her age but also showing off that she’s growing, she’s not baby Louisa anymore.
“You look beautiful, Wheezie.”
“Really?” She tests, finally looking you in the eye.
“Really. This one is perfect – do you like it?” You question, wanting to make sure she’s getting it for her – not because you like it, or if Rose and Ward would approve.
“Yeah, I think… I really like it. I feel- pretty.” She decides, giving herself an assured nod as she looks at herself in the mirror.
“Because you are – you always are.” She blushes at you compliment but rolls her eyes all the same.
“Yeah whatever.” She dismisses as she quickly retreats back into the changing room. You breathe out a laugh to yourself as you make your way back to the shop floor – time to find your dress.
Once Wheezie comes back out, dress safely waiting for her behind the counter, she seems to have much more fun picking out dresses for you to try on; some outrageous that your mother would disown you for, others looking more like bridal gowns but you try them on for her-sake, letting her laugh at you or you laugh at her as her jaw drops. You try on a blue, floor length dress that is simple but elegant, one that she picked out, and as she sees you step out she lets out a small squeal.
“That one – you have to pick that one!” She excitedly exclaims, a beaming smile on her face.
“You think?” You ask as you eye yourself in the mirror, turning to see how the dress moves, how your body looks in the different angles and – you look good! Not just good but captivating, the dress accentuating your best features, the colour making your eyes pop and tan glow.
“I think you’re right. Look at you being a stylist, better watch out or I’ll tell Rose you actually enjoyed yourself.” You tease as you walk back to change.
“You wouldn’t dare!” She gasps, playing along. She watches you walk back into the changing room with a knowing look in her eyes. “Rafe is going to lose his mind.” She mumbles to herself.
You finally make it back to Tanneyhill and as you pull up Wheezie is rattling off question after question on how she should do her hair, what colour shoes should she wear, does she need to wear jewellery? Amusement swirls in your eyes as you gently calm her and follow her up to her room so you can help raid her wardrobe.
When Rafe arrives home after his meetings, he smiles as he sees your Porsche parked back along the drive. He waltzes in, drops his keys with a clank by the door but stops as silence welcomes him, seeing no sign of you. He starts up the stairs to his room, ready to wash the humid air from the day off, when he hears the soft tones of your voice floating out of Wheezie’s room, her door slightly ajar. It brings him back to all the times he would come home from school, work, a party to hear you and Sarah laughing and whispering secrets – your melodic laugh and gentle tone more of a soundtrack to his life than he realised until it stopped.
He peaks through the small gap in the doorway to see his little sister sat in front of her vanity, you stood behind her curling her hair and pinning each section perfectly in place. He watches Wheezie talk enthusiastically about any and all thoughts that come to mind but your eyes are intently focused on her hair, flickering to her in the mirror occasionally with a kind smile, nodding along to whatever she’s saying. Rafe can’t contain the small lift of his mouth as he turns away to leave you guys alone, going back to his room.
“Ta-da.” You say as you step away from the younger girl’s hair, Wheezie stops mid-sentence to take in your masterpiece of an up-do, the girl's curly hair pinned up with small sections gracefully flowing out of it, and the front pieces perfectly framing her face.
“Woah. I am so not going to be able to do this.” She exhales turning her head side to side.
“I’ll take a photo – I’m sure Sarah or Rose can help you.” You assure, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“She’d have to be here to help.” Wheezie scoffs with a small pout.
“You can always call me and I’ll help too.” You advise her gently, not wanting to ruin her good mood.
“Thanks, Y/n. I actually did have fun today.” She bashfully smiles as she turns in her seat to face you.
“I knew it!” You jab pulling the girl into a hug as she whines. “I should get going, but I had fun with you too Wheez.” You add.
You’re down the stairs before you hear a deep voice call your name and you turn to see Rafe coming down the stairs.
“Hey, I didn’t hear you come home.” You greet him, taking a few steps back to the stairs to meet him halfway.
“You guys were busy, didn’t want to interrupt.” He waves off. “Have fun?”
“Yeah, it was really nice.” You beam. “Oh wait.” You pause to rummage through your purse before pulling out Ward’s card. “Here.” You pass it over to Rafe, he takes it before dropping it onto the side table next to him. You roll your eyes at his carelessness. “Well, I could have done that.” He shoots you a smirk in reply.
“So, you going to let me see your dress?” He drawls, his usual boyish air on at full force.
“You want to see my dress?” You blandly ask, knowing he’s never been one to care about that sort of thing.
“Well, you in it, yeah.” He corrects as his smile turns into a roguish smirk.
“Down boy, just have to wait like the rest.” You tease, turning away from him and his flirting- he can’t see that he’s made you blush twice in one day, his ego doesn’t need the inflation.
“Alright, alright.” He settles, drawing your attention back to him. “What are you er- what are you doing on Saturday?” He questions casually.
“Nothing, why?”
“Thinking of taking the Druthers out, would be nice to have company.” He trails off, looking to you. Rafe subtly brushes his hands against the fabric of his shorts, before pushing them into his pockets.
“Yeah, sounds good, who else is- “
“No one. Thought this could just be you and me.” He states simply like he hasn’t sent your mind reeling. Sure, you’ve known the Cameron’s your whole life but the number of times you’ve hung out with just Rafe could be counted in single digits and even fewer were planned. But now that you’re thinking about it, you’re struggling to remember why – why haven’t you spent more time with just Rafe? You’ve always gotten along, he’s always been easy to talk to, someone you’ve divulged your secrets and feelings to without a second thought. You feel yourself nodding before you can think about it.
“Yeah, yeah. That would be fun.” You smile gently, feeling yourself already getting excited.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at your dock.” He grins, letting his hands fall back to his sides as he lets out a relieved breath.
“My dad’s having it extended so it’s out of commission. I can just meet you here.” You advise, stepping backwards towards the door again but this time not taking your eyes off of Rafe.
“Cool - it's a date.”