Ruin the friendship
Pairing: Rafe Cameron x fem!Reader
Words: 5.8k
Summary: the first summer party is always exciting. Especially with a good company. It’s a shame that Rafe can’t stop glaring at every guy who looks at your direction.
TW! Reader is really insecure and there’s a little bit of nudity.
Author’s note: again, it’s time for a little jealousy. I like the idea of Rafe Cameron being so gentle, yet pathetic so here we are!
Chapter three
~*~*~*~
“This movie is terrible.”
Rafe rolled his eyes as soon as those words escaped your mouth. You used to have a tendency to complain about Rafe's choice of movies.
Surprisingly, despite having such different tastes, you and Rafe got along perfectly. That had been the case for as long as either of you could remember. It never really bothered you—in fact, it sometimes served as an easy excuse to tease each other. Just like now.
“All you do is complain.” He muttered and just got more comfortable on your bed.
Rafe loved your bed. You discovered this years ago, when he stayed over for the first time. He would get far too comfortable in it and always claim the larger half for himself. He was like an insufferable cat that needed heaps of space all to itself.
You huffed when Rafe’s arm brushed against yours. The middle of summer and thirty-eight degrees Celsius made it the worst possible time for any physical contact.
“Move back.” You groaned.
Just to annoy you, Rafe raised his hand and grabbed you by the waist, pulling you in tight. You squeak and immediately placed your hand against his face, trying to push him away.
“Rafe!” You whined and got even angrier as he smiled against your palm. “Let me go! It’s too fucking hot!”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“Rafe, I swear to God— EW!”
You snatched your hand away the instant you felt him lick it. By seeing the look of sheer shock on your face, Rafe burst into loud, throaty laughter.
“Oh my God. You’re so disgusting.” You began to wipe your hand on his t-shirt.
“Nah, that was love.”
“Well, it’s a fucked up kind of love.”
“You liked it.” You nudged him on the shoulder and Rafe just tightened his grip on you. “C’mon. Smile for me.”
“You don’t deserve my smile.”
He grinned even more. Your furious gaze was now fixed on the screen of the laptop resting at the edge of the bed. You might have hated the movie he’d chosen, but clearly, you wanted to be stubborn right now and show Rafe that you had no intention of deigning to look at him.
Rafe’s hand moved gently. You didn’t even flinch as he wove his fingers through your blonde strands, most likely tangling them badly, yet you still had no intention of speaking.
He called your name and tilted his head as you made no move to look at him.
“I’m sorry.” He said sweetly. Even your name came out softer this time. “Hey… hey, I’m sorry.”
You bit the inside of your right cheek to keep yourself from smiling foolishly. You didn't want to show Rafe how much it meant to you—how much pleasure you derived from having power over him.
“I’m sorry.” He repeated again, this time more serious. “Hey. Please, say something. I know you’re not mad.”
You shifted slightly, continuing to ignore him.
“I’m sorry. Please, I’ll do whatever you want.”
That caught your attention this time. You instantly turned your head towards him. You raised an eyebrow slightly and let your gaze sweep across his face.
“Anything?” You asked with that sweet, innocent tone.
“Anything.”
“Hmm…”
You smiled gently and nodded toward the laptop. Rafe didn't even bat an eye. He knew exactly what you wanted.
“I want to pick a movie.” God, he nodded instantly. “I want to watch ‘10 things I hate about you’.”
Rafe blinked, completely taken aback. He had never heard that title before, so for a moment he thought you had made it up on the spot. Yet, your grin made it pretty obvious that you must have watched this movie before and that you loved it.
“Yeah, okay. Let’s watch that.”
Rafe watched with interest as you smiled broadly and immediately reached for your laptop. His blue eyes remained fixed on your face the whole time. It wore an expression of pure excitement, which made him genuinely curious about that choice.
For a split second, he glanced at the laptop screen, and that was when he saw the label: romance and comedy. He blinked and looked at you as if you’d grown a second head.
“Since when you watch movies like this?” He asked.
You shrugged and just put the MacBook on the laptop stand again. You had intended to pull away from him, but since he had agreed to your movie choice, you could handle a little heat in his embrace.
“Since I can remember.”
“Uh huh.” He frowned. “You never watched that crap before.”
“Rafe, shut up.” Your cheeks turned slightly pink at his comment.
“I’m trying to understand how come a girl who watch horror movies can like romance.” He tilted his head, still mocking a little. “Whenever we watch something, you always choose action movies or something.”
“It doesn’t mean I like them.”
Rafe paused the movie and looked at you again. It was as if he were seeing you for the first time. Suddenly, the possibility of you liking romantic comedies didn't seem so surprising after all.
You sighed heavily and looked at Rafe. Your friend smiled and tilted his head slightly. Suddenly understanding.
“You are really watching those.” He said while grinning.
“Yeah. I really watch those.” You muttered and glanced back a the screen. “Alone.”
“Why?”
The thought that you had always watched movies of this kind alone made Rafe feel bad. It was as if he didn't know you as well as he had assumed.
Your voice was quiet when, embarrassed, you confessed the truth.
“Because people make fun of those. Think they’re stupid and childish.”
“Yeah, well. Fuck people then.”
“Rafe.”
Rafe pressed play again, and a cityscape appeared on the screen, along with the film's title in bright green. This time, Rafe didn't try to make a single comment about the choice.
For the first twenty minutes, you kept nervously glancing at Rafe as he sat quietly, watching the movie you had chosen. It was only when you finally relaxed that Rafe would glance at you and smile whenever you bit your lower lip while laughing at the dialogue.
“You remind me of him.” You said suddenly while watching the movie.
“Which one?”
“Are you kidding me?” Your eyes stopped on him for a moment. “Patric Verona? Duh.”
Rafe snorted and just looked at the screen again. A scene appeared on the screen showing Patrick and Kat arguing in the parking lot by her car. Rafe smirked and looked at you.
“If I’m Patric, then that’s you.”
You gasped dramatically and looked at him.
“Don’t make that face. You act like her when you’re with me.” He stated
“Fine. That’s us. Only as friends.”
You giggled and reached for your phone when you heard an incoming notification. Rafe swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat at your words. Friends. It shouldn't have hurt, yet Rafe felt as though he had swallowed shards of glass.
You sighed heavily and tossed your phone onto the pillow. Your gaze fell once again on the MacBook screen.
“Lizzy is asking me what I’m wearing for tonight.”
“Something comfortable.” Rafe answered immediately.
You lightly bit your lower lip and sighed heavily again. Rafe glanced at you, furrowing his brows. He didn’t even know what else you would wear if not the typical set you always wore on the bonfires.
“I don’t know. I was thinking about something else than a pair of jeans and a hoodie.”
“It will be cold there. Especially when we move away from the fire. You’re always cold in the evening.” He pointed out, knowing you so well. “You're shaking like a Chihuahua in the wind.”
“I’m gonna kill you, Rafe Cameron.” You warned him while giving him a look. “I do not shake like a Chihuahua.”
“You are.”
You smacked him on the shoulder and Rafe immediately laughed. He loved annoying you like this.
“And you’re always complaining that you’re cold. That you should’ve taken more. Ends up stealing my things.”
“That’s not true.”
A scoff escaped your mouth as he gave you another look. The one that made you want to nudge him again. Somehow Rafe always managed to get onto your nerves.
“Ugh. I hate you.”
You got out of bed in a fury, and Rafe watched as you headed toward the wardrobe. The sight of the clothes strewn about inside didn't even surprise him. You always struggled to keep it tidy.
Rafe shifted on your pillows and glanced at the large teddy bear with the satin bow—as if the stuffed animal could understand him in that situation.
He paused the movie and then focused his attention on you. You were planning to go put there together anyway, but judging by the way you headed toward the dressing room, his comment must have really made your blood boil. However, the smile vanished from his face when he saw you reaching for the dress.
“You’re kidding.” He said without hesitation. “Are you even aware that you’re going to sit on the sand? It’s so short that people might see your everything.”
“So?”
“So no way.” He said. “You’re not going to feel comfortable. And if you’re gonna feel bad then you’re not going to have fun.”
“I’m gonna have fun. I’ll be there with you.” You responded. “Besides it’s not that short.”
He spoke your name seriously, which made you sigh heavily and look at him once more, knowing he was right.
It was frustrating. You had waited so long to make your debut, yet you couldn't seem to break through that barrier. Rafe kept reminding you of who you were, and for a moment, you even wondered if he might actually be right. You would certainly be cold in something short, and if anyone saw your underwear, you’d feel uncomfortable and want to go back. So maybe it was just stupid to think that you could be like any other girl.
“So what should I wear?” You asked, really frustrated. “I want to look girly.”
“You’ll always gonna look girly because you’re a girl.” Another sign escaped your mouth.
He just didn’t get it.
“Yeah, but I want to look pretty and comfortable.”
“Impossible.” He lied and just shrugged.
Annoyed, you reached for a pair of black jeans, and just then your gaze landed on a pink camisole. It was form-fitting and compressive—made of stretchy bandage material that held everything firmly in place. You knew that this was probably the last comfortable thing in your closet but you didn’t care. You wanted to look good and change a little and that was it.
Rafe didn't even react when you put your things away in the closet and smiled as you returned to your spot beside him. Happy to have found something perfect.
“You were right about jeans.” You said while snuggling closer to him and playing the movie again.
***
Rafe was fucked.
He knew that the moment when he looked up from his phone and almost lost his ability to speak as he saw you. You looked gorgeous. Such a perfection that should be admired and cherished.
The bandage top accentuated your chest and lifted it high. The black jeans hugged your ass perfectly, and the low rise made you look incredible in them. You looked like the kind of trouble he needed. Fuck, you could easily ruined his life and he would thank you for that.
On top of that, you were wearing your goddamn color. This pretty shade of baby pink. That one that looked so girlish, sweet and yet effortlessly sexy.
Your hair was styled in soft waves from the braid you had worn earlier and undone just moments ago. Your makeup was simple yet lovely, enhancing your natural beauty and complementing your gold bracelet, necklace, and oversized hoop earrings.
“Hair up or down?” You asked him while reaching for your lipgloss just to put it inside your lather bag.
“Up.” He said without any hesitation. “But tied up messy.”
The smile you gave him made him stare shamelessly. Fuck, he had to keep his eyes on your face. Otherwise he’ll be screwed. This top was making things extremely hard for him.
Rafe didn’t comment on the fact that you’d likely get cold. Instead, he simply assumed he’d give you his hoodie. A thought that actually put him somewhat at ease. Yes, it would probably get chilly by the end of the evening, so you’d need something to cover up with. You’d be spending the evening together, just the two of you, with no one around to interrupt. So there was no need to panic. Right?
He hold the door for you and said goodnight to your parents, promising to get you back home safe. They trusted him. Your mom loved him, dad appreciated him, and Rafe was living for this.
As you both got into the car, he immediately handed you his phone. Knowing that you would love to choose a song since you were a passenger princess. Your eyes were focused on the screen as he started the car.
“You’re gonna drink tonight?” You asked him while typing something. “Because I can drive.”
“You barely got your drivers license.”
You pouted and gave him a look as he drove off your home driveway. A soft melody of one of Frank Oceans song filled the car.
“I am great at driving.”
“I bet.” He muttered without taking his eyes off the road.
“C’mon. I wanna ride your car one day.”
Rafe trusted absolutely no one but himself behind the wheel of that car. That black Jeep was off-limits. None of his buddies were allowed to touch it. So you assumed that there was no way he would agreed to your request.
“Maybe, next time, yeah?” He suggested.
“You serious?” A huge smile appeared on your face.
“No.”
You rolled your eyes as he grinned. That boyish smile once again made your stomach clench into that strange way you never felt before.
“I let you drive it.” He said suddenly after a few long seconds. “Just… when I’ll be sober as well, okay?”
“So you don’t trust me.” Your tone betrayed your disappointment.
“I do trust you.” He reassured. “You’re just… a new driver. No offense but you don’t have a quick reaction like me. You’ll got it once you start driving more.”
You gazed at his profile as Rafe engaged the turn signal to pull into the nearest beach parking lot.
His words bruised your ego only slightly. Deep down, you knew he was right. Compared to him, you still drove by the book, but there had been a time when Rafe was the cautious one. You still remembered how he’d shown up at your house one autumn morning, waving his keys in front of your face with a broad grin. Since then, Rafe had practically become your personal chauffeur.
“Yeah, okay. Whatever.” You muttered while focusing on the beach that was visible from afar.
The bonfire was on the opposite side of the beach which meant that you and Rafe had to take a walk there. His car was one of a few that were parked here at this hour.
“If you don’t drink then I won’t as well.” You suggest while unfastening your seatbelts as he parked.
“Nah. Have fun. I’m the one taking care of you tonight. Not other way around.”
You smiled broadly and nodded. Since Rafe was offering, you intended to make the most of the evening, especially since you still had a mental list of things to do this summer. You planned to have the most memorable summer this year, and that meant you had to take action.
A cold breeze rolling in from the ocean made goosebumps rise on your skin as you both left his car. Rafe noticed it immediately but made no comment. He was waiting for you to give in and ask for his hoodie during the walk. But you remained silent, your eyes filled with nothing but determination. That was when Rafe truly realized just how difficult an evening this was going to be for him.
You joked a lot during the walk. Your shoulder occasionally brushed against his, and Rafe couldn't shake the impression that you were instinctively seeking warmth.
The moment you both spotted the group of people by the fire, your smile widened. You glanced to the side, and Rafe immediately noticed how your eyes sparkled, reflecting the distant flames. You looked beautiful.
At first, only a few people tossed a quick "hey" your way. It wasn't until you reached your usual group of friends that you felt much more at ease. Rafe reached for one of the glass bottles of flavored beer. He knew you wouldn't be able to handle a standard draft beer, though you certainly wouldn't admit that out loud. Your eyes sparked as soon as he handed you your bottle.
“Thank you!”
And just like that you leaned against him and looked around the beach. Wondering who you should approach.
“Why are you staring at them?” He asked as your eyes stopped on the group of Pouges from afar.
“I’m thinking about talking to them.”
“Don’t.”
You narrowed your eyes and looked at Rafe, not fully understanding what he meant.
“Why? They seem cool.”
“But why would you even talk to them when you have me?” He pointed out while reaching for something to drink as well. Obviously with no alcohol in it.
“That sounds toxic.”
“Live with it.”
Rafe groaned when you struck him on the shoulder by surprise. Jeez, your punch was getting stronger and faster.
“The fuck was that?” He asked while giving you a glare.
“A reminder to not be a dick.”
“Jesus, you- how do we even friends?”
He narrowed his eyes even further when you started cackling. Still, he couldn't help but smile. You never laughed as naturally with anyone else as you did with him.
“We’re friends because both of us are losers.” You said while sitting on the sand and patting a place next to yourself. Rafe sat down as well.
“We’re not losers.”
“Yeah? So tell me about how many friends you have? Besides me.”
“That’s not the case.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” Your smile widened.
“Okay.” You took a sip of your beer. “Loser.”
This time, Rafe gave you a light nudge on the shoulder. It certainly wasn't hard—in fact, it only made you laugh.
You didn't notice it, but Rafe immediately saw one of the guys standing closest to you glance your way, or rather, at you. The jerk smiled when he saw your smile. A moment later, however, his gaze shifted to your companion. Rafe’s murderous look made the guy’s smile vanish instantly, and he looked away in a split second, pretending he had never even glanced in your direction.
If it were up to Rafe, he would never have left your side, but about an hour later, when you’d finished your second beer, he knew it would be a good idea to get you a third. That’s why he got up and asked you to wait for him. And someone immediately decided to take advantage of the situation.
Your eyes were focused on the ocean when he approached you. You were still sitting on the sand so from that angle he seemed huge. A stupid drunken smile on your face made the guy smile as well.
“Hi.”
Even your tone was sweet and a little sleepy because of an alcohol.
“Hi, there.” He offered you a hand and because you wanted to look sober, you took it. Otherwise he would see how sloppy your movements were. “You’re lost?”
“No.” The wind caused a single strand of baby hair to fall onto your forehead. “I’m waiting for my best friend.”
“Your best friend?” The boy smiled broadly and nodded understandingly. “I’m here with my friends too. You should join.”
“Mmm… I don’t know. What are offering?”
Somehow your terrible attempt to o flirt seemed to work because the guy chuckled. Even if anything you said wasn’t that funny.
“My company.”
“Well, I have to really think about it.” You shrugged and just glanced over your shoulder, trying to spot Rafe. “I’m not going to ditch my best friend.”
“She can join.”
“He.”
You nearly jumped when you felt Rafe’s arm on your shoulder in an instant. He pulled you close enough that your back lightly bumped against his chest. The guy immediately let go of your hand and looked at Rafe.
“This is Rafe.” You introduced him. “Rafe this is…”
“Michael.”
You smiled when the guy helped you. From where you were standing, you couldn't see the skeptical look Rafe shot him.
“Michael is inviting us to join his group.” You explained and Rafe just hummed something.
“We’re good.” Rafe said without hesitation. “But thanks, Mike.”
You blinked in surprise when Michael didn't even correct him and simply nodded before walking away. Your lips parted in shock, and a blush of embarrassment rose to your cheeks. What had you done wrong? Why did he leave?
Rafe pressed a bottle into your hands and guided you a little further along. Your gaze settled on the glass. You idly picked at the label with your nail where it was peeling at the corner, trying your hardest to keep the mounting disappointment and embarrassment in check.
“Why did you tell him that?” You asked Rafe after the moment.
“Hm?” Rafe tilted his head, like he couldn’t understand what was your problem.
“Michael. I thought- he seemed nice. And he invited us.”
Rafe frowned and looked down at you. For a moment he considered if he stepped on too much. You looked so sad, that it made him feel like an asshole for taking your chance with someone. Yet, again, he couldn’t stand the idea of another guy liking you. He was jealous and mad and you were just… you. And that was the problem. He couldn’t picture you with anyone except him and he hated the fact that you didn’t get it. That he couldn’t even say this out loud.
“He invited you. Not me.”
“That’s not true.”
He called your name and that made you look away for a second. Too embarrassed to even look at him.
“He wanted to talk to you and your friend who was supposed to be a girl. When he spotted me, the charm was gone.” Rafe stated simply.
“That’s– I would never left you.” You sighed and shook your head. “That’s the thing. If I’m invited and you’re not then we’re not going anywhere. It’s you and me or nothing.”
Your words only deepened Rafe's guilt. He should have let you handle it by yourself, but he had panicked right from the start at the thought of someone trying to take you away from him.
God. He was pathetic.
“This party sucks.” You muttered to yourself while taking another sip of the beer.
“So let’s go.”
Your cheeks flushed with embarrassment again. You had spent so much time thinking that this evening would magically change everything. It was humiliating. Just yesterday, you had lain in bed with your eyes closed, smiling to yourself and imagining the most wonderful start of the summer. Reality was much different. Disappointing. You weren’t the main character of a rom-com. There wasn’t anyone charming waiting for you. The right guy was an illusion and you were just stupid. So fucking stupid to think that one makeover would change you into someone interesting.
That was the thing with a change. No matter how much you try, they would be always in the back of your mind, the memory of you. Completely alone and heartbroken. You can try be a different person but this won’t work because you can’t kill who you were. You just have to accept that and live with this version of you. The one that once made you cry in the middle of the night.
“Let’s go home.” You said, completely exhausted.
Rafe nodded and offered you a supportive arm, which you immediately grasped. This time, he didn't even pay attention to who was glancing at you. He was too busy analyzing your behavior, though he decided not to bring the subject up until the campfire was well behind you.
He inhaled deeply, loving how free he felt right next to you. Maybe he was hoping that you would eventually relax as well.
“What’s up with you?” He asked finally.
He chose the perfect moment for it, because you were always sensitive after a drink. Your low tolerance for alcohol made the harshest words feel as light as a feather. You had absolutely no inhibitions. Which made it easy to tell him about the things that kept you awake in the middle of the night.
“Do you think I’m a good person?”
The silence after that made you bit the inside of your cheek. Rafe was still too busy trying to understand what was happening.
“Because– I think I might be broken.” You continued.
“You’re not.”
“No, I– shit.” You let go of him and just took a few steps towards the ocean.
You might have had goosebumps, but the emotions tearing through you made you feel as though you were burning up.
You felt like you were suffocating. Furious, you let your hair down and carelessly tossed the clip aside. Only then did your shoulders relax. You closed your eyes and turned your face toward the strong wind—as if the ocean could soothe your broken heart and soul. You needed this to breathe. The sound of waves made your mind go blank for a second. It was almost like an ocean was cleaning you up. Suddenly, everything was quiet.
Only after that you turned around to face him. To tell him how much scared you were. All this time it was always Rafe who needed your help, yet this year was different. This year it was you who couldn’t help but feel like you were drowning into the darkness thoughts in your mind. Practically killing yourself with things that made you go even more insane.
“No one ever pays attention to me. And I'm not saying this because I want to—fuck! I can't even explain it. I just—“ You let out a humorless laugh. “I have the impression that I am living my life while watching from the sidelines.”
He called your name again and took a step closer. Still, wanting to help. Rafe was thanking himself for not drinking tonight because his mind was clear and ready to help you.
“Nothing’s going on. Nothing’s change.” You continued while feeling like crying. “I put on this stupid outfit, hoping that the new clothes will give me the confidence I lack. Because I refuse to entertain the thought that perhaps I was never interesting at all. That maybe I’ll never be enough for anyone.”
“You are enough.” He said without hesitation. “You– Jesus. Why are you doing this to yourself? For how long have you been thinking like this?”
“A while.” You said while shrugging and looking back at the ocean. “But I began to think that maybe I always thought about myself like this.”
“Stop.”
He was practically begging. Rafe’s ocean blue eyes were filled with fear. Regretting that he hadn’t noticed that way sooner. You needed him, and he was ready to be there for you. No matter how long it’ll take.
“I can’t breathe in this.” You mutter to yourself and just began to tear off the top.
Rafe cursed while quickly getting closer. But didn’t stop you. In fact he helped you take that thing off. The way your shoulders relaxed instantly made him feel relieved. Not quite happy yet, but he will get there eventually. First, he needed to make you smile again.
“What do you want?” He asked while gently placing both of his hands on your neck.
“Just… do something that’s worth all of this.” You said and even your voice was shaking with emotions. “Do something stupid and wild that will make me feel alive.”
Not dead inside.
Rafe nodded and just looked behind you. A slow smile appeared on his face as he realized what he could do.
“So let’s go swimming.”
You blinked in surprise. Your lips parted slightly, and you glanced behind you.
“What- Rafe. We can’t. It’s dark and we’re gonna–“
“We’re gonna have fun.” He said while touching you gently. “We’re gonna do something stupid and that’ll make you smile again.”
You but the inside of your cheek and glanced back again. Still fighting inside your head. Wondering if you were capable of doing anything like this.
“We don’t have any swimsuits.” You pointed out.
“We don’t need them.” Rafe took a step back and just took off his hoodie. “Have you ever heard about skinny dipping?”
The way your eyes widened made him grin even more. You blinked way too many times while observing him reaching for his belt.
“I’m not getting naked in front of you.”
“Is that your only problem?” He asked while giving you his soft eyes.
“Yes. You’re my best friend and it’d be weird.”
No one has ever seen you naked before. The idea of Rafe seeing you completely bare made you even more nervous and maybe a little insecure. Yet, you really wanted to try this.
“Okay.” He nodded and just turned around. “This is my side, and there’s yours. I promise to close my eyes and open them only when we’ll got into the water.”
You swallowed hard when Rafe took off his shirt. Shit, you shouldn’t looking but his back has always had some effect on you. All muscular, tanned and just… attractive. Fuck. Your Rafe was attractive. You never thought like this before.
This realization made you immediately turned around. Your cheeks burning with red.
Shit, shit, shit!
Thinking about your best friend like this was forbidden. What were you even thinking? This must’ve been the alcohol’s fault. Yes. Definitely this. Otherwise you would never stare. You never stared at him before. Because he was Rafe. Just Rafe. Just your best friend. Your Rafe.
You quickly got rid of your jeans and kick off your shoes. Standing only in a lacy bra and a simple pair of panties with blue flowers on them. To think of, that was probably the worst underwear you could’ve picked for tonight but you weren’t really thinking about taking your clothes off in front of someone.
“Done. You?”
“Still with my underwear.” Rafe chuckled at that.
“Don’t make me come here and strip you down.”
Your cheeks began to burning again. This time you took a deep breath and took off your underwear and bra.
The cold breeze made your nipples instantly harden. You shuddered and instinctively wrapped your arms around yourself.
“Done.” You said simply. “Now, what?”
Rafe laughed again and just shook his head. This moment could be pretty intense and sexual, yet with you it felt rather sweet and innocent. This felt like love.
“Now, you’re going into the water and I’m waiting with my eyes closed until you scream my name.” He said while getting more comfortable.
“You’re not worried that I’m going to stare at your thing?”
He laughed again. His shoulders shook, it was something you could see out of the corner of your eye. You didn't have the courage to look more closely, however.
“Nah, I’m good, sweetheart.” His deep voice made you swallow hard. “Besides, I don’t mind.”
“You–“ Your jaw dropped. As you groaned, Rafe laughed again. “Ew, Rafe. Just close your eyes.”
Rafe crossed his arms over his chest and obediently closed his eyes. At that moment, he could only hear your feet sinking gently into the sand as you walked. You were completely alone here, far away from everyone enjoying the bonfire. So no one could see this secret moment between the two of you.
The water was ice-cold at that hour, so you audibly gasped—a sound Rafe heard. You were certain his smile had widened, though you preferred not to check. The thought of seeing him naked sent a strange flutter through your lower belly—a sensation you couldn't even put a name to.
As you went dipper into the water, you closed your eyes and just screamed his name. You didn’t have to wait long before Rafe, unlike you, just ran into the water. His jump made you squeal so loud that he laughed again. You opened your eyes only after a few seconds.
“Are you crazy?!” You scold him as he swum to you. “You could have gone into thermal shock.”
“It’s June, baby.”
“And the water is cold.” You pointed out.
You gasped loudly when Rafe simply splashed you. Your hair got wet instantly, leaving you no choice but to give him a taste of his own medicine. Your hand shot into the water, splashing him right back and making you burst into loud laughter.
It didn't take long for Rafe to splash you again. A huge commotion erupted around you two, making you laugh louder and louder.
You weren't sure how much time you had spent in the water. Too busy having fun, you simply let the moment drift by. You didn't even care about the nudity anymore. In that moment, only the two of you mattered.
Rafe gently placed his hand on your waist. Practically grabbing you with just one palm.
His ocean blue eyes stopped on yours. In that moment, it seemed possible. Real. He allowed himself to picture this and for a second, his gaze lowered. Just enough to look at your lips before retiring to those mesmerizing eyes. In such darkness, they seemed completely black. Making him stare at you even harder.
“You’re beautiful.” He said without thinking and because of your drunken state, you just laughed at that.
“And so are you.”
Your hand stopped on his shoulder. Still without touching him in this sensual way. Treating him like he was your best friend while both of you wanted more. Yet, it was too soon to ruin this.
“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.” You said while smiling so sweetly.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Another giggle escaped your mouth as you moved closer. Your body brushed against his. “I think I’ve been waiting for you this whole entire time. You’re my best friend.”
This time your words made him smile even more. Little did you know, they were also the reason why he didn’t kiss you that night. No matter how much he wanted this.
~*~*~*~
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@rafecameronarchive @reddh00d @moonlightbaaaeee
