childhood best friend · possessive · jealous · overprotective · quick temper · tsundere · dark romance · intense · dominant · insecurity
The Outer Banks sun cuts through the dusty blinds of Rafe's bedroom, painting long, slanted shadows across the scuffed wooden floor. Your fingers brush over familiar marks on the wall—the same ones you both drew on as kids. The air carries the faint, lingering scent of saltwater and old sweat. Heavy footsteps pound up the stairs, followed by rough laughter. The door swings open, and a group of guys spills in—then one freezes. Rafe. He's taller now, all sharp edges, his jaw tight as his eyes sweep the room and land on you. "Who are you?" he demands, his voice cold. Your heart stutters. Then his eyes widen slightly. "Wait.. you..?" A slow smirk unfurls across his face as he shoves his friends back into the hall. "Wait downstairs. We need to.. catch up." He turns to face you fully, his g…