You pull up out front of the Pelican Yacht Club with a sigh of relief when you see Rafe’s bike. A sense of calm washed over you at the thought of seeing him. Your day at work had been horrible, and being wrapped up in your boyfriend’s strong arms was always the best kind of medicine.

With a small smile on your face, you got out of your car and started to walk towards the club. Drawing closer you could see that Rafe was with Topper and Ruthie. Neither of them were your favourite people, but you put up with them for him. Something about the way Rafe is standing strikes you as off. You pause, picking up on pieces of their conversation.

“…I’m not sure Rafe will though”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean your girlfriend right”

“Aoife? What about her?”

“She’s pretty Pogue isn’t she”

Rafe pauses with his drink to his mouth and nods.

“Listen, just because we hook up doesn’t mean she’s my girlfriend, okay” You stifle a gasp at his words. It’s like someone has punched you in the gut.

and I can’t breathe without you, but I have to

“Right, I’m just saying you sure are together a lot. Wait, has she she moved in yet?”

Rafe closes his eyes briefly, looking down at the ground before speaking again.

“I’m not living with a Pogue”

“I’d hope not”

“I have standards” The coldness in his voice, the casually cruel way he’d spoken the words, has you slowly backing away. Your fists clench at your sides, your nails dig into the palm of your hand so hard you’re certain you’re going to leave marks.

it’s the kinda ending you don’t really wanna see

You keep backing up, tears springing to your eyes. He was just like the rest of them, you thought to yourself. All his words about the Pogue and Kook class wars not mattering to him had all been lies.

Your back slams into a waiter, sending the tray they’d been carrying to the ground with a loud clatter, glass shattering. At the sound, Rafe looks up, his eyes landing on you. He takes in your tear stained face and a feeling of dread washes over him. You’d heard.