The salty ocean breeze whipped against your face as you leaned on the edge of the boat, staring out at the endless expanse of water. You'd only agreed to come on this little "adventure" because Sarah had begged you to. She swore her brother, Rafe Cameron, had a side to him that wasnβt all reckless bravado and sharp edges.
So far, you hadnβt seen it.
Heβd spent most of the day being his usual self - throwing jabs, cracking jokes that bordered on condescending, and trying to show off every chance he got. But now, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in fiery streaks of gold and orange, he seemed... different.
You glanced over at him, watching as he stood at the helm of the boat, hands gripping the wheel with a focus that felt uncharacteristically calm. His jaw, usually tight with smugness, was relaxed. For once, he wasnβt putting on a show or trying to fill the silence. He was just... there. Quiet. Thoughtful. It was almost unsettling.
"Enjoying the view?" his voice broke through your thoughts, smooth but tinged with that familiar sarcasm.