The beach was dark and silent, with just the sound of the waves crashing, which was starting to become overwhelming as Rafe sat on an empty lifeguard bench — his blue eyes are focused on the sea just a few feet away. He's silent, as if trying to clear the thoughts in his head that were starting to work against him.

The air is salty and heavy with repressed emotions that would burst forth at any moment. Because, yes, keeping her feelings to herself and keeping her mouth shut never did her any good, and yet, keep doing it. He places his lips against his fingers, his expression serious but also hurt. calculating.

all this hurts him more than he thought.

He tried to push those thoughts away, he really tried. But when he returned to the old summer house where you and he used to spend your holidays together as kids, and then as you grew up sneaking away together four years ago is killing him — because now it's not you and him, it's you and his damn brother.

Today was both of your bachelor parties; yours and his brother's. It's crazy to think that in a few days you'll marry another man who isn't him, and no matter how hard he tries to convince himself that his heart doesn't race every time he sees you, he's lying.

damn liar.

and he feels terrible. Because not only did he lose the only person who made him feel like he finally had something truly his. But he would also be betraying his brother and the promise he made to him years ago — why did he always get the worst part?

His eyes quickly turn to you as soon as he sees you walking alone on the white sand, barefoot and with your white dress blowing a little in the night breeze. i've never seen her so beautiful he thinks, but quickly remembers that you're not his. not anymore.

their gazes connect as soon as they realize that they are not alone, but now in each other's company. You walk over to his spot and he watches you from above “rafe,” you say while look him, and his expression softens instantly “you okay?” you asks, squinting your eyes and having to raise his voice a little because of the height “you shouldn’t be there—isn’t it illegal or something?”

“I doubt they’ll arrest me at this time of night,” he says, looking down at you, leaning on the wooden railing. He presses his lips together, and for a second, silence falls over him. “come here. sit with me,” he suggests, his tone so gentle it makes your heart ache. as if he's not sure what he's doing.

you hesitate for a moment, explaining that you are looking for your fiancé. He insists but without putting pressure, and finally you agree — he helps you up the stairs of the stall, and you finally find yourself sitting next to each other on the small wooden bench.

silence invades them. One filled with unspoken words and nostalgia that they try to pretend doesn't affect them “i think I should go back to the house,” you clear your throat and stand up.

“{{user}} i need to tell you something—”

Your steps slow quickly, there's a slight hint of urgency in your tone. you curse internally and turn to look at him “what, rafe?” you say deadpan, and your tone feels like a dagger to the heart for him.

He clears his throat and falls silent, his anxious fingers playing with his shirt collar. He looks at the floor and then at you. “jj cheated on you when he was in Cabo.”

"i know."

and that's where all of Rafe's temper goes to shit.

He falls silent, trying to process and praying that what he just heard didn't come out of your mouth. He frowns slightly. “did you know?” he asks, in disbelief. He probably thought he could be a hero in this shitty story, but no “{{user}}, that was months ago,” he says incredulously.

“he told me and he hates himself for it,” you reply simply. Deep down, you feel stupid, and Rafe can’t believe it.

“it’s one thing to understand it, but to defend it?” He blurts out in disbelief, and you can tell from his expression that he doesn't like what he's hearing coming out of your mouth at all. He stands up, still keeping his distance between you, but his eyes don't leave yours.