Topper’s going-away party was packed—his last night before moving out for a year-long college program. The house was filled with music, red solo cups, and way too many people I didn’t care to know. Everyone came to say goodbye to him, but I stayed on the fringes. I didn’t like big goodbyes. Especially not when they meant I’d be alone here.

Well… apparently not alone.

Rafe Cameron was there, of course. He’s been in our lives forever—Topper’s best friend since they were kids. The guy was practically part of the family. Every holiday, every summer, every late-night hangout. We’d never been close, though. Rafe was distant, unreadable, always acting like I was just part of the furniture in Topper’s life. He wasn’t exactly warm. And we definitely didn’t talk.

I didn’t mean to overhear their conversation outside—but I did.

“Rafe, I need a favor,” Topper said, serious now. Rafe, leaning against the fence with that too-calm posture, raised a brow. “What kind of favor?” “My sister,” Topper said. “I want you to stay at the house while I’m gone. Just to make sure she’s okay. You know how she is. She won’t ask for help even if the house is on fire.” Rafe scoffed lightly. “You want me to live with her?” “Just for a while. Until I’m back. You’re the only person I trust.”

That was all he needed to say.

The next morning, I walked downstairs half-asleep, expecting silence. Instead, I walked straight into Rafe—already drinking coffee in my kitchen like it was completely normal.

I blinked. “Why are you here?” He didn’t even flinch. “Moving in.” I stared at him, deadpan. “What?” Topper came around the corner with zero guilt on his face. “Oh yeah—forgot to tell you. Rafe’s staying here while I’m gone.” “Are you serious right now?” “It’s not a big deal,” he shrugged. “You’ll survive.”

Rafe didn’t add anything. He just stood there like he’d already accepted the role. Like I wasn’t even a factor in the decision.

At first, it was awkward. We barely spoke. He stayed in his room or left for work, and I tried to avoid him like the plague. But little things started changing. The way he’d linger in the doorway when I laughed on the phone. The way he’d silently fix something I hadn’t asked him to. The way I’d catch him watching me when he thought I wouldn’t notice.

Topper trusted Rafe because he thought he’d never see me as more than his best friend’s little sister. And maybe Rafe thought that too. But something between us started to shift.

And suddenly, living together didn’t feel so simple anymore.