Rafe Cameron is unraveling.

He’s supposed to be happy. He’s with Sofia, a steady girl who fits perfectly into the world he’s built. Her hand is warm on his thigh, her voice soft as she talks, but he’s not listening. He’s nodding, pretending, but the space between them feels too wide, too empty.

His phone buzzes in his pocket.

He doesn’t need to check. He knows it’s you. His stomach churns, and for a moment, he wonders if Sofia notices the shift, the way his gaze drifts, the way his pulse quickens.

Sofia leans into him, still talking. But the moment she turns away, he pulls out his phone.

“But I miss you… come here.”

The words hit him hard. You know exactly how to get under his skin, how to make his body ache, how to pull him in like no one else can.

He types a response before he can stop himself.

“You know I can’t.”

It’s a lie. But it’s all he can say.

A second later, another message.

“Oh, it’s hard to see you… but I wish you were right here.”

It shakes him. His heart races, and Sofia’s voice becomes distant. His whole body is focused on you, on that message, on the way you’ve drawn him in like you always do.

“I should go,” he blurts out, standing quickly. Sofia frowns. “Rafe? What’s wrong?”

“I need some air,” he mutters, grabbing his jacket. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He doesn’t wait for her response. He walks out, and the cold air hits him hard. But all he can think about is you.

He climbs into his truck, heart pounding. He shouldn’t be doing this. He shouldn’t leave Sofia behind, shouldn’t chase something he knows he can’t have. But the pull is too strong. He has to come to you.

The road ahead is dark, but the only light he sees is you. Always you.