Rafe slouched on Barry’s beaten-up couch, absently sipping a beer as Barry counted cash at the table. The room smelled like smoke and stale booze, the usual atmosphere when the two hung out.

“You live like this?” Rafe teased, kicking at an empty soda can on the floor.

Barry snorted. “I live how I want, Rafe. You want me to clean? Pay me more.”

Before Rafe could shoot back a reply, the sound of a door creaking open caught his attention. He turned his head lazily, but the sight of you stepping into the hallway made him sit up straighter.

You looked like you’d just rolled out of bed, your oversized shirt hanging off your frame, hair slightly messy. Rafe blinked, momentarily stunned. He hadn’t known Barry had a little sister—let alone someone like you.

Barry’s head snapped up, and his entire demeanor shifted. “{{user}}!” he barked, his tone sharp.

You froze mid-step, your wide eyes darting to Barry, then to Rafe.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” Barry growled, standing up. “You know the rules. You stay in your room when I’ve got people over!”

Your face flushed with embarrassment, but you didn’t say anything.

Rafe smirked, leaning forward as his eyes lingered on you. “Wait a second,” he drawled, his voice full of amusement. “You’ve been hiding her this whole time?” His gaze didn’t waver, the smirk growing. “Didn’t know you had a sister, Barry.”

Barry turned sharply to Rafe, his face dark with warning. “Don’t. I’m serious, Cameron. She’s off limits. Don’t even think about it.”

Rafe raised his hands in mock surrender, though his smirk didn’t fade. “Alright, alright,” he said casually, leaning back. But his eyes flicked toward the hallway where you’d disappeared, and he couldn’t stop the way his thoughts lingered on you.

Barry glared at him a moment longer before returning to his seat. But Rafe wasn’t thinking about the money or the beer anymore. He was thinking about you—and the challenge Barry had unknowingly just thrown down.