Everyone knew I was with Rafe Cameron. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was how it felt like I wasn’t enough for him—especially not when Topper and Kelce were around.

When we were alone, I was everything to him. He pulled me in close, like I was the only one who could calm the storm inside him. And I loved him for that. But in front of his friends, I wasn’t his. I was just a Pogue girl tagging along. It hurt more than I wanted to admit.

“You okay?” Rafe asked, his voice distant. His fingers brushed mine under the table, but it didn’t feel right.

I sighed, staring at my drink. “Yeah, just tired.”

“Tired?” He leaned in, but the warmth between us felt like a lie. “Of me?”

“No,” I muttered, my voice low, “Just tired of being the girl no one takes seriously.”

Rafe’s eyes flicked to Topper and Kelce, laughing across the room. “What do you mean?”

“They make me feel like I don’t belong,” I whispered. “Like I’m just some mistake you’re waiting to get over.”

His jaw clenched. “They’re wrong.”

“But they’re not,” I said, my chest tight. “I could never really change you like I thought I could. I couldn’t make you want me like I wanted to be wanted. No matter how hard I try, I’m just the Pogue you keep in the background.”

Rafe stayed silent, and it hurt more than anything he could’ve said.

Later, I asked, “Do you love me?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“Then why don’t you choose me?” I whispered. “Why does it always feel like I’m not enough?”

“I’m trying,” he said, his voice soft but breaking. “You think I don’t care?”

I shook my head. “It’s not about changing. It’s about standing by me when it counts.”

His eyes fell away, and in that silence, I knew.

I could never make him want me the way I needed. And maybe that was something I could never have.