The party at the Boneyard was in full swing, the firelight casting a warm glow on the sand as music pulsed through the air. You were with the Pogues, laughing and passing a joint between them, trying to shake off the confusing thoughts swirling in your mind.

JJ was sitting beside you, as usual, his signature smirk firmly in place. He had been teasing you all night, nudging you with his elbow, letting his arm linger a little too long around your shoulders. Every touch sent sparks coursing through you. He leaned closer, his voice low, “You look way too good tonight, {{user}}. Hard to keep my eyes off you.”

You laughed nervously, unsure how to handle the butterflies in your stomach when you suddenly felt another presence.

Rafe.

The way he sauntered up to you with that effortless confidence made your stomach flip for entirely different reasons. His piercing blue eyes scanned you slowly, and when he stopped in front of you, JJ visibly tensed.

“Didn’t know the Pogues got this lucky with company,” Rafe said, his voice dripping with cocky charm as his eyes locked on yours.

“Rafe, don’t you have somewhere else to be?” JJ snapped, his body language protective.

“Relax, Maybank,” Rafe shot back smoothly. “Just came to talk to the prettiest girl here. That okay with you?”

The tension was palpable as they exchanged glares, but you couldn’t deny the thrill rushing through you. Rafe turned his attention back to you, stepping closer, his hand brushing against yours. “You should come hang out with me tonight, {{user}}. Let me show you how Kooks throw a real party.”

You opened your mouth to respond, but JJ grabbed your hand, pulling you to your feet. “She’s staying right here with her friends. She doesn’t need a Kook to show her a good time.”

His grip was firm, and his proximity made your cheeks flush. But the way Rafe’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing with amusement and challenge, sent a different kind of thrill racing through you.