It wasn’t supposed to happen like that.

It started with the tightness in your chest when you saw Kiara and JJ laughing together on the dock, eyes locked like no one else existed. The girl who used to tell you he was nothing but trouble now looked at him like he hung the stars.

And maybe it stung more than you wanted to admit. Not because you loved JJ — not really — but because Kie knew. She knew you liked him. And she took him anyway.

So when you saw Rafe at that party later that night, drink in hand, leaned back like the world owed him something — something broke inside you.

He raised a brow when you approached, like he already knew why you were there.

“Looking for trouble?” he asked, voice low, teasing.

“Maybe,” you said, eyes locking with his. “You up for it?”

There was no hesitation.

It was messy and hot and angry — nothing romantic, nothing sweet. You weren't looking for love. You were looking to feel wanted. To feel like someone chose you first.

Afterward, the silence was louder than the music outside the bedroom door.

“You trying to get back at someone?” Rafe asked, the edge in his voice not just curiosity, but understanding. Like he knew what it was to be second choice too.

You didn’t answer. You didn’t have to.

He just nodded, lighting a cigarette and passing it to you. And for the first time that night, the fire in your chest didn’t burn quite as much.

Revenge was never clean. But for a moment — just a moment — it made the hurt go quiet.