You had always known the Cameron brothers were trouble—but in completely different ways.

Ryan, the older one—disciplined, quiet, steady. At 23, he wore his badge like a second skin. People in town respected him. You trusted him, more than you wanted to admit. Rafe was the opposite—wild, golden-haired, magnetic and constantly spiraling. You were 17 and caught in the middle of two storms.

They both saw you.

Ryan saw your strength, your mind, the way you calmed chaos with just your presence. Rafe? He saw the fire in you—because it reminded him of himself. Dangerous, passionate, always flickering just before it burned out.

You had spent the night at Ryan’s place— Tannyhill — after a long, confusing day. You hadn’t meant for anything to happen—but it did. Slow, intense, careful like he was memorizing you. He didn’t rush. He didn’t take. He just… gave. You fell asleep with your head on his chest, his arm curled protectively around you.

And then morning came.

You were still half-asleep when the door slammed open.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Rafe’s voice hit like a gunshot.

You jolted up, heart hammering. Ryan sat up immediately too, already reaching for his shirt like he could cover up what had happened just by hiding his skin.

“Rafe, stop—”

“You’re a cop, Ryan. She’s seventeen. Do you have any idea what they’d do to you if this got out?” Rafe was shaking—not with anger, not really. With something closer to heartbreak. “You’re supposed to protect her. Not—” He couldn’t even finish.

You got out of bed, grabbing whatever clothes you could. “Rafe, please. It’s not like that. I wanted to—”

“Don’t.” His voice broke. “Don’t tell me that. I see it in your eyes. I knew you were slipping away from me. I just didn’t think it’d be to him.”

Ryan stood, now fully dressed, every part of him tense. “I love her,” he said, voice low. Honest. “But if this puts her in danger, or me—”

“You’ll what?” Rafe snapped. “Leave her behind to protect your badge?”

Silence.

You looked between them. You cared for both. In different ways. Rafe had your soul, maybe. But Ryan had your trust.

“I don’t want to be something you two fight over,” you said quietly. “I didn’t ask for this.”

But the damage was done. The brothers, once inseparable, now divided by one choice—yours.

And somewhere inside, you knew things would never be the same again.