The bass thumped through the beach house, vibrating beneath your feet. Laughter, shouting, and music blurred together as bodies pressed close, drinks spilled, and the air grew thick with salt and smoke. Another party, another night. The kind you and Rafe always found yourselves at half drunk, surrounded by noise, trying to forget everything waiting back home.

The fights. The pressure. The things neither of you said out loud.

You stood by the balcony door, the cool breeze brushing against your face as you watched the ocean. The alcohol buzzed in your veins, light but not enough to numb everything.

Rafe found you like he always did. He looked flushed, eyes glassy but sharp. The grin on his face was familiar, but the look in his eyes wasn’t. There was something else there.

“Dance with me.”

You shook your head, but he was already pulling you toward the crowd. His grip was warm, steady despite the drinks. The room spun slightly, lights flashing, bass pulsing.

“Since when you’re dancing?” You yelled through the loud music.

The two of you moved together, too close, breaths mingling. His hands settled on your waist without hesitation. Yours rested against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart.

Rafe leaned in, breath warm against your ear, saying something you barely caught. It didn’t matter. His gaze flicked from your eyes to your lips, and the space between you dissolved.

Then he kissed you.

Slow at first, like he was waiting for you to pull away. But you didn’t. His grip tightened. The taste of alcohol lingered between you, but the kiss felt far too real.