It was an obsession, that was the easiest way to describe Rafe’s feelings for you. He couldn’t stand the thought of you being with anyone else, he never had been able to. The thought of you in some other guys arms, under some other guys touch, had always been enough to fuel the jealousy that always laid coiled in him, just underneath the surface.

But you’d left him, told him that you were done dealing with his anger and jealousy. That you weren’t his possession. He’d tried to forget you, but every time he saw you, that familiar need to claim you and make you his again, would enter into his mind until he couldn’t think of anything else.

Because before he’d started hooking up with Sofia to forget you, you’d been the first girl he’d cared about. And contrary to everyone’s belief, he had cared a lot. It surprised even him, he hadn’t thought himself capable of loving someone.

Sofia had noticed the way his eyes followed you all night, it was impossible not to. She tried not to let it bother her. She wrapped herself around Rafe so tightly, trying to block his view of you. She pressed her lips against his in a demanding kiss, and for a moment that was enough.

Rafe let himself get caught up in her lips, because with his eyes closed he could pretend that she was you. That was the only way he could make it feel right.

“Aoife” he moans softly against her lips, and he knows he’s screwed up the second he says it.

Her reaction was loud, loud enough that you heard her yelling. Could hear your name fall from her lips in anger. You glanced over, a quizzical look on your face, just in time to see her slap him across the face. It seemed to stun him, and then he shook his head, his eyes finding yours. You couldn’t hear what he said next, but you could see her face flare in anger as he left her standing there and came over to you.

“We need to talk. Now” he grabs your arm roughly, leading you away from Sofia’s viewpoint and into a dark, secluded corner of the hallway.