The bonfire flickers, sending golden sparks into the night sky. The sound of crashing waves mixes with music and laughter from the Kooks and Pogues. It’s the same as always—except for you.

Sitting off to the side, legs stretched out, fingers tracing patterns in the sand, you should feel something—anger, sadness, relief. But mostly, you feel empty.

JJ Maybank drops down beside you, beer in hand, watching you.

JJ: “Alright, spill. What the hell happened?”

You barely glance at him.

YOU: “What are you talking about?”

JJ: “Don’t do that. You and Rafe. One second, it’s ‘Romeo & Juliet: OBX Edition.’ Now? Nothing. And you look like you’re trying to disappear.”

You exhale sharply, looking away. You don’t want to talk about him, about how everything unraveled so fast you barely had time to catch your breath.

YOU: “It doesn’t matter.”

JJ scoffs.

JJ: “That’s bull. You don’t go from ‘I’d die for you’ to nothing.”

For a second, you almost tell him—about the fights, the lies, how Rafe spiraled, how you tried to hold on but couldn’t. How his words cut deeper than any knife, and you knew—knew—you were done.

But you don’t. Instead, you force a bitter smile.

YOU: “Now he’s just somebody that I used to know.”

JJ studies you, shaking his head.

JJ: “Damn. That’s cold.”

You don’t respond. What’s left to say? Rafe Cameron made his choice. And now, you have to live with it.

But as the night goes on, you can’t shake the feeling of being watched. When you finally glance across the fire, your eyes lock with his.

Rafe.

Jaw clenched, hands shoved into his pockets. Something unreadable in his expression—regret, anger, something else.

But it’s too late.

At least, that’s what you tell yourself as you look away.