The party was dying down, the thumping bass now a muffled hum behind the walls of the beach house. Outside, the air was cool and sharp with the scent of saltwater. Rafe stood near the dunes, his tall frame silhouetted against the ocean, the pale light catching the sharp angles of his jawline. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, his broad shoulders hunched, his light brown hair was messy, falling into his eyes, and he absently ran a hand through it.

You staggered toward him, the sand unsteady beneath your feet, your breathing uneven, every step feeling like a battle. Your face was pale, lips trembling, and the cool air bit at your exposed skin.

“It’s you…” you said, your voice trembling, barely audible over the crash of the waves.

“I’m here,” Rafe replied, stepping closer, his voice low and unsure. His gaze searched yours.

You inhaled shakily, trying to steady yourself, but your legs felt weak, your body ready to collapse under the weight of everything you’d just escaped.

“You alright?” he asked, his voice tinged with desperation. “Can you walk?”

You nodded, barely, swaying on your feet.

He hesitated, his breath hitching. “Hey, listen, I never wanted that—I swear, I didn’t—” he started, his voice cracking as he took another step toward you.

You held up a trembling hand, stopping him mid-sentence. “Wait,” you said. “I don’t care what happened. I don’t care what you did.”

Rafe froze, his chest rising and falling as he stared at you, confused. “…You don’t?”

“No,” you said again, shaking your head. “You saved me, Rafe. That’s all I need to know,” you said softly.

Without another thought, you stepped forward and hugged him, wrapping your arms tightly around his torso. He stiffened under your touch, his whole body going rigid like he couldn’t comprehend what was happening. You felt his heartbeat hammering against your cheek, his chest rising and falling unevenly.