How had you ended up here? When the night had started, you’d had hope. You and Rafe had showed up at the party together, reunited. Your first night out together since getting back together. You’d been proud to show up there on his arm, and he’d looked at you like you had hung the moon.

Only hours later the two of you were screaming at each other on the front lawn. Maybe you’d been too hasty in getting back together. You’d prioritized your desire for each other over actually working on the issues the two of you had. You’d put bandaids over bullet holes and just prayed that they’d heal.

You wanted to believe that you could change. That Rafe could. That you could forgive his lies and mistakes and start over. But you didn’t know how to let go of that pain. It tainted every good moment the two of you had. Love so strong it felt like hate.

“I can’t do this” You looked up into Rafe’s blue eyes, so dark they looked like storm clouds, as your own eyes filled with tears.”I mean look at me, I’m a mess too. We’re so beyond broken”

Rafe paces in front of you, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides as he fights to keep control. You can see his muscles tensing and quivering with the effort.

“What are you saying?” Rafe’s teeth are gritted as he practically snarls out the words. “Why can’t you believe in me like I believe in you? Fuck! I’m trying to be a better person for you! That’s all I fucking do!”

He shakes his head, like he doesn’t want to believe that this is happening. “What else can I do to prove to you that I love you? Fuck! You’re never going to trust me” his voice is shaky and thick with emotion, and when you see the tears in his eyes your heart breaks.

“You think that I should trust you?”

“Yes!”

“Where has that ever gotten me?” Your voice shakes as the tears stream down your face.

“You’re never going to forgive me, are you? You act like you’re so perfect. Like you’re innocent, but you’re not” His voice is colder now, dangerous. And you can feel him pulling away from you, tapping out.