「 ✦ EVAN & JJ ✦ 」

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DAYS LATER, THE TENSION WAS STILL THICK in the air. Sutton had been walking a fine line since that night with Rafe, trying to get a handle on everything that had spiraled out of control. But when she heard Zach was coming back for the weekend, a new wave of unease washed over her. It felt like everything would be under a microscope again, and she wasn't sure she could handle that.

As she stood by the window, staring out at the quiet street, her mind kept wandering back to that night—the kiss, the aftermath, and everything in between. But there was no time to dwell on it now. The dinner at the country club had been planned for weeks, and no one was backing down.

Downstairs, Gabrielle was in full "hostess mode," making sure everything was perfect for Zach's arrival. Sutton could hear her moving around, preparing as usual. Olivia, on the other hand, had made it clear that she wasn't going unless Sutton was excluded from the guest list. Of course, Olivia's idea of a "perfect evening" didn't include Sutton, and it was clear from the coldness in her voice.

Sutton sighed and ran a hand through her hair, bracing herself for the confrontation ahead. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Olivia, but it seemed inevitable.

As she descended the stairs, she found Olivia in the foyer, arms crossed tightly, her stance defensive. Sarah, standing next to her, was clearly trying to mediate, but Olivia was having none of it.

"You can't honestly expect me to go if she's there, right?" Olivia's voice was sharp, and the venom in her tone wasn't lost on anyone.

Sarah, ever the peacemaker, sighed and put a hand on Olivia's arm. "Olivia, seriously. Both of you are my friends. Just let it go. It's just dinner."

Olivia shot Sarah a look that could kill. "She's not my friend, Sarah. You know that."

Sutton felt the weight of Olivia's words, but she refused to let it get to her. She had bigger things to focus on—things like the mess she had created with Rafe, her family's constant bickering, and, of course, the chaotic dynamics between her and everyone she'd once called her closest friends.

"I'm not the one making things complicated, Olivia," Sutton shot back, her voice cold but controlled. "You're the one deciding who's worthy enough to sit at the table. Maybe it's time you stop worrying about me."

Olivia rolled her eyes, clearly not taking Sutton's words seriously. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't expect me to sit there and pretend everything's okay. You've changed, Sutton. You're not the same person anymore."

Sutton felt a jolt in her chest, but she held her ground. "I'm still me, Olivia. Whether you like it or not."

The air was thick with tension, and Sarah stepped in again, trying to defuse the situation before it escalated. "This isn't helping. Can't we just go to dinner without all the drama?"

Zach's voice interrupted the standoff, calling out from the entryway as he entered the house with his usual swagger. "What's going on in here? Why does it feel like a battle is about to break out?"

Gabrielle appeared behind him, giving Olivia and Sutton both pointed glares before turning to Sarah. "I'm sure it's nothing, just some teenage drama. But Zach, honey, let's go upstairs and get ready. Dinner will be in an hour."

Zach flashed a grin, obviously not fazed by any of the tension. "I didn't miss much, did I?"

Sutton just shook her head, trying to hide the frustration bubbling up inside her.

"Can we just go?" Olivia muttered, her tone icy as she turned on her heel and walked toward the door.

Sutton hesitated, watching her go, the weight of everything settling in. There was no easy way out of this. But she knew this dinner would be another battleground, another reminder that nothing was simple anymore.

She turned to Sarah, who had a concerned look on her face. "I'll be fine," Sutton said, her voice a little more resigned than she intended. "I can handle this."

Sarah gave her a tight smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I know you can. Just don't let Olivia get under your skin. She's just... being herself."

Sutton nodded, but her mind was already elsewhere. She wasn't sure what to expect from this dinner—whether it would be a fresh round of insults or an awkward silence—but she knew one thing for sure: she wasn't backing down this time.

Just as the tension between Sutton and Olivia reached its peak, Eli strolled into the room, looking casual, like he hadn't been caught up in the whirlwind of family drama. He paused when he saw the standoff between Sutton and Olivia, but his confusion quickly took over as he glanced between them.

"Why are you two acting like this again?" Eli asked, clearly not understanding the source of the drama. He scratched his head and glanced at Sutton, then at Olivia.

Sutton folded her arms across her chest, not in the mood to explain. "You know, same old stuff. Olivia's just being—" She didn't even finish her sentence before Eli cut her off.

"She's being Olivia," he muttered with a hint of sarcasm. "I get it."

There was a beat of silence before Eli turned his attention to Sutton, an idea clearly forming in his head. "Sutton, you should invite JJ. Like, to dinner, or something. It'll keep you sane."

Sutton blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard. "What? JJ? You want me to invite him?"

Eli gave her a mischievous grin. "Yeah. You know how he's been around here like every day this past week? He's been gaming with me, watching random videos, talking about dumb stuff... basically what you need to not go full nuclear on everyone."

Sutton raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure where Eli was coming from. "We're not exactly on speaking terms right now, Eli."

Eli's expression twisted in confusion. "Wait—what do you mean? JJ's literally in the living room right now. He's been gaming with me all week. What, are you two not talking? Because last time I checked, you were fine."

Sutton's stomach did a little flip at the mention of JJ. She hadn't exactly thought about their current situation. It wasn't that they were actively fighting, but it wasn't exactly fine between them either. After the events of the last few days, her own emotions were all over the place, and she wasn't sure if inviting JJ into the mix would help or make everything worse.

"Uh... we're fine, just... not fine, if that makes sense?" Sutton replied, trying to explain without overcomplicating things. But deep down, she felt the weird space between them — the awkwardness, the unspoken words that neither of them had been able to figure out yet.

Eli looked even more confused now. "Wait, hold up. You and JJ are doing that thing? That thing where you don't talk about whatever's going on, but you're not fighting?"

"Yeah, something like that," Sutton muttered, rubbing her temples. Her mind felt jumbled, and she couldn't quite pin down the tension with JJ. She could always count on him to be the one person who grounded her when she spiraled out of control, and now, it felt different.

Eli tilted his head as if he were trying to decipher a riddle. "Sutton, he's literally sitting in the living room right now, playing Call of Duty. He's been over here for days. If there's anything unsaid, maybe you should just go in there and talk to him."

Sutton glanced toward the hallway, where she could hear JJ's voice faintly coming through the door. She chewed on her lip, considering Eli's suggestion.

"Fine," she finally relented with a deep sigh. "I'll go talk to him. Maybe I'll invite him to dinner..."

Eli grinned, already getting back to whatever had been his plan when he first entered the room. "Good. Just don't let him get to your head like he did when we were younger. You know how he is with you."

Sutton chuckled bitterly at that. "Yeah, I know," she said under her breath, before shaking her head. Her relationship with JJ was messy, but in some twisted way, it was also simpler than everything else in her life. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to clear the air. Or maybe it would make everything ten times worse. Only one way to find out.

Sutton gave Eli a quick nod before walking toward the living room. The door creaked as she opened it, and she was met with the sound of JJ's deep voice, along with the familiar hum of video game noise.

There he was—slouched on the couch, headset on, fingers flying over the controller like it was second nature. He didn't look up when she entered, but Sutton knew he knew she was there. There was something in the air between them—something unspoken that neither of them had bothered to address.

"JJ," she said, her voice catching slightly as she approached the couch.

He didn't immediately respond, just kept playing, as if waiting for her to say what she came to say.

Sutton crossed her arms and leaned against the back of the couch, her eyes narrowing slightly. "So... apparently, we're not talking, huh?"

JJ paused his game, finally pulling off the headset and turning to face her. The look on his face was unreadable, but she saw a flicker of something. Was it guilt? Regret? He didn't speak for a moment, and Sutton could feel the weight of the silence stretching between them.

"What's going on, Sutton?" JJ asked, his voice low, but not unkind. "You've been acting... off lately. And I get it, but you're shutting me out too."

Sutton swallowed, unsure of how to start, or even if she was ready to confront everything. "It's just... I don't know. Everything's messed up. I've been kind of a mess, and I don't want to drag you into it. But I guess I already have, huh?"

JJ looked at her, his expression softening. "You don't have to go through all of this alone, Sutton. You never have to."

Sutton sighed and flopped down beside him on the couch. "I just need a little bit of normal. You know? Everything's just spinning out of control."

"I get that," JJ said quietly, his eyes soft on her. He reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder for a moment, squeezing it lightly. "I've got your back, okay? You know that."

JJ's hand lingered on Sutton's shoulder for a moment longer, and the warmth from his touch grounded her in a way she hadn't felt in what seemed like forever. His gaze softened, and for a second, he almost looked like the old JJ — the one who'd been there through all the mess, who had never once turned his back on her.

"I'd die before hating you, Sutton," JJ said, his voice steady but full of sincerity. "You've been my best friend for too long for me to ever turn on you. Don't think for a second that you're in this alone."

Sutton's throat tightened at his words, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been pushing everyone away, trying to keep the chaos contained, but JJ's kindness was like a lifeline she hadn't realized she needed. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd felt so seen.

Her lips parted as she stared at him, her mind racing. There was so much that she needed to sort out — so much she was still running from, but for the first time in days, she felt like maybe she could breathe again.

"I just... I can't do this alone," Sutton admitted quietly, the weight of everything pressing on her chest. "I'm spiraling, JJ. And I don't even know how to handle it."

JJ's expression softened further, and he turned so he could face her more fully, his knee bumping gently against hers. "You're not alone, Sutton," he said, his voice serious, no hint of teasing in it. "Whatever happens, I'm here. And I always will be."

Sutton's chest ached as she looked into his eyes, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. But the guilt wasn't about him; it was about herself. About what she had let her life become. She let out a slow breath and then, almost as if the words were coming from somewhere deep inside her, she spoke before she could stop herself.

"Would you... would you come to the dinner with me tonight?" Sutton asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The words felt like a plea, a desperate wish she didn't even know she was making until now.

JJ looked at her, slightly surprised, but not for long. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "The Kook dinner?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to crash the Kook party with you?"

Sutton nodded, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Yeah. I know it's gonna be a mess, but I don't want to go alone. Everyone's already picking sides, and I just... I need something familiar. Something that doesn't feel like a battlefield."

JJ chuckled softly, his eyes warming. "You want me there to make sure you don't flip out on someone? Because if you need someone to start a fight, I'm your guy."

Sutton smiled, despite herself. "I'm pretty sure I've got that covered, but it'd be nice to have someone there who knows me... who gets it."

JJ studied her for a long moment, his gaze soft and thoughtful, before he let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, alright," he said with a small shake of his head, but there was no hesitation in his voice. "I'll go. I've seen you go toe-to-toe with those Kooks before, and I can't say I won't be entertained."

Sutton's heart gave a little flutter at his response, and she let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Thanks, JJ. Seriously. You're the only one who... who's always been there."

He shot her a playful smirk. "Don't go getting all sentimental on me now. Let's just get through this dinner without you throwing a drink in anyone's face, and I'll call it a win."

Sutton laughed, the sound of it feeling a little more real, a little more like herself. For the first time in days, it didn't feel like the world was closing in on her.

"Deal," she agreed, the tension easing from her shoulders.

JJ stood up from the couch, stretching. "Alright, let's go. You're not getting rid of me that easily. We'll show those Kooks how to have a real dinner."

Sutton smiled, feeling a spark of hope flicker in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, things could start to feel normal again — or at least, normal enough to survive. And with JJ by her side, it didn't seem quite as impossible.

As they walked toward the door, Sutton glanced back at the house for a moment. Gabrielle and the rest of the family were still stuck in their web of tension, but for once, Sutton felt like she could face it with someone who cared.

────

Later that evening, Sutton sat at the long, polished table in the Kook country club dining room, the soft hum of conversation surrounding her. She sat between JJ and Sarah, her fingers nervously twisting the stem of her glass. The lavish spread of food was almost too much to focus on, and the conversation swirling around her felt like it belonged to someone else. The Kooks were all around her—Olivia, Penny, Kelc, and even Evan were laughing and chatting among themselves—but Sutton couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider in a world she was trying so hard to belong to.

Rafe sat across the table, his piercing eyes occasionally flicking her way, and Sutton felt a sharp pang in her chest every time. It was the same look he always gave her—part curiosity, part calculation. She had tried to push it out of her mind, but the tension between them felt almost suffocating now.

JJ noticed her distraction and leaned in, nudging her arm with his elbow. "Hey, you're good. Let's just get through this meal and I'll make sure none of them get too high and mighty, alright?"

Sutton nodded absently, not quite hearing him. Her eyes were fixed on Rafe, who was leaning back in his chair, casually chatting with Topper, but there was something about the way he held himself—like he was aware of her gaze. Something about that gaze felt charged, like there was an unspoken understanding between them, and it made Sutton's skin feel electric.

She hated it. She hated how he made her feel so torn. Rafe was the Kook that no one seemed to want to acknowledge, but there was something magnetic about him, something that made it hard to look away, especially when he gave her those half-smiles.

"Everything okay?" JJ's voice broke her thoughts again, and Sutton blinked a couple of times, focusing on him.

"Yeah, yeah. Fine," she said quickly, too quickly. Her hand tightened around her glass.

JJ smirked, clearly sensing something was off. "I don't buy it, but okay. Let me know if you need a distraction."

She forced a smile and nodded, but her gaze quickly shifted back to Rafe, and this time, he caught her staring.

For a split second, the room seemed to quiet down around them. He met her eyes with that same smirk he wore whenever he was trying to be more than just an arrogant Kook. Sutton felt a knot form in her stomach, but she refused to look away.

Rafe leaned forward, lowering his voice as if he was trying to keep their exchange private. "You know, you're not fooling anyone, right? Not me. Not your little Kook act."

Sutton swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "I'm not acting."

He gave her a measured look, as if analyzing her every word. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," she shot back, trying to maintain composure. "I'm exactly what you see."

Rafe didn't respond immediately, his gaze lingering for a second longer than it should've, before he leaned back again and took a sip of his drink. The moment stretched between them, thick with unspoken words, before he turned back to his conversation with Topper. Sutton didn't know whether she was relieved or frustrated by the sudden shift, but she felt herself drowning in a mix of emotions.

But as the evening wore on, things began to feel more strained. The tension between Sutton and Rafe simmered beneath the surface, unspoken but all-encompassing. She could feel the weight of his gaze even when he wasn't looking directly at her. It was as if they were always aware of each other, even in the noise of the dinner party.

At one point, Sutton excused herself to the bathroom, needing a moment of space to clear her head. She passed by the large windows overlooking the country club's grounds and caught sight of Rafe outside, standing alone on the patio, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Without thinking, Sutton stepped outside. The cool night air hit her skin, sending a shiver through her, but the instant she approached Rafe, she didn't feel quite as cold. He turned, catching her off guard, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"You shouldn't be out here alone," Rafe said finally, his voice low, though his eyes had that familiar sharpness to them.

"I wasn't planning on it," Sutton replied quickly, her tone slightly defensive.

He gave her a long, searching look. "I told you... you're not fooling anyone, Sutton. I can see through the act, and I'm not going to let you keep playing it."

Sutton stiffened, her anger flaring again. "I'm not playing anything. I'm exactly who I am. No one's going to change that. Least of all you."

Rafe leaned against the railing, his jaw tightening, clearly trying to stay calm. "You think I'm trying to change you?"

Sutton crossed her arms, taking a few steps closer to him, her heart pounding in her chest. "I think you're trying to play games with me, Rafe. I don't want to be part of your messed-up world."

He scoffed, his lips curling into that all-too-familiar smirk. "Funny, you're sitting at this table with all of us, playing the same game. So tell me, Sutton... which side are you really on?"

Sutton felt her heart race as his words hit home. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, the thought of him felt too overwhelming, like he was on the verge of breaking down every wall she had left. But just as quickly, she squared her shoulders, forcing herself to stay composed.

"I'm not on anyone's side, Rafe. Not anymore."

There was a brief silence before Rafe spoke again, his voice soft but carrying a weight she couldn't ignore. "Maybe you don't have to be, you know."

Sutton frowned, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rafe pushed off the railing, his gaze intense as he took a step closer to her. "You're more than this fight, Sutton. More than the sides you think you have to pick. You don't need to keep pretending."

She wanted to say something, anything, but her words felt like they were caught in her throat. His proximity, his rawness, everything about this conversation made her feel exposed in a way she wasn't sure she was ready for.

Before she could respond, Rafe's expression hardened, his stance shifting. "But don't expect me to play by your rules, either. I don't date, Sutton. I don't make promises."

Sutton's stomach dropped at the finality in his voice. That statement stung, but somehow, it made her feel even more conflicted than before.

"I don't need promises, Rafe. I never did."

The words were out before she could stop them, and for a moment, the tension between them crackled. Rafe's expression faltered, just for a second, before he stepped back, his usual guarded demeanor returning.

Sutton knew she was playing a dangerous game, but in that moment, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe she was already too far in to back out now.

The silence between them stretched as Rafe studied her carefully, his eyes dark and unreadable. Sutton's heart pounded in her chest, but she couldn't tell if it was the tension between them or the residual buzz from earlier that was making her feel so dizzy.

Finally, Rafe exhaled slowly, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You've got it all figured out, huh?" His voice was a low growl, but there was a flicker of something beneath it—something more vulnerable, maybe more uncertain than he was letting on. "Fine. You want to act like you don't care, like you don't need anything from anyone? That's your choice."

Sutton felt a strange pull in her chest as his words hit her harder than she expected. She wanted to stay strong, to keep this image of herself as someone who didn't rely on anyone. But with him standing so close, looking at her like that, everything felt raw and exposed.

Before she could stop herself, her mouth opened, the words tumbling out before she even realized what she was saying. "I don't want to be like this, Rafe. I don't want to feel like I'm playing games. But you—you make me feel like I'm constantly walking on this edge, like everything I do is either a challenge or a mistake."

Her breath caught, and she stepped back, feeling suddenly vulnerable. "I don't want this tension between us anymore. I'm not asking for anything from you, okay?"

Rafe didn't respond right away. He just stood there, his gaze never leaving hers, his posture shifting slightly as if he was waiting for her to say more, but Sutton couldn't bring herself to. The vulnerability she felt was too much, and she hated it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rafe spoke, his voice much quieter now. "You think I don't get it? I don't date. I don't let people in, Sutton. I can't. But I... I don't know. I don't know what it is about you, but you make me want to throw all of that out the window."

Sutton swallowed, not sure what to say to that. The last thing she expected was for Rafe to admit that, and for a split second, it made her feel like the ground beneath her feet was shifting.

"You're not the only one who's been acting reckless," he added, stepping forward just enough that their faces were closer, the air thick with unspoken things.

Sutton's breath caught in her throat, her pulse picking up again. She was so close to him now that she could feel the heat radiating off his body, and for a second, she thought she might actually say the words she had been holding back. But before she could, Rafe reached out and gently cupped her chin, lifting her face so she had no choice but to look into his eyes.

"You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now, Sutton," he murmured, his thumb grazing the line of her jaw in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.

Sutton's heart raced, her thoughts a blur, but she knew one thing for sure—this moment, whatever it was, felt like a tipping point. Everything she had been trying to control, everything she had been pushing away, was unraveling in front of her, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.

"Then do it," she whispered, the words leaving her lips before she could stop them. It was reckless, but it was also the truth. She didn't want to fight this pull anymore.

Rafe's gaze softened, and before she could say anything else, his lips were on hers—soft, then hard, as the world around them seemed to fade. There was no more pretending, no more games. There was only the heat between them, the raw, undeniable connection that neither of them could ignore any longer.

Sutton's hands found their way to Rafe's shirt, pulling him closer as he deepened the kiss. She didn't care about the consequences, didn't care about the mess they were creating. All she cared about was the fire burning between them, the way he made her feel so alive and reckless and unrestrained.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing hard, and Sutton's chest was tight with a mixture of emotions. She didn't know what any of this meant. She didn't know if this was just a moment of weakness or something more.

Rafe's hand rested on her waist, his thumb brushing her skin absentmindedly as they stared at each other in the dim light. "You sure about this?" he asked, his voice rough but searching, like he was trying to gauge her reaction.

Sutton didn't answer right away. She wasn't sure if she was sure about anything. But in that moment, with Rafe standing in front of her, his presence overpowering and familiar all at once, she realized she wasn't trying to figure it out.

She was living in the moment.

Sutton leaned against the wall, her breath still heavy from the kiss that had left her spinning. She couldn't deny it. The way Rafe's touch had ignited something in her, the way his presence seemed to make everything else fall away—it was undeniable. But there was more to it. She wasn't sure how to say it, but it had been there for a while, lurking beneath the surface, growing stronger with each moment they spent together.

She swallowed, feeling the weight of her words as they gathered on the tip of her tongue. Finally, she looked up at him, her gaze steady but vulnerable. "I'm not sure what this is... but I know one thing. I've been trying to fight it, trying to tell myself it doesn't matter, but it does."

Rafe raised an eyebrow, his hand still resting lightly on her waist. There was a glint of curiosity in his eyes, but also a hint of something guarded. "What are you saying, Sutton?"

Sutton hesitated, but there was something about the way he was looking at her that made her feel like she had to say it out loud. "I've been fighting it because I didn't want to get hurt, but... I think I have feelings for you. More than just this." Her voice trembled slightly as she said it, but she didn't look away. "And I don't even know what to do with them, but they're real."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a second, Rafe didn't move. He looked at her like he was trying to read her, as if he could tell she was being completely honest, but it wasn't the reaction Sutton was expecting. Instead of pulling her closer, instead of giving her some kind of reassurance, he took a small step back, his expression shifting from heated to something more unreadable.

"I don't do feelings, Sutton," Rafe said, his voice low and steady, but there was a hardness to it now, like he had drawn an invisible line between them. "I don't date. I don't get involved like that."

Sutton's heart dropped. She had expected it, in some way. Rafe was always so guarded, so distant, that it had always been hard to imagine him letting anyone in, let alone someone like her. But hearing him say it out loud made the reality of it hit her harder than she anticipated.

"I get it," Sutton whispered, her voice a little too quiet for her own liking. She took a step back, trying to steady herself, to reclaim some semblance of control. "It's just... I don't know. I thought maybe this—" She gestured between them, "—could be different."

Rafe's gaze softened just a fraction, but the walls he had built around himself were still clearly in place. "It can't be, Sutton. I've been down that road before, and it doesn't end well. For either of us."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut, and Sutton fought the sting of them. She could feel the burn of disappointment, but there was something else too—a gnawing frustration. She didn't want to be just another girl Rafe shut out. She didn't want to feel like she wasn't worth the risk.

"But that doesn't mean it has to end badly," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You don't know that."

Rafe shook his head slowly, as if he were trying to make her understand something she wasn't grasping. "I do know it. Trust me, Sutton. I know exactly what happens when you start letting people in." He paused, looking at her, as though weighing his words carefully. "And I'm not gonna let that happen with you."

Sutton's mind raced, her emotions in turmoil. She wasn't sure if she should be angry or sad, confused or resolved. She had laid her feelings out there, and the last thing she wanted to do was beg for something he wasn't willing to give.

But there was something in his eyes—something she couldn't quite read—that made her think he might be lying to himself as much as he was to her.

"You're really just gonna walk away from this, huh?" Sutton asked, her voice low, a bitter edge creeping into her tone. She wasn't sure if she was trying to challenge him or just trying to convince herself that she wasn't wasting her time.

Rafe hesitated, his jaw clenching for a moment before he sighed. "I'm not walking away from you, Sutton. But this... us? It's never gonna be what you want it to be. I'm telling you that now, so you don't get hurt."

Sutton looked at him, her emotions warring within her. She had wanted something real, something with Rafe that went beyond the games and the tension. But maybe she was fooling herself. Maybe she was always going to be just a moment to him, nothing more.

She bit her lip, her mind racing, but then she made her decision. "Fine," she said, her voice quieter now. "If that's how it's gonna be, then I'll move on." She turned away, walking towards the door without looking back. "But don't act like you didn't feel something, Rafe. You don't get to play me like that."

Rafe didn't stop her. He just watched as she left, and for a long time after she was gone, he stood there, lost in his thoughts. Sutton's words rang in his head, and despite everything he had said, something deep inside him stirred—a feeling he couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried.

Sutton leaned against the railing of the party, staring out at the endless stretch of ocean beneath the night sky. Music pulsed in the background, the chatter of the crowd a muffled hum around her. She wasn't really listening. Not to the music, not to the conversations. Her thoughts were consumed by him—Rafe. The way his words had cut through her the other day, the way he'd shut her down so effortlessly, leaving her to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. It was almost too easy for him to walk away, and that left her feeling...empty.

She sighed, her fingers curling tighter around her drink. She needed to move on. She couldn't keep thinking about him like this, especially after what happened. She had to stop clinging to something that wasn't real. Maybe it wasn't supposed to happen. Maybe she wasn't meant to have that with him.

That's when she saw Evan. He had always been around in the background, one of those guys who seemed harmless and kind enough. Tonight, though, there was something different in the way he looked at her. He approached with that easy smile that made her feel like she was the only one in the room.

"Hey, Sutton," he said, his voice warm. "Mind if I join you out here?"

She shrugged, offering him a small smile in return. "Sure, why not?"

He leaned against the railing beside her, his shoulder brushing hers, and for a moment, everything else fell away. They talked about nothing in particular—work, school, life—but the conversation flowed easily, the tension from earlier in the day slowly starting to ebb. Evan's attention was like a balm, soothing the raw places that Rafe's rejection had left behind.

It felt normal. Safe. Even when the thought of Rafe crept in, she pushed it away. She needed normal. She needed something uncomplicated, something that didn't make her feel like she was on the edge all the time.

By the end of the night, Evan had slipped his arm around her waist, and Sutton felt a flutter in her chest—one that wasn't nearly as intense as the feelings she had for Rafe, but it was something.

And for the first time in days, Sutton let herself smile. It was nice to be desired, to be wanted without complications. She decided she would give this a shot. No more thinking about Rafe, no more wondering what could have been. She would focus on the present, on the person who was standing right in front of her.

────

Time moved differently in the weeks that followed the emotional fallout with Rafe. Sutton found herself spiraling less, but the ache in her chest never truly subsided. She buried it in distractions—the kind that came with new relationships, new friends, and moments that seemed like they could be her way out. She focused on Evan. Evan, with his easy charm, his natural ability to make everything seem light and simple. He seemed to be the cure to everything. The distraction she needed.

Evan had been around for a few weeks now, and she couldn't help but enjoy the ease of it all. Their relationship was nothing complicated, nothing like the tangled mess with Rafe. Evan wasn't intense, he wasn't reckless. He was steady. He smiled at her in a way that made her feel like everything would be okay. No more tension, no more unresolved feelings, just simple, normal, easy. He took her out to dinners, to the beach, to parties. The kind of things a girl her age was supposed to experience—nothing too wild, nothing too dangerous. He listened to her talk about her family, her friends, her life. And she realized, as the days went by, how nice it was to have someone who didn't make her feel like she was a walking disaster.

But as the weeks wore on, Sutton realized something: she wasn't as carefree as she appeared. No matter how much she liked Evan, the quiet moments with him always felt off. There was a distance in her chest that she couldn't quite explain. Her mind kept wandering back to the one person who seemed to own all the pieces of her heart—Rafe. It wasn't fair to Evan. She knew that. He was kind to her, fun to be around, and he cared about her in a way that felt safe. But every time she kissed him, every time they held hands, it felt... forced. Like she was trying to convince herself that this was the life she wanted. A life that didn't involve Rafe.

She had even started to think she could move on. Evan made it easy to feel like maybe it was possible. They laughed, they kissed, they spent quiet evenings in, and for a while, Sutton let herself believe that maybe she could leave her past behind and just be with him.

It was at a party one night when it all came to a head. The music pulsed through the crowded house, the air thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and the hum of lively conversations. Evan was with her, of course, his hand resting comfortably on her back as they made their way through the crowd. But as they walked into the living room, Sutton's eyes found him before she even realized it—Rafe. He was standing by the window, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes scanning the room. When their gazes met, it was like the world around her faded into the background. The steady rhythm of the music, the chattering voices, the laughter—all of it disappeared. All she could see was him. Rafe.

It was like a spark had been lit inside her, reigniting everything she had tried to bury. She couldn't look away.

Evan squeezed her shoulder, drawing her attention back to him. "You okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

Sutton forced a smile. "Yeah. Just... a little tired."

But Evan knew better. He'd seen that look in her eyes before—the one where she was distant, lost in something she didn't want to talk about. He followed her gaze to Rafe, then back to her, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Do you want to go somewhere quieter?" he offered, his voice softer now. "Maybe get away from all this for a while."

Sutton wanted to say yes. She wanted to take his hand and let him lead her out of the noise. But the pull of Rafe, the unresolved tension between them, was too strong. She couldn't do it.

"I just need a minute," Sutton said, her voice sharp, a little too loud over the music. She tried to smile at Evan, but it felt forced. "I'll be right back."

Without waiting for his response, Sutton turned on her heel and walked away, her heart pounding in her chest. She pushed through the crowd, making her way toward the back door. She needed air. She needed space to breathe. She needed to think, but every time she closed her eyes, she saw Rafe's face.

The door slammed shut behind her, and Sutton found herself on the porch, the cool air hitting her skin like a slap to the face. Her hands were shaking slightly, and she had to take a deep breath to steady herself.

"I thought you might be out here."

Sutton didn't even need to turn around to know it was him. The voice was unmistakable—the low, gravelly tone that she'd heard far too many times. Rafe was standing in the doorway, his figure framed by the dim light from inside. He didn't come any closer, just stood there, his eyes locked on her.

"What do you want?" Sutton snapped, trying to mask the vulnerability she felt creeping in. She didn't want to talk to him. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.

Rafe didn't say anything for a moment, just watched her. It was the kind of stare that made her feel like he could see right through her. "I was wondering if you were planning to ignore me all night or if we were gonna talk," he said, his voice soft but insistent.

Sutton's stomach twisted. She was done. She was done pretending like everything was fine, like she could just move on. She wasn't fine. Not by a long shot. And every time she saw him, every time their eyes met, all the feelings she had buried for so long resurfaced.

"I don't have anything to say to you," Sutton replied, her voice tight, her anger bubbling to the surface. But even as she said the words, she felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She was lying. She had so much to say.

Rafe took a step closer, his hands shoved in his pockets. "You've been avoiding me, Sutton. You've been acting like nothing happened between us. But we both know it's not that simple."

Sutton closed her eyes, biting her lip to keep herself from saying something she would regret. She didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to go down that road with him again. Not after everything that had happened. But she couldn't help herself. "I'm with Evan now," she said, her voice cold. "I'm moving on."

Rafe's expression darkened, but there was something else in his eyes—something softer, almost vulnerable. "You don't have to move on, Sutton. You don't have to pretend everything's okay. Not with me. Not with anyone."

She shook her head, tears stinging at the corners of her eyes. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Rafe. I don't know who I am anymore. I thought I could do this, but it's all falling apart."

Rafe stepped closer, his hand reaching for hers, and despite the space between them, the electricity between them was undeniable. "You're not alone in this," he whispered, his voice low and sincere. "I know we've messed things up. But I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

Sutton's breath hitched. The walls she'd built up around herself were crumbling. She didn't know what was going to happen next, but she couldn't fight this pull anymore. Not with him. Not with the way he looked at her. Not with the way he made her feel like she was the only thing that mattered in that moment.

But before she could say anything else, Evan appeared in the doorway, his face creased with confusion. He'd clearly been looking for her. His gaze flickered between her and Rafe, and Sutton could see the hurt in his eyes.

"Everything okay?" Evan asked, his voice hesitant.

Sutton's heart twisted. She had no idea what was going on anymore. She didn't know if she could keep pretending that everything with Evan was fine when her heart was still tangled up in Rafe. And yet, she knew she couldn't keep doing this—keep living in this limbo. She needed to make a choice. But the choice felt too big. Too heavy.

"I—I need to go inside," Sutton said quickly, turning away from both of them, her mind spinning. She didn't know if she was ready to face either of them, but she couldn't stay here, not like this.

As she made her way back into the party, the chaos and noise hit her like a wave, and for the first time in a long time, Sutton felt truly lost. She wasn't sure which direction to go in anymore.

She was tired of fighting what she felt, but she wasn't sure she was ready to face the consequences of giving in. Not yet.

After Rafe's rejection, Sutton was left feeling raw and frustrated. She'd opened up, let her guard down, and for what? To have it slammed in her face. She couldn't dwell on it—she had to move on. It was time to get back to living her life.

A few weeks passed, and Sutton found herself slipping into a "normal" routine again. Her friends, her family, the constant social gatherings—it was easy enough to keep herself busy. But what really distracted her from the sting of Rafe's words was Evan.

Evan was the kind of guy Sutton knew would make things easier. He was sweet, funny, and attentive, everything she wanted in a boyfriend. They met at a party, and from the moment he smiled at her across the room, something in her snapped back into place. He was the distraction she needed—someone who could give her attention without any of the baggage that came with Rafe. He wasn't complicated. He wasn't distant. Evan was emotionally available, something Rafe had never been. And that felt like a breath of fresh air.

The relationship progressed quickly. At first, it was comforting. The late-night texts, the spontaneous outings, the easy chemistry—it was exactly what Sutton needed. She didn't have to think about Rafe or the mess of feelings he had left behind. She could forget about the drama, the tension, and just enjoy someone who seemed to care for her. Someone who was just... normal.

And maybe that was the problem. The more time Sutton spent with Evan, the more she began to realize how much she had been craving stability. She wasn't emotionally drained with him the way she had been with Rafe. With Evan, things were simple. Easy. Right.

But that didn't mean her past feelings for Rafe had disappeared. Every time she saw him—whether it was at a party or on the beach—something inside her still stirred. She'd catch his eye, and for a split second, her heart would race. The connection they'd shared still lingered in the back of her mind, even as she tried to convince herself that she was moving on.

The more Sutton and Evan hung out, the more their relationship deepened. He'd take her to dinners, introduce her to his friends, and make her feel like she mattered. It was exactly what she thought she needed to heal, but as much as she tried, she couldn't escape the feeling that something was missing. It was like trying to fit a puzzle piece into the wrong spot.

And then, there was Rafe.

Sutton tried not to pay attention to the way he watched her from across the room at gatherings. He'd never been the type to express jealousy, but there was something about the way he looked at her now—something possessive and intense, just beneath the surface. She noticed the way he would lean in too close during conversations or the way his hand would casually rest on her back when they were around other people. He was never outright confrontational, but there was a tension in the air when he was around.

Rafe didn't seem to care, not outright. He was with other girls, living his life. But Sutton couldn't shake the feeling that maybe he was still watching her—still trying to get under her skin. His actions were subtle: a quick glance in her direction when she laughed with Evan, a slight edge to his words when they were in a group.

And she hated herself for still noticing.

The final straw came one night when Sutton was out with Evan at a party. She'd been laughing and enjoying herself, feeling free for the first time in a long time. But when she looked up, there he was—Rafe, across the room, with that look in his eyes. It wasn't the usual smug grin or teasing smirk. This time, it was something deeper, darker.

For the first time in weeks, Sutton felt that familiar pull. And just as quickly, she turned her attention back to Evan, forcing the feelings back down. She wasn't going to let Rafe mess this up. She wasn't going to let him ruin the one thing that was actually going right in her life.

But the tension continued. Rafe's presence lingered. He would pop up at parties, or hang around places she would frequent, his eyes always on her, and the jealousy simmered beneath the surface. He acted like he didn't care—like he was too good to be bothered by her and Evan. But Sutton wasn't blind. She saw the subtle way he reacted to her when Evan was around. He wasn't happy with her moving on, even if he refused to admit it.

She started to feel it more and more—this strange dynamic between them. Rafe might not have been openly possessive, but there was something in the way he tried to keep her close, in the way he would try to interrupt her moments with Evan. He wasn't doing it intentionally, not in a way that screamed jealousy. But it was there, like a shadow that crept into every interaction they had.

And Sutton wasn't sure what to do about it. She had Evan, who was stable, reliable, and everything she thought she wanted. But in the back of her mind, there was Rafe—the guy who was complicated, who messed with her head, and who, for reasons she didn't fully understand, still held some kind of power over her.

The more time passed, the more Sutton realized she was caught between two worlds—one that felt easy and normal, and the other that felt intense and complicated. She wasn't sure where she stood with Rafe anymore, but every time she saw him, something deep inside her told her she wasn't over him. And that feeling was only growing stronger.

Evan was kind and gave her everything she thought she wanted, but it wasn't the kind of passion Rafe had ignited in her. And that made her question whether she was truly ready to let go of the whirlwind that was Rafe—and what that meant for her future with Evan.

Sutton sat on the edge of her bed, phone in hand, staring at the message she had drafted to Kiara. She had spent days thinking about it, trying to make it sound casual, but it felt forced. Kiara was her friend, right? She should understand.

Sutton: Hey, I know it's been a while... but I could really use someone to talk to. Things are a bit complicated.

She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the send button, but before she could convince herself to reach out, the phone buzzed in her hand. It was a reply from Kiara.

Kiara: You know what? Fuck off, Sutton. I'm done trying to be there for you when you're acting like this.

The words stung more than Sutton expected. She had been hoping for some kind of support, some understanding. Instead, Kiara's response felt like a slap in the face. Sutton blinked, trying to process the harshness of the message. Kiara had always been someone she could rely on, but maybe that was before everything had gone off the rails.

Sutton let out a long breath, closing her eyes for a second. The pressure of trying to balance her feelings for Rafe, her relationship with Evan, and the mess of everything else was taking its toll. She felt isolated, more than she had in weeks. Her friends, the people who she thought understood her, were starting to distance themselves. Kiara wasn't the first to pull away, and Sutton wasn't sure who would be next.

Sutton turned her phone face down on the bed. It was hard to admit, but deep down, she knew she was starting to unravel. The manic energy she'd once tried to suppress was bubbling up again. Rafe's presence in her life still haunted her. And even as she tried to focus on Evan, it felt like everything around her was slipping out of her control.

Her hands shook slightly as she sat back against the wall, her mind racing. She thought about calling someone—maybe her mom, or even Evan—but it felt pointless. What would they say? What could they do?

Her phone buzzed again, this time a call from Evan. She almost let it ring out, but something inside her told her she should pick up. Maybe it would help. Maybe it would make her feel better.

She answered, trying to sound calm. "Hey."

"Hey, babe," Evan's voice came through, warm and reassuring. "How's everything going? You good?"

Sutton bit her lip, not sure how to answer. She didn't want to lie to him, but she didn't want to burden him either. "Yeah... yeah, I'm good. Just... tired."

He didn't sound convinced. "You sure? I can come over if you want. We can just hang out. Whatever you need."

Sutton's chest tightened. She wanted to take him up on it, but at the same time, something inside her told her it wouldn't fix anything. She wasn't sure if she was even capable of being fixed.

"I'll be fine, Evan," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just need some space."

There was a pause on the other end, then a sigh. "Okay... just let me know if you change your mind. You know I'm here for you, right?"

Sutton forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, I know. Thanks."

She hung up, sinking back into her bed, staring at the ceiling. The weight of everything—Rafe, her relationship with Evan, her friendship with Kiara—all of it felt suffocating.

A part of her wondered if it was all too much. If she was just... too much.

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A week later, Sutton found herself at yet another party, but this time with Evan. The energy was different, and she was still working through the mess of her emotions—Rafe, Evan, her friends. She wasn't sure how to feel, but the chaos of the party felt like a distraction, a way to take her mind off everything that was getting harder to juggle.

The group of friends—Evan, Penny, Kelc, and a few others—had gathered around for a game of truth or drink, which usually ended in laughter and uncomfortable revelations. Sutton had been trying to keep a low profile, sipping her drink and keeping conversation light, but tonight, she felt like the attention was going to fall on her sooner or later.

Sure enough, it didn't take long for someone to throw a question her way.

"So, Sutton... truth or drink?" Penny asked, her smile playful and a little mischievous. "What's the deal with your love life? Are you still a virgin?"

There was a collective silence before everyone burst into laughter. Sutton's cheeks flushed red as she realized what had just been asked. She could feel the heat rising in her face, and her stomach twisted nervously.

"I—uh," Sutton stammered, suddenly feeling very exposed. She glanced at Evan, who seemed to be looking at her with that calm, reassuring expression. But then her eyes shifted around the room, meeting the gaze of Rafe, who was leaning against the wall with a beer in hand. His eyes were locked on her, and she immediately felt a flicker of discomfort. She didn't know what he was thinking, but the intensity of his gaze made her heart race.

Penny, not missing a beat, pushed further. "Well, you have to answer. Come on, we're all friends here."

Sutton's heart thudded in her chest. She couldn't drink—she didn't want to run away from this. But the truth... the truth felt like too much. Still, she couldn't lie. "I—I'm a virgin," she finally admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

Another round of laughter echoed around the circle, and Sutton couldn't help but shrink into herself. She hated how easily they laughed at her. It wasn't like she hadn't tried to make sense of her own feelings—Rafe, Evan, everything—but it all felt like too much too soon. And now, they were turning her into the butt of the joke.

Penny's eyes lit up with another question. "Okay, okay, but have you done anything before? Like... third base? Details, please."

Sutton's face turned beet red. She wasn't prepared for this. She was already embarrassed, but now, it felt like the whole room was waiting for her to give them some sort of salacious answer. She could feel Rafe's eyes on her, still watching from across the room, and it made her stomach do flip-flops.

"Well..." Sutton started, voice shaky, trying to hold onto some kind of control. "I—I've done everything up to third base." She could barely believe the words were coming out of her mouth. She quickly glanced up at Evan, who was staring at her with wide eyes. He looked confused, but more than anything, he looked uncomfortable. She could tell he didn't know how to react to her answer.

"Oh my God, details, Sutton!" Penny laughed, her voice rising in amusement.

Sutton could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck. She wasn't sure what to say, how much to reveal, especially when part of her wanted to get out of the conversation entirely. But then her gaze once again flicked to Rafe. He hadn't moved, still standing in the same spot, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—his eyes were sharp, almost as if he was waiting for her to say something more, or maybe he was silently assessing her.

It hit her like a wave—Rafe knew. He knew exactly what she was talking about. And the thought of him hearing her talk about the things they'd done, the things they'd shared, made her stomach twist even more. She suddenly wanted to disappear.

She looked away from him quickly, focusing on her drink, her hands now gripping the glass as she tried to control her breathing. "I—uh, I think that's enough for tonight," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

But Penny wasn't done. "Come on, Sutton. I thought you were cool. Don't be shy now."

Sutton tried to push back the nervousness building inside her. She had told them enough, but this? This felt like too much.

As she fumbled with her words, she saw Rafe finally break his silence. He straightened up, pushing away from the wall. He moved toward the group, his presence impossible to ignore. There was something in the way he walked, a certain tension to his movements that seemed to make everyone else step back. The room quieted slightly as he approached.

"Enough with the questions," Rafe said, his voice low, a hint of annoyance creeping through his words. He shot a glance at Sutton, though she couldn't quite read his expression. Was he upset? Or was it something else? "Let the girl have some privacy."

Sutton felt the tension in the room shift. She couldn't tell if Rafe was trying to protect her, or if he was just being possessive. Either way, she could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, and she wished the night would end already.

Penny, clearly taken aback by Rafe's sudden intervention, shrugged it off with a laugh. "Alright, alright, guess we've made our point. You okay, Sutton?"

Sutton nodded quickly, though her mind was still racing. She forced a smile, trying to brush it off like it was no big deal, but inside, she was a mess. The whole night had turned into something she wasn't ready for, and now she was stuck in a spiral of confusion, embarrassment, and frustration.

Evan, ever the gentleman, reached over and squeezed her hand. "Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, his voice full of concern.

Sutton nodded again, a bit too forcefully. "Yeah. I'm fine," she said, though she wasn't sure if anyone believed her.

Rafe, however, was still standing in the background, his gaze flicking between Sutton and the rest of the group. Sutton couldn't help but feel like the tension between them was getting thicker, and the weight of his stare was almost too much to bear.

The party continued to spiral into chaos as the alcohol flowed freely. Sutton could feel the warm buzz of the drinks, the tension from the earlier conversation fading but leaving her with a dull ache at the back of her mind. She had barely noticed Evan slipping away, but when she checked the time, he was gone. The crowd had thinned out, and the music was getting louder, the conversations sloppier.

She didn't feel like sticking around for any more of it. She slipped away from the kitchen, moving through the house toward the spare room. The sounds of laughter and music faded as she closed the door behind her, the room quiet and isolated. Sutton leaned back against the door, running a hand through her hair as she tried to shake off the drunken haze.

She was lost in her thoughts, trying to make sense of the night—of everything—when the door creaked open. She wasn't surprised to see Rafe standing there, his presence commanding, as usual. His eyes found hers immediately, a sharp look in his gaze that made her stomach flip in that way it always did.

"Didn't think you'd be hiding in here," he said, his voice low, but there was something almost amused in his tone. "Everyone else is still out there acting like idiots, but not you. You're better than that, huh?"

Sutton rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I'm not hiding, Rafe. Just... needed some air."

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk. "Is that what you're calling it?" He took a step closer to her, his gaze never leaving her face. "You're avoiding something. You always do."

Sutton's jaw tightened, her frustration rising. "Yeah? And what exactly am I avoiding?"

He didn't answer immediately, but instead, his eyes flicked downward, scanning her face with a sort of knowing expression. "Your track record with guys. It's not great, Sutton," he said, his voice almost casual but laced with an underlying sharpness. "You know that, right?"

The words stung, but she wasn't about to show him any weakness. She could feel her temper flaring, her usual self-control slipping with the alcohol in her system. She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze head-on.

"And what about you, Rafe?" she shot back, a sharp edge in her voice. "You think you're any better? You've got a stellar track record with women, haven't you?"

Rafe's smirk faltered for a split second, and for the briefest moment, she saw something flicker behind his eyes. But he recovered quickly, taking another step forward. He was close now, too close, and Sutton could feel her heartbeat quicken, her breath hitching in her chest.

"Maybe I am," he said, his voice darker now, just low enough for her to catch every word. "But that's not the point. The point is, you keep choosing the wrong people, Sutton. And you know it. Even if you don't admit it."

Sutton's frustration flared, but there was a part of her—an unspoken part—that knew he was right. She had made mistakes, been drawn into relationships that never really served her. But hearing it from him, of all people, felt... different.

"You don't get to lecture me about my life, Rafe," she spat, her voice trembling with emotion. "You don't know what it's like. You don't care."

The last part came out sharper than she'd intended, and she saw his expression harden for a moment. But there was something in his eyes—something guarded, yet intense. He took another step forward, closing the distance between them. Sutton stood frozen, her breath shallow, as his presence seemed to consume the room.

"I care more than you think," he said, his voice low and full of an unspoken weight.

Sutton swallowed hard, her heart racing. She wanted to back away, to tell him to stop, but for some reason, she couldn't. Not when he was standing so close, not when his words lingered in the air, thick with something between them that neither of them was willing to fully acknowledge.

His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was soft, but the electricity in the air made it feel like a spark had been ignited between them. Sutton's breath caught in her throat, and she couldn't tell if it was the alcohol or something else entirely that made her lean in ever so slightly.

Rafe's gaze dropped to her lips, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The tension was suffocating, thick and heavy, as though the entire universe had paused for this moment. And then, just as quickly, Rafe closed the gap between them.

His lips crushed against hers in a kiss that was far from gentle, filled with frustration, yearning, and something much more raw than either of them had expected. Sutton's body responded instantly, her hands finding their way to his chest as she pulled him closer. He was relentless, the kiss heated and desperate, as if he were trying to prove something—something neither of them had the words for.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless. Sutton's chest was rising and falling rapidly, and she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so alive, so... wanted. Rafe's eyes were darker now, his lips swollen from the kiss, and his hand still rested on her neck, as though he hadn't quite let go of her yet.

"What was that?" Sutton asked, her voice a mix of confusion and desire, her mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

Rafe's smirk returned, but it was different now, almost like he was trying to hide something. "That? Just me proving a point."

Sutton's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know whether to be pissed off or... something else. But the heat between them was undeniable, and she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward him, even if she hated herself for it.

"You're a mess," she muttered, feeling suddenly exposed and vulnerable.

Rafe's smile softened just a fraction, his hand lingering on her neck before he pulled away. "Yeah," he said, his voice quieter now. "I know."

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Authors note:

I'm so wishy-washy with my face claim for Sutton and Olivia LOL. Not that it really matters who I image them as tbh. Also next chapter is smut - I'll post it once this hits 5 votes and 10 comments