The Lines We've Crossed

TEN

The party at the Boneyard was in full swing. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the crackling of a bonfire that cast a warm glow over the sand. Heather, feeling the effects of the drinks she'd had, was more relaxed than usual, the world around her buzzing with a pleasant haze. The Pogues had done a great job spreading the word; the beach was packed with people from all over the island, enjoying a much-needed break after the hurricane.

Heather found herself floating in the water with Kiara, letting the gentle waves lap against her as they lay back, gazing up at the starry sky. The cool water was a relief against the warmth of the alcohol in her veins, and she let out a content sigh.

"This was a good idea," Kiara murmured beside her, her voice light with amusement. "The party, I mean. I think we all needed this."

Heather smiled, tilting her head to look at her friend. "Yeah, it's been fun. Nice to forget about everything for a bit."

As they floated, Heather's gaze drifted toward the shore, where she noticed Rafe standing alone, his figure illuminated by the fire. He was watching them, his eyes locked on her with an intensity that made her stomach flip.

Feeling a burst of tipsy boldness, Heather grinned and called out, "Take a picture, it'll last longer!" She expected him to laugh it off or look away, but instead, Rafe pulled out his phone and aimed it at her, snapping a photo.

"Oh, now was it a good pic or a bad one?" she asked playfully, her curiosity piqued.

Rafe smirked, lowering his phone as he called back, "Why don't you come and check it out yourself?"

Heather felt a sudden chill, not from the water but from the vulnerability of the moment. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, covering herself up. "It's just a wee bit cold," she said, her voice quieter now. "Is Tyler around? Maybe he'll let me borrow one of his hoodies or shirts."

Rafe shook his head, still watching her with that unreadable expression. "Tyler's back at your house, helping your dad with something. It's just me here."

Heather nodded slowly, suddenly very aware of how exposed she felt. She started wading back to the shore, the water lapping against her thighs as she approached Rafe. His eyes hadn't left her, and as she got closer, she noticed the way the firelight danced in his eyes, making them appear almost golden.

Kiara, who had been watching the exchange, nudged John B with her elbow. "What's going on there?" she whispered, nodding toward Heather and Rafe.

John B glanced over, raising an eyebrow. "I don't know, but it looks like something."

JJ, overhearing, snorted. "Rafe's probably just being his usual creepy self. Heather should watch out."

Kiara frowned, watching as Heather finally reached the shore. "I don't know. It doesn't look like that. She seems... different around him."

Back on the beach, Heather stood awkwardly in front of Rafe, shivering slightly from the breeze. He took in the sight of her, his gaze softer than she expected. There was something almost tender in the way he looked at her, and it made her heart skip a beat.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Heather asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rafe seemed to snap out of whatever trance he'd been in. He quickly shook his head, clearing his throat. "N-nothing. Do you want one of my jackets? It's in my car, though."

Heather opened her mouth to argue, but something in Rafe's expression made her hesitate. It wasn't the usual cocky confidence she was used to; there was a sincerity in his eyes that made her reconsider. "Okay," she said, her voice softening. "Thanks, Rafe."

As they started walking toward his car, Kiara watched them go, biting her lip. "You think she's okay?"

"She'll be fine," John B said, though his tone lacked conviction. "Rafe won't do anything stupid with all of us here."

JJ, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. "Rafe Cameron being a gentleman? I'll believe it when I see it."

By the time Heather and Rafe reached his car, the night air had grown cooler. Rafe rummaged in the backseat, finally pulling out a worn leather jacket. He handed it to Heather, who took it gratefully, slipping it on and immediately feeling warmer.

Rafe watched her, his gaze lingering as she zipped up the jacket. "You look good in that," he said, his voice low.

Heather smiled, feeling her cheeks flush. "Thanks. I guess Tyler won't kill you now."

Rafe chuckled, the sound surprisingly genuine. "Yeah, wouldn't want that."

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the noise of the party fading into the background. Rafe's eyes were still on her, and Heather could feel the weight of his stare, the intensity that had been there since he first saw her in the water.

Unable to take the silence any longer, Heather cleared her throat. "So... was it a good picture or a bad one?"

Rafe's smirk returned, though it was softer this time. "Come see for yourself." He pulled out his phone and handed it to her, their fingers brushing slightly.

Heather glanced down at the screen, seeing the photo he'd taken of her in the water. The image was surprisingly beautiful, the firelight reflecting off the water and casting a soft glow around her. It was almost surreal, capturing a moment she hadn't realized was so... intimate.

"Wow," she murmured, looking up at him. "It's a good picture."

Rafe nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "Yeah, it is."

As they stood there, the connection between them undeniable, Heather couldn't help but wonder what this meant. There was a shift in the air, something new and uncertain, but she wasn't sure if it was the alcohol making her overthink or if something had truly changed between them.

Before she could say anything else, Rafe took a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You don't have to be self-conscious, you know. You look amazing."

Heather felt her heart skip again, and she quickly looked away, her hand tightening on the jacket's collar. "Thanks, Rafe. I should probably get back to the group."

"Yeah," he said, though there was a hint of reluctance in his voice. "I'll walk you back."

As they headed back to the fire, Heather couldn't shake the feeling that tonight had changed something between them. And as she rejoined her friends, Kiara gave her a knowing look, while JJ raised an eyebrow, clearly curious about what had just happened.

Heather just smiled, pulling the jacket tighter around herself. She had no idea where things with Rafe were headed, but for the first time in a long time, she didn't mind finding out.