The Lines We've Crossed

FOURTEEN

The night had grown cooler, and the firepit in the Whitmores' backyard crackled softly as it illuminated the small group gathered around it. Heather, Tyler, Rafe, Sarah, and Wheezie sat in a circle, the warmth of the flames barely cutting through the crisp night air. Tyler was casually poking at the fire with a stick, while Rafe leaned back in his chair, his gaze occasionally drifting over to Heather.

Heather shivered slightly, feeling the chill in the air. "It's getting cold out here," she remarked, pulling her jacket tighter around her.

Sarah nodded in agreement, rubbing her arms for warmth. "Let's go inside and change into something warmer."

The girls stood up, and Heather led the way back into the house. Once inside, they headed to Heather's room, where she rummaged through her drawers. She pulled out a pair of plaid pajama pants for herself and another pair for Sarah. Then she grabbed the hoodie Rafe had given her the previous night at the Boneyard party.

Sarah was busy pulling on the pajama pants Heather had handed her when she glanced over and froze. Her eyes locked onto the hoodie Heather was holding, and her mouth dropped open in shock. "Wait a minute... Is that...?"

Heather glanced up, confused by Sarah's reaction, until she realized what her friend was staring at. "Oh, this?" she asked, holding up the hoodie. "Yeah, Rafe gave it to me last night. I was cold after swimming, and he insisted."

Sarah's wide-eyed stare softened into a teasing grin. "So that's why he's been smiling at you all night."

Heather rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but smile a little herself. "It's just a hoodie, Sarah. Don't make a big deal out of it."

Sarah pointed dramatically, still grinning. "Oh, I'm making a big deal out of it."

Heather laughed, shaking her head as she pulled the hoodie on. "Alright, let's get back out there before they start wondering what we're up to."

The girls headed back outside, where they found the guys and Wheezie now roasting marshmallows over the fire. As they approached, Rafe glanced up and his lips curled into a small, satisfied smile when he noticed Heather wearing his hoodie again.

Tyler, who was perched on a log, caught the exchange and narrowed his eyes playfully at Rafe. "Hey! Buddy! That's my little sister."

Heather and Sarah burst into laughter at Tyler's exaggerated tone. Wheezie joined in, pointing her marshmallow stick at Rafe. "Yeah, Rafe. That's his sister. Stop looking at her."

Sarah added, "And that's my best friend!"

Feeling the playful heat from all sides, Rafe raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. "Alright, alright! I wasn't doing anything!"

Heather couldn't resist joining in on the fun. "Jeez! All he did was breathe."

Tyler rolled his eyes dramatically. "Yeah, in your direction."

The group continued to laugh, but Heather could see that Rafe was taking it in stride, not letting their teasing get to him. Feeling a little guilty for ganging up on him, she snuck up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a hug, leaning close to whisper in his ear, "I'm sorry."

Rafe turned his head slightly, catching her eye with a soft smile. "It's all good, Heather."

The moment lingered for just a beat longer than necessary, and when Heather pulled away, she felt a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the fire. She returned to her spot beside Sarah, feeling the weight of Rafe's gaze on her even as the group settled back into their easy banter. But this time, there was a new tension in the air—one that Heather wasn't sure she was ready to confront.