Outer Banks Imagines ~ JJ and Rafe

Rafe ~ leave with me or we're done

POV: your Rafe's girlfriend. After ward died, he was never quite the same.

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You sat at home, worried, because Rafe hadn't been around in days. Every time you tried to call him, it went straight to voicemail.

Suddenly, your phone rang. It was Topper, and you answered immediately.

"Hey, have you seen him?" you asked, anxiety lacing your voice.

"I'm looking at him right now. It's... not good, Y/N. I think you need to come over."

"Where are you?"

"My place."

Without hesitation, you ended the call, grabbed your keys, and rushed out to your car, heading straight for Topper's house.

When you arrived, the party was in full swing, the smell of weed and stale alcohol heavy in the air. Topper was waiting near the entrance.

"He's out back," he said quietly, guiding you through the crowd.

In the backyard, you spotted Rafe with a bottle in one hand and his other arm slung around a Pogue—Sofia.

You marched over, grabbing the bottle mid-drink. "Hey, what the hell?" he slurred, looking up at you with a hazy gaze. "Y/N..."

"You've had enough, Rafe. We're going home," you said firmly.

He reached for the bottle, but you held it out of his grasp. He stumbled forward, his expression turning dark. "I'm not playing around, Y/N. Give it back."

"You're drunk. You're coming home with me."

He shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere. Go home if you want, but I'm staying."

You took a deep breath, feeling your patience slip. "Rafe. Either you come with me or I'm done. If I walk out of here alone, it's over between us."

He narrowed his eyes, his tone hardening. "I'm staying."

Without a second thought, you raised your hand, delivering a sharp slap to his cheek. "You're an ass, Rafe Cameron. You need serious help."

Rafe blinked, momentarily stunned, his cheek reddening where your hand had struck. He opened his mouth to say something but seemed to struggle to find the words. The party continued around you, oblivious to the tension between you both.

He straightened, his usual bravado faltering. "You're really gonna do this here?" he muttered, his voice low, almost as if he were talking more to himself than to you.

You crossed your arms, hurt and frustration swirling in your chest. "Do what exactly? You want me to stand here and watch you spiral?"

He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "People change, Y/N. Sorry if you can't keep up."

You shook your head, feeling the sting of tears threatening to break through. "People grow, Rafe. This...is you avoiding and deflecting everything, and I can't be the one to keep pulling you out every time."

There was a beat of silence, and for a moment, you thought you saw something like regret flicker in his eyes. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by that hard, distant look you'd come to recognize too well.

"Fine," he said quietly, taking a step back. "If you don't want to be here, go. Don't let me stop you."

You looked at him, feeling the weight of everything unsaid between you two hanging in the air. Then, with a final, shaky breath, you turned and walked away, leaving him standing there in the chaos he'd created.

As you the door frame of the house that led inside. You couldn't help but look back, hoping he'd come after you, that he'd snap out of it and realize what he was losing.

But he didn't move.

And for the first time, you let yourself accept that maybe he wasn't ready to change, not yet. And as painful as it was, you knew you couldn't wait around for him to want better.