Sunset games. Rafe Cameron

eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
[18]
"sailor song" gigi perez

(RAFE'S POV)

We were still kissing, and I felt this warmth deep inside me, something that made me feel... safe.
Safe-that was a foreign feeling. With Olivia in my arms, everything I was running from faded away, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I mattered. The walls I'd built to keep everyone out didn't matter when she was this close. I could feel her heartbeat against me, steady and real, like she was grounding me in a way I hadn't let anyone do in years.

She pulled back slowly, her eyes meeting mine, and a small smile appeared on her face. It was the kind of smile that lit up her whole expression, made her eyes softer and warmer. I noticed the way her dimples showed when she smiled like that, and it was like looking at something l'd been searching for without even knowing it.

I felt something stir inside me that I hadn't felt with anyone else, a pull, a sense of belonging, a calm in all the noise. She made me want to be better, like maybe I could leave all the anger and mess behind, even if just for tonight.

Olivia looked up at me, her smile still lingering.
"Do you want to stay?" she asked, her voice soft, like she was almost afraid I'd say no. But I couldn't imagine walking away right now. Not from her.

"Yeah," I whispered, nodding. It wasn't just a word-it was a promise, as much as I could make one. She led me back to her room, and we lay down on her bed. She curled up next to me, her eyes drifting closed as she settled against the pillow, her breathing evening out in the calm of sleep. But I couldn't close my eyes. Not yet.

I looked at her, really looked at her, and wondered how I hadn't noticed it all sooner. She was beautiful, more than just her face, more than the way she looked. There was this quiet strength in her, something that reached right through every layer of armor l'd built. I could see the care and kindness in her, and it made me realize just how empty I'd been feeling until now.

As she lay there, peaceful, with this soft glow on her face from the streetlight filtering in, I felt something strange and terrifying. A fierce need to protect her, to keep her from everything dark in my world. I wanted to stay like this, just watching her breathe, and let her be my one real, good thing.

There in the quiet, I realized that this girl had somehow slipped past every defense I'd ever put up. And as much as it scared me, as much as I knew the damage I could cause just by being near her... I didn't want to let her go. I didn't want to lose the feeling she gave me.

I lay there, lost in my thoughts, and I knew, in that moment, I would do anything to keep this, to keep her.

—

(NARRATOR'S POV)

The morning sun crept through the window, casting a soft glow over Olivia's bedroom. She woke slowly, feeling a warmth around her, a steady weight that pulled her closer. Blinking her eyes open, she realized it was Rafe, his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close like he never wanted to let go. His face was peaceful, softer than she'd ever seen it, and she could hear his steady breathing, calm and unguarded.

Olivia took a deep breath, her heart thudding as she watched him. She'd tried so hard not to get too close, not to let herself care too much about Rafe Cameron. But lying here now, in his arms, she couldn't deny the truth: she was falling in love with him. And that realization hit her like a wave, bringing with it both a rush of warmth and a fear she couldn't shake.

Before she could untangle her thoughts, Rafe's eyes fluttered open. They locked onto hers, and he gave her a slow, sleepy smile.

"Hey," he said, his voice rough and low, making her heart skip.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, as if in that stillness, they could say all the things they hadn't yet figured out how to put into words. It felt safe, simple, like nothing else in the world mattered but the two of them, right here, wrapped in each other.

But then the sound of her mother's voice drifted down the hallway, calling out, "Liv, breakfast is ready!"

Reality crashed in, and Olivia's pulse spiked. Her parents couldn't know Rafe was here; it wasn't even an option. She sat up quickly, glancing at the door and then back at Rafe, panic flashing in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, but you've got to go," she whispered, gesturing toward the window.

Rafe chuckled softly, understanding, and swung his legs out of bed, moving toward the window.
She could hear her mother calling again, and Olivia raised her voice slightly to answer, "Coming!"

As Rafe prepared to climb out, he paused, glancing back at her. "See you later?" he asked, and there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice that made her heart tighten.

"Yeah," she replied, a soft smile on her lips.

Without another word, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips, leaving her breathless and grinning as he slipped out the window. She shook her head, laughing softly to herself, "Asshole."

With a deep breath, Olivia composed herself, heading to the kitchen where her parents were waiting. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast filled the room, and her mom looked up, smiling warmly.

"There you are," her dad said, giving her a nod as she sat down. "How's everything going, kiddo? Life treating you well?"

Olivia hesitated for a second, her mind still lingering on the events of the morning, but she forced herself to smile. "Yeah, everything's good."

Her mom reached across the table, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We're so happy to see you hanging out with people like Leah and Topper again. It seems like you're finding your way back to your old friends."

Olivia nodded, feeling a strange twist in her chest. "Yeah, it's... it's been good."

"And we're really proud of you for moving past those Pogues," her dad added, his tone firm, almost relieved. "They were nothing but trouble. This is a better path for you, Olivia."

Olivia forced a smile, her heart heavy with the weight of her parents' expectations. They didn't know about the changes happening inside her, the way her life felt like it was caught between two worlds. One where Rafe made her feel like she belonged and another where her past with the Pogues felt unfinished.

As her parents continued talking, Olivia's mind drifted back to that morning, to the safety she'd felt in Rafe's arms, the quiet understanding between them that felt more real than anything else.

Little talk !!!

Omg guys I'm literally devastated with JJ's death, I've been crying for 3 hours and I can't stop. it hurt me soul I swear. And to get the idea that we won't see him anymore fooling around with jonh b hurts my heart.
Also in my opinion obx is losing its essence and I think it's very sad. So I would love to know your thoughts about it.

By the way thank you so much for the support and the nice comments you are literally angels. 🥹💗

Don't forget to vote and comment for more chapters!!

-MAxx