Secrets in the Dark

Chapter 4

The bar was loud with the hum of conversation and the clink of glasses, but Ava could barely focus on anything except the unmistakable presence of Rafe in the corner of the room. His arrival had shifted the atmosphere, a tension she couldn't escape no matter how hard she tried.
JJ was right beside her, laughing at one of Pope's jokes as they played pool with the rest of the Pogues, but Ava's attention was divided. She couldn't shake the feeling that Rafe was watching her.

Every few minutes, she felt his eyes on her—piercing, dark, and almost knowing. He hadn't said a word to her yet, but his gaze was enough to send a shiver down her spine. Rafe was like a predator, circling without making a move, but Ava could feel the weight of his stare like a physical thing.

She tried to push the feeling away, to focus on the conversation and pretend everything was fine. But every time she glanced toward the bar, his eyes were on her, his lips curled into that faint, taunting smile. She felt her pulse quicken. He knew. He knew everything.

JJ was still laughing, oblivious to the tension building between them. He caught her eye and smiled, a warm, comforting gesture that almost made Ava feel normal again. But that was before she saw Rafe glance over at her once more, his eyes dark and full of a dangerous amusement. She quickly looked away, her breath hitching.
She didn't know how to escape the heat of Rafe's stare. Her stomach was in knots, her chest tightening with guilt. How long could she keep pretending?

"Everything okay?" JJ asked, turning to her with a concerned expression.

Ava forced a smile, trying to sound casual. "Yeah. Just... a little tired, I guess. I'll be fine."

He didn't look entirely convinced, but he gave her a reassuring pat on the back before taking his shot at the pool table. Ava wanted to believe her own words, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen tonight—something that she wouldn't be able to undo.

As the game continued, Rafe stayed on the sidelines, barely speaking to anyone. But he kept glancing at Ava, as though making sure she knew he was watching. It was maddening, and she could feel herself slipping closer to the edge, teetering between her loyalty to JJ and the undeniable pull Rafe had over her.

The night wore on, and Ava tried to ignore the tension in her chest. She told herself she was being paranoid—nothing would happen. It's just a look, nothing more.

But when the game ended, and the others began to gather at the bar for drinks, Ava found herself alone for the first time all night. JJ was off chatting with John B. and Pope, and Kiara had gone to the bathroom. Ava took a deep breath, her nerves stretched thin as she turned toward the back of the bar for a moment of space.
And that's when she felt the heat of Rafe's presence behind her.

"Ava," his voice was low and smooth, like it was meant for only her. She stopped in her tracks, heart skipping a beat. "You look... distracted."
Ava's pulse quickened as she slowly turned around to face him. He stood a few feet away, his posture relaxed, but the smirk on his face told her everything.

"Rafe," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"What do you want?"

He took a slow step toward her, his eyes dark with intent. "You really think you can just act like nothing happened?" he said softly, almost too casually, as if this was just another conversation. "That last night never happened. You really think I'll just let you forget?"

Ava swallowed, her throat dry. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She could feel his gaze burning into her, his presence overwhelming. The rest of the bar felt like it was fading away.

Rafe took another step closer, his voice lowering even more. "You think JJ has any idea? You think you can hide this from him?" He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. "I know you want me, Ava. You've always wanted me. You're not fooling anyone, least of all yourself."
Her heart was pounding, and she hated how much his words affected her. She hated that he was right—she hadn't forgotten. She hadn't stopped wanting him, no matter how hard she tried to bury it.

She shook her head quickly, stepping back. "No. I'm with JJ. I can't... I can't do this."
Rafe's smirk widened, almost like he was enjoying the way she was falling apart. "You're already doing it, Ava," he whispered, his voice soft and almost mocking. "You've been doing it the whole time."

Ava's breath hitched as he took another step closer, this time his hand brushing against her arm, sending a spark of electricity through her body. She wanted to pull away, but she couldn't move. She was paralyzed, caught in the pull of him, the darkness of the moment.

"Come with me," he murmured, his voice dangerous, irresistible. "Let's finish what we started. We don't need to pretend anymore."
Before she could protest, Rafe's hand was on her wrist, tugging her gently but firmly toward the back of the bar. She could feel the eyes of the room on her, the weight of the world on her shoulders, but she couldn't stop. Her legs moved of their own accord, following him, each step making her feel more like a stranger to herself.

They reached the small broom closet in the back. Rafe opened the door and stepped inside, his hand still on her wrist, pulling her into the dim, narrow space. The door clicked shut behind them, cutting them off from the rest of the world.

"You don't have to fight this, Ava," Rafe said, his voice low, seductive, as he turned to face her. He was so close now, she could feel his breath against her skin. "I've already won."

And then, in one fluid movement, his lips were on hers. Ava tried to pull away, but his kiss was like a force of nature—demanding, consuming. She felt herself giving in, the weight of everything—her guilt, her desires, the years of knowing him—crashing down on her.

Before she knew it, Rafe's hands were on her body, pulling her closer, and she couldn't stop herself from responding. The desire was overwhelming, too strong, and she hated how much it felt like a release, like something she'd been denying herself for too long.

It was reckless. It was dangerous. And in that moment, it was all she could think about

***

Later that night Ava stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her face pale, her heart still racing. She touched her lips, still feeling the lingering taste of Rafe's kiss, and tried to steady her breathing. She had done it again. She had betrayed JJ, again.

But now, as she walked back to the group, she had to face him. She had to face the consequences of her actions.

When she entered the main area, JJ was talking to Kiara, but he stopped when he saw her. His eyes softened, but there was a hint of something else in them—something uncertain.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Ava nodded quickly, trying to force a smile, but it felt like the fakest thing she'd ever done. "Yeah. Just needed a minute."

He didn't seem entirely convinced, but he reached out to pull her closer, his hand on her back. "I'm glad you're back. We missed you."
Ava's heart twisted as she looked up at him, the weight of her secret almost suffocating. She smiled again, but this time, it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah. Me too."

The night carried on, the laughter and chatter of the Pogues around her, but Ava felt like she was already living a lie. JJ was right there, completely unaware of what she had done. But she couldn't keep hiding the truth from him. Not forever