Chapter Seven: The Turning Point
Weeks passed, and the group had grown closer in ways none of them had expected. What started as a challenge had turned into something more meaningful. Reymark and Rayne found themselves looking forward to the girls’ company—not because of some unspoken competition, but because they genuinely enjoyed being with them.
The four of them were sitting around a bonfire on the beach one crisp evening. The sky was painted in deep hues of orange and pink, and the waves crashed gently in the background. The warmth of the fire mixed with the scent of saltwater, creating a perfect backdrop for their gathering.
“This feels nice,” Jhenny said, hugging her knees as she sat on the sand. “No distractions, just us.”
Rayne nodded, tossing a stick into the flames. “Yeah, I could get used to this.”
Reymark leaned back on his hands, staring at the fire. “You know, it’s funny. A couple of months ago, I would’ve thought this was a waste of time. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Lianne smirked, but there was warmth in her gaze. “Look at you, getting all sentimental.”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Reymark teased.
The group chuckled, the sound mingling with the crackle of the fire. But beneath the lighthearted banter, there was an unspoken tension—something that had been building for weeks, waiting to come to a head.
***
As the night wore on, Jhenny and Rayne wandered down to the water, leaving Lianne and Reymark by the fire.
“You’ve changed,” Lianne said suddenly, her tone neutral but her eyes searching his face.
Reymark tilted his head, meeting her gaze. “How so?”
“You’re… softer,” she admitted, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Less of the cocky guy who thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”
Reymark laughed softly. “I think that guy was just scared. Of getting close to people, of being honest. It was easier to be a ‘player’ than to risk being hurt.”
Lianne was quiet for a moment, then she sighed. “I get that. I’ve built walls, too. It’s safer when people can’t get in.”
“But it’s also lonely,” Reymark said gently.
She nodded, her gaze dropping to the sand. “Yeah, it is.”
Reymark hesitated before reaching out, his hand brushing hers. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad I met you. You’ve made me want to be better.”
Lianne looked up, her eyes glistening in the firelight. For once, she didn’t have a sarcastic comeback. Instead, she squeezed his hand, a silent acknowledgment of everything they’d shared.
***
By the shoreline, Jhenny and Rayne were skipping stones across the water, their laughter echoing into the night.
“You’re terrible at this,” Jhenny teased as Rayne’s rock sank immediately.
“Hey, it’s the rock’s fault,” Rayne protested, grinning. “It wasn’t aerodynamic.”
Jhenny rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re amazing,” Rayne said, his voice suddenly serious.
Jhenny paused, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “Rayne…”
“I mean it,” he said, stepping closer. “I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re smart, funny, kind… and you’ve made me want to stop pretending, to just be myself.”
Jhenny’s cheeks flushed, and she looked down at the sand. “You don’t have to say that.”
“I’m not saying it because I have to,” he said, gently lifting her chin so their eyes met. “I’m saying it because it’s true.”
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a shy smile, Jhenny leaned in, and Rayne met her halfway. Their kiss was soft and tentative, but it carried the weight of weeks of unspoken feelings.
***
When Jhenny and Rayne returned to the fire, hand in hand, Lianne raised an eyebrow.
“Well, well,” she said, her tone teasing. “Looks like somebody finally made a move.”
Jhenny blushed, but she was smiling. “Took him long enough.”
Rayne smirked, unbothered by the jab. “Some things are worth the wait.”
Reymark grinned, clapping his friend on the back. “About time, man.”
Lianne shook her head, but her eyes flicked to Reymark, and he caught the subtle shift in her expression—something softer, more open.
The four of them sat together, watching the fire burn down to embers. The silence was comfortable, the kind that only comes from true understanding.
***
As they packed up to leave, Lianne lingered by the dying fire, staring into the ashes. Reymark walked over, standing beside her.
“Hey,” he said softly. “You okay?”
She nodded, though her voice was quiet. “I’m just… thinking.”
“About what?”
“About how this started,” she said, a faint smile on her lips. “And how different it feels now.”
Reymark smiled. “Yeah. Funny how things work out.”
Lianne turned to face him, her eyes searching his. “Do you think it’s real? Or are we just caught up in the moment?”
Reymark hesitated, then reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I think it’s as real as we want it to be.”
For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, slowly, Lianne leaned in, and Reymark met her halfway. Their kiss was tentative but filled with unspoken promises.
As they pulled away, Lianne smirked. “Don’t think this means I’m going easy on you.”
Reymark chuckled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Together, they walked back to the others, the firelight fading behind them. For the first time in a long time, none of them felt like they had to hide behind walls or masks. They had found something real, something worth holding onto.
And for Reymark and Rayne, two guys who never thought they’d settle down, it was the start of something they hadn’t known they needed: love, friendship, and a chance to be better.
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Red Flags in the Rearview
Historia CortaReymark and Rayne are two inseparable best friends who have built their friendship on being unapologetically themselves. Unfortunately, "themselves" means they're both walking red flags-cocky, flirty, and notorious for judging women by their looks a...
