Whispers || Rafe Cameron

CHAPTER SIX

The next morning, the weight of last night still clung to me like saltwater. Malakai, oblivious as always, was already scarfing down breakfast by the time I came downstairs.

"You look like hell," he said through a mouthful of toast.

"Good morning to you too," I muttered, pouring myself a coffee.

"I'm heading out with Rafe and the boys," he added, not even looking up. "You should come. Sarah will be there."

I froze, my hand tightening around the mug. "Rafe?"

Malakai smirked. "Oh, now you're listening."

"I just... he Didn't seem like the group hangout type."

Malakai shrugged, grabbing his keys. "Yeah, well, he's complicated. But they've known him forever, so sometimes he shows. Anyway, it's a beach thing. You coming?"

I hesitated. My chest was still tangled up with last night-his warnings, his sharp edges, the way he looked at me like I was a puzzle he didn't want to solve but couldn't stop trying.

"Yeah," I said finally. "I'll come."

The beach was buzzing with life when we arrived-boards stacked along the sand, music blasting from someone's speaker, and the usual crowd already scattered in groups. Sarah waved us over, handing me a soda and pulling me into a quick hug.

"Thought you might bail," she teased.

"Why would I do that?" I said, keeping my tone light.

Her gaze flicked to something-or someone-behind me, and I didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"Right," she said, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "No reason."

When I finally glanced over, Rafe was standing near the water, shirt off, his hair damp like he'd just come out of the ocean. He was laughing at something Kelce said, and the sight of it-the easy way his shoulders shook, the rare glimpse of him actually looking happy-made my heart do something stupid.

"Earth to Alana," Sarah said, waving her hand in front of my face.

"I wasn't staring," I blurted.

"Sure," she said, smirking. "Go say hi. Or, you know, keep standing here awkwardly."

I didn't approach him right away. I told myself I wouldn't. But when I wandered closer to the water, drawn by the sound of waves, he was suddenly there, his shadow stretching long against the sand.

"You really don't know how to stay put, do you?" Rafe's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Excuse me?" I turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

"You're always wandering. Lurking. Whatever it is you do," he said, smirking.

"Maybe I just like avoiding obnoxious boys who think they're too cool for conversation," I shot back, crossing my arms.

"Ouch," he said, holding a hand to his chest like I'd wounded him. "You're feisty today, Sweetheart."

"Sweetheart?" I echoed, narrowing my eyes.

He shrugged.

"a nickname?" I scoffed. "How original, Rafe."

"You don't like it?" He leaned closer, his grin widening. "Tough. It suits you."

I rolled my eyes, but the heat rising to my cheeks betrayed me. "Whatever you say, Rafe."

His grin faltered slightly, his tone softening. "about last night."

I tensed. "What about it?"

"I wasn't trying to-" He stopped, his jaw working as if he was trying to figure out the right words. "I'm not good at this."

"Talking to people?" I teased, trying to keep things light even though my heart was pounding.

He huffed a laugh. "Something like that."

For a moment, we just stood there, the sound of the waves filling the silence.

"I'm not running from you," I said finally, surprising even myself. "If that's what you think."

Rafe's eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering in his gaze. "Maybe you should."

As the day wore on, Rafe and I kept crossing paths-little jabs, stolen glances, moments that felt heavier than they should. By the time the sun started to dip, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I found myself sitting next to him by a driftwood log, watching the waves roll in.

"Do you always cause this much trouble everywhere you go?" he asked, his tone teasing but his expression serious.

"Only when there's someone worth troubling," I said without thinking.

He blinked, caught off guard, before a slow smile spread across his face. "Careful, Sweetheart. I might start thinking you actually like me."

"And what if I do?"

The words hung in the air between us, daring him to break the tension.

For a moment, he didn't respond, his jaw tightening as he looked away toward the horizon. Then he leaned in, his voice low.

"Then you're playing a dangerous game."

I held his gaze, refusing to back down. "luckily i like danger."

Rafe's lips quirked into that familiar smirk, but this time there was something softer behind it-something real.

"Guess we'll see how long you last, princess," he said, standing up and offering me a hand.

I took it, the warmth of his palm sending a shiver through me. And as he pulled me to my feet, I realized I wasn't just falling into the wraps of this place.

I was falling for him.

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OOP
short chapter after such a long one last time!