Rafe Cameron Imagines

Boys, Beaches, and Besties🤍

There were six towels on the sand, one Bluetooth speaker, three half-melted coolers, and zero plans. Just the way you liked it.

Rafe had one arm lazily wrapped around your waist as you sat between his legs, the sun baking into your shoulders and the salt air sticking to your skin. Kelce was shirtless and running around like a feral child, already halfway through his second Monster and shouting about wanting to cliff dive. Kie was in the middle of braiding Sarah's hair while Topper argued with a seagull over his sandwich.

"I don't know why we let them do anything," you mumbled into Rafe's arm, watching Kelce sprint down the beach.

"Because we're idiots," Rafe said. "With very low standards for chaos."

You tilted your head back to look up at him. "You're one of them. You are the chaos."

"Correction," Rafe smirked, "I'm the sexy chaos."

You rolled your eyes so hard it hurt. "You're the reason sunscreen bottles say 'reapply every two hours.'"

"I love when you flirt," he grinned, leaning down to kiss your cheek.

You swatted at him but didn't move. His body was warm behind you, chest pressed to your back like a second sun.

"Alright, lovebirds," Kie called, standing now with a volleyball under one arm, "two-on-two. Me and Kelce versus you and Rafe."

"I didn't agree to that," Rafe said, not moving.

"You're agreeing now," Kie said. "Unless you're scared?"

Rafe raised an eyebrow. "You're gonna wish I stayed seated."

—

It was not a fair game. Rafe was competitive. You were out of breath five minutes in. Kelce dove into the sand dramatically every time he missed and Kie trash-talked like she was being paid for it.

"I'm carrying this team," you gasped between plays.

"I'm literally scoring every point," Rafe said.

"Yeah, but I'm cute while doing it."

"You're right. That's actually more important."

By the time Sarah called a break, everyone was sweaty, sun-kissed, and laughing like middle schoolers. Topper tossed you a water bottle, and you collapsed on the sand beside Rafe, head falling onto his shoulder.

"This," you said, "is elite best friend behavior."

Kelce held up his phone. "Caption idea when I post this later: boys, beaches, and besties."

"Oh my God," Sarah groaned. "You're disgusting."

"No, he's right," you said, smirking. "That's literally the whole vibe of today."

Rafe looked at you sideways. "If you make that the caption, I'm deleting your Instagram."

"Too late. I just sent it to my mom group chat."

"You're the worst," he said, laughing. "I'm breaking up with you."

"You say that every time I post a beach pic."

"Yeah, well, stop being hotter than me."

You leaned in, smirking. "Not my fault you peaked in 10th grade."

"Ouch."

—

The sun started to set, turning the waves pink and gold. Everyone was scattered around the beach now—Kie and Kelce playing music from his speaker, Topper trying to get a fire going with one lighter and zero patience, and Sarah curled up in a blanket, half-asleep.

You were in Rafe's hoodie now, legs crossed, his hand tracing lazy shapes over your knee.

"You know," he said quietly, "today didn't suck."

"High praise," you teased.

"I just... it's nice. Having everyone like this. No drama. No fighting. No parents. Just..." he shrugged. "Us."

You nodded, leaning into him. "Yeah. It's like the world stops for a few hours."

He looked down at you, all soft eyes and salt-stained hair. "I like you here. With me. Like this."

You smiled. "I like me here too."

Then he pulled you in and kissed you slow, like there wasn't anyone else on the beach at all. Just him and you and the way the sky looked when the sun gave up.

And somewhere behind you, Kelce shouted, "NO PDA NEAR THE BONFIRE, THIS IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPACE."

You pulled back laughing, forehead pressed to Rafe's.

"You were saying?" you murmured.

"I'm gonna drown him in the ocean."

"You'll miss him."

He sighed. "Yeah. I probably will."

You looked around—at your people, your person, the sand stuck to your shins, the sound of waves and music and laughter.

Boys, beaches, and besties.

It was ridiculous. Perfect.

And somehow, exactly what you needed.