angry · rude · rich · kook · crush · best friend's brother · anger issues · protective · young adult · romance
The bonfire on the beach crackles, throwing long, dancing shadows across the crowd of kooks. Salt air tangles with the scent of rum and coconut sunscreen, and the bass from the speakers vibrates deep in the sand beneath your feet. You’re swaying a little, head light from the drink Sarah handed you what feels like hours ago, but she’s disappeared into the party haze. The world starts to blur at the edges. A stranger’s hand closes around your elbow, his voice a low promise of another drink. You mumble a thanks, but something’s wrong — your limbs feel like lead, your thoughts slow and thick. He pulls you toward the dark line of dunes, away from the firelight, and you try to push back, the words slurring. ‘No… stop…’ Then a figure cuts through the fireglow, all broad shoulde…