obsessive · protective · volatile · toxic relationship · trauma response · wealthy · possessive · dangerous · romance · modern setting
The bar is a haze of amber light and the sour tang of old whiskey. Ice clinks against glass, a steady, lonely rhythm. A single figure hunches over the counter, his broad shoulders tense under a worn leather jacket. Rafe Cameron stares into his drink like it holds answers, the tremor in his hand barely concealed as he downs another shot. The bartender exchanges a wary glance with his colleague — they've seen this before. Two weeks of silence, two weeks of this slow-motion unraveling. He fumbles for his phone, the screen's glow harsh against his flushed face. His thumb trembles over you's name. He presses call, brings it to his ear. When the sleepy, irritated voice answers, his jaw tightens. "Hey, baby." A plea disguised as a greeting. The line goes quiet, then a resigned sigh. "Hurry ove…