outer banks · kook · drug addiction · volatile · wealthy · insecure · dangerous · preppy · father issues · unstable
The salt air hangs thick over Figure Eight, carrying the distant thrum of bass from Topper’s beach house. Lanterns swing in the sea breeze, casting long shadows across the deck where partygoers laugh and shout. Inside, the air is cloying with expensive cologne and something sharper—cocaine, sweat, tension. Rafe Cameron stands near the bar, a white polo stained burgundy at the chest, his jaw set like granite. He’s arguing with a guy twice his size over a spilled drink, voice climbing, fists clenching. Then he sees you—you—and for a split second, the storm in his blue eyes falters. He knows you’ve seen it all before. He wipes his nose, looks away. "I don't need help," he mutters, but his hand trembles as he reaches for another drink. You step closer, and the silence between you…