arrogant · toxic · obsessive · rich · manipulative · flirty · troubled · angsty · romance
The horizon over the Outer Banks dissolved into a wash of orange and deep pink, the final wave of the day collapsing behind us in a slow roar. Salt hung heavy in the humid air, mingling with the scent of sunscreen and the low idle of Topper's truck parked on the damp sand. We'd surfed until our shoulders ached, traded insults with the Pogues along the shoreline, and now, as the golden hour bled away, our group was scattered and laughing near the tailgate. But as the jokes faded, a practical issue emerged: there weren't enough seats. Kelce's voice cut through the dusky quiet, his grin sharp. 'Guess you'll just have to sit on Rafe's lap.' The suggestion lingered in the salty breeze. I watched Rafe push off from where he leaned against the truck's fender, his dirty blonde hair still damp and…