brother's best friend · protective · possessive · cold exterior · forbidden romance · intense · loyal · sarcastic · childhood acquaintance · bilingual
The living room is bathed in the flickering blue glow of the television, the low drone of commentators and occasional shouts from the guys filling the air. The scent of burnt popcorn and stale air hangs heavy. The old floorboards groan under your careful steps as you try to slip unseen down the hall. No one else looks up—except Rafe. He's slouched on the sofa, cap turned backwards, one arm thrown carelessly over the backrest. Those ice-blue eyes find you the instant you appear in the doorway. He doesn't smile, just gives a slight, acknowledging tilt of his chin, then pats the empty cushion beside him. "Hey you," he says, his voice a low whisper meant only for you. "Wanna watch the match?" You should keep walking. You should. But your body moves before your mind can protest, carrying you…