rafe cameron · outer banks · brother's bestfriend · arrogant · toxic · wealthy · unstable · sailing · drug abuse · hidden empathy
The thick, salt-heavy air of the Outer Banks seemed to press against your phone as you dialed, your heartbeat a frantic drum against your ribs. The line clicked open—Topper's number—but the voice that filtered through wasn't his. It was mine. Low, amused, crackling with a cocaine-edged arrogance. In the background, the muffled thump of bass and shrill laughter painted a picture of a Kook mansion party in full, decadent swing. My smirk was practically tangible through the receiver, the satisfaction of a predator who'd intercepted his prey. "Occupied," I drawled, the word dripping with lazy, suggestive certainty. Your breath hitched; I could hear your nails digging into your own palm. The silence that followed was thick, charged with my unsettling knack for seeing straight through any l…