Chapter Text
Sarah
Sarah lay back on the bed in Druthers, feeling the kind of dizzy happiness that only came from finally taking a risk that was right, even if it was risky. She and John B were tangled up in that quiet, perfect moment, exchanging soft laughter and quiet smiles, when the door suddenly flew open with a loud, unmistakable thud.
"You're a serial cheater, you have a problem, Sarah," Alex's voice rang out with a grin as he launched himself onto the bed between her and John B.
Sarah gasped, practically leaping off the mattress. "Alex!" she shrieked, frantically grabbing the covers, her cheeks blazing as she tried to wrangle the blankets away from John B, who was doing the same.
"Damn it, Alex!" she hissed, managing to cover herself up, though not without plenty of effort. "You should really knock before barging in like this!"
Alex just looked utterly unbothered, laughing freely at the scene he'd just walked in on. She saw John B glancing between them, probably half-bewildered and half-wondering if they were about to break out into a full-blown sibling feud.
"Relax, you two, relax!" Alex laughed, stretching out lazily on the bed like he hadn't just interrupted anything remotely important. "I'm just here to say hi," he said, still chuckling, "and to remind you, Sarah, that as much as I hate my brother, I love you, which means I'm here to be nosy and possibly obnoxious."
John B's face twisted, trying to keep it neutral but clearly looking at Alex with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Uh, thanks, man, I guess?" he said, scratching the back of his neck.
Alex rolled his eyes with exaggerated annoyance, propping himself up on one elbow to grin at John B. "Don't worry, Johnny—I'm not here to play referee or to ask you anything too serious. Just came by to mess with Sarah a little. Plus," he smirked, "I think I'm finally off duty as her third wheel, thank God."
"Oh, so, that's good," John B replied, still a bit awkward but catching on to Alex's vibe. Sarah couldn't help but roll her eyes too, even though she loved Alex like a sibling; sometimes he had all the subtlety of a freight train.
"Now, tell me what you two were talking about before I came in," Alex continued, his eyes sparking with curiosity as he waggled his eyebrows at Sarah. She rolled her eyes again, this time with extra emphasis.
"Get out, Alex," she said, pointing to the door.
Alex just grinned wider, leaning in as if he hadn't heard her. "Noooo, come on! I want to know! What's the big deal?"
"Out. Now." Sarah's tone had a sharp edge, and she gave him a look that could melt glass. "Or I swear, Alex, I'm going to strangle you."
Alex huffed, putting on his best disappointed face as he flopped off the bed. "Fine, fine. I'm out, I'm out." He sighed dramatically as he finally slinked out the door, muttering about how some people had no sense of humor.
As soon as the door shut behind him, Sarah let out a breath, the frustration dissolving as she looked at John B, who was watching her with an expression somewhere between amusement and apprehension. He sat up, reaching for his shirt and pulling it over his head, his face a little more serious now.
"So..." he began slowly, clearing his throat as he looked away. "Does this mean you're going to break up with Topper?"
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Sarah felt a pang of guilt tug at her, wondering if she was doing the right thing. But then she looked into John B's hopeful eyes and felt a warmth spread through her. This felt real.
She exhaled, nodding, and allowed a small, genuine smile to slip through. "Yeah. I'm breaking up with him." And just saying it lifted something off her shoulders, something that had felt heavy for a while now. She hadn't been able to give herself permission to feel what she felt with John B until she knew she'd be ending things with Topper.
A smile crept onto John B's face, and he moved closer, his hand brushing hers. Their eyes met, and he leaned in, slowly, like he was savoring the moment. Sarah's heart skipped, ready to lean into the kiss, when..
"Sarah, you're late!" came Alex's unmistakable voice from right outside the door, sounding like he was on the verge of yet another dramatic complaint.
She tensed, a vein of exasperation flaring up as she grabbed the nearest pillow and hurled it with all her might at the door. It hit with a satisfying thud, and she heard a muffled "Hey!" from the other side.
"Serves you right!" she shouted back, half-laughing as she imagined Alex rubbing his head.
The door stayed closed after that, and she and John B exchanged a look, a blend of shared annoyance and amusement. A quiet, comfortable laugh bubbled up between them, a reminder that no matter what interruptions or chaos came their way, there was something special between them worth holding onto.
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Alex
Alex Thornton sat on the Druthers’ boat, restless and unable to hide his anticipation as he waited for Sarah to come out. He tapped his foot and checked his watch, then glanced at the empty boat seat across from him, pretending not to notice when John B left with a big, satisfied grin on his face, completely ignoring him.
When Sarah finally emerged, Alex couldn’t hold back. He launched into questions, firing them off so quickly that Sarah barely had a chance to react. She put up a hand, exasperated but amused. “Alex, please, one question at a time!”
Alex blinked, taking a deep breath as he refocused. “Right. Got it. So...since when have you been with John B? And how could you hide something like that from me? I’m hurt, Sarah. I’m wounded.” He held a hand over his heart for effect.
Sarah sighed, a slight smirk betraying her amusement. “Okay, okay. So, we’ve been in each other’s orbit for a couple of months, but we only started getting close these last two weeks. Nothing huge yet,” she added, looking down awkwardly. “But I am breaking up with Topper.”
“Good,” Alex said without missing a beat.
She raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Good?”
“Yeah,” Alex replied, holding up a pinky finger toward her with a grin. “I didn’t judge you for cheating on my brother, so don’t judge me for not being broken up over it. Deal?”
Sarah laughed, rolling her eyes as she wrapped her pinky around his. “Deal.”
He leaned back, eyes glinting with mischief. “And thank god, because I swear, if I had to sit through one more awkward date with you two as the third wheel, I would’ve gouged my own eyes out.”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” Sarah teased, nudging him.
“No, seriously, I was this close to swan-diving into the water to escape it all. You guys are cute, but not that cute,” Alex shot back with a smirk.
Sarah smirked, clearly holding back her own laugh, but then she turned to him, her eyes sparkling with mischief that made Alex wary. “Good. Because I’ve got a new plan for you to hang out with me and my family.”
Alex narrowed his eyes, immediately sensing that this wasn’t going to be something he’d enjoy. “Oh really? Dare I ask?”
“Tomorrow, you’re coming with me to my grandpa place,” she declared, crossing her arms as if daring him to refuse.
Alex’s jaw dropped. “Wes? Your grandpa Wes?” He shook his head, looking up at the sky as if pleading for mercy. “Sarah, you know I have nothing against him, but he always looks at me like he’s debating if I’m a bad influence or just bad news in general.”
“That’s just Wes,” she laughed, shrugging. “Besides, my mom’s coming to the island, and she’ll be at his place. Don’t you want to meet her?”
Alex let out a long sigh, realizing he had no real choice. “I mean, I guess…” He trailed off, already feeling a bit defeated.
“Oh, and there’s one other thing,” Sarah said slyly, clearly holding something back until the perfect moment.
“What now?” he asked, suspicious.
“Apparently, JJ Maybank’s staying with my grandpa too,” she said, trying to keep a straight face.
Alex’s groan was immediate. “But I hate him!”
She just laughed, patting him on the shoulder as they left the boat. “Just think of it as a challenge, Alex.”
As they walked away, he couldn’t help muttering to himself, “I’m gonna need more than a challenge for this. Maybe a miracle.”
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Rafe
Rafe Cameron leaned casually against the beachside bar, his gaze trailing after Kiara Carrera as she moved across the sand with Pope. She stood out effortlessly, laughing and tossing her hair back as she chatted with Pope, her whole demeanor so relaxed, yet so difficult to approach. Rafe couldn’t deny it: she was captivating. Of course, Kiara had to be the type who made things challenging. Every time he tried to talk to her, she’d brush him off with a quick smirk and walk away, but tonight, he was determined to try again.
As soon as Pope was out of earshot, Rafe seized the moment, heading straight for her with a confident grin. "Hey, Kie," he said, flashing his most charming smile.
Kiara looked at him with mild irritation, folding her arms. "Rafe. Let me guess, you’re here to tell me why I should be impressed by you?”
“Wouldn’t say it that way,” he replied smoothly, ignoring the dismissive tone. “Just thought we could get to know each other better.”
Kiara raised her eyebrows, feigning surprise. “You mean ‘get to know each other’ in the usual Cameron way? Where you talk, and I’m supposed to swoon?”
Rafe chuckled, trying not to let her sarcasm throw him off. “Not everything has to be about sides, you know. Just thought we could have a real conversation for once.”
Kiara shrugged, giving him a smirk that was almost a challenge. “Well, I know you love a challenge, so good luck with that.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, frustrated that she wouldn’t even give him the time of day. “I get it, Kie. You’ve got this whole, ‘I’m-not-interested-in-you’ thing going on,” he said with a smirk, determined to push through her indifference. “But you don’t have to act so tough. Maybe you’d be surprised.”
Kiara gave him a slow, appraising look, but it only seemed to make her smirk widen. “Surprised? Rafe, I could predict your next move with my eyes closed.” She shook her head and started to walk away, barely sparing him a second glance. “Nice try though.”
As she moved out of earshot, Rafe muttered under his breath, “Oh, come on, Kie. Don’t pretend you’re not interested.” But Kiara was gone, completely ignoring him.
Just as he was standing there, stewing, a voice broke the silence behind him. “She’s hot, isn’t she?” It was a drawling, almost mocking voice.
Without even thinking, Rafe mumbled, “Yeah,” his eyes still following Kiara’s disappearing form. But then the speaker laughed, and Rafe’s brain caught up with the moment. He turned sharply, and there, leaning against the post with that annoying grin, was none other than JJ Maybank.
Rafe’s face immediately hardened, his eyes narrowing. “What the hell do you want, Maybank?”
JJ shook his head, still laughing as he rocked back on his heels. “You, dude. Pining over Kie, acting all… noble? Man, you’re a Cameron. Shouldn’t you be trying to buy her attention?”
JJ’s mocking tone was enough to make Rafe’s blood boil. “You really think I’m in the mood for your crap right now?” he shot back, his fists already clenching. He hated how easily JJ could get under his skin, even just standing there with that stupid grin.
JJ looked unfazed, shrugging casually. “Oh, come on, Rafey. I was just trying to help you out. Kie doesn’t fall for arrogant jerks with wallets instead of brains.” He tilted his head, looking at Rafe with exaggerated sympathy. “You’re gonna have to step up your game, big guy.or she’s gonna eat you alive”
Rafe took a threatening step forward, fists clenched. “If you’re trying to mess with me, Maybank, you’re picking the wrong night.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” JJ circled him like a wolf, his grin widening. “You seem to really care about her, don’t you? That’s kinda cute. The mighty Rafe Cameron with a crush?”
Rafe felt his cheeks heat up, and the humiliation only made him angrier. He lunged forward, his fist swinging toward JJ’s face. But JJ was faster, sidestepping effortlessly as Rafe’s punch swung through the air.
“Gotta be quicker than that,” JJ teased, laughing as he danced just out of Rafe’s reach.
“Get back here!” Rafe roared, his pride and frustration bubbling over as he launched forward again. But JJ was already moving, his steps light and fast as he darted down the beach, calling out over his shoulder, “Catch me if you can, Rafe!”
Rafe chased after him, his jaw clenched, his fists aching to connect with JJ’s smug face. But JJ had a head start and a whole lot of energy. He leaped over a small dune, glancing back at Rafe with that infuriating grin as he landed.
“Come on, Cameron, you’re gonna have to try harder than that!” JJ taunted, his voice carrying through the night.
“Keep talking, Maybank!” Rafe shot back, charging after him, but he was already starting to slow down. His frustration only grew as he watched JJ slip further and further ahead, still laughing like he was actually enjoying this.
Finally, JJ paused just for a moment at the edge of the boardwalk, turning to face Rafe one last time. “Next time, maybe bring some running shoes,” he called out, giving Rafe a mocking salute. Then, before Rafe could even think about lunging at him again, JJ dashed off, vanishing into the shadows of the boardwalk.
Rafe stopped, breathing hard, his hands shaking with anger and the sting of humiliation. He hated JJ, hated his cocky attitude, hated the way he acted like he could get away with anything. But most of all, he hated that JJ could see right through him, right to the weakness he tried so hard to keep hidden.
From the corner of his eye, Rafe spotted Kiara leaning against the edge of the bar, watching the whole thing with a satisfied smirk. Her arms were crossed, and she didn’t bother to hide the amusement in her eyes as she called out, “Better luck next time, Rafe.”
“Yeah, whatever,” he muttered, trying to brush it off. But as Kiara turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone on the beach, Rafe felt the embarrassment sink in even deeper. He watched her go, wishing he could’ve handled the night differently.