starkeymuse

[starkeymuse]

EVERYONE SAY THANK YOU HAIM 🙂‍↔️

had to go chew some dry wall after this omfg

[starkeymuse]

oh my god.

[starkeymuse]

i can't breathe omg ⋆˙⟡

[starkeymuse]

decode | rafe cameron | part four

summary: grace knew the outer banks were full of dangerous currents, but she never expected rafe cameron to be one of them.

warnings: i don't think there's any? probably just my own writing errors lol

✧ listen to: california by beabadoobee ✧

"good," he said, giving me a small smile. "just rest for now. i have no where to be."

i met his gaze, a quiet appreciation settling in. "i owe you one, huh?"

rafe smiled. "yeah, but i’ll collect later."

grace's pov

we fell into a rhythm of idle conversation after that, the kind that wasn’t necessarily comfortable but wasn’t strained either. he pointed out the faint outline of a fishing trawler in the distance, and i asked about his boat.

“this thing is impressive,” i said, running my hand over the sleek wooden trim. “you don’t strike me as the type to take care of something like this.”

“yeah?” he raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “what type do i strike you as?”

i shrugged, biting back a grin. “the type who has other people do the work for him.”

rafe chuckled softly. “fair. but I’ll have you know, i actually like working on it. keeps my head straight.”

i tilted my head, studying him. that was… unexpected. but before i could overthink it, the words were out of my mouth. “so what’s the plan for you, cameron? what’s the big dream?”

he raised his eyebrows and let out a surprised laugh, "the big dream?"

“yeah.” i gestured at the boat, the water, his whole polished-but-cracked exterior. “what do you want to do? with your life.”

for a moment, he didn’t answer, his fingers tapping absently against the wood. “i want to be like my dad,” he said finally. “build something big, you know? a legacy. real estate mogul, that kind of thing.”

i frowned slightly, not at his answer but at the way he said it, so rehearsed, like he’d been reciting it since he could talk. “a legacy,” i repeated.

“yeah.” he nodded, his expression firm. “he’s done a lot for this place. people respect him.”

something about the way he said it made me pause. his words sounded like admiration, but the edges felt sharp, like there was something unsaid. “is that really what you want?” i asked softly, meeting his gaze. “or is that what you’ve been told you want?”

his head snapped toward me, his jaw tightening. “what’s that supposed to mean?”

“it’s just a question.” i shrugged, keeping my tone even. “sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference, you know? between what you really want and what someone else wants for you."

i could see the wheels turning in his head. for once, he didn’t have a quick retort, and that silence felt heavier than anything he could’ve said.

“i should go,” i said, breaking the tension. “my friends are probably freaking out. they don’t even know where i am.”

he turned back to me, his expression softer now. “grace-”

“thank you,” i said quickly before he could say anything else. “for helping me. i mean it.”

his lips curved into a faint smirk, but his eyes betrayed something warmer.

i hurried off his boat. i turned quickly, not trusting myself to glance back, afraid that if i did, i might linger longer than i should.

by the time i reached john b’s house, the sun was fully up, casting a golden light over the property. my head was still pounding slightly, a dull reminder of the night before, but i pushed it aside. i barely had time to step onto the porch before the screen door slammed open, and jj stormed out.

“holy shit, she’s alive,” jj announced dramatically, throwing his hands in the air like he’d just seen a ghost. “i was about to start carving your name into a tree, grace. thought we lost you to the sea or, like, i don't know? those guys that tried shooting us!”

before i could react, he was in front of me, gripping my arms and giving me a once-over, like he expected to find a missing limb or a gunshot wound.

“where the hell were you?” he demanded, squinting at me like a detective in an old noir movie. “are you hurt? blinking twice means you need medical assistance.”

i rolled my eyes. “jj, i'm fine.”

“fine?” his voice shot up an octave. “fine people answer their phones, grace. fine people don’t vanish without a single ‘brb, not dead.’”

“it died,” i interrupted, holding up my hands in a placating gesture.

he didn’t look convinced, and as i glanced up, i realized he wasn’t the only one. the rest of the pogues had come out onto the porch, their faces etched with varying degrees of concern. kiara looked like she was ready to launch into a lecture. pope and john b were quieter but still clearly relieved to see me in one piece. then there was sarah, standing slightly off to the side, arms crossed, her eyes scanning my face like she was trying to piece something together.

“we thought something happened to you,” kiara said, her voice softer but still laced with frustration.

“yeah,” john b added. “one second you were at the party, the next—poof. gone.”

jj’s gaze sharpened. “wait a minute.” he took a step back, pointing at me with a squint. “did you—” he gasped dramatically. “did you go home with someone?”

i froze.

“no,” i said immediately, maybe a little too fast.

jj’s face lit up like he’d just cracked a case. “ohhh, my god. you totally did!”

“jj.”

“you disappeared all night, avoided all our calls, and now you’re being all weird about it. this has hookup written all over it.” he turned to pope, motioning wildly. “back me up, man.”

pope sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “j, not everything is a conspiracy theory.”

“tell that to her guilty face.”

“i do not have a guilty face,” i argued.

jj smirked. “you so do. it’s screaming, ‘i did something questionable, and i don’t want anyone to know about it.’”

i huffed, crossing my arms. “you’re being insane.”

“and you’re being suspicious.”

was i really that easy to read? fuck.

“jj,” Kiara cut in, exasperated. “stop being weird.”

“okay, fine,” he relented, throwing his hands up. “but if a mystery man comes knocking on the door later, i get to say ‘i told you so.’”

i exhaled, forcing myself to relax, feeling the weight of their eyes on me, but i couldn’t tell them. i couldn’t tell them about rafe. i didn’t know why i was keeping it from them, maybe because i was still trying to figure out what was happening between us. maybe because i knew they'd freak out, accuse me of being crazy, of trusting the guy who had been nothing but trouble for years. but the thing was, it wasn’t that simple. it wasn’t all bad. and i couldn’t explain it, not yet, not without confusing myself more.

it wasn’t like i was getting close to him or anything. it was just complicated. i didn’t want to admit that some part of me felt weirdly safe when i was with him, or that despite everything, i didn’t want to think badly of him anymore. i didn’t need them questioning my every move or labeling him before i could figure out what i even thought. so, for now, i kept it to myself.

instead, i gave them a tight-lipped smile. “can we focus on what actually matters? you know, our plan?” my voice sharper than i intended. but it was easier this way. easier to keep things simple. i wasn’t ready to deal with the fallout of telling them about rafe especially when i wasn’t sure what the fallout would even be.

sarah, who had been quiet this whole time, gave me one last look before shifting her focus. “yeah. we don’t have time to waste.”

jj wasn’t done, though. as we turned to head inside, he leaned in close, lowering his voice. “just tell me one thing, g. was he at least from the cut?”

i groaned. “jj, shut up.”

pope clapped a hand on jj’s shoulder, steering him away. “let’s go before you actually get punched.”

as the conversation shifted to gold logistics, i let out a slow breath, tension still clinging to my shoulders.

the hot water from the shower had soothed the headache still lingering from the night before. my mind felt clearer, but there was a tightness in my chest i couldn’t shake. was it guilt? was i self-sabotaging?

after I’d changed into fresh clothes, i found sarah downstairs, already ready to head out to tannyhill. she gave me a small, concerned smile when she saw me.

“you good?” she asked softly, her gaze flickering over me, as if making sure i wasn’t hiding some injury i'd missed like jj did earlier.

for a split second, i froze. the way she said it, the quiet concern in her voice reminded me of rafe. the way he’d looked at me when i woke up on his boat, the way he told me i’d scared him.

“yeah, just... it’s a lot, you know? everything.”

she didn’t press, just gave me a quick nod. “i get it. but we’ve got the map to focus on. let’s just get it and move on to the next thing."

i agreed with her, feeling the familiar drive to focus on something tangible. anything to distract from the confusing swirl of thoughts about rafe.

sarah and i made our way outside to her car. she pulled out onto the road, the salty breeze rushing through the open windows. for a while, neither of us spoke. it was peaceful, in a way, but i could feel sarah stealing glances at me like she had something on her mind.

sarah drummed her fingers against the steering wheel before finally speaking. “you know you can talk to me, right?”

i turned to her, caught off guard. “what?”

“i mean… if you ever need to,” she clarified, keeping her eyes on the road. “i know we don’t know each other that well yet, but i’m not gonna judge you.”

i studied her for a moment, but before i could say anything, she exhaled sharply, like she’d been holding something in. “look, i know kiara doesn’t totally trust me again. and maybe you don’t either. maybe you think i’m just using john b, or that i’m gonna wake up one day and change my mind about all of this and about him.”

i blinked at her, surprised by the sudden rush of words. she said it so fast, her voice was so shaky, and it almost sounded like she was out of breath.

before she could keep going, i shook my head. “sarah, i know.”

sarah glanced at me, brows drawn together.

“i trust you,” i said simply. “you don’t have to defend yourself to me.”

sarah let out a breath like she hadn’t expected that answer. then, slowly, a small, grateful smile crept onto her face.

“okay,” she said softly.

as sarah pulled her car into the driveway of tannyhill, i felt my stomach twist, not with nerves but with something close to it. the place was massive but not in the new money, gaudy way a lot of the kook's houses were. tannyhill had history.

its white facade pristine despite its obvious age. tall columns stretched up toward the second-floor balcony, holding up the wraparound porch that looked like something straight out of an old southern estate brochure.

black shutters contrasted against the white paint, and the massive double doors at the entrance only added to its imposing presence. it was almost like it was designed to make people feel small.

and it did.

it was unsettling. not just because of its size or grandeur, but because of what it represented. tannyhill wasn’t just some picturesque plantation-style home; it was a place that had once belonged to denmark tanny, a freedman who built his legacy from the ground up, only for it to end up in the hands of some random rich white man generations later.

that fact alone made my stomach turn. the erasure of that history, the quiet rewriting of it, made me angry in a way i couldn’t quite put into words. like it was just another reminder of how easily power and wealth could rewrite the past to suit itself.

the grand entryway opened up into a massive foyer, with a staircase curling toward the second floor, its dark wooden banister gleaming under the soft glow of an elaborate chandelier. the furniture was pristine, the paintings perfectly placed, and even the antique rug beneath my feet looked like it had never seen a single misstep.

sarah shut the door behind us and turned to me. “okay, we need to start looking. i have no idea when my dad is coming back, so we have to be fast.”

i nodded, scanning the massive house around us. “where do we even start?”

“the office,” she said immediately, then hesitated. “well, actually, i don’t know. it could be in there, or in his room, or shit, maybe even the study?”

“great,” i muttered, running a hand through my hair.

sarah huffed, already moving. “just start looking. i’ll check my dad’s room. you take the office.”

when i reached the office, i pushed the door open carefully, half-expecting some kind of security system to go off. but nothing happened. the room was dark, only faint light streaming in through the tall windows, casting long shadows over the heavy wooden desk that dominated the space. the bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with old, expensive-looking books, their spines lined up in perfect rows. a globe sat in the corner, next to a decanter of dark liquor, and the entire place smelled faintly of leather and aged paper.

i walked over to one of the massive wooden drawers that sat beneath the desk, the polished surface gleaming in the low light. the drawer wasn’t locked. surprisingly. but it felt like something that should’ve been. it creaked as i pulled it open, revealing a collection of large, rolled-up tubes, each one secured with a worn leather strap. they looked important, old, and delicate.

i pulled out one of the tubes, the worn leather straps making a soft sound as i unfastened them. inside, a large, carefully folded map unfurled itself. the first thing i noticed was the elegant script across the top: “tannyhill plantation – original survey & boundaries – denmark tanny estate.”

the map was meticulously detailed, property boundaries clearly marked, and parcels divided into sections with numbers assigned. each field, building, and natural feature had been laid out.

“well, this is unexpected,”

i turned sharply to find rafe standing in the doorway, his arms crossed. his expression was somewhere between amused and confused. i felt my heartbeat kick up a notch.

"rafe," i said, my voice as flat as i could make it. "what are you doing here?"

he arched a brow. "pretty sure i live here. what’s your excuse?"

"i’m here with sarah," i said quickly, trying to sound casual, even though it felt like i was offering up some lame excuse. "we’re looking for something."

rafe took a step closer, his eyes narrowing in on me. "i didn’t even know you two were close like that." his tone was curious.

i shrugged, trying to play it off. "yeah, well, we are," i said, offering a half-smile. "but we’ve got stuff to figure out." my eyes flicked to the map in front of me, then back to him.

rafe didn’t answer right away, just studying me, trying to read between the lines. before he could respond, i heard sarah’s voice from behind rafe.

"rafe, i didn’t know you’d be here," she said, sounding a little surprised.

"you want to tell me what's going on? why is she breaking into dad's office?" he asked, his eyes glanced at sarah then landed back on me.

i snapped my head up, suddenly defensive. "i’m not breaking in," i shot back.

"right. you just happened to wander into the one room in my house where my dad keeps everything locked up."

before i could get a word in, sarah cut in sharply, clearly irritated. “she doesn’t have to explain anything to you.”

rafe studied me for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. then, with a slight smirk, he spoke up again, his voice laced with that same teasing edge.

"feeling better?” rafe’s voice cut through the silence.

i froze, caught off guard by the question. his eyes flicked up and down, studying my reaction with an almost amused look.

“i’m fine,” i said quickly, trying to mask the sudden tension in my chest. “why?”

“i didn’t think you’d be up and about so soon after last night,” rafe said.

my heart skipped a beat. “excuse me?”

rafe shrugged, an easy smirk playing on his lips. “i mean, i don’t remember offering you a room, but-”

a wave of heat flooded my face, and i tried to keep my expression neutral. why is he doing this? i thought, my mind scrambling for something to say.

sarah’s head snapped between us, eyes wide. “what’s he talking about?

“it’s not like that,” i said, my voice a little defensive.

“oh, you didn’t tell them?” he mused, tilting his head. “interesting.”

i shot him a glare, already knowing where this was going.

sarah’s frown deepened. “tell me what?”

i exhaled sharply. “i passed out on the beach at the party, alright? rafe just helped me out.”

sarah’s face immediately shifted from suspicion to concern. “wait, you passed out?” her voice was sharp, turning to face me fully. “grace, are you okay? what happened?”

“i’m fine,” i said, waving her off, even as i could feel rafe’s eyes still on me, like he was enjoying watching me squirm. “it was just the heat, or maybe my head from earlier, whatever. it’s not a big deal.”

“not a big deal?” sarah repeated, crossing her arms like she wasn’t buying it.

“see, that’s what i said,” rafe interjected.

"rafe, shut the fuck up" i groaned.

sarah let out a dramatic sigh and rubbed her temples. “okay, both of you, shut the fuck up.” she turned to me. “grace, let’s just go before this gets any more- i don't know, fucking weird?”

for once, i agreed. but as we headed for the front door, the sound of another door clicking shut echoed through the house.

sarah stiffened beside me. in one smooth motion, she reached to her bedroom door, quickly opening it and tossing the rolled-up map inside.

a man stepped inside, setting his keys on the table like he’d done it a thousand times.

ward cameron.

sarah’s whole demeanor shifted the second she saw him. her face lit up just slightly.

“hey, dad,” she said, making her way down the staircase.

“hey, sweetheart,” ward greeted her, pressing a brief hand to her shoulder as he looked between the two of us. “didn’t expect to come home to company.” his voice was light, casual.

ward’s attention turned to me then, his expression unreadable until something flickered in his eyes. recognition.

“grace, right?” he said, tilting his head. “i knew your mother, you look so much like her.”

his voice was smooth and perfectly polite. but something about the way he said it, the way his gaze lingered just a second too long, sent a shiver down my spine.

i straightened up, clearing my throat. “yeah. nice to meet you.”

sarah nudged my arm lightly. “actually, we were just about to head out,” she said casually.

ward nodded slowly like he was letting us off the hook. “alright, then. don’t get into too much trouble.”

his was teasing, but something in it made me want to get out of that house as fast as possible.

now we just had to go back to john b’s and explain why we showed up empty-handed. that was going to be fun.

png credit: @suskindkore

hi, im back! i had writer's block for a bit but i'm excited to get back to writing this story :)

i hope everyone is doing okay. 2025 has not had a great start at all.

and for my football people... GO BIRDSSSS 🦅

thank you for reading <3

[starkeymuse]

hi! i’m currently writing this part 4 of my rafe series. sorry it’s been so long!! see you soon🫂🩷

[starkeymuse]

masterlist

obx

rafe cameron

decode:

part one

part two

part three

part four

[starkeymuse]

decode | rafe cameron | part three

summary: grace knew the outer banks were full of dangerous currents, but she never expected rafe cameron to be one of them.

warnings: violence, slight mentions of abuse, mentions of blood.

note: the friendly neighborhood kook is here :)

masterlist

✧ listen to: seventeen going under by sam fender + affection by between friends ✧

grace's pov

the summer heat still clung to the air even as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the outdoor movie screen. the weekly movie night was a staple in obx during the summer, drawing crowds from all over the island. the grass was packed with kids sprawled on blankets, cheap folding chairs, and the occasional truck bed. laughter and the hum of idle conversation filled the air, blending with the speakers that announced the movie was about to start.

we decided to come tonight because sarah and john b were having dinner at sarah's house with her dad, ward. hopefully, they’d be able to get the maps without anyone noticing. this was also known as, the first step to getting the gold. kie and sarah hadn’t exactly mended their rift, but they agreed to be civil for now.

i stood in line at the concession stand, tapping my foot against the uneven gravel. kie had asked for a bag of popcorn, and jj and pope wanted sodas. i was debating whether or not to grab myself an ice cream when i felt someone step up behind me. my skin prickled. i didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“hey grace, what’s up?” rafe’s voice carried over, laced with a grin i could practically hear. pulling at my focus while setting me on edge. it wasn’t fair, the way it could make me feel, like the ground wasn’t steady beneath me.

“ugh- you again?” i asked, crossing my arms and turning to face him. heat was rushing to my face. i hated how he could do that.

“topper and kelce know what pope and jj did,” he said, his tone quiet but heavy.

my frown deepened. “what are you talking about?”

rafe’s jaw tightened, his gaze flickering over the crowd before locking back on me. “the boat,” he said. “they know.”

his words hit like a splash of cold water, leaving me blinking as i tried to process. the boat? what boat? a knot of dread began forming in my stomach, and for a split second, i thought about pushing him for more details.

"i seriously don't know what you're talking about” i admitted, my voice quieter now. i searched his face for answers, but he didn’t give me any. instead, he just shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line, and walked away. his broad shoulders, tensed and rigid, disappeared into the crowd. it was infuriating, the way he could drop something like that and disappear.

my hands felt clammy as i grabbed the drinks and popcorn, the flimsy cups trembling in my grip. i hurried back to our blanket, nearly spilling jj’s coke on a toddler who darted in front of me. when i finally dropped onto the grass beside kie, she gave me a weird look.

what the fuck did you do?” i demanded, my voice harsher than i intended. i turned to jj and pope, who both froze mid-sip of their drinks.

“uh, what?” jj asked, feigning innocence as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“rafe just told me that topper and kelce know what you did,” i said, narrowing my eyes. “the boat? what the hell did you do?”

pope winced, and jj let out a nervous laugh.

“okay, so maybe we… kinda sunk topper's boat,” jj admitted, shrugging as if it were no big deal.

“you what?” kie hissed, her head snapping toward him.

“it was pope’s idea,” jj said, throwing up his hands. “they’ve been terrorizing us for years. it was payback!”

“hey, don’t pin it all on me,” pope shot back, glaring at jj. “you were the one who said, and i quote, ‘let’s see if topper can swim!’”

kie groaned, burying her face in her hands. “you two are actual idiots.”

“idiots with a cause,” jj said, smirking as he reached for his soda. “you’re welcome.”

“yeah, thanks for painting a giant target on our backs,” i muttered, rubbing my temples. my pulse was already racing, and i had a sinking feeling this night was about to get a lot worse.

“oh, come on,” jj said, leaning back on his elbows. “what’s the worst that could happen? topper tries to fight us again?"

"yes that's exactly what could happen." i corrected him. i understood why they did it, but they got caught so easily, and what annoyed me the most was that they didn't tell us.

about fifteen minutes later, jj and pope stood up, muttering something about needing to "wring it out". they disappeared behind the massive movie screen, leaving kie and me to exchange annoyed glances. i couldn’t shake the tension building in my chest. something felt off.

voices. raised, sharp, and cutting through the noise of the movie and the chatter around us.

kie’s head snapped toward the screen. “do you hear that?"

i didn’t answer. i was already on my feet, my heart pounding as we ran toward the sound. we rounded the screen just in time to see kelce and jj going at each other, fists flying. topper was on the ground, choking pope, his hands wrapped around his throat.

get off him!” kie screamed, rushing toward them.

kie was already trying to pull kelce off jj, but he shoved her away. i threw myself at topper, clawing at his arms to get him off pope, with a snarl, he shoved me back so hard i hit the ground, pain exploding in my head as it smacked against the ground.

for a split second, my vision blurred, and i was back in a moment, my father’s rough hands pushing me to the ground, anger simmering behind his eyes. the memory hit me like a tidal wave, but it was gone as quickly as it came.

i barely had time to process what was happening when rafe appeared out of nowhere, grabbing topper by the collar and yanking him off pope. he didn’t hesitate, landing a punch square on topper’s jaw.

rafe’s voice cut through again, his words a furious growl, “what the fuck did I tell you, topper?” but even as he yelled, i could barely process it, my head spinning and my body aching from the fall. the anger in his voice seemed distant, too far away to grasp. all i could do was try to steady myself, feeling the world tilt and spin around me.

as i pushed myself up, my hands shaking. the chaos around me felt muted, distant, like i was underwater. my head throbbed, and when i reached up to touch my forehead, my fingers came away sticky with blood.

my body was on autopilot, moving without thought as I tried to make sense of what was happening. the fight was spiraling out of control. jj and kelce were still at it, and rafe was right there, caught in the madness. but all I could think about was stopping it, somehow.

then I saw it—kiara’s bag on the ground, tossed carelessly as the fight raged on. without thinking, i ran to it, my hands trembling as i fumbled to grab the lighter from inside. the small object felt strangely heavy in my palm, the idea hit me. my pulse was loud in my ears as i flicked the lighter to life, the flame shooting up in the dark.

with shaky hands, i held it close to the edge of the movie screen and watched as the flames crept along the fabric. they caught quickly, and within moments, the screen was alight, the orange glow lighting up the area around us.

“jesus!” someone yelled. “what the hell?!”

the fighting stopped immediately, everyone frozen in place, staring at the flames that had started to eat through the movie screen. the crackle of the fire filled the air, and the smell of burning fabric made me cough. my eyes darted between my friends, each of them looking stunned, some still catching their breath from the fight.

i felt a mix of panic and relief, my hands still shaking as I watched the fire burn. it was done. the fight was over. i glanced over my shoulder, I saw topper and kelce scrambling away.

“hey!” jj’s voice echoed “grace, let's go!”

i turned around just in time to see him, pope, and kie running toward her car. but i wasn't done, just yet. i was already moving toward rafe.

"what the fuck was that?” i said, my voice full of anger.

“i didn’t know they were gonna do that,” rafe shot back, his frustration matching mine. “i told you—topper knew about the boat, but i had no idea he was gonna come after you guys again.”

i stared at him, disbelief lacing my words. “that’s why you told me they knew? because they were going to come after us again?”

he looked away, running a hand through his hair, before locking eyes with me again. “i thought i could stop it. i thought it wouldn’t go this far.”

“well, you were wrong,” i snapped, trying to keep my voice steady. “seems like you’re always trying, it's like your favorite word lately.”

rafe’s face hardened for a moment, but his gaze shifted to my hand, smeared with blood. the anger drained from him in an instant, replaced by something softer. something like concern. “you’re bleeding.”

i quickly wiped at my face, trying to ignore it, but it was obvious.

“jesus,” rafe muttered under his breath, taking a small step closer. “you’re hurt. let me see.”

i tried to back away, but he followed, his eyes too focused, too intense. i couldn’t keep avoiding him—not now.

“grace,” rafe said softly, his voice lower, almost like he was afraid of scaring me. i didn’t give him a chance to say more before his hand was at the back of my head, gently tilting it as he examined the cut on my forehead.

his touch was so careful, so unexpectedly tender. it threw me off. i froze, not knowing what to do, what to feel. everything was already too much, and this wasn’t helping.

“that's pretty bad,” rafe murmured, his voice almost a whisper. i wanted to tell him i was fine, but the words felt like they were stuck in my throat.

“i’m fine,” i muttered quickly, stepping back, but my hands were shaking too much. damn it, i hated this. my heart raced, but for an entirely different reason now. i didn’t know what he was doing to me.

“don’t give me that bullshit,” rafe said, a little more firmly. “let me help.”

i shook my head, stepping back again, trying to get space between us. my breath was shallow, still feeling the rush of the fight. but his eyes never left mine. they were too intense, too much.

“i need to go,” i said, the words cracking in my throat.

without waiting for a response, i walked off, refusing to look back this time.

we stumbled into the château, the screen door slamming behind us. john b and sarah were sitting on the couch, laughing about something, but their faces froze when they looked up and saw us.

“what the hell happened?” john b shot to his feet, his eyes scanning the bruises and blood on all of us.

“topper and kelce happened,” kie said, dropping her bag onto the table with a thud.

“again?” sarah asked, her arms crossing tightly.

jj leaned against the wall, a cocky grin tugging at his busted lip. “Yeah, but this time, we really gave them something to cry about.”

“jj…” john b’s voice had that warning tone, and jj just shrugged.

“we sunk topper’s boat,” he said nonchalantly like he was reporting the weather.

“you what?” sarah’s voice shot up an octave, and john b looked like he might combust on the spot.

“you’re welcome!” jj said, throwing his arms out. “no need to thank us all at once.”

john b groaned, rubbing his temples. “are you kidding me? why the hell would you do that?”

“because they wouldn’t leave us alone!” pope cut in, his voice defensive. “we’ve tried everything else. this was the only way to get revenge.”

“oh, yeah, genius plan,” sarah shot back. “because obviously, sinking their boat totally de-escalated the situation.”

“obviously not,” jj said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “which is why they jumped us. you're catching on, sarah. gold star.”

“jj.” i muttered, shooting him a look.

“what?” he asked, feigning innocence. “i’m just saying, if anyone’s getting a ‘most dramatic reaction to a sunken boat’ award, it’s definitely topper. his family are millionaires, there will probably be a new one in the water by tomorrow.”

“not helping,” kie snapped.

john b threw his hands up. “you didn’t think maybe we should talk about it first?”

“talk about what?” jj retorted. “oh, hey, guys, let’s have a civilized chat about how topper’s been terrorizing us for weeks. maybe we’ll bake him a cake while we’re at it.”

“jesus christ, jj.” john b muttered, shaking his head.

“look,” pope cut in, trying to bring some sense to the conversation. “we didn’t expect this to happen, okay? and you know what else? i definitely didn’t expect rafe to show up and save my ass.”

“what?” sarah asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

“rafe,” pope repeated. “he pulled topper off me. took him down, too.”

john b’s jaw tightened. “rafe helped you?”

“for once, yeah,” kie said, crossing her arms. “if he hadn’t shown up, it would’ve been a lot worse.”

sarah looked skeptical. “and you’re sure he wasn’t in on it?”

“don’t care why he was there,” jj said, flopping onto the couch with a wince. “all i know is, he threw one hell of a punch. kinda satisfying, honestly.”

“he wasn’t in on it,” i cut in. everyone turned to look at me, the room going quiet for a moment. i folded my arms, ignoring the sting in my scraped-up elbows. “rafe. he didn’t know topper and kelce were going to jump us, he was trying to stop it. he told me that.”

kie raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “and you believe him?”

i hesitated, my gaze dropping to the floor for a second. “yeah, i do,” i said finally, meeting her eyes again. “he didn’t have to show up at all, but he did. and he helped. whether we like it or not.”

“don’t give rafe all the credit,” jj said, a grin spreading across his face as he glanced at me. “grace, nice job lighting the screen on fire. honestly, one of my favorite things you've ever done.” he lifted his hand for a high five, wincing slightly as he shifted on the couch.

i stared at him for a moment before finally slapping his hand. “thanks, jj. glad my moment of sheer panic entertained you.”

“entertained? that was genius,” he said, leaning back with a smirk.

john b was still pacing, clearly trying to digest everything. "so let me get this straight—topper and kelce come after us because you guys sank their boat, rafe shows up out of nowhere to help, and then grace pulls off a fire stunt to distract them."

“yup,” jj said, his grin widening.

john b dropped his hands to his hips, shaking his head. "god, what a mess. next time, we’re talking things through before we do anything this reckless."

“next time,” sarah said, sounding a little exasperated, “maybe we keep the boat-sinking plans to a minimum, huh?”

“deal,” jj and pope replied in sync.

the room started to feel lighter as the tension faded, and i let out a breath i hadn’t realized i’d been holding. but my mind kept drifting back to rafe, how he had appeared out of nowhere, pulling topper off pope like it was nothing.

i thought i hated him, but in that moment, i couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to him than i realized. then there was that touch—his hand brushing my face, wiping the blood away. i hated how it made my heart race, but it also made me rethink everything. and now, with my friends seeing that rafe had helped us, i felt a small, unexpected relief. maybe there was more to him than the reckless, asshole guy i’d always thought he was. for the first time, i didn’t feel guilty for wondering if i’d been wrong about him. maybe he wasn’t such a bad person after all.

did you guys get the maps?” i asked, trying to shift my focus from rafe.

sarah let out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head. “no. my dad's office was locked, and i couldn’t find the key.” she glanced at john b, her tone a little apologetic. “we’ll have to go back in a day or two, when ward and rose leave for the day. but… i was thinking maybe someone other than john b should come with me this time.”

john b raised an eyebrow. “what, you don’t trust me?”

“i trust you,” sarah said quickly. “but it’s just... it might be better if it’s someone else this time. someone my dad doesn't know.”

she had a point. none of us wanted to take the risk of running into trouble again.

"i’m thinking grace should come with me,” sarah added, looking at me with a smile. “you’re not really tied to my family, so it’ll look less obvious if we get caught, and we could be in and out faster."

i nodded, realizing how solid her plan was. “i can do it,” i said, trying to sound confident even though i felt a little nervous. “we’ll be in and out.”

kie, who had been listening, spoke up. “just be careful, both of you. this whole thing is a lot more dangerous than it seems.”

“i know,” sarah replied.

i noticed it right away. there was no sarcasm in kie’s voice, no snappy remark. it wasn’t like they were suddenly best friends or anything, but for the first time in a while, there was an understanding between them. it was small, but it was there. and it made me smile.

i didn’t say anything about it, but i couldn’t ignore that moment.

work had been exhausting, my feet ached, and the smell of food clung to my clothes, a stark reminder of the hours i’d spent hustling around marcy's. the sky was already dark as i locked up and made my way to my bike, ready to head home and crash for the night.

just as i swung my leg over the seat, my phone buzzed in my pocket. i pulled it out and saw kie’s name pop up on the screen.

kie: party tonight! perkins beach.

i paused, rereading the text. after everything that had gone down yesterday with topper, rafe, and the rest of the mess, i wasn’t sure i had the energy for a party. but at the same time, maybe blowing off some steam wouldn’t be the worst idea.

me: when?

her reply came almost instantly.

kie: now. please come!!!

the ride home was quick, and after a quick shower to rinse off the day, i threw on a fresh set of clothes. the possibility of seeing rafe crossed my mind. maybe it shouldn’t have mattered, he was probably at every party on the island but after yesterday, the idea of seeing him made my chest flutter. i shook the thought away. it wasn’t like we were friends, and whatever happened yesterday didn’t mean anything. at least, that’s what i kept telling myself.

the night air was warm, but the breeze from the water kept it bearable. the beach was alive with music, laughter, and the sounds of waves crashing against the shore. it was a mixed crowd of kooks and pogues, but the division didn’t feel as stark. everyone was just here to have a good time, or at least that’s what i told myself as i downed another drink, trying to ignore the guy who wouldn’t stop talking to me.

i didn’t even know his name, but he was persistent. his words were just a blur of nonsense as he babbled on about some party in the city or something. his hands moved all over the place as he talked, and i couldn't help but zone out, my eyes scanning the crowd.

that’s when I saw him.

rafe stood at the edge of the group, leaning against a tree, half-heartedly nodding at whatever someone was saying to him. but the moment our eyes met, there was that smirk, half cocky, half amused, and i could feel heat flushing my cheeks. i quickly looked away, shaking my head at myself. the guy talking to me didn’t notice, still going on about whatever pointless story he was telling.

“yeah, i-” the guy said, but i wasn’t listening anymore. i was just thinking about that look from rafe.

i swigged the last of my drink, half expecting it to be a little stronger than it was, but it didn’t matter. the buzz was creeping in, and the warmth in my chest was making me forget about the guy talking my ear off.

“alright, i’m gonna go check on my friends,” i interrupted him, and without waiting for a response, i pushed through the crowd and made my way toward the water, hoping to find some space to breathe.

i was standing at the edge of the water, my toes sinking into the cool sand as the gentle waves lapped over them. the noise of the party felt far away now, distant laughter and music blending into the hum of the ocean. the alcohol buzzed lightly in my veins, making the stars above seem brighter, the air softer.

i heard footsteps approaching and i already knew who it was.

“oh, look,” i said, lifting my drink with a sarcastic flourish. “our friendly neighborhood kook is here."

rafe actually laughed at that, shaking his as he stopped a few feet away. ��friendly? that’s a stretch. but I’ll take it.”

i rolled my eyes, turning my gaze back to the water. “shouldn’t you be off brooding in a corner somewhere or watching your friends terrorize someone?”

“nah,” he said, stepping closer. “brooding’s overrated. and as for terrorizing, i thought i’d give you a break tonight.”

“how considerate,” i shot back, glancing at him. “truly, you’re a saint.”

“don’t push it,” he replied, grinning.

we stood there in silence for a moment, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore the only thing filling the air. i could feel his eyes on me, though, and it made my skin feel too warm.

he stopped beside me, his presence annoyingly magnetic. without a word, he tilted his head, studying me. his eyes lingered on the small bandage near my hairline, and before i could stop him, his hand reached up.

“rafe,” i warned, but he ignored me, his thumb gently tracing over the the bandage.

“i'm gonna kill topper. are you okay?” he said, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful.

i swatted his hand away, but the touch had already sent a shiver down my spine. “i’m not fragile, rafe. i’m fine.”

he let out a low chuckle, stepping back just slightly, but his eyes didn’t leave mine. “yeah? you have a hell of a way of showing it.”

i rolled my eyes. “and you have a hell of a way of just showing up wherever i go.”

“can't help it,” he shot back, the smirk returning.

“right,” i said sarcastically.

“you keep talking like that, grace, and people might think you don’t like me.”

“oh, i don’t,” i said, though my lips twitched with the faintest hint of a smile.

“you sure about that?” his tone was teasing, but the way his gaze held mine made my stomach flip.

“positive.”

the words barely left my mouth before the ground seemed to tilt under me. i swayed slightly, and rafe’s hand was on my arm in an instant.

“you’re not fine,” he said firmly, his voice laced with something between frustration and concern.

“i’m just tired,” i muttered, trying to wave him off.

“grace,” he said, his tone softening. “you’ve been drinking, and you’ve definitely got a concussion. that’s not tired. that’s stupid.”

i opened my mouth to argue, but before i could get a word out, the dizziness overtook me completely. the last thing i saw was rafe’s face shifting from exasperation to alarm before everything went dark.

the first thing i felt was the rocking, the gentle sway of water under me. my head throbbed painfully, each pulse sending a sharp wave of dizziness through my skull. i groaned, trying to blink the fog away, but everything around me was unfamiliar.

where the hell was i?

i shot up in a panic, my heart hammering in my chest. the sudden movement made my head spin, and i clutched the side of the cushion i was on, trying to steady myself. i couldn’t remember how i’d gotten here.

"easy," he said, his voice low and steady. "you’re okay."

rafe was sitting a few feet away, looking like he’d been there for a while. he stood up and came over to me, sitting at the end of the blanket must have placed over me when i was out cold.

"where am I?", i froze for a second, still trying to piece together what was happening.

"on my boat," rafe replied, his tone calm. "you passed out right in front of me. your phone was dead, and i didn’t think you’d want me to call an ambulance. so, here we are."

i took a shaky breath, the tension in my chest slowly loosening. there was something oddly reassuring about the fact that he hadn’t just left me alone or handed me off to someone else. he’d stayed. i barely knew him, but for some reason, his presence here, near me, made me feel safe.

"how long… how long have i been out?"

"a few hours," he answered, his eyes shifting to the water outside the boat, then back to me. "it’s almost sunrise."

rafe shifted in his seat, glancing over at me. "you good?"

i nodded, "yeah. just-" i hesitated for a moment, then looked at him again. "thanks for not just leaving me."

rafe’s expression softened, his gaze steady. "i wasn’t about to leave you passed out on the beach, grace."

i wasn’t sure what to say. instead, i just nodded.

"so," he continued, after a beat, "i think it’s safe to say you need to take it easy for a bit. how’re you feeling?"

"better," i replied, rubbing my forehead gently. "still kind of dizzy, but not as bad."

"good," he said, giving me a small smile. "just rest for now. i have no where to be."

i met his gaze, a quiet appreciation settling in. "i owe you one, huh?"

rafe smiled. "yeah, but i’ll collect later."

this one is very long, but i wanted to make up for not posting for like a week :) ugh i love some flirty banter,, i hope you liked part three. stay tuned for part four soon <3

[starkeymuse]

decode | rafe cameron | part two

summary: grace knew the outer banks were full of dangerous currents, but she never expected rafe cameron to be one of them.

warnings: mentions of violence.

this is a long one but i wanted to work on expanding my plot and the relationships more. enjoy!

masterlist

✧ listen to: midnight love by girl in red ✧

grace's pov

the sunlight filtered through the trees around john b’s house, soft and golden, making everything feel deceptively peaceful. we were gathered on the porch, sprawled across mismatched chairs and cushions, the smell of sea salt and faintly burnt toast lingering in the air. i was seated cross-legged on the couch, a crinkled letter from denmark tanny balanced on my lap. my fingers absently traced over the faded ink, the curls of the handwriting worn smooth from age.

john b paced in front of us, his usual air of determination bubbling beneath his casual demeanor. kiara, sitting on the edge of a chair, looked like she might burst any second. i could almost hear the words she was holding back, the frustration radiating from her in waves. the sound of jj laughing at something pope had said in the background only partially registered as my mind wandered to the conversation from the night before with rafe.

"so, we know where the gold is,” john b said, his voice cutting through the chatter. “it’s not at the bottom of the ocean. it’s been hidden on tannyhill plantation all this time."

"no way,” i breathed, my pulse quickening. the idea of the gold being so close, right under our noses, was a lot to swallow.

“okay, but how are we supposed to get to it?” pope asked, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"we’re going to need sarah’s help with this. the original maps are in her house somewhere." john b. said, breaking me out of my thoughts.

i glanced over at sarah, sitting quietly across from me. i didn’t know what to make of her, not after everything kie has said about her. she was a kook, but something about her made me hesitate to lump her in with the rest of them.

kiara was the first to speak up, "wait a second. are you seriously suggesting we let her in on this?"

“yeah, i am,” john b said, meeting kiara’s glare head-on.

“you know,” kiara began, standing up so abruptly that her chair scraped against the floor, “i don’t remember taking a vote. this is our thing, a pogue thing. and now you’re just letting her in?”

john b sighed, running a hand through his hair. “kie, this isn’t just about being a pogue. it’s about finding the gold. sarah can help us."

“we were all fine until you brought her here!” kiara's voice grew louder, her anger boiling over. she took a step closer to him, eyes flashing.

my eyes flicked to sarah. she didn’t flinch, though her fingers tightened around the edge of her seat. the words were harsh, sure, but they weren’t entirely wrong. even if I didn’t agree with kiara’s anger, i was still trying to understand it.

"can you not talk about me like i’m not here?” sarah said, a tinge of annoyance creeping into her tone.

kiara’s lips pressed into a tight line, her eyes narrowing. “then leave,” she snapped, and i could see the walls going up again, just like that. the hurt was clear on kiara’s face, and i knew this wasn’t just about sarah. it was about feeling betrayed by john b, too.

john b stepped in, trying to de-escalate. “sarah’s my girlfriend now, okay? so maybe get used to it.”

"so, what? that makes it all okay?" kiara’s eyes practically shot fire as she turned on him. "did you know your brother, topper , and kelce jumped pope?" kiara shot at sarah, her voice loud and seething with anger. "those are your people, sarah. so don’t sit here and act like we’re all supposed to pretend you’re just one of us.."

sarah looked at john b, her eyes softening for a moment before she responded, “i told you."

kiara’s lips curled into a sneer. “told him what? that you’re a liar?”

sarah’s eyes flickered with annoyance. “no,” she shot back, her tone suddenly biting, “that you’re a shit talking bitch.”

jj and pope gasp and start pulling money out of their pockets as kiara and sarah continued their back-and-forth, the two lounged side by side on the couch, their eyes flicking between the two girls with a mix of amusement and curiosity. they leaned in closer, speaking in hushed tones as they exchanged sly grins.

jj nudged pope’s shoulder with his elbow, his voice barely above a whisper. "who you got? kie or sarah?"

pope smirked, leaning back slightly. "kiara’s got the aggresion right now, but sarah’s got that whole ‘rich girl calm’ thing going on. bet kiara’s the one who throws the first punch."

jj glanced over at me, raising an eyebrow as he nudged me with his elbow. "come on, grace, bet with us. five bucks kie breaks something."

i rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress a small grin. "you guys are ridiculous."

pope gave a playful wink. "10 bucks kie punches her first."

i smirked, my arms crossed over my chest as i shook her head. "i’m not betting on this."

but then, i caught a glimpse of john b’s face, and everything else faded away for a moment. his expression was a mix of panic and helplessness, like he didn’t know how to fix this, like he was already bracing himself for it to all fall apart. his eyes flickered between kiara and sarah. he didn’t know what to do. he needed help. i could’ve stayed quiet, and let them hash it out themselves, but something about the way john b looked at me made me realize i couldn’t just sit here and watch it explode.

“alright, enough,” i said, cutting through the bickering with a sharpness i didn’t even know i had. i wasn’t yelling, but there was enough authority in my voice to stop both girls in their tracks.

“look, i get it. you guys don’t like each other. but this isn’t going to solve anything,” i said, trying to keep my voice even. “fighting about this isn’t going to get us closer to the gold.”

i took a deep breath and stepped a little closer to kiara, my voice softening. “i get why you’re mad. but this isn’t the time for this. we’re supposed to be a team. we can’t let this mess things up.”

for a moment, kiara looked like she was about to snap back, but then she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “fine. whatever.”

without another word, she stormed off, the screen door slamming behind her with a force that rattled the whole porch.

jj let out a low whistle. “there she goes."

i didn’t know if i should go after her or let her cool down. but i wasn’t the one who was mad at sarah. i just couldn’t help but feel bad for kiara, watching her walk off in frustration like that, feeling not heard and betrayed.

“look, i had no idea pope was jumped,” sarah said, her words coming out slower, like she was thinking carefully about each one. “i’m really sorry.”

sarah’s apology hung in the air for a moment before pope spoke up, his voice softer than usual. “it’s okay, sarah. it’s not your fault.”

i couldn’t help but feel a little relieved at his words. it was a step toward peace, even if it was a small one. maybe things didn’t have to be as tense as they seemed.

but then, as if to shake off the last remnants of that uneasy feeling, i shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my thoughts drifting to last night. my encounter with topper and rafe. i hadn’t wanted to bring it up, but now it felt like it was sitting there, waiting to be acknowledged.

i let out a small sigh, meeting sarah's eyes briefly before speaking. i ran into topper and rafe last night," i muttered. 'topper grabbed me, but... rafe actually stepped in and stopped him."

sarah gave a small, tight-lipped smile, almost like she wanted to say something but held herself back. instead, she just nodded, and the group seemed to collectively exhale, ready to move on.

"well,” john b began, clearing his throat, “back to business. we need to get those maps."

marcy’s was a fixture on the island. named after paul’s late wife, it had been around for decades, a favorite for locals who wanted fresh seafood and tourists hoping to stumble upon a hidden gem. paul had poured everything he had into keeping it alive after marcy passed, and i’d been lucky enough to work there since i was barely fourteen.

paul had a way of handing out life advice when you least expected it. “grace,” he’d say, his voice gruff but kind, “sometimes you’ve got to let things simmer. rushing ruins the flavor.” he’d usually be talking about a chowder or sauce, but i’d long since learned he meant more than just food.

tonight, though, paul was gone, having handed me the keys hours earlier with his usual, “don’t forget to lock up, kid. and take home some damn leftovers.” before disappearing into the night. the restaurant felt different when it was empty, quieter, but not silent. it was like the walls still held onto the day’s laughter and chatter, leaving behind a hum of energy even after everyone was gone.

i was finishing up the last of my closing tasks, wiping down the counter, when the bell above the door chimed. my stomach flipped at the sound, i wasn’t expecting anyone this late.

“we’re closed,” i called out, setting the rag down and turning to the door. he looked out of place against the worn booths and framed photos of sunsets, his clean-cut appearance contrasting with the casual charm of marcy’s.

"i know," rafe replied.

he stood with his hands in his pockets, the faint light catching on the edges of his sharp jawline. his t-shirt clung just right against his frame. his pants were perfectly worn, and for a brief, traitorous second, i thought he looked unfairly good.

i stared at him, heart pounding in a mix of surprise and irritation. “what are you doing here, rafe?”

he hesitated, like he wasn’t even sure himself. “you work here?”

i raised an eyebrow, the sarcasm slipping out before i could stop it. “no, i just wear the apron for kicks.”

“yeah, obviously i work here,” i added, shaking my head in disbelief.

he rolled his eyes at my response, but a smirk was tugging at the corner of his lips.

"we're closed. take the hint." i said, gesturing to the empty restaurant.

"grace, wait-“ he said, moving further into the room.

“no, seriously.” i dropped the rag on the counter, irritation flooding through me. “you think you can just show up here after midsummers and—what? make small talk? you’re unbelievable.”

i noticed for the first time how much the weight of his usual arrogance had disappeared. it wasn’t a look i was used to seeing on him. silence stretched between us, only the low hum of the restaurant lights breaking the stillness. he took a small step closer, but i didn’t back away. he could’ve walked out right then and left me alone, but he didn’t. instead, his eyes met mine and held them, looking like he was searching for something, anything that would make me understand.

“i wanted to apologize,” he said finally, the words hanging heavy in the air.

i blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness of it. “what?”

he let out a short breath, like he was bracing himself. “i’m serious,” he said, his voice lower now. “about pope. About what i did or didn’t do. i… i should’ve stopped it.”

my chest tightened, and for a second, i felt like i couldn’t breathe. part of me wanted to laugh, to brush it off like i always did, but there was something in his face that made it hard to ignore. i felt guilty for noticing it, for even listening to him right now. as if by giving in, even a little, i was betraying my best friends.

"you can’t undo what happened, rafe,” i said, my voice tight.

“i know,” he muttered, looking away like my words had physically hit him. "you think i don't know that? i've been trying to pretend like it’s nothing, but…" he trailed off, shaking his head. "i hate myself for it."

i swallowed hard, the weight of his confession sitting in my chest. hearing him say it didn’t fix anything. but something in me shifted—cracked, maybe. i wasn’t used to seeing rafe like this—unguarded, honest. my gut twisted, caught between the anger i wanted to hold onto and something i still couldn’t name.

"why are you telling me this?" i asked, softer now, the words slipping out before i could stop them.

he looked back at me, his blue eyes searching mine, like he was hoping i could see past the mess of him. "because i think you're the only person who might actually believe me."

i didn’t know how to respond to that. rafe had always been this untouchable figure in my life, reckless, entitled, the kind of guy you hated without thinking twice. but right then, in the dim light of the empty restaurant, he seemed… different. i felt something stir in me that i didn’t want to acknowledge. it made my chest tighten.

i took a deep breath, trying to push that feeling down. "you can’t expect me to just forgive you," i said, the words more cold than i wanted them to be. i didn’t want to be nice. i didn’t want to let him in, even just for a moment. not when everything in me screamed that it would be a betrayal to my friends, to pope, especially.

“i don’t,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “i don’t expect anything, grace. i just… i needed you to know I’m sorry.”

i watched him for a long moment, the weight of his words pressing down on me. i sighed, brushing a hand through my hair. i didn’t know what to do with the part of me that wanted to believe him.

"go home, rafe," i said finally, my voice soft, but still firm. my hands trembled slightly as i crossed my arms, the walls coming back up, again.

he looked at me for a beat longer, like he was hoping for something, anything from me. but when i didn’t say anything else, he nodded.

“goodnight, grace,” he murmured.

i didn’t respond. i just watched him turn, heading back toward the door, his footsteps echoing in the empty restaurant.

but then, before he fully stepped out, he paused. something shifted in his posture as he turned back toward me, eyes locking with mine again. there was an unreadable expression on his face, like he hadn’t quite said everything he needed to.

"oh, and topper’s a fucking idiot. everything he said? it's not true." he hesitated for a moment, then glanced back at me, his expression softening. "far from it."

with that, he turned, the door swinging shut behind him, his footsteps fading into the night.

i shook my head, muttering to myself, trying to push the thoughts away. "this is ridiculous," i whispered. but deep down, i knew it wasn’t just going to go away. not yet, at least.

turning back to the counter, i grabbed the rag i’d left behind and started wiping it down absently. the quiet of the night pressed in on me, but all i could hear now was the soft echo of his voice: "far from it."

denial is a river in egypt @ grace ;)

i hope you enjoyed this part! i enjoyed writing it. i love awkward rafe

please like and comment if u want, no pressure. <3333 mwah. stay tuned for part 3 soon.

[starkeymuse]

decode | rafe cameron | part one

summary: grace knew the outer banks were full of dangerous currents, but she never expected rafe cameron to be one of them.

warnings: mentions of violence.

masterlist

✧ listen to: menswear by the 1975 ✧

grace's pov

the midsummer's party was in full swing on figure eight, a chaotic blend of laughter, clinking glasses, and the faint hum of live music drifting from the veranda. the heat of the night clung to my skin, and the sticky air made it almost impossible to breathe. it was the kind of party where you could almost feel the weight of every whisper, every side glance, and the eyes that followed your every move. kiara had convinced me to come along, promising it wouldn’t be so bad. she lent me a dress and heels and told her mom that she would go only if i was her plus one. i slipped away from kiara, the cool, chilled air of the hallway hit me like a welcome relief as i stepped inside the country club.

the white walls gleamed under the soft lighting, adorned with gilded frames displaying paintings of serene ocean scapes and old sailboats. i wandered, my fingers brushing against the cool surface of a polished table and my eyes scanning the room in wonder, momentarily lost in the luxury of the building.

"you lost?", the voice was low, but it cut through the silence. I swallowed, the familiar irritation flickering inside me.

rafe cameron.

i turned around to see rafe standing a few feet away, his posture was relaxed but there was an edge to his presence. he was wearing a dark grey suit coat over a crisp white shirt, the fabric stretched slightly across his broad shoulders. he looked every bit the part of someone who belonged in a place like this, effortlessly polished—yet there was something in the way he looked at me, like he was studying me, weighing something in his mind.

"i was just looking for the bathrooms," i said, my tone sharper than i meant it to be. i couldn't help it, it was rafe, after all. "but i guess i can add getting harassed by another kook to my night."

"relax," rafe said, taking a slow step forward. "it's just me."

"exactly." I folded my arms.

rafe sighed, shoving a hand into his pocket. "are you gonna keep pretending i'm some monster?"

"aren't you?" i shot back, narrowing my eyes. "or are you going to tell me you had nothing to do with what happened to pope?"

the mention of pope's name made something flicker in rafe's expression. guilt? i couldn't be sure. he broke eye contact, looking down the hall.

"i didn't touch him" rafe muttered, his voice quieter now.

"but you didn't stop it either,' i countered, stepping closer. "topper and kelce went after him with golf clubs, rafe. golf clubs. and you just... stood there."

his jaw tightened, and for a moment, i thought he might snap at me. instead, he ran a hand over his head, letting out a scoff. "you think i had a choice? you think they’d listen to me? topper and kelce don’t exactly back down once they’re riled up."

"you didn't even try," i said, my voice softer but no less accusing as the image of pope stumbling toward us after they had jumped him flashed through my mind. rafe finally met my gaze, his blue eyes heavy with something i didn’t expect: shame.

"it won't happen again." he said.

i didn’t know how to respond. my anger was still there, burning hot, but underneath it, something else twisted in my chest.

"that’s not good enough, rafe,” i said finally, my voice steady. “not for me. not for pope.”

he nodded, just once, like he’d been expecting that. “i didn’t think it would be.”

rafe fell silent, his gaze flicking over my shoulder. i frowned, confused by the sudden change, until the sound of approaching footsteps and a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"there you are!" topper announced, stepping into the hallway. his tie was askew, and his drink sloshed precariously in his hand as he pointed at rafe. "i’ve been looking for you everywhere, man."

he stopped short when he noticed me, his eyes dragging over me in a way that made my stomach twist. “oh, look who we have here. slumming it, are we?”

"topper." rafe said, his tone sharp with warning.

i rolled my eyes, refusing to take the bait. "so fucking unbearable."

but topper wasn't deterred. he stepped closer, his grin widening. "hey, i'm just saying, rafe, you've got an interesting taste in company tonight."

i tried to side step him, but topper's hand shot out, grabbing my arm to stop me. "what's the rush? we were starting to have fun."

my body stiffened, the heat of anger flaring up in my chest as i yanked my arm back. "let go of me, topper."

before i could say another word, rafe was between us. he shoved topper backward with such force, his back slammed into the wall behind him.

"don't touch her," rafe said, his voice low and dangerous.

topper blinked in surprise, then let out a disbelieving laugh. “whoa, man. what’s your problem?”

“you’re my problem,” rafe snapped, his eyes narrowing. “back off, topper.”

topper raised his hands in mock surrender, though his grin didn’t falter. “alright, alright. didn’t realize you were playing knight in shining armor tonight.”

i turned on my heel ready to leave both of them behind. the soft click of my heels echoed in the hallway. but i wasn't far enough when topper's voice laced with cruel amusement, cut through the air.

“nice dress, grace,” he sneered. “too bad it can’t hide that you’re a still low-life pogue with nothing going for her. you look like a pig in lipstick."

the words landed like a slap, the insult more biting than i expected. my hands balled into fists at my side. i kept walking, ignoring the sick satisfaction i could hear in topper’s laugh. behind me, i could hear the scuffle continue before i saw it.

"what the fuck is wrong with you?” rafe’s voice was cold. his blue eyes burned as they pinned topper in place. my stomach flipped as i saw rafe slam topper into the wall, his fist tangled in the collar of topper's pastel-colored suit.

"dude, i was joking!” topper sputtered, his hands clawing at rafe’s grip.

"don’t,” rafe growled. His face was inches from topper’s, his expression dark and furious. “don’t touch her again. don’t talk to her like that. ever."

rafe’s hand lingered for a moment longer before he shoved topper back. the kook stumbled, nearly falling before catching himself. his face was red now, a mix of anger and embarrassment.

rafe looked down the hallway to see if i was still standing there, but i was already back outside, searching for my friends. he stood there for a moment, watching the empty hallway, a quiet anger simmering in him.

he had hoped that i would still be there, maybe looking at him with something other than the usual coldness.

my eyes scanned the party for any sign of my friends. the sooner we could leave, the better. i spotted kie, her arms crossed, looking like she was waiting for me. when she saw me, her expression shifted from curiosity to concern.

grace?” kie called, pushing off the side of the table she was leaning on and walking toward me. “everything okay?”

"yeah, can we leave? like now?" i asked, not really as a question, more of a demand.

kie didn’t question it. without missing a beat, she nodded and turned, starting to lead the way toward the edge of the yard.

"grace! kie!” i could hear the familiar voices of pope, jj, and john b calling out from the edge of the party.

The sound of kiara's parents’ protests faded behind us. we started running down the path, laughing as we dodged the occasional bush or branch, the freedom of it all exhilarating.

“don’t mind them,” kiara muttered, rolling her eyes. “they’re just being dramatic.”

our laughter rang through the night as we neared the boys, the cool air tugging at our clothes. That’s when I spotted sarah cameron standing a few feet away, framed by the soft glow of the party lights. She looked effortlessly perfect in her white dress and the flower crown perched atop her head. our eyes met for a split second, and i caught a fleeting look in her gaze, a mix of longing and curiosity. it was as if, for just a moment, she was tempted to leave her perfect little world behind and join in. but before i could really think about it, kiara was already pulling me forward, and we were swept up in our own world again.

the night carried on back at the château, laughter, music, and voices blending together like a dream I couldn’t quite hold onto. we were caught up in it, all of us—until my mind drifted back to rafe.

there was something in the way he looked at me, something that made my heart race and my skin prick with awareness. for a moment, i couldn’t tell if he was still the guy who stood back and let his friends do the dirty work or if there was more to him than i’d ever realized.

but for now, i kept laughing with my friends, keeping that thought pushed down, pretending the night was just about fun and forgetting that, somehow, it had already become something else.

and maybe I was running from that too.

hi there! :) this is the first part of my series, decode. i’ve never published anything on tumblr before, so please excuse any mistakes. just a heads-up: while I'm loosely following the plot of outer banks, i’m making some changes and tweaking rafe’s character and actions along the way. i’d love to hear your thoughts!

p.s if you were wondering, yes the title is inspired by decode by paramore from the twilight soundtrack! hehe.

thank you so much for reading if you've made it this far! <3