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rafes-juno · 5 months ago

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My Brother's Best Friends; Slim Pickins

Pairing: Brother's Best Friend! Rafe x Brat! Female Oc

Summary: What happens when Rafe returns from college and turns Isla's life upside down? Will Isla be able to handle her brother's best friends? Are Rafe and Isla overcoming their rivalry this summer, or are their feelings brewing ready to explode? Secrets will come out testing Isla and her brother's relationship.

Contains: Enemies to Lovers, Brother's Best Friend, Harsh Language, Sexual Content, Drinking, Harassment, Mentions Of Blood. (18+ ,minors do not interact!)

WC: 3.905

Previous Chapter: 1

“So… you never kissed?” Rosie asks as she sips her drink, her eyes drifting between me and our best friend, Sunny.

I shake my head, just as disappointed as them. “No. Rafe came in and ruined it all, too. He talked about how I needed to stay away from Alex and said he was just looking out for me. " My eyes roll as I sip on my straw, watching the girls share a knowing glance.

Rosie and Sunny have been my best friends since elementary school. I don’t think there’s been a full day in my life where I haven’t seen at least one of them. We’re inseparable.

“Maybe we need to ask the cards?” Rosie suggests as Sunny digs through her bag to find her tarot deck.

When she drops the deck onto the table, I slump back. “Guys, I don’t want to do it if the cards are going to tell me something I don’t want to know.”

Truthfully, I think I’ve started to develop a crush on Alex. He’s been here a day, and I already can’t stop thinking about him like I’m a teenager again. Rafe’s words keep swirling around in my head, though. I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes and ruin any friendships– but at the same time, Theo and Alex don’t seem that close.

“Maybe they’ll confirm that he wants you–”

I laugh, reaching for my drink. “I don’t need the cards to confirm that.”

Sunny starts to shuffle the deck, and I sit up straight, watching how quickly her hands move. Cards fly out of the deck and land on the table; some even land on the ground, but Rosie quickly picks them up and hands them back to the witch. Sunny hums and turns over the cards, her eyes full of mischief.

I notice the time on my phone and sigh, “I only have five minutes before Rafe is coming to pick me up–”

“Oh, Rafe, again?” Rosie teases, her eyebrows raised.

“Yes, Rafe again,” I mumble. “We’re shopping to pick up some stuff for Theo’s birthday party tonight. Only me and him seem to give a shit. I don’t see you two offering–”

Sunny cuts me off, “Okay, so you have the fool card first. New beginnings– a new chapter in your life.”

I smirk, “Does the new chapter begin with an ‘A’ and end in ‘lex’?”

Sunny ignores my words and stares back down at the cards. “Death card. Is Alex a Scorpio?”

I shrug, “No. I don’t think so. I don’t know. I don’t think I know any Scorpio’s either.”

Sunny hums as she taps her long nails against the card. “Okay, so, a transformation of some kind. It could be during Scorpio season… or maybe he is a Scorpio.”

I open my mouth to reply, but she cuts me off and moves on to the next card. “The lovers. Self-explanatory.”

When we were fourteen, we entered a new store on the island. They sold all kinds of things, one of them being tarot cards. Sunny bought them and taught herself how to read them. Ever since we’ve relied on the cards for advice and guidance. Only recently has she started reading astrology, too. I rely on her to tell me when to invest in something new is a bad time. I swear, it feels like there's always something in retrograde or whatever.

“These are good cards,” Rosie comments. “Sounds like things could happen between you and Alex.”

Sunny pulls back her bottom lip, her head tilted. “Well– yeah. Maybe. I have a feeling it isn’t Alex, though.”

I laugh, lifting my drink to my mouth. “Well, who else could it be?”

Sunny shrugs. “I don’t know. We’ll see, I guess.”

She taps her finger against the next card. “Two of cups. Partnerships, relationships. Someone is coming in. I don’t know who, though. We need to find out Alex’s star sign.”

“I’ll ask at the party,” I say, sliding my chair out from the table and grabbing my phone. My screen lights up, and I see Rafe's missed texts telling me to hurry up and that I’m late. When I glance over my shoulder, I can see his car in the parking lot and his pissed-off face glaring through the open window.

We all watch as he opens his car door and climbs out. He rounds the car and crosses his arms, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Wow, has he been working out?” Rosie asks, her straw hanging loose in her mouth as she leans back in her seat.

I shrug, taking my time to grab all of my stuff as I keep my eyes on his. “I think so.”

It’s evident that he has been because of his black shirt. The material is clinging to his arms, chest, and toned stomach, and with the sweat dotted across his forehead, it looks as though he’s just got back from the gym.

“Hurry up, Isla! I don’t have all fucking day!” he yells over at me as I sling my bag over my shoulder.

“Calm down, Rafe. It’s not that serious.” I roll my eyes and turn to the girls, “I’ve never seen someone so eager to pick up a birthday cake.”

“I can hear you,” he says, opening the passenger side door as I wave goodbye to the girls and hop down the steps to the parking lot. I walk over to him with a cheesy grin.

I climb into his car, watching him slam my door shut with a low grunt. He walks around to the driver's side and clambers in, slamming his door as loud as he did mine. He merely glances in my direction as I pull the seatbelt over my body and click it into place.

He pulls out of the parking lot quickly, making me fall forward before falling back into my seat harshly. “Shit, Rafe. What’s the rush?”

“I have shit to do. Not that you’d give a fuck anyway, you don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

I scoff, my eyes widening as I stare over at him. “What’s your problem?”

“It’s too hot, and I don’t want to go to the store and–”

“Maybe you wouldn’t feel so hot if you weren’t wearing all black. It’s like a million degrees outside.”

“Don’t be a smartass, Isla.”

“Don’t be a dick, Rafe,” I bite back with a smile on my lips. “Let’s just go to the store, and then you can drop me off at home.”

“Home?” he asks. “I thought you were helping me put up all the party stuff on the druthers?”

I sigh, throwing my arms down to my sides in defeat. “Fine! If you want to hang out with me that bad, all you have to do is ask, Rafe.”

He doesn’t say a word; he keeps his eyes on the road, and his jaw clenches. I settle into my seat with a satisfied smile, knowing I won this time.

He never used to be so mean and hostile toward me. I’ll never understand what changed.

He used to be kind. He would talk to me with respect.

I don’t think he’ll ever tell me what changed. I don’t think I want to know, either. If he hates me, then so be it. I’m not here to have a friendship with him, and I certainly don’t want any validation from him.

If he’s happy for us to act like this, fine.

I couldn't care less.

“Oh my god, Rafe! Look!” I exclaimed, pulling a string of fairy lights with plastic strawberries from the self. “Strawberry lights!”

He snatches the box from me and stares at the picture on the front. “I don’t get it.”

I snatch them back and throw them into the shopping cart, “They’re just cute.”

“They’re a waste of money. That’s what they are.”

I grab another three and throw them into the cart with a thud. “Fine, I’ll buy them with my money.”

He pushes the cart slowly up the aisle with his veiny forearms resting on the handlebars. His shoulders are slumped, and I can tell he’s bored out of his mind, so I plan to spend as much time here as possible.

“Do you think we need party hats?” I ask, picking up a plastic box full of them. “I think we do.” he looks at me from the side, his eyes rolling.

“No, we don’t. There are just a couple of us on the boat. All we need is cake, balloons, and two banners,” he says, taking the box from my hands and throwing it back onto the shelf.

I cross my arms in defiance before reaching for the same box and throwing it into the cart. “You aren’t the only one using your daddy’s money today, Rafe. He paid me a hundred dollars just for tutoring your sister for an hour yesterday. We’re getting the hats.”

I spot a pack of party whistles and pick them up with a grin, “Oh, and these. We definitely need these.”

He sighs, standing up straight as he rolls his broad shoulders back. “Whatever. I don’t care anymore.”

I throw the whistles in and eye the fully stocked shelves for something that would really piss him off. I thought the whistles would send him over the edge, but apparently not. Although, I can’t imagine him using the whistle at the party.

His attitude is starting to piss me off. I understand he doesn’t want to be here; he only told me that four times on the way here. I knew I should’ve asked Alex to tag along. At least then, I’d have someone fun to talk to.

I watch him pull his phone out from his black shorts, and his fingers scroll on the screen for a few seconds before he clears his throat. “Okay, so we need–”

“Can we get these feather boas?”

“No.”

“Oh, come on, Rafe!” I sing, pulling the hot pink boa from the rack. “It’s fluffy.” I step toward him and drape it around his neck.

He tries to pull it off, but I hold my hand, keeping the material in place. “Wow, pink is your color. It brings out your eyes.”

“Oh, yeah?” he steps closer to me, pulling a yellow-colored boa from the rack. He drapes it around my neck and flicks up the side so it’s danging over my eyes, obscuring my vision. “This compliments your outfit.” For the first time today, there’s a hint of playfulness in his eyes as he reaches onto the shelf and hands me a pair of oversized sunflower glasses. “These will complete the ensemble.”

I hum, pushing the glasses onto my face. “Wow, is that a smile I can see, Rafe? Are you finally having fun?”

He scoffs, throwing his feather boa into the cart as his faint smile fades. “No.”

“Liar,” I sing, using the end of my feather boa to tickle his sun-kissed face. “You’re having so much fun with me.” He swats my hand and the feather away with a low growl.

I notice the pink pinata on the top shelf, shaped like a unicorn, and my eyes light up like a kid at a candy store. “Okay, we have to get that.” I tap Rafe’s shoulder and motion to the thing I need most. “Pick me up, I wanna grab it,”

“Pick you up?” his eyebrows are furrowed, and his forehead creased.

I nod, “You won’t be able to reach the one at the very back that’s probably in the best condition. Pick me up so I can grab it.”

He sighs, moving the cart out of the way as I stand before him. He hesitates briefly before grasping the curve of my waist with his big hands, causing my already-cropped t-shirt to rise. I feel the warmth of his touch bleed through my skin as he lifts me effortlessly.

He really has been working out.

“I can’t see,” I complain. “I need to get up higher!”

He groans in annoyance and hoists me onto his broad shoulder, holding me up there as I peer over the shelf to the pinata at the back, the most perfect unicorn calling my name. I feel one of his hands settle onto my thigh while the other grips my waist tighter, being sure I don’t fall as I reach across to grab my newest prized possession– which will be smashed to pieces by the end of the night.

“Got it,” I tell him as he pulls me back. I look at him with a smile as he carefully lowers me back to the ground, his hands still on my waist. “You're so helpful,” I coo, reaching up to place a kiss on his cheek.

Just as I pull my lips back with a smile plastered on my face, an elderly lady passes by us, her head tilted as she smiles at us. “Oh, aren’t you two just so sweet.”

The look on Rafe’s face says it all as he steps away from me, his head shaking. Before he can say anything, I slip my arm through his and smile at the lady. “Oh, thank you so much,” I look up at Rafe and drape the end of my feathered boa around his neck, pulling him closer to me.

“We’re just buying party supplies for our… son.”

The lady’s eyes widen, “Son? You two look awfully young–”

I grip my fingers around his upper arm, feeling his muscles tense under the fabric of his shirt as I rest my head on his chest. “I know, but age doesn’t matter when you’re in love. Isn’t that right, Rafey?” I look up at him, flashing a knowing look as he glimpses down at me.

He eventually lifts his gaze back to the lady and forces a smile. “That’s right.”

The lady presses her hand to her heart and pouts. “How sweet. You remind me of my husband and I when we were kids.” she takes a moment, releasing a deep sigh before facing us again, her smile gentle. “I hope your son–”

“Tiger,” I tell her the name of our imaginary son with a sheepish grin. “Well, his name is Prince Tiger, but we usually just call him Tiger.”

Rafe nods, pulling me closer to his side as he lifts his arm and wraps it around me, pulling me into him. I try to ignore the fact that I can feel his strong arms tightening around me and the fact that his cologne is intoxicating.

“Oh, that’s a… lovely name,” the lady says, clearly uncomfortable now.

Rafe’s lips curve into a half-smile. “Thanks. It’s just a shame that I recently found out I'm not his biological father,” he looks at me with a challenge in his eyes. “Turns out my girlfriend likes to fuck other guys behind my back.”

The lady is pale now, her eyebrows raised and her mouth open. I’m mirroring her expression as I turn to face her once more. I clear my throat as I rush to find something to say to make Rafe seem like the bad guy.

I know it's over when my mind goes blank, and the lady scurries off down the aisle with her cart full of supplies, her feet moving faster than the cart.

I untangle myself from Rafe’s arm and shake my head. “You’re evil! You scared that woman away!”

He shrugs, grabbing the cart again, “I think you scared her away when you told her our imaginary son was named Prince Tiger.”

“Would you have rathered him be named after his daddy?”

Rafe turns the corner and the wheels of the cart screech against the hard ground. “I’m not his Dad, remember.”

“I hope you’re happy with yourself, Rafe.”

He smiles at me, the first genuine smile I’ve seen in months. “I’m happy, thank you.”

I follow him around the store for the rest of the shopping trip before we go to the register to pay. Even when I try to pull out my phone to pay for the items, Rafe beats me to it and puts it all on his card. I scoff, “I thought all this was a waste of money.”

He ignores me and hands me the heaviest bag with a smile. “This is all the stuff you picked up. I hope it isn’t too heavy for you,” he flashes the cashier a smile before picking up the cake and a few lighter bags. “Come on, we gotta start decorating.”

I sigh, feeling the bag's weight pull me down as I follow behind him, my fingers aching and my arms falling weak. It’s too hot outside to be carrying a bag as heavy as this.

“It’s heavy,” I complain as we walk through the parking lot toward his car.

“Not my problem,” he replies, walking faster.

I groan, my head falling back as I pick up my pace to catch up with him. When I reach him and the car, my arms feel like jello. I drop the bag to the ground and let out a heavy sigh as I watch Rafe load the bags into the car.

I reach down, searching the top of the bag for the water bottle Rafe so generously bought me. As I bend over, I hear a car honk behind me, startling me to stand straight again. I turn around, watching a guy I don’t recognize wolf-whistle at me. There’s a cigarette hanging from his lips. He laughs, “Give me a twirl, sweetheart.” There’s a sleazy smile on his lips when he says, “Want me to give you a ride?”

I ignore him, turning my back to him and his truck as Rafe lifts his head from the trunk of the car, his eyes darting between me and the truck.

“Fucking bitch,” the guy calls from the truck, throwing the remainder of his cigarette in my direction.

I turn to face the truck again, ready to tell him what I think, but as I do, I see Rafe storming with his fists at his sides. I watch wide eyes as Rafe grabs the guy from inside the car by his collar, pulling him from his seat. “What did you call her?”

I release a breath, my stomach churning from anticipation. “Jesus, Rafe–”

“Say it to me. Say it to my fucking face,” Rafe urges the guy, who’s now a sickly pale color. His mouth moves, but no words come out when Rafe aggressively throws him back into his seat. “Call me a bitch, do it.”

“I didn’t realize she was your girl, man. I’m sorry–”

Rafe takes a step back from the guy's truck, and I think it’s all over when he walks back to me. “Rafe–” he cuts me off by reaching into his vehicle and grabbing one of his golf clubs. My eyes are bulging at this point, and there isn’t a thing I can do to stop him because before I can fathom what’s happening, he’s knocking the guy’s brake lights out with the club.

“What the fuck!” the guy yells as Rafe rounds the front of the car, knocking off the side mirrors. There’s glass everywhere, and I notice how shards hit Rafe’s bare legs, grazing his skin.

People are watching with wide eyes, and the elderly lady from early is on the verge of a heart attack as she watches Rafe wreck the guy’s car.

Rafe walks around to the guy’s open window and points the club at him with his head tilted. “If you fucking look at her again, I’ll do a lot worse, alright.”

The guy nods profusely as Rafe pulls the club out and gives the car door one harsh hit, denting the metal with the club. Rafe walks away, his hands white around the club as he approaches me. “Get in the car.”

I do as I’m told and climb into my seat, my hands shaking as he throws the club into the trunk and climbs in after me, barely giving me a chance to put my seatbelt on as he vaults out of the parking lot.

“Are you okay?” he asks me, his crazed eyes darting between me and the road ahead of us as he picks up the speed.

“I’m fine,” my voice is shaky as I buckle into my seat and lean back, resting my head on the headrest. “Are you okay?” I ask him, noticing the blood dripping from his knee. “You’re bleeding.”

He nods, but his fingers are pale white, and he grips the steering wheel. “I’m fine. We just need to get to the druthers and set up. That’s all. It’s fine. Everything is fine.”

“Are we going to get arrested?” I ask, gulping harshly. “My dad will kill me–”

Rafe faces me, his hands shaking as sweat builds on his forehead. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“But–”

“Nothing will happen. It’s fine. I’ll figure this out. That guy–” he points to the store that’s probably miles behind us now, “All of that was his fault. He shouldn’t have talked to you like that.”

I exhale a shaky breath, nodding in agreement. “I agree, but that was extreme, Rafe.”

He laughs manically, his head falling back against his seat. “It could have been worse.”

“Could it?!” I exclaim. “You nearly blinded him with the glass shards!”

Rafe glances over to me, a smile on his face as he laughs harder. “Okay, well, at least our son– Tiger, wasn’t in the car. The therapy would be crazy expensive.”

“Are you serious right now?” I hide my laugh by facing the half-opened window, feeling the cool airflow through the car.

I feel the sudden warmth of his hand meet my exposed thigh, and it’s like a bolt of electricity runs through me. I turn to face him, and the feeling runs straight to my heart, suffocating me as it takes all the air from my lungs. His eyes are on mine when I feel his fingers tighten on my skin, “It’ll be okay.”

There’s a quiet moment between us where nothing needs to be said. His palm is still on my leg, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was warming up to me again. Of course, when I think about it, his phone rings, and Theo’s name pops up on the car screen. It’s a searing reminder of what we’re actually doing here and why we’re working together. We’re not here to be friends. We’re here to set up for my brother’s birthday. His best friend’s birthday.

Rafe pulls away from me quickly and hits the answer button as Theo’s booming voice sounds through the car’s speakers. “Hey, man. Where are you?”

“Uh, I’m just– out.”

“Out? Where? Are you with Sofia?”

Ah.

Rafe shakes his head as if Theo can see him before replying, “Uh, no,” he clears his throat and shifts in his seat as I sink into mine, wishing for this car journey to be over so I can go home and get ready for the night. To see Alex.

Rafe changes the subject, “Are you still coming tonight? On the boat?”

“Yeah. Can I invite some people?” I know my brother well enough to know ‘some people’ actually means a dozen.

Rafe nods, “Sure. Just not too many, alright?”

I can hear the smirk in Theo’s voice when he answers, “Alright.”

🪽 Chapter Two of Brother's Best Friends as promised! Like, Comment & Reblogs are highly appreciated !!

🪽 Author: Matilda , Theme: Evelyn

🪽 Credits for dividers ( here & here )

#rafe cameron x reader #outerbanks rafe #rafe outer banks #rafe cameron #rafe x reader #rafe obx #drew starkey x oc #drew starkey x y/n #drew starkey x you #drew starkey x reader #drew starkey #rafe cameron x kook!reader #rafe cameron x y/n #rafe cameron x you #rafe cameron x female reader #harris dickinson x reader #harris dickinson #jacob elordi #rudy pankow

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rafes-juno · 5 months ago

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My Brother's Best Friends; Bed Chem

Pairing: Brother's Best Friend! Rafe x Brat! Female Oc

Summary: What happens when Rafe returns from college and turns Isla's world upside down? Will Isla be able to handle her brother's friends? Are Rafe and Isla overcoming their rivalry this summer, or are their feelings brewing ready to explode? Secrets will come out testing Isla and her brother's relationship.

Contains: Enemies To Lovers, Brother's Best Friend, Harsh Language, Sexual Content, Drinking, and more to be added. (18+ ,minors do not interact!)

WC: 3.442

Meet our characters here.

Next chapter: 2

“Jesus, it’s way too fucking hot today,” I mumble as I comb my fingers through my dark hair, pushing it back out of my face. The sun is beaming down on Sarah and me as we sit outside the club with tons of textbooks and notes scattered around the table among our ice-cold drinks.

I knew taking on this tutoring job for the summer would be challenging, but with the amount of money Ward offered, I couldn’t say no. Besides, Sarah is friendly enough. She’s easy to get along with and, in my opinion, doesn’t need any tutoring. She’s a smart girl.

Ward wants Sarah to start her last year of high school with the best grades in her class. Apparently, Theo had mentioned to Ward that I graduated high school with flying colors and that I’d be the perfect person for the job.

At first, I was hesitant, mainly because I felt unwelcome at the Cameron residence because of one boy in particular—Rafe. However, I couldn't say no once Ward offered to pay me a hundred dollars a session.

Sarah uses the red tie around her wrist to pull her hair into a ponytail. “Might be too hot.”

“It’s definitely too hot,” I grumble and reach for my cola, feeling the icy droplets drip down my arm as I lift the glass to my lips.

When my glass hits the table, we’re back to work. We work through the English Literature textbook for the next hour. She uses her pink highlighter and makes notes in her notepad while I stare mindlessly out at the gold course, knowing my brother, Theo, is out playing with his friends somewhere. How they can play golf in this heat, I’ll never know.

“Isn’t your brother playing out there today?” Sarah asks as if she’s read my mind.

I turn to her with a faint smile, nodding. “Yeah. His friend from college is here with him for the summer– Alex something. He’s staying with us–”

“Is he hot?”

I laugh, shrugging my shoulders. “I haven’t met him yet, actually.”

Sarah slumps back in her seat, shoulders slouching. “I don’t even know why I asked. I'll never get a chance if he’s friends with Theo and Rafe.”

I hum, “Who cares what Rafe has to say? He doesn’t know shit.”

Rafe has been Theo’s best friend ever since they started high school. I’m sure he’s slept at my house more times than I have, and I’ve lived there for eighteen years.

When they first became friends, he was nice, but when he came home from college for Easter this year, he became more passive-aggressive toward me. He barely looks at me if we talk, and I can tell he never wants to be around me.

Not that I give much of a fuck. Theo’s other friend, JJ, is nice to me. He always has been.

Sarah sips her lemonade through her straw and snorts, “True.”

I motion to the scattered books and papers. “Shall we finish for today?”

She nods, her eyes pleading with mine. “Yes, please.”

She grabs her bag and practically swipes everything off the table at once, only narrowly missing our drinks and snacks.

Just as we stand up with our su[plies in hand], I hear my brother’s booming laugh, followed by JJ’s. I glance over my shoulder and watch Theo drive the golf cart up the course, swerving onto the gravel road in front of Sarah and me.

“You could’ve hit us, dumbass,” I grumble, throwing my bag onto my shoulder with a scowl.

Theo pushes up his sunglasses, holding his dark hair back from his forehead as he climbs out of the cart. “Relax, we’re nowhere near you!”

JJ climbs out of the cart next, his eyes drifting between the cart and our table. “Oh, in fairness, you’re really close to the table’s legs.”

“I am?” Theo questions, crouching his long legs down to analyze just how close he was to crushing us to death.

Rafe clambers out from the backseat, his ray bans shielding his stone-cold eyes. It takes me a few seconds to realize he’s missing his hair. Not only that, but he looks… bigger. Broader. He looks nothing like the Rafe that I saw only three months ago. “We’re nowhere near you. Don’t be such a crybaby,” his gruff voice mumbles as he rounds the back of the cart and places a golf club back into the bag.

“Are you okay?” I hear a new voice. A kinder, softer voice asks. I shift my gaze from Rafe and see who I can only assume is Alex. He’s tall yet, not as tall as Rafe and Theo. Sunglasses push back his dark blonde hair, and I try not to notice how the biceps in his arms tense when he presses his hand onto the roof of the car; his pale blue polo tightens around his arms, and his eyes stay on mine.

I feel Sarah’s arm grab mine, and I know what she’s thinking without saying a word because I’m thinking the same. We share a quick, knowing glance before directing our attention back to Alex. “Yeah, we’re okay.”

He smiles; my god– it’s the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. I can see the shine of his blue eyes in the glimmering sun, and I know that having him in our house all summer will be hard. How am I supposed to get anything done with him around dressed like– a slut.

He walks over to us and extends his hand. I notice the silver Rolex on his wrists as the metal gleams in the sun. “I’m Alex.”

I take his hand before Sarah gets the chance. She said it herself; Rafe would never let her be around any guys—especially one like this. “Isla,” I smile with my head tilted to the side.

I notice how his eyes briefly look me up and down, a sly smirk playing on his lips. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Theo speaks very highly of his sister.”

I grin, glancing over to Theo as he stands back up, his eyes rolling when I say, “Oh, really?”

“I’ve said like one good thing, alright? Don’t inflate her ego too much.”

Alex looks back at me, his eyes drifting again as he shamelessly checks me out, his eyes lingering on my exposed legs as the denim of my shorts clings to my hips. “I don’t think I need to,” He says.

The long stare he’s holding with me is rudely interrupted by Rafe when he clears his throat. “Are we going to get drinks or what?”

“I need a ride home,” I complain before they can walk away. “It’s too hot to walk.”

“Can’t you just walk with Sarah?” Theo suggests.

“I have my bike, and I need to go to the store,” Sarah explains, putting her bag onto her shoulder with a faint smile. She wiggles her fingers at Alex before walking away before Rafe can comment.

I force a pout as I look at Theo, “Please?”

He shakes his head. “I can’t, Isla. I had beers when we were playing.”

“Me too, unfortunately,” Alex says, his eyes still glued to me.

“Fine, I’ll take her,” JJ sighs, reaching into his pockets for the keys to his motorcycle.

Theo grabs his arm, his head shaking quickly. “Definitely not. You drank more than me, asshole. Are you trying to get my baby sister killed?”

JJ sighs, his shoulder slumping in defeat. “Sorry, Isla.”

When all of the boys turn to look at Rafe, I watch the annoyance veil his face. His jaw shifts, and his tongue presses into his cheek. “Seriously?”

Theo runs his fingers through his hair. “Please, man?”

I don’t really care who it is that drives me home as long as I get there without sunstroke, sunburn, or aching legs. I knew I was in sheer desperation when JJ offered, and my immediate thought was, ‘Well, how likely are you to die on a motorcycle anyway?’

Rafe shakes his head as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out the keys for his car. “You fucking owe me,” he says to both me and Theo as he begins to walk away.

I flash Alex a polite smile, knowing I’ll see him later tonight anyway. I rush after Rafe and almost trip up on the gravel road as I follow him. “Slow down! You’re waking too fast.”

“Just hurry up, Isla. I don’t have time for this shit,” he hisses, opening the passenger door before I’m even halfway across the parking lot. When I reach him, he’s standing there with his jaw clenched and his eyes fixed above my head, avoiding my gaze altogether. His hand is tight on the door's metal, and now that I’m closer to him, I can see how much he's broadened out.

He eventually looks down at me, his glare sharp. “Are you getting in or not?”

I roll my eyes and clamber into the vehicle. He slams my door shut as I get comfortable in the leather seat. I feel something poking into my back, and it urges me to reach behind me, pulling out a lacy red bra just as Rafe climbs into his seat.

“Wow, this is really cute! Where do you shop?”

He snatches it out of my hand and throws it into the backseat. “Shut up. I’m doing you a favor.”

I reach for the radio and smile when ‘The Spins’ by Mac Miller begins to play. I hum in response, “I know. Thank you so much… I can’t even comprehend how difficult this must be for you. You must be feeling really left out.” I reach across the center console to play my sympathetic act and gently place my hand on his thigh. “You’ll be okay– you’re so brave.”

He pushes my hand away and quickly pulls out of the parking space as he shifts in his seat. “Don’t piss me off, Isla. Just stay quiet the entire ride home.”

I purse my lips together and press two fingers to the side of my head, saluting him. “Yes, sir.”

No matter how hard I try, I cannot sleep. Every time I drift off, I hear Theo laughing or JJ screaming from his room next door. He prides himself on the fact that the walls are thick when I know for a fact they aren’t. I learned the hard way.

I push off my thin blanket with a sigh, my head falling back against the pillow with a gentle thud as the summer air blows through my opened window. I thought having it open would air my room out a little, but all it’s doing is boosting the sound from Theo’s room since his windows are open, too.

My white cotton shorts are tight on my hips, the material clinging to my sweat-coated skin as the matching white vest rides up my stomach, resting above my pierced belly button. I rest my warm hands on my stomach with a dissatisfied groan. I glance at the clock beside my bed, watching the numbers flash from 2:09 to 2:10 AM. I close my eyes again and yet again, disturbed by a loud thud from Theo’r room followed by laughter.

I groan and kick the blanket off the bed as I roll over. My feet hit the ground, and I stomp over to the door. I know if I interrupt them, Theo will kill me, but I know if I stay in my room a moment longer, I’ll go insane.

I deliberately slam my bedroom door shut behind me and smile when I hear the silence from his room. I make my way down the spiral staircase, being sure to stomp down each step until I reach the foyer. I enter the kitchen and hit the light switch with a quiet sigh.

It’s quieter down here. Cooler, too.

I reach for a glass and pour myself some water, utilizing the ice machine from the refrigerator. When my glass is filled to the brim, I hop onto the countertop, feeling the cool marble press against my thighs. I sit with my thoughts for a while and listen to the quiet hum from the refrigerator as I sip on my ice-cold drink.

I hear footsteps approaching as I prepare to jump down from the counter. I freeze in place and wait to see who it could be. When Alex rounds the corner with empty beer bottles in his hands, I smile to myself.

He hasn't seen me or realized I’m there because he walks straight to the trash can and throws the bottles in.

“You know, you guys are loud up there.”

I watch how he flinches as he glances over his shoulder, his hand coming to his chest. “Jesus, you scared me,” he laughs, turning to face me. “Why are you down here?” he nods to the time flashing on the microwave, “It’s late.”

I shrugged, sipping my drink again. “I tried to sleep, but you were all being loud,” I explain. “You guys need to learn how to lower your voices.”

I watch as he rests his hands behind him on the countertop, “Sorry, we don't usually need to be quiet when we’re back at college.” He opens the cupboard above him and grabs a glass. He walks over to the sink and fills up his cup, “Why don’t you come to hang out with us?” he offers as if Theo would ever let me sit there with him and his friends.

I shake my head, “No, Theo would never let me,” I place my glass beside me, watching Alex walk closer to me with his back pressed to the counter behind him. His hair is messy compared to this afternoon, and he has dark shadows under his eyes.

“Well, I say it’s okay. Don’t I get a vote?” he smirks as his hand rests in the space beside my leg, his fingers inches away from my skin.

I hum, keeping my eyes on his blue ones as they drift between my face and bare legs again. I know guys like this, and I know they usually only want one thing. I’ve encountered many boys like Alex and never given in– but with the heat, the summer air, and the fact that he’s looking at me hungry. “Alex?” I say his name slowly, earning his attention briefly before his eyes are on my chest, eyeing the necklace that rests against my chest. I keep my eyes on his and watch how his lips part as he looks up at me through hooded eyes. “Yeah?” his voice is low.

“Do you realize you’re staring at my chest?” I tilt my head to the side with a faint smile. “That’s not an appropriate way to look at your friend’s sister, right?”

A soft smirk curves onto his lips as he pushes himself up from the counter, moving to stand before me. I instinctively part my knees, giving him space to stand in between as his hand finds its position on the counter. His other hand reaches upward, and his fingers brush against my collarbone, causing my breath to shudder. He looks down at me as his tongue glides across his bottom lip. “Your necklace– the pendant isn’t where it should be.”

His cool touch skates across my neck, and I feel him gently tug the pendant around until it’s facing the right way. His fingers run over the letters that spell out my name, and a slow, flirtatious smile forms on his lips. “There we go; I can see your pretty name now,” he keeps his fingers on the chain, toying with the metal.

I look up at him, staring into his blue eyes as he moves closer. I know I should pull back and not allow this to happen, but when my hands find their resting spot on his toned chest, I can’t stop myself. I pull my lip back with a smile, “You have pretty eyes.”

“Oh, yeah?” he whispers, his voice low and husky as my hands drift down his chest and edge their way under his shirt. I run my fingers over his toned stomach, feeling his muscles flex beneath my touch. He sucks in a breath, his head shaking with a sultry smile, “You shouldn’t do that.”

“Why?” I ask, edging my face closer to his as my fingers scratch his stomach. “I want to.”

I had one boyfriend from when I was sixteen to seventeen. After him, I got together with two other guys. I made a vow to myself to make this Summer the best one yet before I leave for college in the Fall– as soon as I laid my eyes on Alex, I knew he was somebody who could help move things along for me.

“Because your brother would kill me,” he whispers as I bury my face into his neck, breathing in his scent as I kiss up his neck. He groans, bringing one hand down to my waist as he pulls me closer to him, causing a gasp to fall from my mouth. My hands move further down until my fingers tug on the button of his shorts. I pull until they come undone, and my hand can easily slip further down.

His head falls back, and he chuckles, “You’re gonna’ get me in trouble, baby.”

I leave open-mouthed kisses up his neck until he pulls back, placing a hand on my neck as he grips the back of my hair with his fingers, tilting my head upward to look at him. He leans close, his lips mere inches from mine, and says, “Not tonight.”

I groan, “What? Why?”

He just smirks as if leaving me like this is funny. He shrugs and uses his thumb to brush my hair back from my neck, “It’s my first night here. Wouldn’t it be more fun to drag this out?”

I throw my head back against the cabinet behind me, pulling my hands back to rest on my legs as his laughter sounds around me, mocking me. “It’ll be worth the wait, yeah?” his fingers trace down my neck until they’re resting just above my cleavage, his eyes trailing his touch. “Meet me here on the last night, and I promise I’ll make the wait worth it. Can you do that?”

I lift my shoulder into a shrug. “I can, but I know I’ll break you before then, Alex.”

“Yeah?” he laughs, pulling away from me. “We’ll see, Isla.”

He starts to walk away backward with that stupid smirk playing on his lips. I nod, “Yeah, I guess we will see.”

Just as he turns the corner to leave, Rafe appears. Alex slaps Rafe’s bare shoulder and motions to the stairs, “I’m going back up.”

Rafe doesn’t respond because his eyes are on mine, piercing through my soul. His lack of a shirt widens my eyes as I examine his broadened physique.

Alex glances over his shoulder once more, smirking. “Goodnight, Isla.”

“Goodnight,” I mumble, kicking my feet against the cupboard.

Once Alex disappears up the stairs, a scoff falls from Rafe’s lips. “Did I walk in on something?” his eyebrows are furrowed as he glares in my direction.

My eyes roll as I hop down from the counter, my bare feet meeting the cold, tiled floor. “Go away, Rafe.” I walk toward him and take one step forward when I feel his long fingers wrap around my wrist, pulling me back into the kitchen. The cool metal of his ring digs into my skin as he glares down at me.

“Don’t fucking start anything with him,” he sneers. “He’s a shitty guy. He’ll just break your heart.”

I shake his hand away from mine. “What the fuck has it got to do with you? You don’t even fucking like me, and now you want to act like you’re looking out for me?”

“You’re my best friend’s sister; I need to look out for you. Someone has to.”

I scoff, stepping out of the kitchen as he faces me. “Right, well, I don’t need you to. I can look after myself. It’s just a bit of fun, Rafe. You should learn how to do that sometime.”

He grabs me again, this time pulling me close to him. His eyes narrow as he lowers his gaze to meet mine, his head tilting. “Don’t fucking do it, Isla.”

I keep my glaring eyes locked on his. I lift my hand and push it into his chest, forcing him away from me. “Fucking watch me, Rafe.”

🪽 There goes our first chapter of Brother's Best Friends! Be sure to like, comment, and repost if you want more. Any feedback is highly appreciated. 💋💋

🪽 Author: Matilda, Theme director: Evelyn

🪽 Credit for dividers. ( here & here. )

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