Coffee - Rafe Cameron
A little blurb inspired by the lovely @snkkat and her prompts: “Can I at least buy you coffee, for old times’ sake?” + “Maybe I’m meant to be alone.”
Sunny days, busy beaches and sweaty car rides: it’s summertime and (Y/N) is on her way to Outer Banks. To her family, childhood friends and him. She was going home. After a long year filled with college, dorm-parties and sleepless nights, she was finally going home. Being taken over by excitement, (Y/N) pulls up to her childhood home. Though it may feel like it has been a lifetime, it has been mere a year since she had left home for college. Upon arrival (Y/N) is greeted by her family, helping her get her things inside and making her comfortable. Not much has changed around the house, nor within her family.
That evening, (Y/N)’s friends showed up to her house with a kind surprise: more booze. The night was well-spent, catching up on their lives and dating-situations. After promising to spend the summer together again, they left to let (Y/N) deal with the hangover that would emerge the following morning.
Instead of peaceful sleeping in and being awoken by the chirping of birds and sunlight peeking through the shades, the door flew open and her oh so sweet mother would kindly ask her to get some groceries. In other words: “Since your spending summer home, you should help out with the chores.” Trying to start an argument in vain, (Y/N) gave in and did as she was asked.
Greeting a ton of familiar faces on her way to the shop, (Y/N) can’t waive the small talk. On the way to the store she walks past a little café and comes to a halt. Unknowingly to (Y/N) a smile started growing on her face. Thinking back to all the times she had spent at that café; be it just hanging out with your friends, crying over boys with Sarah or grabbing coffee with her brother after a ‘sleepover’. Thinking about the latter makes the smile, which had been covering her face, disappear. The one thing she regretted most and desperately hoped nobody would find out is Rafe. Or her relationship with him. The messy thought bubble is soon vanished by a well-known voice. Speaking of the devil.
“(Y/N)? I didn’t realize you were back. How have you been?” The boy looks a bit tired, just like (Y/N). Or simply hungover as well. He is wearing khaki shorts and a striped salmon colored shirt. And as much as she hates to admit it: he looks good. Somewhat grown-up even.
“Hey Rafe. I’m alright and I really have to get going.” She didn’t want to face him today. Not yet. Not now.
“(Y/N), c’mon, can we just talk for a minute? I haven’t seen you in ages.” She lets out a sigh. “A year, Rafe. It has been a year.” Hearing her say that undoubtably touched something inside the boy. His head drops and with his hands he fumbles around his pockets. He looks almost nervous to be talking to her. “Can I at least buy you coffee, for old times’ sake?”
Another sigh left the girl’s mouth. “Fine. I’ll have one coffee with you.” When the words leave her mouth a smile appears on Rafe’s face. It is a timid smile, but it’s there.
Walking into the café brings even more memories back to (Y/N) and suddenly she’s glad Rafe is with her, instead of anyone else. The café looks exactly the same as it did last year. And be it coincidence or Rafe’s observant eye: the two of them were sitting at the exact table they were when they last came there together.
“One espresso for the lady and a latte for me.” “Please.” she adds to the boy’s request. “You remembered my order.” Rafe turns to face (Y/N) and looks her in the eye. “We used to come here often, how could I forget?” They did. When they were hooking up the two would often meet at the café or spent the morning after to actually talk.
The conversation went quiet as their coffee arrived. The two of them are silently sipping their way too hot drinks. Until he breaks the silence. “Why did you stop talking to me?” As (Y/N) is carefully putting down her drink she replies: “I had to, Rafe.” The boy starts looking frustrated but stays quiet. He bides his time until she explains further. “I just couldn’t take the lying anymore and I was leaving for college anyways. Why does it bother you so much? It’s not like we were dating or anything.” He doesn’t answer. Breaking the eye contact as he turns his face away from hers. “You’re right. We were just having sex. It would’ve been nice to get a goodbye at least.”
It is true. (Y/N) never said her goodbyes to Rafe, taking away his possibility to do so. “Rafe, the truth is that somewhere between the fucking and lying and the parties, I felt like we had a connection and I thought maybe we could be more than just fuckbuddies. I know it’s a crazy thought, but I really liked you.”
The silence showed up again. It was killing (Y/N). “Please say something.”
“I’m sorry, (Y/N). I know I messed things up and, god, had I known back then you felt the same way about me” He pauses. He felt the same about her. “Maybe I would’ve manned up and made a move. I guess I just didn’t want to lose what we had.”
“It’s fine, Rafe. It’s in the past and I’m over it. I really am sorry for ignoring you, but at that moment it was the right thing to do. I hope you understand.” Any tension that was present left the building. The thought of what could’ve been has been messing around in (Y/N)’s head for too long. “I do. I’m actually starting to think that, maybe, I’m meant to be alone.”
(Y/N) punches Rafe in the shoulder. Not expecting Rafe to pull a pity card. “Come on man, I’m going to be here all summer. What do you say, friends?”
“Friends without benefits? I guess we could try that.”