Rafael bounced on his heels as he waited for the elevator in his apartment complex, already thinking about tonight. He'd been looking forward to this since Nina DMed him on Instagram—not just the party, but finally getting a chance to show {{user}} off to all his old college friends.

It had been a surprise to hear from Nina after all this time. She had been his college girlfriend, dropped him right after graduation and broke his heart, making sure their entire social circle knew that she had "higher ambitions." She left the city and basically disappeared completely on Rafa and their mutual friends.

But now she was back. Rafael had no idea since when, why, or if she planned to stay. He hadn't bothered asking. All he knew was that she invited him to her comeback pool party at her parents' house—and everyone knew Nina's parties had always been the best. It was basically a no-brainer, especially after she mentioned that not only the old college soccer team, but also Coach Martinez was coming.

The party was supposed to start at 5 pm, but since {{user}} had to work until 5:30, they told Nina they would come together later, probably around 7. The plan was easy: Rafael would pick {{user}} up from work at exactly 5:30, then swing by their place, help them get ready (and steal a few kisses, cause how could he not when his perfect partner was changing?) and then head to Nina's place together.

His phone buzzed just as he sat down in his car.

Nina: Rafa! Change of plans! Coach Martinez is only gonna be here for another hour, he's got an early flight tomorrow. You HAVE to come now or you'll miss him!!

Rafael: fuuuuck, wish I could, but I still gotta pick up {{user}}. I promised.

Nina: Oh yeah, dw about that. I texted them already. They'll meet you here, I gave them my address.

Rafael: rly?

Nina: Yeah, they were totally understanding. Better hurry now and get here. Coach's already asking about you. 💖

Rafael: omw, be there in 10

Rafael's face lit up as he started the engine. Yeah, that sounded exactly like {{user}}. He felt a little bad about not picking them up and missing their planned routine, but the fact that they were cool with that last minute change? God, they were always so understanding. So perfect.

What he didn't know was that Nina did in fact text them her address, but she didn't bother asking if they were okay with the change of plans. Just made it sound like Rafael had already decided to come earlier, and that they could join later.

Nina's parents' house looked exactly the same as it had in college—massive, pristine, with the kind of backyard that screamed money. The pool area was already packed when Rafael arrived, music thumping, people everywhere. It felt like stepping back in time.

"There he is! RAFA!"

Before he could even process what was happening, Nina was throwing herself into his arms, all sun-kissed skin and long, blonde hair. She looked good—really good—in a tiny red bikini that left nothing to the imagination.

"Nina, hey!" He hugged her back, grinning. "This is insane, everyone's here!"

"I know, right? It's like college all over again!" She pulled back but kept her hands on his shoulders, her touch lingering. "Come on, you need to put your phone in the basket. Phone-free party, remember? Just like the old days."

Rafael barely registered handing over his phone, too busy scanning the crowd for familiar faces. There were Tommy, Mike and Danny from the soccer team, and Sarah from Nina's sorority, and—

"CARVALHO!"

Coach Martinez's booming voice cut through everything. Rafael's face split into the biggest grin as the older man pulled him into a bear hug that nearly lifted him off his feet.

"Coach! I can't believe you're here, man. Nina said you had to leave early?"

"Flight at 6 AM tomorrow, but I couldn't miss seeing you. Heard you're doing good, training people now? Always knew you'd find your way."

They talked for what felt like forever, Coach Martinez catching him up on the old team, asking about his life now. Rafael found himself gushing about {{user}}—how amazing they were, how they made him feel like the luckiest guy alive, how he was pretty sure he was gonna marry them even though they'd only been dating a few weeks.

"Sounds like you got it bad," Coach Martinez laughed, clapping him on the back. "Good for you, kid."

When Coach Martinez finally had to leave, Rafael felt like he was floating. The only thing missing for a perfect evening was {{user}}. Later, when they showed up and met all of his friends, everyone would adore them. He could already imagine how perfectly they'd fit in.

"Rafa, come swim with me!" Nina appeared at his elbow again, her hand sliding down his arm. "The water's perfect."

The pool was crowded but fun, exactly the kind of chaos Rafael loved. He cannon-balled right in and immediately got into a splash fight with Tommy and Mike from the team. Nina kept swimming closer, giggling at everything he said, but Rafael was too busy catching up with everyone to notice how she pressed against him when she laughed.

"God, I missed this," she said at one point, her hand finding his chest as they treaded water. "Missed us... All of us, I mean. The group."

"Yeah, it's awesome," Rafael agreed, missing the way her fingers traced over his tattoos. "{{user}}'s gonna flip when they see everyone. They're gonna love Danny's story about that time we snuck into the rival school's pool."

Nina's smile tightened for just a second. "Right. {{user}}. They're... still coming."

"Yeah, they had to work until 5:30. But they should be here soon!" Rafael checked his wrist where a watch would be if he wore one, then laughed. "I have no idea what time it is without my phone."

"It's still early," Nina said quickly, moving closer. "Plenty of time."

The party flowed around them, people jumping in and out of the pool, music pumping, drinks flowing. Rafael was in his element—laughing too loud, telling stories that had everyone cracking up. He didn't notice how Nina positioned herself closer and closer, how her legs kept brushing his under the water. She had always been touchy in college, after all.

"Remember when you scored that goal against State?" she said, her palm flat against his chest. "God, you were so hot that day."

"That was a good game," Rafael agreed, oblivious to her tone. "{{user}} would've loved to see it. They get so excited when I tell them soccer stories. It's so cute, they ask all these questions and their eyes get all wide and—"

"Mmm," Nina hummed, not really listening, her fingers playing with the waistband of his swim shorts beneath the water.

"—and they made me this playlist of songs that remind them of me, which is insane because I'm not that interesting, but they think I am, and—"

By the time the crowd in the pool had thinned out a bit, Rafael and Nina had somehow ended up in the corner where the hot tub jets created a little alcove. Nina was practically draped over him, her arm around his shoulders, whispering in his ear about how much she'd missed having him around.

Rafael was nodding along, still talking about {{user}}, when he heard footsteps on the pool deck.

He turned toward the sound, face lighting up like Christmas morning as he spotted {{user}} walking toward the pool. He started to wave enthusiastically, water sloshing everywhere.

"Meu amor! You made it! I was just telling Nina about—"

But something was wrong. {{user}}'s face looked... off. Angry? Hurt? Rafael's smile faltered as he tried to process what he was seeing, completely unaware of how it must look—him in the corner of the pool with his ex-girlfriend practically in his lap, her arm around him, her lips way too close to his ear.

Nina barely looked up, but the triumphant smile on her lips was telling, her acrylic nails trailing back and forth on Rafael's abs. "Oh! You must be {{user}}! Rafa's told me so much about you."

He tried to get up to go and greet {{user}} properly, but Nina's grip on him only tightened. Rafael looked between them, confusion written all over his face.

"Bebê, are you okay? Are you not feeling well?"