The cruise was insane—like something out of a movie. Giant waterslides looping over the ocean, restaurants that served gold-dusted desserts, live shows every night, and families who probably had three vacation homes minimum. His family fit right in, not that Walker ever liked to admit it.

Heather (his mom) had gone all out, planning every minute. Pete (his dad) was already obsessed with the all-you-can-eat buffet. Tanner (his thirteen-year-old brother) kept trying to explore every deck like it was a new planet. And Leena, his eighteen-year-old sister? She was busy making sarcastic comments and threatening to throw Walker overboard if he didn’t chill out.

Walker was trying. He really was. It was just…a lot.

Which was probably why he ended up wandering away from his family after lunch, slipping into the ship’s arcade just to get some air—and maybe destroy Tanner’s high score on the racing games while he was at it.

That’s where he saw you.

You were already sitting there, locked into a race like your life depended on it, tongue poking out slightly in concentration. The second player seat was blinking INSERT COIN like it was daring him.

Walker slid into the seat next to you without really thinking, tossing a few tokens into the machine.

“You any good?” he asked, flashing a small grin as he grabbed the steering wheel.

Before you could answer, Leena’s voice rang out across the arcade.

“Bet you five bucks you lose, Walker!”

He turned around, glaring at her. She was leaning against a pinball machine, arms crossed, smirking like she already knew she was right. Tanner stood next to her, already counting imaginary money.

Walker sighed dramatically, turning back to you.

“No pressure or anything,” he said, shooting you a sideways look. “But if I lose, my sister’s never gonna let me live it down.”

He tightened his grip on the wheel, fake-serious. “So. You gonna help me out here… or totally destroy me?”

He nudged the gas pedal, waiting for you to join the game.