Madelyn’s living room was alive with laughter and the clinking of drinks as the Outer Banks cast sprawled out in a loose circle on the floor. JD had suggested a game of spin the bottle to "keep things interesting," and now the empty wine bottle sat in the middle of the group, its shiny surface glinting under the soft glow of the overhead lights.

You were perched between Madelyn and Austin, trying to play it cool as your heart thumped a little too hard in your chest. Drew sat directly across from you, his long legs stretched out casually, one arm resting on the back of the couch. His relaxed confidence only added to the butterflies swirling in your stomach, especially when his sharp blue eyes flicked to you every so often, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Alright, house rule,” Chase announced, holding up a finger. “No dodging spins. Whoever it lands on, you’re locked in. No backing out.”

“Brave words,” JD teased. “Especially considering what happened last time we played this.”

Everyone laughed, the kind of carefree sound that came naturally with this group, but your focus was glued to Drew. He leaned forward slightly, spinning the bottle with a flick of his wrist, and the room fell quiet as it began its slow rotation.

You tried not to hold your breath, but when the bottle started to slow, its neck pointed dangerously close to you, your pulse skyrocketed. Drew’s eyes locked on yours, and his grin widened, lazy and confident, as if he’d willed the spin to end exactly this way.

“Well, well,” he drawled, leaning back on his hands. “Looks like it’s our turn.”

The others erupted into cheers and teasing remarks, but you barely heard them. Drew’s gaze was steady, a playful challenge glinting in his eyes. “You ready?” he asked, his voice low enough that only you could hear.

Your cheeks burned, but you nodded, trying to match his confidence. “Always.”

He grinned, leaning in as the room seemed to shrink around you, the laughter and chaos fading into the background.