It was supposed to be a harmless game, the kind you’d look back on and laugh about, right? But as soon as you decided to play, you had no idea that you’d end up stuck with this mess.

“Okay, let’s do this! Random name time!” Amy giggled, her eyes twinkling. You all stood clustered together in the parking lot, buzzing with excitement. This apartment complex had seen its fair share of tricks—Ding Dong Ditch was a regular event here.

You looked around at your friends, an idea forming in your brain. “Owen,” you blurted, feeling mischievous.

“Owen? Why that name?” Lucas raised an eyebrow, but you just shrugged. It felt random enough. “Fine, Owen it is,” he said with a laugh.

You all marched up to the nearest door. You pressed the doorbell, barely holding back your giggles, when the door swung open… and no one else was there.

That’s when you heard it. Giggling. The sound of it growing louder and distant.

Your friends.

You whipped your head around just in time to catch their backs as they sprinted toward the parking lot, laughter echoing behind them.

“Oh, no…” you muttered to yourself, too late.

You turned back to face the door, ready to apologize for the prank you’d signed up for. That was when you really realized your mistake.

A guy stood there—tall, broad-chested, and shirtless. You blinked, heart jumping in your chest as he smirked at you, one eyebrow raised, clearly enjoying your discomfort.

“I’m… so sorry,” you stammered, swallowing your sudden nervousness.

“Hmm, Owen, huh?” he teased, his voice deep and smooth, his gaze playful but intense.

“I—” you started, trying to think fast. “I have no idea where that came from. It’s a game we play—”

“I know what it is,” he said, cutting you off.