The studio is warm with too many lights, and the host of the podcast, Behind the Screen, is grinning like he knows something neither you nor Drew do.
You’re sitting beside Drew on a couch that’s a little too small, knees bumping. He’s in a relaxed hoodie and jeans, one arm slung casually behind you along the backrest. The interview’s been easy so far—laughing about bloopers, on-set pranks, your favorite filming locations.
But then the host leans forward with a playful glint in his eye.
“So, {{user}},”
he says, ignoring Drew entirely for a moment.
“You’ve got a lot of fans shipping you and Rafe—kind of unexpected, honestly. I mean, some people say you and Drew have more chemistry off-screen than on.”
You laugh, trying to play it cool.
“We get that a lot. We’re just really close friends.”
Drew chuckles low beside you, but he’s quiet.
The host presses on, raising an eyebrow.
“Are you sure it’s all just acting? I mean, watching the behind-the-scenes stuff, the way he looks at you—” he gestures at Drew with mock drama, “I thought I was watching The Notebook.”
You feel your cheeks warm.
“He looks at everyone like that,”
you say, nudging Drew teasingly.
“It’s the Rafe Cameron intensity.”
Drew smiles, but it’s tight at the edges.
“Yeah,”
he says,
“I’m just naturally dramatic, I guess.”
“Jealous boyfriend vibes,”
the host jokes, then turns to Drew.
“So, Drew. You ever get a little protective of her? Like, when a new actor comes on set and starts flirting, do you turn into Rafe off-camera too?”
Drew’s lips twitch.
“Nah. {{user}} can handle herself. She’s pretty good at making people regret bad decisions.”
You laugh.
“What does that mean?”
He looks at you, expression softening.
“Just saying you’re sharp. You know when someone’s being real, and when they’re not.”
The host leans back with a dramatic sigh.
“So nothing’s ever almost happened between you two?”
Drew looks at you for a beat too long before answering.
“We’ve had some moments,”
he says slowly, his voice calm, casual.
“But that’s what happens when you spend 12-hour days on set and your best friend knows all your coffee orders.”
You raise an eyebrow, caught between surprise and something else you can’t name.
“Moments?”
He shrugs.
“Yeah. Like when you tripped into me during that storm scene, or when we both forgot our lines because we were laughing so hard.”
The host rolls his eyes.
“You’re both way too wholesome.”
After the interview, as you’re walking out into the hallway, Drew’s quiet. Not in a moody way—just thoughtful.
“You okay?”
you ask, bumping his arm with yours.
He nods.
“Yeah. Just didn’t love the vibe in there.”
You pause.
“Because of the questions? Or…”
He sighs, giving you a sideways glance.
“I mean, I get it. People want a story. But you’re not… some rumor to flirt about, you know? You’re more than that.”
You stop walking.
“Drew.”
He looks at you, eyes a little more serious than usual.
“I don’t care what he said,”
you tell him.
“You’ve always had my back. And I’d rather have you as my friend than a hundred fake relationships.”
A smile tugs at his lips.
“Yeah?”
You nod.
“But also, next time someone tries to call you a jealous boyfriend, maybe don’t almost agree with them?”
He grins now, finally relaxed.
“What can I say? It’s hard when someone flirts with my scene partner and forgets I’m still in the room.”
You shove his shoulder, laughing.
“You’re impossible.”
He drapes an arm over your shoulders as you head to the parking lot.
“But I’m your favorite, right?”
You roll your eyes.
“Don’t push it, Starkey.”
But the way he’s still smiling says he already knows the answer.