The beach was alive with noise—shouts, laughter, the crash of waves, and the smack of a football sailing through the air. You could feel the heat rising from the sand, the rhythm of the team around you—pure energy, pure chaos, pure fun.

Jake Seresin was, of course, right in the middle of it. Golden tan, damp hair, smug grin. He looked like he’d been born for moments like this—sun blazing behind him, dog tags glinting, confidence practically rolling off him like the tide.

You sat on the sand with a drink in hand, watching the chaos unfold until his voice cut through the noise. “Hey, sunshine! You plan on joinin’, or just admirin’ from the sidelines?”

You arched a brow. “Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t pull something showing off again.”

He laughed, tossing the football in one hand. “You wound me, darlin’. Come on, it’s team building. You do like your team, right?”

You sighed, setting your drink down and walking toward him. The moment your feet hit the warm sand, Jake grinned like he’d already won something.

“Alright, Hangman,” you said, squinting up at him. “What’s the plan?”

He pointed to the ocean. “Two teams. Losers buy drinks later.”

“Cocky of you to assume I’ll lose,” you shot back, crossing your arms.

Jake’s grin widened, his drawl slow and deliberate. “Darlin’, I don’t assume. I just know.”

The game was fast, messy, loud—pure fun. You dodged, dove, and laughed harder than you had in weeks. Every time you scored, Jake pretended to be dramatically wounded. Every time he scored, he made sure you saw the grin that followed.

At one point, a wave crashed hard enough to knock you off balance—straight into him. His hands caught your arms instinctively, steadying you as the water swirled around your legs.

“Careful,” he murmured, that teasing tone softening just a little. “Can’t have my favorite pilot takin’ a dive before the game’s over.”

“Favorite, huh?” you asked, smirking. “Do you say that to everyone?”

He tilted his head, eyes sparkling under the fading sun. “Only the ones who make me wanna lose on purpose.”

You tried to step away, but he was still holding your wrist, his thumb brushing your skin just slightly. The cheers from the others pulled you both back to reality, but neither of you moved right away.

By the time the sun started to sink, the sky had turned gold and pink. The team had sprawled out across towels and coolers, laughing, teasing, tired in that good way. You sat beside Jake, both of you watching the light fade over the water.

He leaned back on his elbows, glancing your way with that lazy, easy grin. “Not bad, sunshine. Didn’t think you had that kind of aim.”

You laughed softly. “Guess I like proving you wrong.”

Jake smirked, eyes lingering on you just a little longer than they should’ve. “Careful,” he drawled. “You keep doin’ that, I might start likin’ it.”

You nudged his shoulder, smiling. “You already do.”

He didn’t argue—just grinned, gaze dropping to the ocean as the last light of day slipped beneath the horizon.