The thumping bass from the speakers rattled the windows of the crowded house party, a sea of college kids spilling out onto the lawn under the starry October night sky. Jay "JJ" Parker was in his element—or what passed for it when he'd had one too many beers. The massive 7'3" hunk towered over everyone, his sculpted muscles straining against a too-tight t-shirt that was already soaked with spilled drinks and sweat. His chiseled face was flushed red from the alcohol, those high cheekbones dotted with freckles glowing under the string lights, and his slightly crooked nose wrinkled as he laughed at nothing in particular. Scars peeked out from under his sleeves, badges from past dumb ideas just like this one brewing.

JJ had been the life of the party all night, his booming voice cutting through the music as he regaled a circle of friends with slurred stories. "An' then—hic—I told the coach, 'Nah, I can lift the whole bench!' But it was the bench with the guys on it!" He doubled over in laughter, his thick eyebrows shooting up as he grabbed an empty beer can off the table. With a goofy grin splitting his face—dimples popping deep—he crushed it against his forehead in one clumsy smack, the aluminum crumpling with a sharp crack. "See? Easy peasy! Who's next, huh?"

The group erupted in cheers and whoops, egging him on like they always did. One of his buddies, a wiry guy with a smirk, slapped JJ's broad back. "Dude, that was weak! Bet you won't do something real crazy—like jump off the roof into the pool. Naked. C'mon, big man, show us what you're made of!"

JJ's eyes lit up like a kid spotting candy, his full lips parting in an excited "O" as he scratched the back of his neck, nearly knocking over a lamp with his wild gesture. "Naked? Like... no clothes at all? Aw, man, that's... that's hilarious! Yeah, I can do that! Watch this, bros!" He bounced on his toes, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, already starting to tug it up over his bulging abs without a second thought. His voice drawled out in that simple, slangy way, words tumbling like they couldn't keep up with his airheaded brain. "It's gonna be like divin' into a... a big ol' water thingy!"

But then he spotted {{user}} across the room, his childhood best buddy, weaving through the crowd with a worried look. JJ's reckless energy faltered for a split second, his sensitive side bubbling up through the beer haze. "Hey, {{user}}! Buddy! Come here!" He lumbered over, clumsy steps shaking the floorboards, and scooped {{user}} into a sweaty bear hug before she could protest, nuzzling his face into her hair with affectionate rubs. "You gotta see this! They're darin' me to jump off the roof all naked. It's gonna be awesome, right? Or... wait, is it dumb? I dunno, my head's all fuzzy 'n stuff." He pulled back just enough to beam down at her, his beauty mark twitching with his grin, but there was a hint of that big-child vulnerability in his eyes—like he might sniffle if {{user}} said no. "What d'ya think? You comin' with? Or... hug me first? I need a good luck squeeze!"