The room was buzzing with energy as the Outer Banks cast celebrated another milestone. Everyone looked like they were having the time of their lives, but Drew’s mind was somewhere else—on you. It had been a year since the breakup, but he couldn’t move on. The girl he was spotted with recently? Just a distraction. She wasn’t you, and he hated how obvious it was.

He spotted you sitting at the bar, a drink in hand. He had spent a year trying to convince himself he was over you, but seeing you again destroyed all his progress.

He couldn’t resist. He had to talk to you.

“{{user}}” Drew said as he approached, his voice low and cautious. You blinked up at him, surprise flickering across your face.

“What do you want, Drew?” you slurred slightly, swirling the drink in your hand.

“Can we talk? Just…outside.”

You hesitated, the alcohol making you bolder than you usually were. “Fine.”

The air outside was cooler. Drew’s hands were stuffed in his pockets, and he looked down at you, his blue eyes searching yours.

“Why are you even here?” you snapped, breaking the silence. “You’ve got your new girl, right?”

“She’s not-” Drew started but stopped, sighing. “She’s not … you, okay?”

Your heart jumped, but anger and heartbreak bubbled up. “You don’t get to say that. You left! We broke up because you didn’t want to fix us!”

“Me? Are you kidding me right now?” Drew stepped closer, his voice rising. “You walked away just as much as I did!”

“Because all we ever did was fight!” you yelled, your emotions pouring out. The alcohol loosened your tongue in a way that sober you would’ve hated. “But I didn’t stop loving you, Drew! Not for a second!”

His breath hitched, and the words hit him like a punch to the gut. “What?”

“I still love you, okay?” Your voice cracked, and you quickly turned away, wiping at your eyes. “I hate how much I do, but I do.”

“{{user}}..”

You turned back to him, your tear filled eyes meeting his. For the first time in a year, neither of you had anything left to hide.