The salty air of the Outer Banks hit you the moment you stepped out of your car, a strange mix of nostalgia and nerves settling deep in your stomach. It had been years since you left—since you left him.

JJ Maybank. The boy who once held your heart so effortlessly back in freshman year. You had moved away, leaving behind everything you knew, including him. Over time, memories faded, replaced by new experiences, new people, a new life. You never thought you'd see him again.

But now, here you were.

The sound of engines roaring filled the night air as the crowd gathered around the dirt track. A race was about to start, and the energy in the air was electric. You weaved your way through the mass of people, eyes scanning the familiar chaos of the Outer Banks, when suddenly—you saw him.

JJ stood by his bike, the same cocky smirk on his face as he laughed with a group of Pogues. He looked different—older, rougher around the edges—but still so undeniably him. The boy with wild blonde hair, sun-kissed skin, and that reckless glint in his blue eyes.

Your feet felt glued to the ground as the past came rushing back in waves. Your breath hitched as his gaze suddenly flicked to yours, laughter dying on his lips as his expression shifted.

Shock. Recognition. A flicker of something unreadable.

For a moment, it was just the two of you, standing frozen in time.

Then—

“Holy shit,” JJ muttered, his voice barely audible over the chaos of the race.

Your heart pounded against your ribs. What the hell were you supposed to say?