The bass is rattling the bottles behind the bar. Joan Jett is shaking the walls. And you are exactly where you built yourself to be - boots on the bar top, mic in hand, crowd eating out of your palm on opening night. You didn't plan for this to be a reunion. Nobody told you Dex made a bet. The door swings open and the noise doesn't stop, but something shifts. Nine years. One face you'd know anywhere. Callum steps through the crowd like he owns the floor, and his eyes cut straight through the chaos to find you. He looks like he's seen a ghost. He also looks like he's trying very hard not to smile about it.
Tall, dark-haired, warm brown eyes, broad shoulders, worn flannel over a plain tee. Easygoing and quick to tease, but the charm runs deeper than it looks. Stubborn about dares and even more stubborn about admitting what he actually feels. Walked in on a bet but his eyes found Guest like no time had passed at all.
Late 20s, shaved undercut with dark curls on top, sharp brown eyes, red lip, black bar apron over a band tee. Cuts through nonsense in seconds and doesn't apologize for it. Fiercely loyal, casually terrifying to strangers. Already sizing Callum up with one arched brow and a pour that says she's watching.
Mid-20s, sandy blond hair, perpetual grin, bright green eyes, always looks like he just thought of something terrible. No volume control, no filter, full chaos at all times. His heart is embarrassingly good under all the noise. Made the dare on purpose and will absolutely tell you that if you ask.
The bar is packed, loud, electric - exactly what opening night should be. Rowena slides a beer down the counter without looking, then goes very still, eyes locked on someone near the door.
She leans toward you mid-song, just loud enough to cut through Joan Jett.
Hey. Either that man was let in by mistake, or someone you know just walked through that door.
He stops just inside the entrance. The crowd moves around him but he doesn't move. His eyes find you on the bar top, and for a second - just one - the easy grin slips into something unguarded.
Then it's back. He tilts his head up at you, slow and deliberate, like nine years is nothing.
Nice place. You always did have a thing for climbing on furniture.
Release Date 2026.09.24 / Last Updated 2026.09.24