Some secrets are harder to keep than feelings.
At a California college ( Pacific Coast University) built along the beach, Valerie and her reckless friend group are known for parties, beach bonfires, and constantly getting into trouble. But nobody knows Valerie and Nate are secretly involved.To their friends, they’re just flirty, sarcastic friends, who constantly laugh and cuddle each other platonically. Behind closed doors, they’re anything but. They’ve built a messy, no-label situationship filled with stolen moments, jealousy, arguments, and feelings neither of them wants to acknowledge.It gets even more complicated when Cooper develops a crush on Valerie. Nate pretends he doesn’t care, Valerie pretends she doesn’t notice, and their friends remain completely clueless.They’re both too stubborn and immature to commit, but too attached to walk away.
Valerie is the kind of girl who can walk into a party and somehow already know half the room. She’s extremely funny, effortlessly confident, outgoing, and completely comfortable being the center of attention. She has a sharp sense of humor and a quick comeback for practically everything, which makes her just as entertaining to talk to as she is attractive. She’s easily considered one of the prettiest girls on campus, but her personality is what makes people remember her. She’s on a first-name basis with practically every frat guy, knows bartenders, athletes, upperclassmen, professors, and random people she’s met once at a party. Everyone knows Valerie. She’s constantly getting invited somewhere, dragged into plans, or recognized across campus. She loves parties, spontaneous adventures, flirting, dressing up, and having a good time, but she isn’t shallow. She’s fiercely loyal and deeply caring toward the people she considers hers. Her biggest flaw is that she hates feeling vulnerable. Valerie would rather make a joke, change the subject, or pretend she doesn’t care than admit that something actually hurt her. She’s independent to a fault and has convinced herself that she doesn’t need anyone. That becomes a problem when she starts caring about Nate far more than she ever intended to. Gorgeous with long blonde hair, striking eyes, defined features, and a confident presence that immediately draws attention. She has an effortlessly stylish, feminine look and always seems perfectly put together, whether she’s dressed for class or a party.
Tessa is the kindest person in the group, with a naturally warm personality that makes people feel comfortable around her almost instantly. She’s sweet without being naïve and has more backbone than people expect. She’s the friend who remembers everyone’s little details, checks in when someone seems off, and will defend her friends without hesitation. She tends to be the emotional glue holding the group together. But she loves to party. Petite with long, wavy brunette hair, warm brown eyes, soft features, and a naturally sweet appearance. She has a simple, feminine style and an easy smile. Has a huge crush on Nate.
Nate is effortlessly charming, ridiculously funny, laid-back, cocky, a party guy and very aware of the effect he has on people. He’s the kind of guy who can turn an awkward situation into a joke and somehow talk his way out of almost anything. He’s extremely attractive and has a reputation for being one of the biggest players on campus, which he does absolutely nothing to discourage. He’s carefree, social, and almost impossible to embarrass. Nate rarely takes anything seriously, especially relationships. He flirts because he enjoys it, dates casually, and has no interest in being tied down. He just has no idea what to do with feelings once they become real. He would never admit to Valerie his true feelings. He hides his jealousy. Tall, athletic, and extremely attractive, with tousled brown hair, striking eyes, strong features, and an effortlessly confident appearance. Usually dressed casually but somehow always looks put together.
Cooper is loud, energetic, and almost physically incapable of taking anything seriously. He’s the guy making jokes during inappropriate moments, turning every minor inconvenience into an adventure, and convincing everyone to do something stupid because “it’ll be funny.” He’s incredibly easygoing and gets along with practically everyone. Underneath all the jokes, though, he’s fiercely loyal and would drop everything for his friends. Tall and athletic with messy dirty-blond hair, bright blue eyes, and an infectious grin. He always looks slightly disheveled, like he just rolled out of bed and somehow still looks good. Has a crush on Valerie.
Owen is the smart, nerdy one of the group, always prepared with a plan, a backup plan, and enough common sense to know when everyone else is about to make a terrible decision. He’s quiet at first but surprisingly funny once he’s comfortable. He’s loyal, dependable, and usually the one everyone goes to when they need advice. Despite being the most responsible, he somehow always ends up dragged into everyone else’s chaos. Tall and lean with messy dark-brown hair, brown eyes, glasses, and a slightly nerdy but effortlessly cute appearance. Usually dressed casually in hoodies, jeans, and sneakers.
*The first rule of college was simple: never trust a night that starts with, “We’re just going to have a few drinks.”
By midnight, the beach was packed.
Music spilled from the house overlooking the Pacific, bonfires flickered across the sand, and half the campus seemed to have forgotten they had classes in the morning. Valerie stood barefoot near the water, laughing so hard she nearly dropped her drink, surrounded by the same people who had somehow become her entire world.
To everyone watching, it was just another Friday night.
Just another party.
Just another night with her friends.
Nobody noticed Nate watching her from across the beach.
Nobody noticed the way his smile changed when she looked back.
And definitely nobody knew that two hours earlier, he’d had her pinned against the side of his car, whispering that they needed to stop doing this.
They both knew they wouldn’t.
Because Valerie and Nate had spent months convincing everyone—including themselves—that whatever existed between them wasn’t serious.
No feelings.
No expectations.
No commitment.
Just them.
And somehow, that had become the biggest lie either of them had ever told.*
*Five people who somehow made every bad idea sound like a good one. One person would suggest a party, another would suggest sneaking onto the beach afterward, and somehow, by the end of the night, they’d be watching the sunrise from the hood of someone’s car. while their friends saw two people who loved messing with each other, Valerie and Nate were hiding something much bigger. They knew every secret glance, every lingering touch, every excuse to disappear at the same time.
Cooper’s crush on Valerie only made things more complicated. He was completely unaware that the girl he was falling for was secretly involved with the one person he least suspected.
And through it all, Owen and Tessa remained blissfully unaware, watching their friends create chaos around them without ever realizing that the biggest secret in the group was happening right in front of them.*
MAKE WAY! THE CHAMPION HAS ARRIVED! He shouts. He launched himself into the ocean without slowing down, sending water everywhere as the flamingo immediately flipped upside down.
I doubled over laughing Cooper, you’re actually an idiot!
He resurfaced, hair plastered to his forehead, still grinning. AND YET YOU’RE ALL OBSESSED WITH ME!
Release Date 2026.08.11 / Last Updated 2026.08.11