Chapter 53 - Meg's POV

Saturday, 6:20 AM – The Quiet Before the Storm

The sky was painting itself in soft pinks and oranges as the early morning light spilled over the ocean. The bonfire was just a smoldering pile of ash and glowing embers now. The salty air stung my lungs, but I welcomed it—it was the only thing grounding me after the chaos of the night.

Everyone else was either slowly packing up or drifting toward the trailers, but I lingered by the shore, the cool water brushing against my shoes. Milo was out there somewhere, probably pacing like me, caught in the same storm of emotions that buzzed quietly under the surface.

I wrapped my arms around myself and closed my eyes, trying to breathe steady. The truth or dare game had cracked open everything we'd been hiding for years, and now there was no pretending the walls were unbreakable.

Julian's probing questions, the way his gaze sharpened every time Milo and I exchanged a glance—it was a ticking clock. Someone was going to find out, and soon.

I thought back to when Milo had admitted, so carefully, that he'd been in a long-term relationship. Just those few words sent my heart racing. It was a relief and a threat all at once. A secret shared meant the dam was weakening.

I had to be honest—with myself and with Milo. We were exhausted from hiding. Exhausted from pretending our closeness was just friendship. But fear wrapped around me like a tightrope—I didn't want to fall. Not yet.

The night was a jumble in my mind. The way the fire flickered across Milo's face, making his eyes shine with something unspoken. The way the others laughed and joked, oblivious to the silent battle between us.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through pictures, landing on one from years ago—a candid shot of Milo and me laughing on set. His arm was draped around my shoulder, and we looked like the best of friends. But behind that image was everything we weren't saying.

I slid the phone into my pocket and looked out at the ocean again.

The waves whispered secrets only the sea knew, and I wondered how long we could keep our own from washing away.