The morning after the hangover incident, Max was still trying to piece together last night's chaotic conversations when his phone buzzed. Chris's name lit up the screen.
"Hey, man. Beach trip today. Evan's bringing his girl, and I'm bringing mine. You and Scarlet up for it?" Chris asked.
Max glanced over at Scarlet, who was sipping coffee on the couch, scrolling through her phone. "Uh... yeah. Sounds good," Max replied.
After hanging up, he gave Scarlet a quick rundown. Her eyes lit up at the mention of the beach. "That sounds fun! Let's do it."
A few hours later, Chris pulled up in his SUV. Max slid into the driver's seat, naturally taking the wheel. Scarlet sat shotgun, while the others squeezed into the back. Chris tossed Max the keys with a smirk. "Don't kill us, Speed Racer."
Max flashed a grin, revved the engine, and pulled out smoothly. As they hit the open road, he let loose a bit—speeding up just enough to feel the adrenaline without risking a ticket. The others whooped from the backseat, while Scarlet kept glancing at him with a mix of excitement and admiration.
When they finally reached the beach, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows on the sand. Max pulled into a spot with an effortless drift, earning a cheer from the group.
As they piled out, Max tossed his shirt into the car, revealing his toned physique. Scarlet's cheeks flushed, despite knowing he was a boxer. Seeing his body like that still caught her off guard. She looked away, trying to focus on setting up the blankets and drinks.
They spent the evening around a portable speaker blasting upbeat music, sharing stories and laughter. The girls teamed up against the guys for a makeshift beach volleyball game, which quickly devolved into a sand fight. Max stayed on the sidelines, half watching, half keeping an eye on Scarlet, who kept looking back at him.
As the sky darkened, they lit a small fire, sharing drinks and snacks. Evan's girlfriend poked fun at how quiet Max was, but Scarlet jumped to his defense. "He's just the strong, silent type," she teased, nudging him with her shoulder.
Chris brought out a cooler with some beers, and while most of the group got tipsy, Max stuck to soda, knowing he'd be driving back. Scarlet, on the other hand, grew increasingly giggly and affectionate, leaning against his shoulder.
After a while, Chris and Evan crashed on the blankets, while their girlfriends sprawled next to them. Max carefully collected the empty cans and shook his head. "Lightweights," he muttered.
He glanced at Scarlet, who had dozed off against his side, her hair falling across her face. Gently, he moved a strand away, his fingers brushing her cheek. She mumbled something in her sleep, and he couldn't help but smile.
After rounding up the others, Max managed to get everyone back into the SUV. He started the engine, Scarlet still leaning on his shoulder, half-awake. The drive home was quieter, the gentle hum of the road lulling everyone to sleep except Max. He glanced down at Scarlet, realizing how naturally she fit against him.
When they reached his apartment, he carefully lifted Scarlet from the car, carrying her bridal style to his room. She stirred but didn't wake up. He laid her down gently, pulling a blanket over her. She snuggled into the pillow, her lips curling into a soft smile.
Max sighed, brushing his hair back. He set up the couch for himself again, wondering why it felt so natural to make sure Scarlet was comfortable first. As he settled in, he couldn't shake the warmth spreading through his chest—a feeling he hadn't let himself consider before.
Maybe it wasn't just about being protective. Maybe it was more.