𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧' 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 ─────⋆⋅★𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘺

𝟑𝟖. 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

As they pulled into the driveway of Drew's family home, Suki's heart began to pound. Nestled in a quiet corner of Hickory, North Carolina, the house seemed wrapped in an autumnal warmth, surrounded by towering trees with leaves of amber and crimson blanketing the yard. Drew gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as he parked, leaning over to press a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"They're going to love you, you know?" he murmured, his eyes soft with reassurance.

Suki managed a tight-lipped smile, her nerves bubbling up. "I hope so. I feel like I'm about to meet royalty."

Drew chuckled. "Royalty? Trust me, we're just a bunch of misfits. Nothing fancy."

But as they stepped inside, Suki realized how wrong he was. The place was alive with warmth and laughter, grounded in a sense of family that felt deep and enduring. The smell of something delicious simmering in the kitchen filled the air, and familiar voices spilled down the hallway, layered in the easy cadence of people who knew one another completely. Suki's gaze roamed over Drew's childhood scattered in small touches everywhere—a worn baseball glove resting on a shelf, photos of a younger Drew with that same bright, mischievous smile in frames on the mantle. Her heart ached with a strange longing as she took it all in, wondering what it must feel like to have such roots, a home that held so much history and love.

Drew's mom, Joni, appeared in the entryway, her face lighting up as she came toward Suki. She swept her into a warm embrace, and for a moment, Suki was taken aback. She'd forgotten what it felt like to be enveloped in a mother's hug, with its warmth and acceptance. She returned it a little hesitantly, masking the emotions that rose to the surface with a soft laugh. Joni's kindness was so grounding, so unlike the polished, guarded world she was used to.

"You must be Suki!" Joni said, beaming as she stepped back. "We've heard so much about you."

"And you must be Joni," Suki replied, finding it easy to smile. "I feel like I know you already."

Drew groaned. "Mom, let's keep it light on the stories, please."

"Oh, but there's so much to share, Andrew," Joni replied, grinning as she rolled her eyes playfully. "We've got plenty of stories for Suki about you."

The house buzzed with activity, each member of Drew's family stepping in to greet them. His dad, Todd, was at the kitchen table with a beer in hand, cracking jokes with Logan, who looked like a smaller, mischievous version of Drew. Mackayla, chic and confident, welcomed Suki with warmth, while Brooke, nervous and bubbling with excitement for her birthday celebration later, gave her a hug that felt like an instant invitation.

Logan, always quick with a tease, clapped Drew on the shoulder. "Look who decided to show up! And he brought a superstar with him!"

Suki flushed as Brooke's eyes widened, practically vibrating with excitement. "I can't believe you're here, Suki! It's like I'm meeting someone from a magazine!"

"I'm just Suki, I promise," she said, smiling shyly. "Not that interesting."

"Oh, I highly doubt that," Mackayla replied, her eyes twinkling.

Drew's dad suggested they take a family game of football outside, and before she knew it, Suki found herself on the sidelines with Joni, Mackayla, and Brooke, watching Drew and Logan run plays with Todd in the front yard. She saw Drew transform, his face animated with pure joy and a playful competitiveness that felt worlds away from the polished man she'd seen on red carpets. Laughing, he sprinted after Logan, tackling him with ease, and Suki couldn't help but smile, feeling something warm settle in her chest as she watched him so at ease in his element.

"They're like this every time they're together," Joni said, nudging Suki. "Boys, it's like they never grew up when they come home."

Suki grinned, nodding. Seeing Drew like this—unguarded and full of lightness—stirred something deep within her. It was intimate and real, a version of him she rarely saw, and she felt a pang of longing for something she'd never quite had—a place to belong, a home to anchor her.