bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 23

EARLY JANUARY 2024

When Aurora and Drew woke up from their second sleep, the clock read 2 p.m. It was definitely time to get up and start the day. Drew stretched lazily and suggested, with a mischievous grin, that they shower together "to save water." Aurora immediately shut him down, rolling her eyes at his cheeky smirk.

"That's not happening, Starkey," she said firmly.

"Fine," Drew replied dramatically, stealing a kiss on her cheek before Aurora swatted him away. "Last one, I promise."

When they were both showered, dressed, and ready, they decided to grab breakfast—well, lunch—at a nearby café. As they ate, they hashed out how they were going to act around the rest of the cast.

"We need to act normal," Aurora said between bites of pancakes. "Like friends who just... drifted apart. No weird tension, no over-explaining anything."

Drew nodded in agreement. "Got it. So, basically, we don't need to tell anyone what happened last night unless they straight-up ask?"

"Exactly," Aurora confirmed. "And even if they do, just say you were stupid and a bitch and believed some stupid rumor. No details. and also, we can't let anyone know about what we did last night."

"Fair enough," Drew replied, though his sly grin suggested he wasn't quite as eager to downplay their "reconciliation" as she was.

After finishing their meal, they returned to the hotel and upgraded to a room with two beds. Aurora was determined to set boundaries, and Drew didn't protest—though the look on his face said he wasn't thrilled.

At the reception desk, the woman helping them eyed the two of them curiously as Aurora requested the room upgrade. When they walked away with their new key cards, Aurora glanced at Drew.

"Why did she look at us like that?" Aurora asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh..." Drew hesitated, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Drew..." she said, her tone warning him she wasn't about to drop it.

"Okay, fine," Drew admitted with a sheepish grin. "When I came to your room last night, she asked what my relationship to you was, and I might've said... boyfriend."

Aurora blinked at him, stunned for a moment. Then, shaking her head, she let out a disbelieving laugh. "Oh, great. She probably thinks we're in some dramatic couple's fight or something."

"Well..." Drew said, his grin widening, "she wouldn't be entirely wrong."

Aurora gave him a playful shove. "You're impossible, Starkey."

"I try," he said, winking as they headed toward their room.

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Aurora sat on the edge of the bed, her phone in her hand as she called Mia on FaceTime. Drew sat beside her, looking very nervous. The call connected, and Mia's face filled the screen.

"Hey!" Mia greeted, then her expression quickly shifted to curiosity. "Why do you look so... happy?" she asked, squinting as if trying to figure it out herself.

Aurora smirked and slowly turned the camera to reveal Drew sitting beside her. He gave a small, awkward wave. Mia's eyes widened, and she let out a squeal so loud Aurora had to pull the phone back a bit.

"Oh. My. God!" Mia shrieked. "Finally! Everything is reconciled? Please tell me you two made up."

Aurora gave a small, playful shrug. "You could say that. I told him he's lost the best friend title and is downgraded to just 'friend' for now."