bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 34

MID APRIL - LATE APRIL 2024

the morning after.

sunlight poured in through the blinds, warm and quiet. aurora was still tucked into drew's side, her cheek pressed against his chest, fingers tracing lazy lines along his ribs. she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her hand, calm and easy — totally unaware of the internal spiral happening inside her brain.

she had been rehearsing it in her head all night.

how do you casually ask your bestfriend turned boyfriend — who just made things official like twelve hours ago — to star in your music video? not just any music video. that music video. the one with lyrics that are basically "i just started dating you, don't embarrass me."

how romantic.

she swallowed and tried to breathe normally. no pressure or anything.

drew shifted a little, still half asleep, mumbling something soft before tightening his arm around her waist. she almost lost her nerve right there.

she couldn't just say that. that was insane.

she exhaled slowly and tilted her head, watching him. god, he looked good like this. unfairly good. it made her brain static-y and unhelpful.

okay. maybe she could start lighter. keep it casual. subtle.

drew stirred, his brows twitching slightly like he could feel her panic vibrating under the covers. he blinked awake slowly, meeting her gaze with that sleepy half-smile that made her heart do dumb things.

"you're staring," he muttered, voice gravelly with sleep.

"you're pretty," she said before she could stop herself.

he let out a low chuckle and stretched, his fingers brushing her arm. "you're weird."

"you're weird," she shot back, instantly regretting how middle school that sounded.

he just smiled again. "what's on your mind?"

and just like that, her opening was gone. or maybe that was the opening.

she took a deep breath. "okay. so. hypothetically—"

he raised an eyebrow without moving. "always a strong start."

"if i needed a guy to play my love interest in a music video... and that guy happened to be an actor... and also, you know, conveniently my boyfriend now—"

his eyes sparkled, amused. "are you casting me right now?"

aurora lifted a hand and covered her face with a groan. "forget it. this was stupid. never mind—"

"hey." he pulled her hand away gently, lacing their fingers together. "baby. i'm in."

she blinked. "you are?"

"yeah. i mean, it's only fair. you let me date the star — I should probably at least earn my keep." he smirked. "plus, i've got range. i can act like i'm desperately in love with you."

"shut up," she laughed, shoving him half-heartedly.

he rolled on top of her in one smooth motion, pinning her with a grin. "seriously though. i'm honored. and flattered. and mildly terrified of mia if i say no."

aurora snorted, biting back a grin. "you should be."

he kissed her forehead, soft and slow. "tell me when and where."

and just like that, the anxiety in her chest untangled. maybe she hadn't planned it perfectly. maybe she hadn't even needed to. because it was him. and he was always going to say yes.