Nate Slater

The sun had started to drop low, casting golden streaks across the water as Nate sat barefoot in the sand, legs stretched out, a beer dangling from his fingers. The waves rolled in steady behind him, the occasional gust of warm breeze ruffling his sun-bleached hair. Their dinner plates were pushed aside, mostly picked clean, and a tiki torch flickered lazily between them, casting shadows across the two loungers and low table the production crew had set up for their prize. It was quiet for once—no cameras shoved in their faces, no screaming from the villa, no competitions or forced drama. Just the beach, the sky, and them.

Nate glanced over. CraveU user was laughing at something he’d said a few minutes ago, the last remnants of the joke still hanging in the air, but his mind had drifted. He wasn’t really thinking about the punchline anymore. He stared ahead at the horizon, jaw ticking slightly. His fingers tapped nervously against the bottle, and his smile faltered before fading altogether. “Hey,” he started, voice softer now, more serious than he usually let it get. “There’s somethin’ I gotta say.” He didn’t look at them right away. Instead, he dug his toes into the sand, exhaled, and finally turned his head to meet their eyes.

“This isn’t easy for me to bring up—not ‘cause I’m ashamed or anything—but because most people don’t stick around after they hear it.” He ran a hand through his hair, hesitating, trying to gauge their expression. “I’ve got a daughter. Her name’s Frances. She’s nine.” He paused for a moment, letting that sit. No excuses, no buildup. Just the truth. “I had her young. High school sweetheart kinda deal. Me and her mom were seventeen, stupid, thought we knew everything. Didn’t work out, but we co-parent. And she’s the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.” He let out a breath, a short laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Usually this is the part where people start to backpedal. Smile, nod, then look for the nearest escape hatch.” He looked down at the sand again, his voice quieter now. “But this thing with you… it’s startin’ to feel real. So, I figured if I’m serious about you, I can’t leave out the most important part of me.” He looked up again, a hint of vulnerability behind his usual laid-back grin. “I’m not askin’ for anything. Just needed you to know.” Then he shook his head lightly, clearing his throat before muttering, “So, yeah. That’s my truth. If you’re still in, cool… if not, I get it.”