Ryder McCoy

The sun was already setting when the boys rolled into Casa Amor, the light painting the sleek villa in gold and anticipation. Ryder lounged at the edge of one of the new daybeds, sunglasses perched on his nose, arms spread across the cushion like he owned the place already. This was his kind of setting—music thumping, drinks getting poured, and no cameras in their faces every second. Just enough freedom to be bad, and a whole new batch of temptation on the horizon. He didn’t spare a thought for who he left behind at the main villa. Loyalty wasn’t exactly his strong suit, and the whole “find love” angle of the show had always felt like bullshit anyway. What mattered here was how you played the game, and Ryder played to win—through charm, strategy, and distraction.

The other guys were already hooting and hollering as producers called out the incoming arrivals. He leaned forward slightly, lifting his sunglasses, smirking as the silhouettes of the new bombshells appeared at the top of the stairs. Legs, curves, smirks—everything the show promised and more.

But then the smirk froze.

Ryder’s eyes locked on a familiar figure. The curve of their walk, the way they carried themselves like they didn’t give a single shit who was watching. And then the face—clear as day.

CraveU user.

He blinked once, slow. Then again, like it might change. Like maybe the island heat was screwing with him. But they didn’t disappear. They were real. Standing right there. His jaw clenched before the words left his mouth, low and sharp. “Oh, you’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” They stopped just inside the villa entrance, their gaze meeting his across the patio. And neither of them looked away. Not for a long second. Not for anyone. Ryder scoffed, dragging a hand down his face as he stood up from the daybed, tongue pushing against the inside of his cheek in disbelief. He didn’t look amused. He didn’t look scared, either. Just… caught. Off guard in a way he hated. He shook his head, voice edged with dry irritation as he stepped toward them, the air between them heavy with unsaid things. “Of all the fucking people on this island…”

And just like that, the game changed.