Hunter sat down on the floor directly across from Liam and I, between Derek and Lucy. He looked different, his hair messy and unkept unlike how neatly it was usually combed back. He wore a simple shirt with an alcohol stain on the front and a pair of shorts.

From beside me, Avery and I shared a look. Hunter's eyes locked with mine and his lips twisted into a snarl. I swallowed hard and Liam clasped his hand over mine, his thumb tracing circles around the back of my hand. It immediately brought me warmth against Hunter's cold stare.

"No no no, I got the best one. I'm gonna go first, sorry dude," Derek said to Hunter, who rolled his eyes.

Across the circle, Hunter's eyes landed on Liam and I's intertwined hands and his jaw clenched. I shrunk, almost cringing at Hunter's reaction. It had never occurred to me that Hunter never knew Liam and I were together now — not that it was any of his business or anyone else's.

"Never have I ever farted while doing squats at the gym," Derek said through a muffled laugh, snapping my attention back to the game. Everyone's finger stayed up, except for Derek's. All six of us bit back giggles and guffaws.

"Dude, you just exposed yourself," Lucy rolled her eyes and Derek's cheeks grew red.

"I thought it was a common experience," he grumbled, taking a swig of his beer. "My roommate said it was." A few of us shook our heads.

"Moving on," Avery piped up, saving Derek from further embarrassment.

"Never have I ever used a fake ID before," Beth grinned. Both Avery and Derek put a finger down, and took swigs out of their bottles.

I raised an eyebrow at Avery, not at all surprised. Avery had told me about it when it happened. She'd snuck into a club with a fake ID with one of her older cousins.

"Alright me. Never have I ever gone skinny dipping," Beth cackled.

Avery, Hunter and I put down a finger. Liam snapped his head in my direction, astonished. I pursed my lips, avoiding his eyes as I took a drink from my bottle.

"Fuck this, my turn. Never have I ever been so desperate that I had my mommy hook me up on a date," Hunter said, his eyes locking with mine. His lips curled into a snicker and I pressed my lips flat, gritting my teeth.

To prove a point, I left my finger up — as did everyone else. I didn't ask to have a nosy mother that always wanted me to meet guys my age and it definitely wasn't because I was desperate. It was because of her that I met Hunter.

I avoided Liam's burning gaze, as well as everyone's confused expressions. Instead, I focused my attention on the carpeted floor beneath me. I wanted to shoot an insult back, but my brain came up empty.

"Never have I ever had to compensate for something by being a controlling, toxic boyfriend," Avery shot back. Hunter glowered at her, leaving his finger up as well. She narrowed her eyes at him, "You should put a finger down Hunter. If the shoe fits, wear it."

Pride swelled in my chest as I peered over at Avery. When it came down to it, she had my back. She continued to stare Hunter down, her eyes narrowed challengingly. Then, irritation creeped in, and I gritted my teeth.

Hunter stood up, "That's it. I'm done with this stupid game."

"You wanted to play," Beth rolled her eyes as Hunter stormed off, disappearing behind a crowd of dancing and drunk frat students. Both Derek and Lucy agreed, nodding simultaneously.

"I could have handled that myself Avery, I was handling it just fine," I raised an eyebrow at her. She only gave me a nervous smile as I stood up, clearing my throat. I released Liam's hand and Avery called after me, but I ignored it. "I'm gonna go get some water."

I headed back into the kitchen, dodging around a couple making out by the counter. Given that it was a small kitchen, with just a counter and a stove, I was not immune to the obnoxious sounds they made while kissing. A rap song now blasted from the speakers, vibrating and echoing through the house.

I swiped a water bottle from the counter, cracking the lid open. I brought it to my lips, gulping the water down quickly to calm the blood boiling in my cheeks.

Hunter was unbelievable. He'd been a horrible boyfriend the whole time we were together, and when I ignored all his desperate texts, he resorted to this at some random party we happened to be at.

"Hey, you okay?" Liam's voice sounded from behind me, a touch of concern in his tone.

"Fine," I grumbled, turning around to face him. I set the bottle aside on the counter. He bit down on his lip, taking my hand in his. His thumb stroked the back of my hand gently.

My lips curled up from his touch, but my smile quickly dissipated, "At least you already knew about Hunter, I don't have to explain anything."

"Hey, you don't ever have to explain something you don't want to," Liam said softly. He bent over, pressing a light kiss on my forehead.

"Thanks," I said as I felt my cheeks grow hot.

"So, skinny dipping?" Liam stared at me expectantly. His shoulders grew stiff.

"It was a wild night," I said simply, avoiding his eyes as I took another sip of my water.

"Wild, with... Hunter," Liam basically forced his name out. He looked sullen, his lips pressed into a flat line.

I muffled my laugh, placing a hand over my mouth at Liam's reaction, and his brows furrowed.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"I didn't go skinny dipping with Hunter," I shook my head, biting back my laugh. "Avery was there but that was it."

"Why didn't you just say that," he scratched his nose, shielding his face from me. But it was too late, I could already see his flaming cheeks.

"It was funny to watch you squirm," I shrugged, giggling.

"You're lucky I like you so much," Liam rolled his eyes, though he was grinning.

Yes, I really am. I smiled to myself, watching as he turned to the kitchen counter, scanning the options that were left.

There were a few White Claws, Smirnoff and of course Budweiser. He grabbed a Budweiser, popping open the bottle.

He glanced over at me, "You are calling your driver right?" I nodded and Liam tipped the bottle into his mouth.

"Yeah anyways, Smirnoff Ice is the best kind," I grabbed one from the counter, claiming it as my own. "And then its White Claw."

"Seriously? I didn't know you had such little taste," he smirked, his eyebrow shooting up. My mouth hung open at his comment and he grinned. "They're like girly drinks."

I rolled my eyes, slipping my hand into his, "Did you just associate gender with alcohol?"

Liam blinked at me as if he were contemplating really hard, "Um... yes."

I gasped when Hunter crashed into the kitchen, with a red solo cup in hand. His eyes moved between Liam and I, and then to our connected hands.

The couple that had been sucking each other's faces off took one look at Hunter and with irritated expressions, they stepped out of the room.

"That's why you wouldn't answer my texts? Because of him?" Hunter pointed a finger at Liam, his lip twisted into a scowl. Liam set his drink aside, his brows lowered at Hunter.

I swallowed hard as I took in his flushed cheeks, and I had no idea if they were from the alcohol or from rage. My shoulders grew taut. I'd never seen Hunter really angry, and especially not in some drunken rage.

I glanced over at Liam, thankful that he was next to me. Liam's grip on my hand tightened as he shot daggers at Hunter, his jaws locked tight. If looks could kill, Hunter would be six feet under.

"I'd want nothing to do with you even if Liam wasn't here," I said through gritted teeth.

"Whatever, whore," Hunter spat, smashing his cup onto the floor. I jumped slightly when it landed with a thud, the liquor forming a small puddle on the floor. Hunter stepped towards me, his nostrils flared and his fists clenched.

Liam stepped in front, pulling me behind him with a hand on my wrist. With a low voice, he said, "Are you done? You should leave. Now."

His voice was capable of sending chills racing up my spine. Hunter blinked, perplexed that Liam had said anything at all. I took a peek at Liam, frowning. I could have handled Hunter myself. But he wasn't looking at me, instead he was glaring at Hunter, infuriated.

Hunter took a few steps back, his eyes narrowed at Liam. He gave me one last look before he turned back, stalking out of the kitchen.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, my shoulders growing limp again.

I turned to Liam, my lips curling down again, "What was that?"

"What was what?" he asked, shrugging.

"That was like some macho stunt you pulled with Hunter. Like you were sizing him up," I rolled my eyes.

"I was trying to help you," he sighed. "He looked like he wanted to hurt you."

"I don't need your help or your protection, whatever. I could have handled him myself," I snapped.

Liam took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair roughly, "Right, you say that about everything."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I challenged, crossing my arms over my chest.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. He took a step forward, engulfing me into his arms, "Never mind, I don't want to fight with you."

I also didn't want to fight with Liam, it was just that this was a battle I could fight. I didn't need anyone to defend me like I was some damsel in the 19th century. I was long done with that.

I rested my head onto his shoulder, wrapping my arms around his neck. I let out a breath, and all my frustration along with it.

Liam's voice was muffled against my hair, "Come on, let's have fun."

★★★

𝐻𝑒𝑦 𝑔𝑢𝑦𝑠! 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑛𝑗𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑑𝑎𝑦!!

~ 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝐼𝑛𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑆𝑎𝑙𝑡