"Remind me again why we're here?"

"Because you've been sulking like a miserable asshole," Zack throws over his shoulder as he walks inside the house.

He's dragging me along to some party the hockey team is holding even though this is the last thing I want to do. I fucking hate crowds because I fucking hate people and I'd rather eat shit than be surrounded by all of Boston U. And all of Boston U is definitely here. When we walk inside the house it's packed and I get bumped into twice only seconds after entering the place. I grunt in frustration.

"Fuck this. I'm going back to our dorm," I tell Zack but he grabs me by the sleeve of my leather jacket before I can turn around.

"All you're going to do is sulk like you've been doing all week and then you're going to get drunk and fuck a random girl. At least at this party you can do that with me keeping tabs on you."

"You're not—"

"Your babysitter. I know, you dick. I'm your best friend and I'm looking out for you so shut the fuck up and get over yourself."

My mouth twitches. It's kind of refreshing when I'm spoken to like that and I can't deny it actually amuses me instead of offends me. Still, I plaster on a straight face as Zack leads us to a keg nearby. A dude notices us and calls our names and everyone else surrounding the keg follows suit, immediately backing away and letting us cut in line to get drinks. Zack nods at them in acknowledgment, nice guy that he is. I wait behind him with my arms crossed, the poster image of "don't fucking talk to me." I don't want to be here to begin with so small talk is sure as fuck off the table.

Zack passes me a cup and we both leave the line. I let him lead us away since I don't know what the fuck he wants to do anyways. The place is so crowded there isn't anywhere for us to sit. When he starts for the stairs I assume he wants to see if there's space upstairs but he pauses on the middle steps and sits down. At least no one is close to us if we sit here so I follow suit, leaning against the handrail and taking a sip of beer. It's only then do I notice that Zack is actually the one who's sulking, looking around the house with a grim and zoned-out expression.

"What crawled up your ass?" I ask.

He barely glances at me, shaking his head and not answering my question. Zack is the type to say what's on his mind so if he's not telling me something then it has to be pretty bad.

I nudge him with my shoe. "Seriously, man. You good?"

"Forget it. It's stupid," He says vaguely and finishes the rest of his drink in one chug. My brows go up.

"If it's stupid then why are you tripping out?"

"I'm not tripping out."

"Yeah, you are." I sit down next to him. "Talk."

He blows out a breath and looks away. "I'm serious, Luc. It's stupid and you have enough going on."

"That's what this is about?" I ask dryly. "Because I'm the kid whose mother has cancer you can't talk to me about your problems anymore? Fucking bull. Start talking, Hunter. You gave me that dumbass best friend speech two seconds ago so act like it."

His jaw ticks for a brief moment as he considers it. Finally, he shrugs. "Rowan ended it today."

My brows come together. "Who?"

"Professor Alvarez," He clarifies, lowering his voice and looking around to make sure no one's listening.

Huh. I watch him for a moment. He looks genuinely put-out. "I thought it was just fucking. Forbidden and dirty shit, you know?"

"That's how it started but I don't know. I got to know her better and she's different. She doesn't care about my reputation or my money or any of that shit like these college girls. She's twenty-seven, has her life together, she's sophisticated and actually gives a shit about the world. I kind of started falling for her."

My brows fly up briefly as I look away. Zack is a pretty intense dude but underneath all of that he's soft. He feels too hard and too fast.

"I know what you're thinking," He continues when I don't say anything. "I got invested too soon. I swear I didn't, Luc. I called it off twice when I felt like I was developing feelings because I didn't want to go there. Then I realized she likes me back."

"So why'd she break it off?"

"She said she's holding me back. That these are my prime years to figure out what I want in life. She also wanted a relationship but said it's not worth it having to sneak around all the time."

"Bull. You're graduating this year."

"That's what I said. But she said I should be making the most of my college experience, not risking my entire future by being with her."

"That kind of makes sense," I admit. "She's thinking logically."

"I know," He agrees reluctantly. "But I was willing to give it a shot and she wasn't. She wanted me but not enough."

His words make me pause and I observe him. Damn, he's actually upset about this chick. That's when I realize this was more serious than he was letting on.

"You love her?"

"I don't know. I thought I loved Vanessa," He says, referring to his ex-girlfriend. "But that was just infatuation. She was hot and all over me and liked showing me off. But Rowan is different. She doesn't care about showing me off or bragging about being with me even if she could do that. We just...clicked."

"That sucks," I finally offer and clap him on the back once. "Sounds like you had a good thing."

"It was," He mumbles and stares into his empty cup like it holds all the answers. "So shouldn't I still have it?"

"Sometimes we think shit is right for us but it isn't," I look away and stare at nothing in particular, my mind going to one place. "If it's really meant for you then it'll come back eventually. Otherwise be grateful it's gone."

I can feel Zack's stare on me. "You talking about Liv?"

That jerks me out of my trance and I'm grateful my cup is empty when I crush it, scowling at him. "The fuck? No. I hate her. Haven't I proved that?"

"Yeah," He agrees. "To everyone but yourself. If you really believed you hate her then you'd stop acting like a royal dick to her. But you know you don't feel that way so here you are trying to convince yourself you do."

I laugh incredulously as I stand up and try not to outwardly bristle at his words. I don't want to believe for even a second that what he's saying is true. I hate Olivia and that's the only truth there is.

"I'm getting a refill," I abruptly change the subject. "Want?"

"Yeah, sure," He sighs and hands me his empty cup.

I take it from him and bound down the stairs. When I reach the bottom step I bump into a girl and grab her by the shoulder to steady her. She blinks when she notices me, her mouth curling up on one corner.

"Lucas Cage," She raises a brow. "I heard you were at this party."

I do a brief once-over of her. She's a petite brunette, curvy to perfection. She definitely looks my type but I'm not in the mood right now. After Maya's outburst yesterday, I need a couple of days of peace. There's only so much I can take at once.

I jerk my head behind me. "Forget it. My boy could use some company. Go."

She blinks in surprise but follows my gaze to where Zack is sitting. Immediately her eyes flicker with interest and then I'm entirely forgotten as she makes her way to him. That's how it is with most girls. They don't care if they get me or Zack. They just want one of us, sometimes both. And right now Zack is the one in desperate need of cheering up or he's going to sulk all night. I don't know if he'll take this chick's bait but it's worth a shot.

I need something stronger than a beer if I'm going to make it through the night so I head for the kitchen, hoping to find real alcohol. I look around briefly but don't see anything, not until a dude walks inside the kitchen from the backyard with a bottle of tequila.

"Hey, where'd you get that?" I wave a hand to get his attention.

He stops short when he sees me, eyes widening. "Woah. So you are at this party. Hey man, uh, there's a cooler out back."

I walk past him and slide the glass door open, bounding down the short steps of the patio and heading for the red cooler just by the pool. I get a few stares as I make my way there but tune them out like it's second nature. And at this point in my life it is. I crouch down in front of the cooler and and grab a bottle that Zack and I can probably split between the two of us.

There's a sudden commotion behind me that grabs my attention. The crowd in the backyard erupts into loud cheers and it sounds like they're collectively calling a name. Beck, or something.

"Sick party," One guy calls out.

Another dude, probably on the hockey team based on his physique and sweatshirt, grins and exchanges hands with him. "Thanks, man."

"Make way for the best fucking goalie the BU Terriers have ever seen!" Another guy behind him stumbles out onto the grass, hands raised to egg everyone on. The crowd lets out another chorus of cheers and Beck, I'm assuming, shakes his head with a laugh.

"Nah," He waves a hand modestly. I snort and turn my attention back to the cooler. Fucker looks like a simp.

"Damn, and who's this?"

"This is my friend. She's new around here so make her feel welcome."

"Hey," This time it's a girl's voice. "Aren't you Olivia West?"

My head snaps back up.

Fucking seriously? How is she everywhere? And what the hell is she doing at this party when she's only been here a week? My eyes land on her when she finally wedges her way past everyone crowded by the door and she waves a hand. "Hey. Yeah, I am."

She smiles and it's that same inviting smile that makes everyone trip over their feet in their hurry to get to know her. Olivia has an addicting personality. She's outspoken and confident and draws everyone in around her naturally. I used to be one of those fuckers that fell hook, line, and sinker for her.

Some dude whistles. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"

"Knock it off," Beck reaches up and smacks the guy upside the head. Then his arm settles around Olivia's shoulders almost protectively and my grip on the alcohol bottle tightens. What's this?

"Jealous, McCarthy?" Olivia asks Beck in a sultry voice, blinking up at him. She's flirting. With him.

Beck looks down at her with an expression I know all too well. He's fucking smitten with her already but that's Olivia for you. Something about her makes you lose your grip on reality and yourself. Her presence is overwhelming and if you spend even a little time with her, you'll realize how unforgettable she is. Maybe that's why I haven't been able to fucking escape her.

"Don't push it," Beck warns and jostles her playfully. Olivia laughs, loud and husky, and I swear every fucking guy in proximity starts drooling. I look away and get to my feet, brushing my jeans off. Fucking whatever. I said we weren't part of each other's business anymore and I meant that. I'll stay out of her life so long as she stays out of mine.

"Zack!" I hear Olivia exclaim. Sure enough Zack comes out to the backyard and raises his brows when he sees her.

"Hey, Liv. Didn't know you were here. I would have gave you a ride over."

"That's okay. I came with Grace. Speaking of, I got to go find her." She heads back inside the house.

My shoulders drop a little now that I don't have to see her all cozied up to that asshole. Zack's eyes meet mine and I tilt my head the slightest in Beck's direction. He glances at him briefly and nods at me, knowing what I'm asking him to do.

"You a friend of Liv's?" Zack asks, crossing his arms. I casually take a few steps closer to listen, taking a swig of the bottle and looking around even though I'm not paying attention to what's around me.

"Olivia? Yeah, met her just this week in Astronomy."

He's in our class? I don't remember seeing him or seeing Olivia flirt with him for that matter. I guess that's what I get for ducking out so early. My fist clenches and I add that to the list of reasons I regret hooking up with Maya.

"Cool. I'm Zack. Liv is like my little sister," He says pointedly and draws up to his full height. Good man.

"I hear you," Beck puts his hands up. "We're just friends right now."

Right now, he says. Fucker.

Zack catches it too and he raises an unamused brow. "How about you tell me about yourself?"

"O-kay," Beck draws the word out with a laugh, like this is funny. "Um, I'm a junior in Kinesiology. Goalie for the BU Terriers. Hoping to be scouted by the NHL someday but it depends on my performance in the frozen four. Have a younger sister, great parents, the works. Should I keep going?"

Zack meets my eyes once more and I nod briefly. That's enough for now. As much as I'd rather rainbows shoot out of my ass, I have to admit he seems decent. I think Zack agrees because he extends his hand to Beck.

"Zack Hunter," He introduces himself formally.

"Beck McCarthy," He shakes Zack's hand. "Olivia has told me a lot about you."

"Really? Haven't heard anything about you," He returns and I look away before anyone can see my smile. Yeah, Zack is a nice dude but he doesn't fuck around when it comes to family and he's especially protective about Olivia. That's why he only lets me get away with so much when her and I are at each other's throats.

"You might in the future," Beck returns easily and my smile slips. Oh, he's a confident bastard, isn't he?

Suddenly his presence is all too annoying and I don't want to hear anymore about him. I tilt my head to leg Zack know I'm heading back inside and he nods.
This party freaking blows, more so now that I know it's McCarthy's place. I don't want to be here. I'd much rather be alone at my dorm and blackout drunk. Everything is too fucking loud here and it feels like my eardrums are bleeding. I shake my head in annoyance, going upstairs instead and seeing if there's someplace I can chill out until Zack is ready to leave. I'm giving the asshole half an hour anyway or I'll take his car and drive home myself. He can catch a ride with Olivia or some shit.

And speak of the fucking devil, as soon as I open the first door upstairs she jumps and turns around, scowling when she sees it's me.

"Occupied," She moves to slam the bathroom door in my face but I stop it with my foot before it can close. I don't know what the fuck I'm doing or why I feel compelled to bother her. It gives me some kind of sick thrill knowing that I still have some sort of affect on her, that maybe she gives a fuck.

"McCarthy, huh?" I drawl and lean against the doorframe.

Her eyes narrow, grey and stormy. "How do you even know about that?"

"Don't worry. So?"

She crosses her arms, spitfire that she is. "I thought we had nothing to do with each other? This counts as getting in my business."

"That's true."

"And?"

"And what? I guess I'm an indecisive motherfucker."

"Seriously?" She laughs. "So first you barge into my dorm, disrespect my roommate, disrespect me, insist that you want nothing to do with me, yet here you are asking about my personal life?"

"Seems that way," I shrug. I look down at the bottle in my hand and realize nearly half the alcohol is gone. Huh. When did that happen? I drop it haphazardly and I look back up at Olivia, feeling a weird combination of irritation and calmness. "He's in our Astronomy class, huh? Think he'd want to be friends with me?"

Olivia's eyes flash and before I know it, she grabs me by the front of my shirt and pulls me inside the bathroom, pushing me against the door to slam it shut. My brows fly up. This is new.

"Don't you dare," She starts through gritted teeth and points an accusative finger at me. "You're not going to sabotage every friendship I make here just because of your personal vendetta against me. You're not going to sabotage my life here, period. If you even try it I can promise you won't get far. You'll have to fight me to get what you want, Lucas, and you know damn well I put up a good fight."

She might be half my size but she's somehow all up in my face, seething and breathing hard and dead fucking serious. Her attitude sparks something up inside of me. I feel like I've been fighting my own demons and fighting myself and I'm so fucking tired. But this? Fighting her? This is new and intriguing. This is going to be so, so good.

"Game on," I tell her evenly in a low voice and take a step closer, forcing her to take one step back. I don't stop until her back hits the counter and I've got her cornered. "I'd actually planned on avoiding you completely but your version sounds more promising. A fight, huh? To get to each other? Get what we want?"

"That is so not what I meant," She laughs humourlessly. "Are you insane?"

"You're the one who suggested it," I place my hands on the counter on either side of her, locking her in. My voice drops several octaves lower. "This is going to be so, very fun, Olivia."

"Why are you doing this?" I don't miss how her voice has a slight quiver. "What are you going to gain from this?"

"A good time. Something to take my mind off my shit show of a life. The perfect excuse to hurt you the way you hurt me."

"Yeah? That's your plan? To see how much you can hurt me?"

"Hurt you. Get to you," My body presses into hers as I dip my head and drop my voice to a whisper. "Ruin you."

She swallows hard but her eyes stay locked on mine. She doesn't cower or look away. "Who says I want to play this morbid game of yours?"

My voice remains a whisper. "You have no choice. You've been running from me for the last four years but I'm going to catch you now, Olivia. And you're going to pay for what you did to me."

"And who's going to pay for what you did to me?" She asks evenly, already putting up a fight. And here she said she didn't want this.

"I'm paying my price. I'm miserable, aren't I? Dragging you down with me is the only way to even the stakes."

"God, you're a psychopath," She laughs but it doesn't have a trace of humour or amusement. "And you wonder why I left you."

My body locks up.

In a blink I grab her by the waist and spin her around, one of my arms locking around her chest and holding her against me. My other hand roughly grips her face and turns it to make her look at herself in the mirror. I watch her reflection with heavy breaths. She's stricken, that much is clear, but there's fire in her eyes too. As much as she says she doesn't want to play this game, she's playing it better than I thought.

"Nothing justifies what you did to me," I start and hear the menace in my own voice. "You broke me apart and now I'm going to break you back."

"Screw you, Lucas," She whispers, jaw clenched as she watches me in the mirror.

I feel one corner of my mouth tug up and I dip my head until my lips brush her ear. Her body tightens defensively but I'm more observant than she knows, and I know better. The look in her eyes is one I never expected to see on her at the hands of me. It's lust. Isn't this interesting?

My mouth settles on her ear just as I whisper, "Not even if you beg me for it."

Then I release her and stalk out of the bathroom, making my way down the stairs and out of the house without seeing anything. Something is alive in my chest. I haven't felt this...excited in a long time. It's been months since I felt anything except dead inside. I feel a smirk take place across my lips as I head for Zack's car, twirling the keys in my hand and whistling. Fucking whistling.

I should have collected my debts from Olivia West a long time ago. Who knew it would be so much fun watching her pay the price?

_________________________

A/N

EXCUSE ME??? My vagina did not ask to be attacked like this. Sexual tension has entered the chat.

I freaking LOVE the darker vibe to this story. I love how these two aren't just self-proclaimed enemies but you can actually see that they have hatred burning between them. Hatred and LUST. Whew. I'm so excited to see them literally play with each other and see where that goes. How far are they willing to go? Where will this lead?

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)