The rest of my first week was much better. I wasn't late to any of my classes, and I got to sit in front in most of them like I had preferred.

And the real perk?

I didn't get ink faced.

Aaron had been meeting me for either coffee in the mornings or lunch in the afternoons. But since we had not had the chance for a real hang out, we made plans to go out later that night since it was finally Friday.

I was walking back to my dorm from my Wild Management class with a smoothie in my hand and earphones in my ear, listening to Jimi Hendrix, Foxy Lady. There might have been a sway in my hips and a bob in my head as I jammed out to the guitar playing.

Turning a corner, my smoothie went flying as I ran straight into a solid form whose hands flew out, gripping my arms to keep me from landing on my butt. I looked up to see those intense, golden-emerald orbs boring into my hazel ones. He removed one hand from my arm and yanked my earbuds out, leaving Hendrix blasting in the sudden hot air.

"Are you always planning on ruining my t-shirts?" His voice was tight, matching his expression; he looked as if he had the patience level of a four-year-old, which would have caused me to chuckle if it were any other time.

Instead, I blinked in confusion, still trying to process the way my body reacted to his rough hand on my arm and his proximity yet again. He looked down and my eyes followed; the evidence of my strawberry milkshake covered his gray shirt.

"I'm just wondering, so I can start packing extra in my bag."

Warmth flooded my cheeks as I finally caught up to what was happening in the moment.

"I'm so sorry! I was...a bit distracted. You know, Hendrix and all." 

He looked down at my earbuds, and I swear a smirk tugged at his lips. But when he looked back up, it vanished, making me wonder if it had even been there. 

"Liam--"

"It's L.J."

"Um, right..." I trailed off, suddenly losing any boldness I had started to conjure up with the purpose to discuss what had happened between us.

"Well, be careful next time. I don't particularly care to walk around wet." He let go of my arm, and I immediately missed the warmth. "You're the woman. That's typically your job."

He moved past me, walking away without another word or glance back. And just like that, that warmth I had felt turned into a rage of fire at his parting words.

What in the actual frick?

I walked into my dorm room still completely at a loss for words at what the hell transpired between Liam and me. I thought back to what Savannah had said about Liam's reputation with women, and gathered it was probably pretty accurate considering the crudeness of what he had said to me.

Screw him and his dickish attitude.

I decided I wouldn't care if he acted like he didn't remember me or not. It's not like he was the Liam I remembered anyway--the Liam who picked me flowers or held my hand whenever I was nervous. Whatever the truth was, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of giving a damn. If he could remain impassive, then so could I.

****

I was so excited for my date with Aaron. After both my encounters with Liam and the workload I was already preparing for that year, I was looking forward to some fun. Aaron told me we were going to a music bar. It wasn't fancy like a nightclub, but he told me there was live music that usually played and a spot where you could dance.

I had chosen to wear a black lace plunge top tucked into dark skinny jeans. I wore my caramel brown hair in waves that cascaded down my back, ending just before my butt. My smoky eye and red lipstick completed the look. I threw on red heels, grabbed my small red purse, and headed out the door.

I texted Aaron I was on my way, and as soon as I stepped out of my building, he was there waiting for me. He looked handsome in his light denim jeans and navy shirt. He was leaning against his blue mustang, looking at his phone. As I approached, he glanced up and smiled.

"Wow, Maddie. You look beautiful." He slipped his phone in his jeans and reached out to me, pulling me in for a kiss. I wrapped my hands around his neck, as his rested on my waist, and kissed him slowly. He pulled away, and I brought my thumb to his lips, wiping off my lipstick that had rubbed off, and smiled.

"You look great yourself. Are you ready?"

"Definitely. Let's go."

He walked around to the driver's side as I slid in. Revving his car, he backed out and pulled away from the campus to the other side of town.

"This little joint is where a lot of students come to hang out. The beer is good, and the live bands are usually decent." He told me as we pulled up to the bar. I got out of the car and joined hands with Aaron as he led me inside.

The inside was how you would imagine a bar--neon signs, pool tables, darts, and people drinking and talking. But there was a stage that currently had a live band playing some rock song that must have been an original, as well as a dance floor where several people were dancing as they watched. Chairs and tables were spread around, and there were even some booths off to either side of the stage. It had a classier vibe than most bars I had been in, not that I had been in many since I wasn't yet 21.

Aaron leaned in and told me he was going to get us some drinks, so I nodded and watched the band while I waited. They were pretty good, and I found myself dancing in my spot. Aaron made his way back over to me and handed me a drink.

"What is this?" I half-yelled over the music.

"Vodka cranberry. Try it, you'll like it."

I took a sip, and he was right. It was delicious. The smooth liquid ran past my tongue and immediately started warming my insides. We stood and watched the band for a bit while finishing our drinks, then headed over to the pool table to shoot some balls. I was having a great time, until he showed up.

I looked up after making my shot to see Liam freaking Tucker saunter up to Aaron with some chick on his arm. They exchanged greetings before Aaron waved me over to his side of the table. I walked up and plastered on my nicest, fakest smile. 

"You remember L.J., right? And this is..."

"Kenzie." The curvy brunette with shoulder-length hair finished.

"Hey, I'm Maddie. Nice to meet you."

She smiled, but it didn't appear genuine as she gave me a quick once over. I ignored it and though I tried not looking at all in his direction and give him the satisfaction of my attention, my eyes drifted toward Liam. And damnit, if he didn't look good.

He was wearing a thin, white t-shirt that left the imagination running wild about the muscles underneath. Black ink peeked out from under the sleeve of his shirt and ended in a half-sleeve at his elbow, deliciously showing off his bicep. He stood with his hands tucked into the pockets of his dark, denim jeans that had the nerve to fit him perfectly, while his hair was tousled, and he had just the right amount of five-o'clock shadow going on. Of course, I noticed it earlier, but it seemed to scream out at me more with Kenzie at his side.

I wasn't the only one giving unwanted attention, however, as I caught his slow perusal down my body. I swear his eyes darkened, but then yet again, maybe it was my imagination, because just like that, it disappeared, replaced by his usual indifference.

"You guys want to play a round of pool with us? We can have whichever one of us wins play against whomever wins between the two of you guys?" Aaron suggested like it was the best idea he's ever had.

"Nah, we're--"

"Ooh, I would love to! Sounds fun. Right Liam?" Kenzie asked, cutting Liam's dismissal off.

I noticed his jaw clench, but he shrugged it off and plastered on that fake grin of his.

"Yeah, sure, why not."

"Great! Me and Maddie are finishing up this game, then you guys can have a turn."

Super freaking awesome.

Sense the sarcasm.

I was already winning the game as I had been determined to beat Aaron. Now it was looking like I would have to play against over-eager Kenzie, or worse. Liam.

Liam and his date strolled up to the bar to order some drinks while I tried, but embarrassingly failed, to ignore the amount of people who flocked around Liam.

Great. Just what the guy needs. More ego.

I focused my attention back to finishing my game of pool with Aaron. It didn't take long, and despite my best efforts to throw the game, I won when Aaron scratched on the eight-ball shot.

Liam and Kenzie had managed to find an open table while I was finishing my game with Aaron. Now that we were done, we leaned against our table, watching their game unfold. Unless Liam purposefully screwed up, there was no way Kenzie was winning. In fact, it didn't look as if she had a clue about how to play and soaked up every chance she got to have Liam "show" her the proper way to make a shot as she shoved herself into his body.

As predicted, Liam made the eight-ball shot he called, officially ending their game. His date seemed in no way disappointed as she pressed her chest against him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He turned toward Aaron with a grin on his face.

"Looks like it's me against you, man."

"Actually," I said as I chalked my cue tip, "it'll be you against me."

He looked at me, slightly shocked, before looking back at Aaron.

"She's right man. She totally kicked my ass." Aaron leaned in, brushing his lips against my cheek, giving me a small kiss. "I'm going to head to the bar for another drink. Make sure to kick his ass too."

Aaron walked off with Kenzie following not far behind for her own refill, but not before sending a glare my way.

"Just so you know, unlike your date, I'm not going to act like I don't know what I'm doing just so you can rub your dick against my ass."

A choked laugh escaped him, immediately covered up by a cough into his fist. He jerked his head back, his lips pulled tight. "Aaron let you kiss him with that dirty mouth of yours?"

"Is that not how you make conversation? I'm just trying to get you to stick around long enough to kick your ass at pool considering you bolt every time I'm near. And with your comment earlier today, I figured it was because your Neanderthal brain was afraid it couldn't comprehend civilized conversation."

His eyes narrowed in at me but for the first time since running into him again, there was an emotion other than irritation or impassivity sparkling in those eyes, and it looked a lot like amusement.

He took a few steps until he was directly in front of me and leaned in, brushing his nose against my cheek. I sucked in a breath, startled by his proximity. I'm pretty sure my nerves short circuited as he reached down between us and slowly peeled my hand from the chalk I was holding.

"You'd be surprised by the words that come out of this Neanderthal's mouth." He whispered, his warm breath leaving a trail of goosebumps down my neck, before pulling away with the chalk in his hand.

He stepped back and walked to the other end of the table as he chalked his cue. "Now, if you'd be so kind to stack those balls," he said with a wink, "we can get your ass kicking over with."

Did I mention how fun this is going to be?

Well, this should be fun 👀

I have a feeling they won't play fair. Find out on next Friday's update!

By the way, what's up with Liam's attitude? Geesh. Liam fricken Tucker, am I right?

Please leave a comment or hit that star button if you're enjoying the story so far. I appreciate your support!