Fighter's Den: A Bad Boy Dark Romance

By Alessa Steel

Liam Cage has been blissfully ignorant to the harsh forthcomings of the world. Who can blame him? Growing up in a successful, millionaire family where legendary boxers are your blood has made him untouchable. His bold words, uncaring attitude, and cunning behaviour have always been forgiven by those who love and despise him alike. He's the devious boy that grew up into a malicious man even though his heart is in the right place.

 But what happens when tragedy strikes in his only known weakness: his family? His world as he knows it is turned upside down in the most unforgivable way and now he wants vengeance.

 

He wants to hurt the way he's been hurt. And what better target than the only girl who's ever wrecked his heart…

 

Olivia West has no idea she's become her former best friend's latest prey but that doesn't mean she's not ready for him. Because she wants her vengeance too and she wants it from the boy who shattered her heart all those years ago. She used to be his saviour but now she's his enemy and she plays the part disturbingly well. There's just one problem: devastation arises and threatens to rip both their families apart, something that's much bigger than the two of them. Their rivalry must be put on hold or they'll break under the weight of the world.

 

For the first time in years they need each other, whether they like it or not, and discover that hate isn't the only passionate emotion that flares between them.

But will they survive this unexpected path, or will they crash and burn?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alessa Steel
• Release date: Apr 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224444403

Book preview

PROLOGUE

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This story is not for the faint of heart. This is a story where the villain prevails because the hero was broken. The hero is broken.

He will make choices you do not agree with, say things that might disgust you, and make you uncomfortable with the hell he unleashes. He is not the man you swoon over, or wish you had, or brag about to your friends. He is the man that will make you question why you're reading his story to begin with.

You will hate him before you love him. You might even loathe him. But that's the choice you made.

This is a story about real fucking life. Every dark thought we have, every bad decision we make, every hurtful word we say — it's all in here. Because life hurts us and makes us bleed and nobody gets to say shit about how we choose to repair ourselves. Even if we hurt others because that's inevitable. No one's a hero. No one's perfect. We've all hurt before.

So when he hurts, when he hurts others,  just remember we're no better than him. That's life. Real. Fucking. Life.

Don't say you weren't warned.

***

Liam!

I take the joint out of my mouth, blowing hot smoke into the cool winter air. Fucking Boston. The winters get so goddamn cold you could take a piss outside and that shit will turn into an icicle before it hits the ground. I have no choice but to be smoking out here. The dean has been riding my ass about my dorm smelling like weed so I had to leave my own fucking party just to get high. Jackass.

Liam!

Jesus, I growl, annoyed as fuck. Nothing I hate more than being disrupted when I'm balling up. I turn to where my voice was called and see Cole jogging towards me. The fuck do you want?

That any way to talk to your best friend? He smirks when he reaches me. Before I can even blink the joint is snatched out of my hand and sitting comfortably in his mouth. His cheeks become hollow as he sucks in before blowing out a generous amount of smoke. Never mind what I said earlier. Nothing I hate more than someone hijacking my joint. My hand twitches with the urge to punch his pretty boy face in.

I repeat — the fuck do you want?

He snorts, head lolling back to lean against the building. Hastings twins were looking for you. They want to hook up.

Both of them?

One for me, one for you. You couldn't handle both of them.

You clearly don't know your best friend, then. I snatch back my joint and take another puff. Warm smoke fills my mouth and I hold it in for a few moments, pursing my lips and blowing out when I can't take it anymore. Too late. I don't fuck when I'm high.

You're turning down a fuck? His eyebrows rise skeptically. Are you forgetting what the Hastings twins look like? Huge racks, legs for days, and bendy. You must be coming down with something.

My dick, I deadpan. Getting high makes the junior a little too relaxed. Too late for Jessica and Kylie.

Jennifer and Kayla.

Same shit.

Cole chuckles, this time holding his hand out and probably sensing I'm in a shit mood. ReLiamtantly I hand my joint over because he's one of the few people I can tolerate. That's probably because we grew up together so I know he doesn't have ulterior motives to getting close to me and no doubt he feels the same way.

––––––––

See, both our fathers are former professional boxers. I'm the son of Jaxon Cage and he's the adopted son of Nate Hunter. I'm just a little higher on the royalty scale because my grandfather is Logan Resnick — the man who sculpted legends in the gym he ran when he retired from the sport, Fighter's Den. The world knew us before we knew what the fucking world even was. All our lives we've grown up with cameras shoved in our faces and our names written in articles and paparazzi following us like lost fucking puppies. It's not just that we have millionaire parents but it's the circle we run in. All of our uncles are legends of boxing, put the sport on the fucking map, so naturally their kids have grown up as if our shit is made out of gold.

––––––––

My cousins and I never grew up normally, whatever the fuck that means. We all grew up in mansions, are sitting on a comfortable pile of cash whether we make something out of ourselves or not, and there isn't a thing on this miserable planet that we couldn't buy our way out of. We grew up spoiled rotten, but loved nonetheless. Our parents fought tooth and nail out of their fucked up lives to give us much better ones and they succeeded. Now that I'm older I've heard about all the shit they went through — not just my parents but all of the grown ups. Jesus fuck, did they turn their lives around. They put in all the hard work to make our lives easy so we wouldn't have to do jack shit. I recognize that. Appreciate it. But that doesn't mean we can be saved from everything and I was about to find that out for myself.

––––––––

Hey, Liam. Cole. A chick struts by wearing what could be considered lingerie. Lacy bodysuit with a skirt so indecently short I could see her ass crack. I suppress an eye roll. Like I was saying — we're royalty. Girls want to bag us and guys want to be us. It can be a lonely fucking world when nobody wants you for you, just the Liamk you were blessed with. Doesn't mean we don't milk that shit because what else can you do?

––––––––

Cassidy, Cole nods. He's the politer one of us, the gentleman that could be real fucking bad if you played your cards right. Me? You don't have to play any cards. I'll show my hand from the get-go and not give a fuck. Everything in my life is fake and I won't be part of that. I'm fucking real, in all my you-can't-stomach-me glory.

––––––––

What are you boys doing out in the cold? She purrs. This time I don't hold back my snort. Funny she should be asking that when she's practically naked.

––––––––

Cole glares at me out of the corner of his eye in silent warning. I'm an asshole but I'd be an even bigger one if he didn't keep me in check. Best friend duties, I suppose.

––––––––

Just waiting to see who we'd bump into, He answers and this time it's me who's glaring. Fat chance. I want to be alone.

––––––––

I'm fucking exhausted of the college scene. I got over the attention from having famous family members early on in life. All the kids in the family have always went to public school so we grew up treated like celebrities. Cole and I decided to go to Boston University together when we graduated high school and the treatment here was even more kiss-ass than before. These college students? We were immortal to them. It never appealed to me because it was the same fucking thing over and over again. I couldn't wait to leave. With the winter semester ending I have just one more year until I can get the fuck out. I have no idea what I'm going to do but I'd rather be anywhere except a place of fakes.

––––––––

Speaking of fake, Cassidy thrusts her chest up when she crosses her arms. Cole's eyes fall automatically and I shake my head. Fucker just fell hook, line, and sinker.

––––––––

Either of you up for company? Her lips stretch into a well-practiced smile, the kind that makes men swallow their own tongues. Or maybe both of you?

––––––––

Cole and I exchange glances. We weren't strangers to being involved in the same threesome but it was a rare occurrence. Most girls wanted to hop on both our dicks for bragging rights and what it would do to their status. Liam Cage and Cole Hunter at the same time? One hundred fucking points. That's why threesomes are reserved for older women, ones who aren't ensnared by the hierarchy of public school and convince themselves it's the highlight of their fucking life.

We're good, I answer for the both of us, letting my joint fall into the muddy snow and knocking it away. I can feel the weed kicking in to my system and this chick's voice is starting to sound like nails on a chalkboard. Cole can have her if he wants.

I leave without saying goodbye, ignoring Cassandra's (?) scoff. Fuck if I know. Don't care, either.

I open the back door once I reach it and step into the invitingly warm staircase, making my way up two at a time. When I get to the fourth floor, I step into the main hallway and walk through the sea of people. Sea because they part as soon as they see me, like they always do. A pathway is automatically made for me as I head for my dorm, whispers and stares following my every move. They never get tired of this shit, huh? Fucking pathetic.

Yo! Some guy I don't know throws his arm around me and I almost lose my footing from the unexpected weight. I can smell the alcohol as he laughs in my face and I hold my breath, anger making me shake. These fuckers are so goddamn eager to be seen by me that they'll do whatever they want, touch me without asking or crowding into my personal space as if it's their god-given right. Sick party, Cage.

I grunt and shove him off of me, uncaring that he crashes into the wall opposite of us. Snickers and hoots ring out when he lands on his ass, heads shaking in pity that he was stupid enough to lay a hand on me in the first place. After that little debacle, the rest of the onlookers scram like cockroaches when I scowl and I stalk inside my dorm. I'm already regretting this party. Cole managed to convince me since it's the last day of school but this shit isn't for me. If you're under a spotlight long enough, the overhead lights start to burn you. Lately I've been fizzling and it's making me more irritated than usual.

Clouds of smoke and thumping music greet me as soon as I'm inside. The place is fucking trashed and I make a mental note to ask Dad to send over cleaners. Cole and I will already be packing as is.

All the furniture has been moved to the side and left the middle of the living room open. Our place is on the bigger side, a fluke design at the end of the hall that was accidentally made as one apartment instead of two, and with a few extra bills Cole and I snagged it. Big as it is, it seems like the whole school is here and there isn't even enough to room to pass gas. I shove my way through bodies, shrugging off the hands that try to grab my leather jacket and pull me into a group I have no intention of acknowledging. Again with the fucking touching.

My patience is already razor thin. It doesn't help that when I open the door to my room, my sanctuary, I find a couple of girls making out on my bed. They both jump in surprise and start giggling when they see me. Already I know this was a devised plan.

Sorry, Liam, The redhead apologizes breathlessly. She makes no move to cover herself, her shirt pushed up to her neck and her naked tits in the air.

The brunette on top of her has her hand between the redhead's legs and strokes her as she eyes my body, her teeth latching on to her lower lip. You could always join us. We don't mind.

Threesomes seem to be a theme today. It's the last day of school and the senior girls are desperate for a royal fuck before they graduate and leave for good, before they miss their chance. This isn't me being cocky or thinking highly of myself. I've been here long enough to know how this shit works so I'm simply stating a fact. It's old news and I'm not interested.

Out, My jaw clenches with impatience.

The brunette pouts, stroking her friend faster. You sure? We'll make it good for you. You don't even have to do any of the work.

The redhead nods enthusiastically, squeezing her own tits together. I meant what I told Cole — getting high makes my dick too relaxed. Even this isn't turning me on. Not a single fucking twitch. Okay — maybe a little jump buts that's all.

Out, I enunciate in a deadly low voice. "If you chose a smarter place then I'd give both of you the privilege to ride me but this is my fucking space. You don't come near my fucking space. Now get out."

We didn't know, The brunette pleads as they both scramble and get to their feet. They flank me in another blink, hands roaming and bodies pressed against me. Let's just pretend we weren't in here. We'll find someplace else.

You look tense, The redhead observes, sucking my neck. We'll relax you, Liam.

My eyes fall shut in annoyance. This has been a shit day and honestly, I'd fuck the shit out of them to unwind especially if they're so goddamn desperate. But then they'd think it would be okay to get in my space. They'd tell the school that I let it pass, that I fucked them even if they crossed a line. That's the thing when you're me and you let one thing slide — motherfuckers start ice skating.

I push both of them off of me and out the door before I have a chance to give in. My door slams in their shocked faces and behind them, a crowd of people are craning their necks to get a look at what's going on. No fucking chance of that.

You're a dick, Liam Cage! One of them shrieks.

I chuckle, bracing my palms against the door and speaking loud enough for them to hear me. And yet, you'd still kneel for mine.

I'm met with silence because I'm right. If I opened this door right now, I wouldn't have to say a goddamn word before they were on me. No apology, no niceties, even if I'm an asshole. Funny how that one works. They come into my room without permission when I've made it clear no one is allowed in here, I locked the door so they figured out a way to break in, and they touched me unprovoked when I told them to leave. But somehow I'm the asshole, right? Always the fucking bad guy. But who cares? I wear it with motherfucking pride.

I go to my mini-fridge, using the key to open the lock before pulling it open. I grab myself a can of beer and pop it open, taking a sip before flopping back on my bed. One glance at my phone tells me it's nearly one in the morning. I also have two missed calls from my father. Dad isn't the type to pester me too much so two missed calls probably means I should call him back. I may hate the world but I love my family and they're the only ones who deserve my respect.

I click on the notification and my phone dials him up. I press it to my ear and listen to the ringing sound for a few moments.

Liam, Dad greets when he picks up.

What up, old man? Missing me? I smirk even though he can't see it. He can probably hear it in my tone though. I get my asshole genes from him. My father is probably the biggest dick on the planet and I fucking love him.

Such a dick, He mutters but I can hear the smirk in his voice too. We're eerily similar like that. Mom always says I'm like a carbon copy of him, right down to my attitude. She's sweet as hell and it's a wonder she snagged him at all. Would it kill you to keep in touch with your parents?

Aren't we speaking right now? I smart.

Dad sighs deeply and I chew the inside of my cheek to suppress a smile. Mom also says that Dad's karma for all those years he was an ass is a son that's even worse than he was at this age. Taste of his own medicine and all that jazz.

Seriously, what's good? I ask remembering the missed calls. Unless you really are missing me because that's fucking adorable.

Jesus, He laughs, as rare of an occurrence it is to him as it is to me. Cage men don't do laughs or smiles of any sort. Even my sixteen-year-old brother Landon is a little scowling shit. You're too goddamn full of it, son.

Learned from the best. You gonna keep stalling or what?

It's nothing, He says after a short beat. Just making sure you'll be home tomorrow. You don't visit as much. That shit hurts your mother, you know.

My chest twists with guilt. There's isn't a fucking thing I wouldn't do for my mom. I know. That's my bad.

Now who's stalling? You're coming home, right?

Yeah. Might be in a little late, though. Cole and I haven't even started packing. Which reminds me, could you send over cleaners to our dorm?

Party?

Cole's idea. Place is fucking trashed.

As long as you don't make me a grandfather anytime soon.

I snort. You're about to be one, anyways.

My older sister, half-sister technically but that shit is irrelevant, just found out that her and her husband are pregnant. After years of trying, just when Scarlett thought it wouldn't happen for her, the news came along.

Exactly, Dad says now. One at a time.

Don't jinx yourself. It could be Landon instead of me.

What the fuck? Did he already lose his virginity?

Our little man had his cherry popped, I confirm even though Landon's going to kick my ass for ratting him out. Dad would have found out anyways because he knows us like that. I'm just speeding up the process. They grow up so fast.

Just what we need, Dad mutters. Two Cage men dipping their dicks and increasing the stakes. Make sure you're using protection. I mean that shit.

You kiss Mom with that mouth? I joke.

This time his laugh is all too different. I do a lot of things to your mother with this mouth.

Jesus fuck, Dad, My face wrinkles. My parents are sickeningly in love like they have been all their lives. Of course they fight and raise hell occasionally but their love hasn't stopped burning since the day they met. You're demented.

I also haven't seen my son since Christmas, He scolds, all traces of humour gone. Be home tomorrow. And when you return for your last year, make sure you don't visit once a semester. Come the fuck on, Liam.

Okay, okay, I concede. What's the big deal about tomorrow anyways? Some kind of holiday I'm forgetting?

There's another pause. No. Just wanna see our boy.

Yeah, sure, My brows come together. I know my dad loves me but he isn't normally so soft about it. I guess I really do need to come around more often.

Okay, He clears his throat. See you tomorrow. I'll book the cleaners and text you the information.

Thanks, old man. Later.

Bye, son. He ends the call.

I throw my phone haphazardly, hearing the soft thud of its fall on the carpeted floor somewhere. There's a very good reason I avoid home as much as possible. I may love the fuck out of my family but home is where she is.

And if I never see her again, it'll be too fucking soon.

***

But that was the least of my worries. Fuck life.

CHAPTER 1

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LIAM

4 months later...

I think I might fucking strangle the next person who blatantly stares at us. If I thought I was an impatient fuck before, it's nothing compared to what this summer did to me. These past few months have been the worst months of my life and it changed something in me, something I'm not sure I can ever undo.

I'm angry. All the fucking time. I've been getting into fights, I've completely isolated myself from what little friends I have, I've been fucking anything with a pussy and a pulse to tone down the fighting and that energy needs to go somewhere. I'm basically a goddamn mess and I have no intention of cleaning myself up. What good would it fucking do? It's not going to fix shit so I can't be fucking bothered to get my act together. Fuck everything. Fuck everything.

C'mon, Dad says under his voice as he pulls out my suitcase, closing the trunk. Hold your shit together a little longer. You can wait until we're out of here.

I resent him.

Months ago my father was my best friend. He's done some shit for me that has only stayed between us, shit that's saved my life. That all changed the second he was the person to destroy my life too. I know it's not his fault, not in his hands, but he was the one to break the news to me and that too, weeks after keeping it secret. I mean, what the fuck? And now he's forcing me to go back to school and finish my degree. A stupid fucking piece of paper I don't give two shits about. I fought him endlessly but in the end he raised the stakes, and threatened me with the one thing he knows about me that no one else knows. It was a low blow and I loathe him for it, especially because I'm back to this god-forsaken place that I fucking hated to begin with. He was the start of everything that went wrong in my life and I resent him for it.

I'll do it myself, I mutter and jerk the handle out of his hands, pulling the suitcase away.

This is what's best for you, He snaps. He's been losing patience with me as quickly as I've been losing patience with him. That's the thing about being a carbon copy son — when we get along it's fucking great but when we argue, we butt heads mercilessly. You can't see it now but this is what you need.

Fuck you, My lip curls. I'm not a goddamn child. But I suppose that's what you think since you kept this secret, or since you blackmailed poor little Liam into doing what you want, because the truth is you don't know what the fuck you're doing. You can't fix this or control it so you're trying to control me. Feeling like a fucking superhero yet, Dad?

His laugh is humourless and shocked all at once. Up until now my anger had its limits but now I've snapped. Clearly. That was a low blow even for you. Be a dick to me all you want but if that's what it takes to hold this family together so be it.

You can't hold us together anymore, I shake my head mockingly. Haven't you heard? You're not God.

That's enough, Liam, He barks, his face contorting with anger and just a flicker of heartbreak. Christ. What am I doing? Even I know how fucked up it was of me to say that but my pride holds me firm and I glare instead of apologizing. I'll be out of your fucking hair in two minutes. For the sake of appearance stop acting like an asshole and then you can hate me all you want.

I do hate him. And I hate that I hate him. Fucked up much? Yeah.

Is that the last of it? Mom steps out of the car and smiles over at me. It falters when she catches the expression on my face and her eyes flick between Dad and I. Is everything okay?

I briefly glance at Dad. His eyes are full of warning. I've crossed a lot of lines today but the one line I'm not allowed to cross is upsetting Mom. He'll raise hell on me if I do that. He loves the fuck out of her and he won't tolerate anybody making her upset, even his kids.

––––––––

Fine, I finally murmur. She doesn't look convinced so I walk up to her and lean down to kiss her forehead, hugging her to me. I may be a foot taller than her but as she hugs me back I close my eyes tightly because Mom has this way about making you feel safe. Damn if I don't feel a deep twist in my chest.

I'm going to miss you so much, honey, She squeezes my torso tight. Don't be a stranger, okay? And work hard. This is your last year and I want you to do well.

Promise, I stroke her hair with a knot in my throat. I love you.

I love you more, She tips her head back and I turn my cheek for her so she can give me a kiss. She ruffles my hair like she used to do when I was a kid. Be good.

I'll try, I wink at her and she laughs, shaking her head. This time my smile is genuine. Mom has the best laugh. It's always loud but somehow soft at the same time and I love when I'm the one responsible for it.

I mean it, Liam, She points a stern finger at me. Good grades and no fights. You need to work on your temper.

I nod. That's the understatement of the century and I doubt I'm about to accomplish that shit anytime soon. That's why I wisely stay quiet instead of promising her something I know I won't live up to.

Okay. Call soon, alright? She kisses my cheek again and drops her voice to a whisper. And please, try to make up with your father. He might act pig-headed about it but he's hurting too, baby. You need each other, okay? For me?

And here Dad and I thought we were being slick. But this is just another thing I can't promise so I nod again, pressing my lips together. Mom's eyes are sad and I hate that I put that there but there's only so much I can do. She gives me one last hug and goes back inside the car. I look over my shoulder at Dad who's leaning against the car and looking around, lost in thought. A few kids try to approach him for an autograph but he shakes his head and waves them off. He probably wants to leave this place already. Everyone on campus has their phones out and are filming him and Dad hates having his privacy invaded.

I grab my suitcase and head for the residence building, passing Dad. He grabs my arm before I can walk away and takes a deep breath, trying one last time. I wish things were different, son.

My jaw pulses. I can't help my anger. It's irrational but it needs to go somewhere and unfortunately, it seems to be at Dad. I yank away from his hold and look away. "Yeah, because that's going to fix this."

Liam—

Leave, My tone is bored and detached and this time he lets me walk away. There's a flash of regret that starts to build in my chest and I have the urge to turn around and apologize but my pride wins again. Fuck that. It won't change anything anyways.

I'm royally pissed off by the time I get to my dorm but what's new? Some people on my floor attempt to greet me but my scowl sends them scampering away. Nosy fuckers. Where on my face does it look like I give a fuck right now? I briefly notice a new girl moving in the room across from mine and she freezes above her box, mouth falling open when she looks at me. Hard to say if it's because she recognizes me or she thinks I'm fuck hot but either way I don't care. I walk into my dorm and find Cole already lounging on the couch and watching something on the TV.

Hey, He sits up and levels me with a serious stare. How's it going, man?

Don't give me that, I let my suitcase fall to the floor and stalk past him. I'm sick of pity.

I was just asking, asshole! He calls after me as I slam my bedroom door shut. For the first time all day I crack a smile. That's more like it. I don't like being tip-toed around and lately there's been more of that than I can stomach.

I flop down on my bed, throwing an arm over my eyes. For the millionth fucking time I find myself wishing I could erase my memory and go back to when things were normal. My throat locks up again and I swallow hard, grateful no one can see me right now.

Five months ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

It's in the genes, she told our family when we found out. Her mother had it and her grandmother had it and now she has it. She has breast cancer and every fucking day I want to die so she won't have to.

She says to be optimistic and that she's fighting hard. I know she is. She started chemo a month ago and even though it's painful she puts on a brave face for all of us. She's losing her hair but every time she pulls out a chunk of it she laughs like it's the funniest thing in the world. She randomly gets dizzy or breathless or weak and insists she's just being dramatic. Her optimism pisses the living fuck out of me but how am I supposed to be mad at her?

Enter Dad. The asshole that found out weeks before he told his kids. I know Mom asked him to keep that secret because she didn't want us to get distracted from our studies, or so she claims, but again, how the fuck am I supposed to be mad at her? She's the one with the fucking cancer. Besides, when Dad looked me in the eye and told me, kept a straight face as he admitted he'd been lying to me for weeks, every ounce of anger and pain I felt had nowhere to go except at him. Now that anger is only getting worse because Mom is getting worse so yeah, I fucking hate the guy. Bite me.

I've been a miserable piece of shit and I have no interest in turning myself around. Why do I owe anyone shit? My mother is getting sicker in front of my eyes and I have to put on a nice face so I don't offend anyone with my attitude? Fuck that. These people are Liamky enough they have healthy parents so what the hell else do they need? They can live if I'm not exactly the nicest guy alive. I don't give two fucks if I'm picking fights, or fucking senseless, or failing school. None of it matters. Nothing matters anymore.

Fuck! I sit up and kick my mini-fridge as hard as I can. It shakes violently and falls over, making a loud crashing noise that everyone on this floor probably heard. But I'm not done yet. I grab all my textbooks and launch them at the wall one by one. I throw hard enough that there are cracks where the textbooks hit, the painting and plaster chipping away until there's a gaping hole. It's somehow not enough. I kick the frame of my bed over and over again, my face growing warm with anger and frustration. Motherfucker! Fuck this!

I push my hands through my hair and sink to the floor, breathing hard and fast. It's been a long time since I've felt in control of myself. I'm falling apart in front of my own eyes and I don't know how to stop it. I don't know how to stop myself from becoming this person who's cold and uncaring and so fucked up. But the thing is I don't even want to learn. I don't want to stop it because not giving a shit about anything is the only way I know how to block out this pain. I'll do anything to not feel the pain.

There's a knock on the door and my anger increases tenfold. Two minutes. Two fucking minutes to myself so I can feel whatever the fuck I want to feel. Why is that so much to goddamn ask for?

Go the fuck away, I snarl.

Open up! It's a man's voice and I don't recognize it. We're getting noise complaints. What's going on in there?

Noise complaints? Fucking seriously? These people party until four am with music loud enough to melt your eardrums but me losing my shit in my room gets noise complaints? This is why I fucking hate the world and everyone in it. Everyone is selfish and only gives a fuck about themselves.

I get to my feet and stalk to the door, unlocking it and swinging it open. A guy in security uniform is standing in front of me with his arms crossed, looking pretty fucking sure of himself. Until I grab him by his throat and slam him against the wall. I tighten my grip around his fingers and lift him up until his feet are dangling off the ground. Guy is shorter than me so I take him up to eye-level and sneer.

Take your complaints and shove them up your ass, I start in a low voice. He claws at my hands, growing red in the face. If there's any room, that is. You're so goddamn stuck up I can't imagine what else is in there.

Liam! Cole wraps his arm around my torso and yanks me back. Fucker is as strong as I am so he manages to rip me away and the security guard falls to the floor, coughing and sputtering. Cole shoves me back and gets in my face. What the fuck? You can't go around hurting whoever the fuck you want. He was doing his job, you dick.

I cut my eyes away from him and look at the security guard. He's on his feet and glaring at me but the humiliation in his eyes is clear as day. I smirk, thoroughly enjoying that. I wonder how else I could fuck around with him.

That's enough, Cole warns when he catches the look in my eyes. You're going to get expelled if you keep this up and then what? You think that's going to help your mom?

My body locks up so suddenly I'm not even breathing. Slowly, I drag my gaze to his face and my hands curl into fists beside me. Cole's face is hard as stone and refusing to let up. I respect that but it's too bad I don't like it. My arm shoots out and I clock him on the jaw less than a second later. He stumbles backward, probably not expecting that, and my respect is gone. He shouldn't have talked such a big game if he wasn't prepared to back it up.

Keep her out of your fucking mouth, I seethe and grab him by the collar of his shirt. He's only a couple of inches shorter than me but he's not deterred, eyes locked on mine. My breathing is rugged and choppy as I try to get myself under control. I could hurt him bad if I wanted to and I want to. Just not enough. "Don't talk about her like you know her better than me. Don't think you know what she would want. She's my mother, not yours. Yours is sitting at home probably writing a book and baking cookies or some shit. Mine is hooked up to wires and fighting for her life while the doctors try to save her even though she has a twenty percent survival rate, even though her cancer is stage four and grade three which is the most invasive kind. You don't know shit, Hunter! You keep her out of your goddamn mouth!"

His jaw pulses, his breathing as hard as mine. Fine. But just so you know, she asked me to look out for you this semester so I'm doing what she wants. I don't pretend to know anything.

I drop him so suddenly it's like I was burned. Damn it. Damn it. I look away and close my eyes briefly. I have half a mind to tear my best friend's face apart but if he's doing what Mom asked him to then I can't fight him on that. Doesn't mean it doesn't royally piss me off because what the hell? As if I didn't feel like enough of a fuck up now my best friend is babysitting me?

Whatever, I mutter and finally notice the security guard standing off to the side and watching us. My anger spikes up again. This a fucking slumber party? Want me to braid your hair?

We apologize for the inconvenience, Cole cuts in before I can say anything else and I snort. My ass, I apologize. Is there any way I can convince you not to file a complaint?

He assaulted me! The security guard points an accusative finger at me.

My lip curls. Not my fault you're so goddamn bad at your job you couldn't defend yourself against a twenty-one year old.

It won't happen again, Cole interrupts with a louder voice. He takes a deep breath and I know he's officially lost his patience with me. That's a rarity. Guy got his patience from Uncle Nate and those two could hold out for days when they're mad. I must be a piece of work. I turn away to hide my smirk because something tells me Cole wouldn't like that. I retreat back into my room as I hear him offering money to the security guard to keep quiet. I know he'll take it and I won't get in trouble. He saw the look in my eyes. If he tries anything I'd be more than happy for round two and he knows it.

I barely sit down on my bed before the door opens again and Cole stalks in. I grab the first thing my hand touches — my phone — and launch it at his face. He catches it without so much as a blink.

I don't know why I put up with you, He mutters. You're such a dick, Cage.

Then leave me alone, I reply evenly.

No, because that's what you want, He raises a brow. You want everyone to leave you alone so you can feel shittier than you already do. You're trying to punish yourself.

Fuck off, I mumble and try not to bristle. I fucking hate how well he knows me.

I hate to break it to you but your day is about to get worse, He flops down on my desk chair and spins it to face me.

What are you talking about?

Well, while you were busy hiding out at the summer cabin to drink and fuck and feel sorry for yourself, you failed to keep tabs on everyone back home.

No, I didn't. I'm not that much of an asshole. I was only at the cabin a couple days every week but I was home the rest of the time.

I don't mean with your family. I meant the rest of us.

There's too many of you, I snort. I have four other uncles, all of my dad's best friends, and the kids all grew up with each other. There's a fuck ton of us and I'm hardly close to any of them besides Cole.

Your parents didn't mention anything? He asks curiously.

About what? I snap. Why does he insist on dragging this conversation out and making it unnecessarily dramatic?

Cole frowns and hesitates for a brief moment. She's back.

My hand twitches. It's my only reaction and I stuff it in my pocket to hide it. I keep my voice bored. Who?

Who else? He rolls his eyes. Olivia.

Motherfucker. The mention of her name alone makes me want to punch something. I feel a flurry of emotions but mostly it's anger. I sneer. And I'm supposed to give a fuck?

You really didn't know?

No, I lie back against my pillows and look up at the ceiling so Cole can't see my face. I don't know if I can do a decent poker face so long as we're talking about her. Haven't really been talking to my family these days. I only talk to Mom.

Landon? Scarlett?

Landon is as miserable as I am. Scarlett's pregnant and overly emotional.

And your mom really didn't say anything?

I think about that for a moment. She tried to get me to go the West house for a dinner couple weeks ago. She was adamant but I said no.

That's when Olivia got back, Cole confirms. She's done her dance program in Los Angeles, you know? It was only a high school gig.

I don't care, I say and better believe I fucking mean it.

You haven't seen her in four years. She's changed a lot.

Still don't care.

Liam, He sighs heavily. He doesn't say anything for a huge stretch of silence and I finally sit up on