Life After Life

•C h a p t e r T h i r t y - E i g h t•

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."