Chapter 4 – Tensions and Teasing

Adrian walked into the library, half-dreading, half-curious about today’s session.

After their last meeting, he’d expected Liam to show up late or not at all. But to his surprise, the basketball player was already there, leaning back in his chair, tossing a pen between his fingers like this was some kind of game.

“You’re early,” Adrian said, setting his books down.

Liam grinned. “Figured I’d try something new. You like punctuality, right?”

Adrian gave him a look. “I like effort.”

Liam smirked, tapping his textbook. “Well, you’ll be thrilled to know I actually opened this thing last night.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow, taking a seat. “And?”

Liam sighed dramatically. “And I regretted it instantly.”

Adrian snorted. At least he was honest. “Let’s see what you remember.”

He flipped open his notes and started asking questions, and—to his surprise—Liam wasn’t completely lost this time. He still struggled with some concepts, but he was paying attention, asking questions when he didn’t understand.

Adrian was about to praise him for it, but before he could, Liam grinned and said, “I bet you’re impressed, huh?”

Adrian huffed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

Liam laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Come on, admit it. I’m improving.”

Adrian smirked. “You’re slightly less hopeless. That’s all I’ll admit.”

Liam pressed a hand to his chest, mock-wounded. “Harsh, professor. Real harsh.”

Adrian shook his head, but he couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at his lips.

---

Their session was going smoothly—until someone approached their table.

Adrian looked up and internally sighed.

Jason Miller.

A fellow basketball player, but unlike Liam, Jason wasn’t naturally gifted. He worked hard—probably harder than anyone on the team—but no matter what he did, he was always second place.

Second-best scorer. Second-fastest runner. Second Liam Hunter.

People called him that all the time.

Jason hated it.

And Liam? Liam never rubbed it in, never acted superior, never even seemed to care about their so-called rivalry. Which only made Jason resent him more.

Jason clapped a hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Didn’t think I’d find you here, man. Didn’t know you were suddenly into nerd sessions.”

Liam stiffened. It was subtle, but Adrian noticed.

Liam’s easy grin remained, though. “Well, gotta keep my grades up somehow.”

Jason snorted, barely glancing at Adrian. “Yeah, sure. More like you’re trying to impress someone.”

Adrian frowned. The way Jason said it made it clear he wasn’t talking about grades.

Liam’s expression flickered, but before he could respond, Jason’s smirk widened.

“Or maybe you just like sitting across from a pretty boy.”

Adrian froze.

Liam’s jaw tensed, but instead of reacting, he rolled his eyes. “You done?”

Jason laughed. “Relax, man, I’m just messing with you.” He tossed a glance at Adrian. “No offense, Sinclair. I’m sure you’re real fun and all.”

Adrian met Jason’s gaze, voice flat. “Thrilling, actually.”

Liam snorted. Jason looked momentarily thrown off but recovered quickly.

“Anyway, there’s a party tomorrow night. You coming?”

Liam hesitated.

Jason smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing. “Come on, Hunter, the golden boy can’t miss a party. What would people say if I showed up and you didn’t?”

There it was. That challenge.

Jason wasn’t asking because he cared whether Liam showed up—he was making sure Liam knew who was watching.

Liam exhaled through his nose, then shrugged. “Yeah, probably.”

Jason’s smirk widened. “Good. Don’t let the books trap you here too long.”

With that, he strolled off, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind.

Adrian turned to Liam. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Liam huffed. “Yeah, but if I don’t show up, they’ll just assume I’m off doing something scandalous.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Like studying?”

Liam laughed. “Exactly. Terrifying.”

But Adrian wasn’t fully convinced. He could tell Liam didn’t care about the party itself—he cared about what people would say if he didn’t go.

And that… bothered Adrian more than it should have.

---

“Alright,” Liam said, pushing his textbook aside. “Serious question.”

Adrian sighed. “That’s never a good start.”

Liam ignored him. “Have you ever actually done anything reckless?”

Adrian blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You know,” Liam gestured vaguely. “Something wild. Out of character. Something that made people look at you like, ‘Damn, I didn’t know he had it in him.’”

Adrian gave him a flat look. “You mean have I ever made an idiot of myself for no reason?”

Liam laughed. “That’s not what I said.”

Adrian crossed his arms. “And why do you care?”

Liam leaned forward, grinning. “Because, professor, I think you need a little more excitement in your life.”

Adrian rolled his eyes. “I get plenty of excitement watching you struggle with basic equations.”

Liam groaned. “That’s just cruel.”

Adrian smirked. “You walked into it.”

Liam shook his head, then suddenly grinned. “You should come to the party.”

Adrian stared. “What?”

“Come on,” Liam said. “You just admitted you have no reckless stories. This is your chance.”

Adrian scoffed. “Going to a college party isn’t reckless—it’s a bad decision.”

Liam smirked. “You’d get to see me outside of tutoring. Maybe I’m smarter when I’m not surrounded by textbooks.”

Adrian snorted. “Doubtful.”

But Liam’s grin didn’t fade. “You should think about it.”

Adrian shook his head, already regretting this conversation.

There was no way he was going.

Right?

---

Adrian was in his dorm later that night when his phone buzzed.

Liam Hunter: So… you coming or what?

Adrian stared at the message.

He should say no.

There was no reason to go.

And yet…

His fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Adrian Sinclair: I haven’t decided yet.

A response came almost immediately.

Liam Hunter: That’s not a no.

Adrian sighed.

Somehow, he already knew how this would end.