Levi
I knew it was only a matter of time.
Liam Hunter had been watching me like a hawk lately. Not the casual glances, not the passive territorial kind—this was different. He was observing, calculating, almost like he was waiting for something.
And maybe he was right to be.
Because every time I made Zara laugh, every time her eyes lit up when I walked into a room, I felt like I was winning something… or maybe stealing something that was never meant to be mine. Either way, I didn't care.
It was during sixth period lunch that it happened.
I had just left the table—Zara had gone to the library with Kaylee, Nick tagging behind like the overprotective brother he was pretending not to be. I took the long hallway down toward the gym, planning to skip the rest of the day. But Liam was already waiting, leaning against the trophy case with that signature scowl of his and jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful.
"Got a minute?" he asked.
I shrugged, smirking. "Sure, Hunter. What's on your mind?"
He stepped forward, hands in his pockets but tension radiating off him like heat from asphalt. "Don't play dumb. You know exactly what this is about."
I didn't respond. I just raised a brow and waited.
"You think I don't notice?" he snapped. "You think I'm just going to sit back and watch while you—what? Try to replace me?"
Now that… that made me laugh.
"Replace you?" I echoed. "Liam, no one could replace you. You're unforgettable. Just ask Zara."
That hit a nerve. His jaw twitched, eyes flashing. "Don't bring her into this like you care."
"I don't?" I tilted my head. "That's rich, coming from the guy who paraded her like a trophy and then crushed her in front of everyone. You tell me, Liam—who really doesn't care?"
He stepped closer, only inches away now. His voice lowered, seething. "Whatever game you're playing, end it. I'm warning you."
"Warning me?" I repeated, still smirking. "Sounds like you're worried."
"I know you," he growled. "You're only doing this because of me. You don't want Zara. You just want to screw with me."
And for a second, he was right. That was how it started. But now?
I wasn't so sure.
"You're not wrong," I admitted, crossing my arms. "At first, yeah. I wanted to hit you where it hurt. You're always so smug, so untouchable. Thought it'd be fun to watch you squirm."
He flinched, and I didn't stop.
"But now?" I sighed dramatically. "Maybe she's more than just your weakness."
Liam lunged, shoving me against the lockers with a loud clang. I didn't fight back. Not yet. Let him feel the weight of his own guilt. Let him break before I did.
"You stay away from her," he seethed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "You've done enough damage."
I grinned. "Funny. I could say the same about you."
He released me, breathing hard, fists clenched at his sides.
"You think she's going to pick you?" he asked. "After everything?"
I shrugged, straightening my jacket. "I think she'll pick whoever treats her better. And right now, that's not you."
And with that, I walked away—leaving him standing there, drowning in the mess he made.
Because unlike Liam, I wasn't pretending to be a good guy.
And that's what made me dangerous