"Come find me when you are ready to leave. Okay?" Atlas had to speak louder than usual to be heard over the booming music coming from the living room of the hockey house.

It was Kris' birthday and the boys had gone all out, inviting the entire campus for the party. Or maybe they invited only a few people and the rest invited themselves. Either way, it was loud and crowded in here.

"Okay," I yelled back and Atlas grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek.

"See you around." With that, he sauntered off, making his way through the crowd and soon getting out of my sight.

I stayed in the dark hallway a little longer, enjoying what short respite it provided before facing everyone again. Or more specifically Dylan.

For the past week, I'd been simmering in anxiety over whether Dylan would keep his promise. Atlas assured me that Dylan was staying true to his words and also promised me that on the off chance something slipped from Dylan, he would take care of it.

And yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling that everyone would somehow know about us. That they will judge and things would just go downhill from there. That feeling only intensified every time I made eye contact with anyone at the party as I searched for a familiar face. The more people looked at me the more my skin crawled. A slow cacophony of 'they know, they know, they know' echoed in my head and the urge to run away became stronger with every step I took.

"Evelyn!" A hand clasped my shoulder and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Whirling around, I came face to face with a worried-looking Veena. Her brows furrowed even more when she took notice of my bewilderment. "Are you okay? I have been calling you for a while now."

I blinked at her before shaking my head to get my bearings back. "The music is too loud to hear anything," I replied, plastering a smile on.

Thankfully, she nodded, seemingly convinced. "True that. I feel like I'm going to go deaf if I stay here too long." I laughed as she covered her ears and shook her head. "What are you doing here alone though? I thought you were with Atlas."

I was. And now I regret coming here with him. I should have accepted Veena's offer to come here together. But I was already with Atlas and we were going to the penthouse after the party anyway so I agreed. It made sense to go and come back together instead of going separately. I wasn't so sure about it now though.

Was it really my logic that made me agree with him? Or was it my need to stay with him that made me do it because his presence calmed my nerves?

Veena snapped her fingers in front of me. "Where did you go?"

"Uh... yeah, I was with him. I told him to go ahead before me so no one would notice us getting here together."

"Are you worried because Dylan knows?" she asked.

Leave it to my best friend to catch onto my worries before I even say anything. Sometimes it was both a blessing and a curse.

Shaking my head with a smile, I linked our arms together. "No. I'm okay. Let's go find the birthday boy," I said, changing the topic.

The said birthday boy was sitting at the kitchen table with most of his teammates and a pile of presents. Kris' green eyes lit up with joy when he saw me and he stood up to engulf me in a bone-crushing hug. "Happy Birthday!" I said, returning his hug.

"Thank you. I'm so happy you are here," he said, his voice cracking for some reason. When I looked up at him, his eyes were glassy and there was a flush on his cheeks. I wasn't sure if he was emotional or drunk.

"I got you a present," I said, pulling away from his hug and handing him the box wrapped in shiny paper.

His chin wobbled and a tinge of worry struck my heart. "I love it!" he wailed, taking the gift from me and then delicately placing it on top of the gift pile. He shoved a red solo cup in my hand before turning to the guys again. "Let's party!!!"

Loud cheers rang throughout the kitchen and by extension through the living room as well. The music was turned up louder and liquor was passed out freely. As everyone got busy either swaying to the beat or playing party games, I sidled up beside Atlas, pulling at his sleeve to get his attention. He backed us into a corner before leaning down so I could speak in his ear.

"Is everything okay with Kris? He seemed a little..." I trailed off, my eyes finding Kris again who now had a shit-eating grin on his face as he swayed side to side.

He followed my gaze and shook his head. "Dylan and the freshmen got him drunk. They have kept me out of the loop but I know they are planning something. I better get him to sober up a little before anything happens."

Atlas smiled at me, discreetly squeezing my hip before going to help Kris. I watched with a smile of my own as he made Kris drink water and eat something. This caring side of Atlas always melted my heart. It affected me more than our physical chemistry ever could.

While I was busy admiring Atlas from afar, a few people I attended classes with last semester approached me and I got distracted, losing sight of them. More and more people started entering the house through the main door and soon the kitchen started feeling too crowded. Almost suffocating. I was wondering if I should tell Atlas that I wanted to leave when Holden approached me.

"Hey, Dylan has asked everyone to go to the backyard. We have set up a small bonfire," he informed with a proud smile.

Nodding, I let him guide me outside, taking a deep lungful of the fall night air and letting the chill wash away the claustrophobic feeling. A small fire was blazing in the middle of the yard surrounded by bean bags and lounge chairs at a safe distance. The fence was draped with string lights giving the usually barren yard a cozy feel.

I spotted Veena on one of the lounge chairs who waved me over, patting the bean bag beside her. Returning her smile, I walked over and plopped down beside her. Tyler passed me a can of spritzer from the cooler in between us and I gratefully accepted it.

A few minutes later, Atlas exited the back door as well, making a beeline toward me. I raised a brow at him when I didn't see Kris with him.

He leaned down to rummage through the cooler as he whispered. "I left him in his room to sleep it off."

Once I nodded, he picked up a bottle of beer and went to sit on the bean bag across from me. "What's going on here?" he asked aloud.

"Classic, never have I ever," Dylan replied, a mischievous grin on his face. "What's a party without it?"

Everyone cheered, taking their seats as we formed a circle around the fire. I saw Dylan give a discreet nod to Holden who then disappeared inside the house again with Ethan. Before I could ask or draw attention to the disappearance of the other two, Dylan was already clapping to get everyone to quiet down. "I hope everyone knows how this works and if you don't ask your friend beside you. Let's begin!"

There was another round of cheer and then Dylan started the game. "How about we start with something mild? Never have I ever..." he trailed off, thinking long and hard. "Never have I ever been rejected by a chick."

His teammates booed but still took a sip from their drinks. "Now you're just bragging!" One of them yelled.

Dylan shrugged. "It is what it is."

The game continued, the statements getting more and more salacious with every round. Ethan and Holden joined after the first round and Veena, Noor, and Mark dropped out after the fourth saying they were heading home. On the side, Atlas and I played our own little game of daring glances and teasing smiles. As the alcohol started to take its effect, it became easier to forget about my worries and laugh with everyone.

"Never have I ever had sex in a public place," Holden said when it was his turn.

More than half of the circle raised their drinks to their lips, including me and Holden's eyes widened in bewilderment. "That's concerning! What is happening on this campus!?" His gaze then flitted to me. "Evie you too?"

I shrugged, "I have had my wild and free era in the past."

Atlas snorted as if taunting me on using the word past but quickly covered it with a quip to his younger teammate. "There's a lot you don't know about the campus, kid."

Dylan chuckled and reached over to muss Holden's dirty blonde hair. "I'll tell you all about it. But after I graduate. Don't want to scandalize you."

Holden pushed him off. "Too late for that. Did you forget my room shares a wall with yours? I have heard—"

Dylan clamped a hand over his mouth, muffling whatever he was saying. "It's my turn again. Never have I ever had mirror sex."

A hush fell on the circle as everyone looked at one another. On instinct, my gaze went to Atlas to find him already staring at me. His expression taught while his dark eyes blazed with untamed lust.

He was thinking about it. The day at the library's attic.

Heat crept up my cheeks while a shiver ran down my spine at the memory. That day... It was something.

A slow smirk formed on his lips when he was sure he'd successfully reminded me of that day. He lifted his bottle, a secret toast in my direction before bringing it to his lips. His eyes stayed locked with mine as he downed the entire thing.

Loud cheers shattered the silence as his teammates surrounded him, asking questions and patting his back as if he had won the Olympics. "I knew it!" Dylan whooped. "I knew you were a kinky bastard under all that perfect behavior facade."

But Atlas' eyes stayed on me, daring me to take a sip.

I looked down at the can in my hand and brought it to my mouth for a quick sip. A huge grin spread on his face as he finally looked away from me. Since everyone was so focused on Atlas, I'd thought no one had seen me but Dylan had. If the wicked grin on his face was anything to go by. He opened his mouth and my heart sank. He was going to call me out. He was going to—

"Who is Dylan Romanov here?" A woman's high-pitched voice cut through the chaos.

All attention shifted to the newcomer who looked less than thrilled to be here. Her blue eyes scanned the boys as if she would see a nameplate on top of their heads as long as she stared hard enough. Most of the boys stared back and it had nothing to do with what she had said and everything to do with the mesh top she was wearing.

The burgundy-colored top was completely see-through, showing off her toned upper body and the matching bra she had on. The glitters on the fabric glimmered with the slightest of movements under the dim lights of the backyard.

"It's me. What can I do for you, beautiful?" Dylan asked, his playboy smile in full force.

However, it didn't seem to work on the woman as she just rolled her eyes. "You called me here. Where's your guy?"

Dylan's brows bunched up as he processed her words and soon his expression changed from confusion to horror. "Misty?"

The woman nodded. "I'm still taking the full payment. Regardless if the show happens or not."

"How are you here?" Dylan all but shrieked. His head snapped in Holden and Ethan's direction who looked equally mortified.

"What's going on here?" Atlas asked, pinning the guys with his piercing gaze. He stood up, both hands on his hips, and towered over them, exuding the aura of the captain that he was.

The guys looked bewildered and refused to meet his gaze. Seeing he wouldn't be getting anything from them, he turned to face the woman who rolled her eyes again. "I was hired for a private strip tease for the birthday boy. Clearly, there's some mistake—"

"What?" Atlas' head swiveled back to the boys so fast I was surprised he didn't get whiplash. "You guys did what?"

They visibly flinched, shrinking back like toddlers who got caught while doing mischief. "Is anyone going to explain why the fuck you would do this?" Atlas pressed.

Dylan was the first to snap out of the shock. "Kris needed to let go and move on from that Bethany bitch. We just thought we could get him out of his moping period with a private show."

Bethany who?

Atlas cursed loudly and ran his hand through his hair. "That's none of your fucking business. Good thing Kris went to bed early because he would—"

"Yeah about that..." Ethan started cutting Atlas off. "Kris isn't in his bed."

"But if she is Misty then who did we lock Kris with?" Holden questioned.

They did what? Before I could stop myself the question sputtered out of me, my voice an octave higher than usual. "You guys locked Kris with a stranger?"

All three of them clamored to explain themselves, speaking over each other until all of it was a garbled mess. All I could make out was hot, blonde, and locked.

"Enough!" Atlas' voice boomed, hushing everyone. "Where?"

"Storeroom," Holden mumbled.

Atlas took off in the direction of the house, the guys following after him. "The store room out of all places? Really?" I heard Atlas say before he disappeared inside the house.

It didn't take a genius to put two and two together. Sensing a big problem was incoming, the party gathered in the backyard dispersed quickly. Not wanting to be left alone outside, I headed inside as well through the back door.

The kitchen was deserted, a stark difference from the cramped space from hours ago. The only thing remaining behind was the empty beer bottles, cans, and solo cups littering the floor and counters. I could hear muffled voices of the guys from somewhere down the hallway and decided to wait in the kitchen to give them some privacy.

Whatever happened wasn't my business. I just hoped no one would be pressing charges on anyone. Pranks like these seldom ended well.

While waiting for Atlas, my gaze landed on their enormous refrigerator and I got a sudden craving for orange juice. That just confirmed I'd consumed more alcohol than I would usually allow myself to. Tipsy me liked to eat frozen sweets. Whether it was ice cream or flavored yogurt.

But today I was feeling orange juice and since there wasn't anyone around to tell me if they had orange juice in that big ass fridge, I decided to check for myself. I was bent over, almost halfway inside the fridge in search of an orange juice box when I felt a presence behind me. And then there was a palm on my ass.

For a brief moment, my body went rigid, struggling to register what was happening. It wasn't until the same hand squeezed my ass that I sprung into action. Kicking the pervert's leg with mine, I backed out of the fridge, almost hitting my head on the shelf above. I whirled around with wide eyes to see a burly guy grinning down at me.

"What the fuck?" I glared at him but it didn't seem to affect him as his smile only widened.

"Nice ass," he said, taking a step closer. I tried to move back but there wasn't anywhere I could go with the fridge behind me. "No wonder Griffin pays big bucks for it."

My blood ran cold. "W-What?"

He laughed as if I had cracked some joke. "Don't act all innocent now. Griffin is paying your bills in exchange for your... services, isn't he? How much is it huh?" His hand reached out to caress my cheek. "What will one night cost me?"

"Get off me!" I shoved him with all my might and made a run for it as soon as he stumbled back. In my haste to flee, I failed to notice the person in the hallway and bumped face-first into them.

"Watch it!" Derek scowled at me, grabbing my arms a little too painfully.

I didn't have enough fight in me to give him a snarky retort. With my head bowed low, I mumbled a quick sorry before dashing out of the house through the front door. As soon as the chilly night air hit my face, I realized that this was as far as I could go. I didn't have my car and right now I didn't trust anyone enough to ask for a ride.

I slumped down on the porch steps, wrapping my arms around myself while tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't shake off the feeling that every person who looked at me thought that I was selling my body for money. And that made me hate myself a little more.