it, but the thought of being wrapped in Liam's arms was too tempting to refuse. "Yeah," she replied.

He led her out to the dance floor, easily cutting through the thick crowd. A small smile curved her mouth as she rested her head against his solid chest and wrapped her arms around his muscular body. His arms around her were warm, comforting, and completely sheltering. She felt perfectly safe, and completely at home, as she moved in time with him.

Liam moved swiftly through the thick crowd, searching for Mike, Jack, or Doug. "Hey."

He turned as Jack caught hold of his arm. "Hey."

"Come on."

Jack led the way to the back stairway and up the stairs. Liam followed behind; his thoughts jumbled as they made it to the second floor and continued to the third. Mike and Doug were standing outside Mike's room; their arms crossed over their chests as they talked quietly. This far up, the music was only a distant, thumping melody. Shouts and laughter wafted up from below, but the words were indiscernible.

Mike and Doug straightened away from the wall as he and Jack approached. An uneasy feeling began to fill him as he studied the intense looks on their faces. "We have to talk," Mike said briskly.

Liam knew what they planned to talk about; he just didn't care to hear it. "I don't have time right now," he replied.

Mike eyed him. "Then you're going to make time."

Liam folded his arms over his chest. "What is it, Mike?"

Mike looked at both Jack and Doug, but they appeared content to let Mike do the talking. "Come on."

Mike strode across the hall and thrust Liam's door open. He waited for all of them to enter before closing it again. Liam silently stood by the door as he eyed the three of them. "It's Sera," Mike said bluntly.

He had already known it was, but he still didn't want to deal with it. "What about her?" he asked coldly.

Mike perched on the edge of the desk. "Don't be difficult, Liam. You shouldn't be involved with her, and you know it."

"It's none of your concern."

"It is our concern! We're involved in this too!" Jack shouted.

"No, you're not."

Jack's hazel eyes narrowed as his solid jaw clenched. He was shorter and thinner than Liam, with a lithe, soccer player build. Right now, his light brown hair was a darker shade from sweat as it curled down to his collar and clung to the broad angles of his face. His nose was broken when they were twelve, and it was still a little bent to the side with a small bump in the middle.

"Really?" Jack inquired. "Go tell that to the girl across the hall. She's there for you, not us!"

Liam's arms dropped as he took an angry step forward. "Hey," Doug intervened. "Cut it out. Both of you."

Jack's eyes still simmered with resentment, but he took a small step back. Liam glared at him, his jaw clenched, as his nostrils flared. "Look," Mike said, shooting Jack a warning look. "All we're saying is you shouldn't be involved with her, Liam, and you know it."

Liam scowled at him, but he couldn’t say anything to defend himself. Mike was right; he shouldn't be involved with her. "I know," he replied. "But I'm not going to let her go."

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Jack exclaimed.

"Jack!" Doug hissed warningly. Jack sneered at him. Doug didn't back down as his ocean blue eyes remained fixed on Jack. His dark blond hair was cut short, and right now stood in little spikes on top of his head from tugging at it, which had always been his habit when he was agitated. He was shorter and stockier than all of them, but he was wholesome and cute; a combination which always made people think he was younger than he was and had never failed to make women flock to him.

"Look, Liam, you can't keep seeing her," Mike said firmly. "First of all, we can't keep finding girls for you, second of all she's going to end up hearing about it, and then what are you going to do, tell her the truth? No, you're not. Third of all, you're just going to hurt her."

He was fuming as he glared at his best friends. "I know that!"

"Well then, don't you think you should end it soon... now?"

"No."

"Shit!" Jack exclaimed.

"Are you insane?" Mike demanded as his patience finally frayed. "Are you listening to yourself? You agree with everything, and yet you're still being an ass!"

Liam's patience and temper were close to exploding. It was the most selfish thing he had ever done, and he despised himself for it, but he couldn't bring himself to end it with her. The thought alone sent a cold bolt of dread through his heart.

"I'm not ending it with her."

Mike stood rigidly. "I cannot believe you're so fucking selfish. What about her? Don't you think she deserves better?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then end it with her!"

"No."

"Liam, you have to," Doug said calmly.

"No, I don't."

"You're a selfish bastard!" Mike exploded.

Liam rounded on him with his fists clenched. "Yes, I am," he snarled.

"You have no reason for hanging on to her!" Jack yelled. "None!"

"I love her!" Liam bellowed.

They gaped at him in amazement, but it was nothing compared to the astonishment jolting through his system at his words. He took a small step back as the realization slammed home. Jesus, what had he done? He never meant for things to go this far, never planned to care for her at all, never mind fall in love with her.

"Crap," Liam muttered.

"You can say that again," Jack mumbled.

"Liam, what can you offer her? Nothing. Your life, our lives, are nothing but death and blood. She deserves better than that. The only thing you're going to do is hurt her, you, and maybe even us."

"I know that, Mike, but I can't let her go. I don't know why; I just can't. Not now anyway."

"It will only get more difficult."

Liam ran a hand through his hair. He

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