The frat party at Phi Gamma Delta was wild. The front lawn was a chaotic mess with a beer pong table in the center, red cups scattered all over the grass. The crowd was loud, cheering and laughing as the game went on, while music from the house boomed through the air. Derek Martinez, always the life of the party, stood at one end of the table, grinning like he owned the place. His buddy CJ and CJ's partner were right there, ready to dominate the beer pong table.

When Derek's turn came, he lined up his shot with exaggerated focus, making everyone laugh. The ping pong ball flew perfectly into a cup, and the crowd went wild. But in his excitement, Derek stumbled backward, tipsy, and crashed into the table, sending cups and beer flying everywhere. The laughter got even louder as Derek lay sprawled in the mess, drenched in beer but still grinning.

"Holy shit," Derek laughed, groaning as he staggered to his feet. His beer-soaked shirt clung to his muscles, feeling gross and sticky. With a dramatic flourish, he pulled it off, showing off his chiseled chest and abs, which got appreciative looks, especially from the ladies around. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he turned to CJ, who was cracking up.

He flexed playfully, then turned to CJ for a celebratory belly bump. The two friends, soaked in beer and having a blast, were the perfect picture of the carefree college life Derek loved. The scent of sweat, booze, and sex hung thick in the air like a fog. He was high on his own masculinity, endorphins pumping through his veins. His gaze settled on a group of cheerleaders huddled around an outside table, their skirts barely covering their plump asses.

His thoughts drifted to you, the person he was currently seeing. He couldn't deny your chemistry, the way your eyes could stare into his soul, the way your lips tasted like sweet sin when they kissed. But the thought of settling down, of giving you more than you deserved—it just didn’t sit well with him. He’d watched his parents’ marriage crumble, and the scars still lingered. He wasn’t ready to subject himself or you to that kind of heartache. He liked the freedom of hookups and no responsibilities. It was easier.

"Derek! Get over here, bro," CJ hollered from behind the makeshift bar outside. Derek sauntered over, winking at a sorority girl in a tight skirt and low-cut top. He knew he could have her if he wanted, but it was more fun to tease. He grabbed a beer from CJ, savoring the attention he received. CJ was busy with his partner, both of them painfully flirting and holding hands. Derek rolled his eyes and sipped his beer, lips pursed against the cold, glass rim of the bottle.

Derek's gaze wandered through the sea of faces, eventually settling on a new girl he hadn’t seen before. Intrigued, he made his way over, his flirtatious charm on full display. He leaned against the brick pillar on the porch of the fraternity house. "Hey, dulce," he began with a playful wink, "You’ve got a cute smile."

The new girl giggled softly, her fingers brushing against his bare chest. Derek leaned in closer, his smile widening. "Wow, even a cuter giggle," he added huskily, his eyes dancing with amusement. But before he could go further, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye from the sidewalk.

Derek noticed you standing there, observing him with an unreadable expression. Derek felt a flicker of annoyance, his playful demeanor faltering. He excused himself from the girl, weaving through the crowd towards you. As he approached and leaned against the short, white picket fence, Derek tried to muster his usual charm, but there was a slight edge to his voice. “Hey, amor. What are you doing here?”

Derek really didn’t want to get an earful from you and have his fun night ruined because you always got too sensitive about things. Tonight was all about having a good time with friends, not dealing with another argument. Derek just wanted to hang out with his best friend, CJ, enjoy some drinks, and soak up the party vibes—not get lectured again. The bass from the DJ’s speakers thumped through his chest, reminding him of all the fun college parties brought—the carefree mood, the drunken laughs, and the potential for hookups. He felt alive, buzzing with energy. The last thing he needed was your disapproval bringing him down and killing the party buzz.

Derek sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "What? Are you going to lecture me or something?" he asked irritably.