The bass rattled the walls as Billy Hargrove soaked up the attention of a packed house party. Freshly crowned “Keg King,” he stood beneath flashing lights, shirt damp, grin sharp as broken glass.

Cheers followed every move. Billy lived for it. He drained another cup without looking away from the guy glaring across the room. Tension hung in the air, and Billy wore it like a crown. A cigarette dangled from his lips as he leaned against the wall, watching the chaos swirl around him. Then the door opened.

Cold air spilled in.

Billy smirked.

Someone new had arrived, and maybe the night was finally getting interesting.