The Freshman (College Years 1)

??s game.” I shrug. Play it off.

“You did good. You’ll continue to do good. I have faith.” He shakes his head. Rubs his jaw. “I drank too much.”

“By the looks of you, more like you smoked too much.”

He smiles, but it’s faint. “I hit the vape a lot. Still feel a little stoned.”

“No shit.” I grab a mug out of the cabinet. “Want coffee?”

I brought my expensive coffee maker with me when I moved in here. I’m one of the rare guys I know who’s addicted to coffee.

“Sure.”

I pour Caleb a cup and dump in some sugar and creamer before I stir it, then set the steaming mug in front of him. He grabs it and takes a sip, holding the cup in front of his mouth, his eyes narrowed into slits. “Shit’s pretty good.”

“I know.”

“Why are you taking care of me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re one of my best friends. You look like you need some TLC.” I turn off the coffeemaker and pull the pot out, dumping the rest of it in the sink.

“Aw, you care.” He sets the mug down, resting his hand against his chest. “Are you gay for me, Sorrento?”

“Shut the fuck up.” I shake my head as I rinse out the coffee pot and then open the running dishwasher to set it in there before I face him once more.

“I saw you talking to the blonde last night.” His mouth kicks up on one side. “She’s a hottie.”

I sort of want to go territorial on his ass, but I restrain myself. “The hottie’s name is Hayden.”

“Right.” He takes another sip. “Does Hayden-the-hottie have any friends?”

“I’m sure she does, but you don’t need to mess with any of them.” I can only imagine if I helped hook up one of Hayden’s friends with Caleb. He’d fuck her and dump her, and Hayden would end up pissed.

No thanks.

“Why the hell not? I’m offended.” He grins, not looking offended whatsoever. “I’m an upstanding gentleman.”

“No, you’re really not.” I lean against the counter, watching him. “I don’t think you should chase after Hayden’s friends.”

Caleb’s sigh is exaggerated. “You’re probably right. I’m guessing they’re all ball busters like her anyway.”

I press my lips together so I don’t say anything rude. I really hate how he calls her a ball buster.

“Being with a strong woman isn’t that bad,” I tell him, thinking of his mother. She’s a sweet, agreeable woman who has always been kind to her son’s friends. She would show up at every high school football game, screaming and encouraging us from the stands. Caleb makes her proud. I think we all kind of do.

She’s nothing like my mother at all. Sometimes I wonder if the woman who gave birth to me even remembers my name.

“I’d just rather take the easy way out. You’re the one who likes them complicated,” Caleb says, frowning. “Actually, you all do. Every one of you, with the exception of Jackson.”

“Just because we’re interested in having a relationship with someone?” I ask.

Shit. The word relationship just passed my lips. And I’m not supposed to be pursuing anything like that with Hayden. We’re keeping it simple. Just friends with benefits.

“Yeah, who needs that?” He sips from his coffee. “There are so many women on this campus.”

Since meeting Hayden, I haven’t noticed any of them. Not really.

“Dude, you’re not even listening to me,” Caleb says irritably. “I bet I could bring a naked woman into the kitchen right now and you wouldn’t even notice.”