The Freshman (College Years 1)

“I revel in my basic bitchiness,” Gracie says with a grin.

“I know you do. I do too. This is why we’re going to be basic girls right now and hope the boy eventually shows up.” I glance around the quad, of course not spotting a group of hotties anywhere. “I’ll give it another hour, tops.”

“Oh God. No.” Gracie shakes her head. “Thirty minutes.”

“Forty-five.”

“Forty.”

“Deal,” I tell her, laughing.

“Seriously though. Why can’t you just call this guy? The game playing thing is more my strategy,” Gracie says.

I love her brutal honesty.

“I don’t want to seem too pushy,” I admit. It’s like I can’t explain why I’m doing this. It’s more fun for us to meet up on campus like a happy coincidence, am I right?

Clearly, I’m being ridiculous.

Gracie’s mouth pops open. “You’re worried you’ll seem too pushy? Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?” She reaches over the table to touch my face and I dodge out of her way at the last second.

“Knock it off! What’s the big deal? So I don’t want to seem pushy, so what?” She’s making me feel weird.

“You never worry about that sort of stuff. You just—do it. Consequences be damned. That’s my favorite trait about you. The one I always wished I could emulate. Now you’re emulating me and I’m worried.” Gracie frowns, her delicate brows drawn together.

From the expression on her face, I’d guess Gracie is truly worried. Which is the last thing I want her to be.

“This guy, he feels…different.” I bite my lip, wishing I hadn’t confessed that.

“It’s because he’s eighteen. Younger men feel different.” She laughs.

“I’m being serious.” Her laughter dies, and I continue, “He barely kisses me and I feel like I’m about to go up in flames.”

“He did more than barely kiss you,” she reminds me.

Yes, I told her a few things, but not everything. How hot it was in his car. How easily I came, and how much I wanted to satisfy him. I don’t know what came over me, but next thing I knew I had his dick in my mouth.

And I’m not complaining. Not one bit. It was fun. It was exhilarating.

I’ve been missing him ever since.

“True,” I say and she sends me a look. Like I’m annoying her.

I probably am.

“What is it about him that makes him so special?” Gracie asks, sounding genuinely curious.

“I can’t even put my finger on it.” I prop my elbow on the table and rest my chin on my fist. “He’s sweet. Quiet. Thoughtful. Extremely attractive.” He’s a great kisser. He has a big dick. He’s polite. Who knew polite would be such a turn on?

Well, it is.

“I can’t wait to see this guy.”

“I call dibs,” I tell her teasingly.

She shakes her head. “Come on. I wouldn’t steal a guy from you.”

I sober up. “I know.” We respect each other’s boundaries. Even better? We have different taste in men, which makes it so much easier between us. We’re not drawn to the same guy.