The Freshman (College Years 1)

“He’s with his friends. They’re hanging out. It’s a typical Thursday night. He told me they were going to dinner after practice, and his car is in the parking lot. I know he’s here.” I march right up to that door and start knocking. “I’m not worried about another girl being in there,” I tell Gracie as I look at her from over my shoulder.

She shakes her head. “I wish I had your confidence.”

Her confidence has somehow left her completely, and I don’t understand why. All because of Robin? If that’s the case, why give that little asshole so much power? I don’t get it.

But I’m full of all sorts of confidence, thanks to being with Tony this last month. Yes, we’re busy. Yes, we have to make time for each other, but oh, when we do? It’s magical.

And I’m not just talking about the sex.

We have fun together. He makes me laugh. He makes me think. He’s smart. Full of wise words for being so young. Sometimes I think he’s wiser than me, though I would never tell him that. He’s good to his friends. And I even like his friends. All of them. I feel like we’re part of the gang when we come over to hang out.

Gracie and I come over as often as we can.

The door swings open and it’s Diego standing there, a smile stretching his mouth when he sees us. “Hey. Come in.” The door swings open wider.

We walk inside and I glance around to see only Jackson and Eli in the living room. The TV is on, and for once in their lives, they’re not playing video games.

Thursday Night Football is on instead.

“Where’s Caleb?” I ask, so Gracie doesn’t have to.

“Uh, he left.” An uneasy look flashes across Diego’s handsome face, but then it’s gone. “He went to see a friend.”

Uh oh. I bet it’s a female friend.

I don’t acknowledge what he just said. “And Tony?”

“He’s in his room. Hold on.” Diego turns toward the stairwell and cups his hands around his mouth. “Tony! Get your ass down here.”

Seconds later, I hear the bedroom door swing open and Tony’s thunderous footsteps come down the stairs. He stops midway when he spots me.

“Hayden.”

I smile. Wave. “Hi.”

He doesn’t move for a few seconds, and I second-guess myself. Maybe this was a mistake, showing up unannounced.

But then he makes his way down the rest of the stairs and comes straight for me, pulling me into his arms and pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “I didn’t know you were coming over.”

“Surprise.” I give him a squeeze before I pull away. “Brought Gracie with me too.”

“Hey G.” He nods in her direction and she smiles. Then goes over to the couch and plops onto it, sitting between Eli and Jackson. Though she’s more noticeably closer to Jackson.

Hmm.

Tony turns to me once more, running his hand up and down my arm, making me shiver. “Just thought you’d drop by, huh?”

I nod. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all. Your timing is perfect, actually. There’s, uh, something I want to discuss with you.” He glances around before he returns his gaze to mine. “But not out here. I’d rather do it in private.”

Worry immediately fills me and I shove it away. “Oh.” I look over at Gracie, who’s chattering away to Jackson. He’s watching the TV, nodding along with everything she says. “I don’t want to leave her alone with the rest of the guys just yet.”

“We do all the time,” Tony says with a frown.

“Because Caleb is always here.” I wave my hand around. “As you can see, he’s gone.”

“Where’d he go?”