The Freshman (College Years 1)

Caleb looks ready to hurl.

“Is this your latest conquest?” Gracie asks him.

His cheeks turn blazing red.

“We’re old friends,” Baylee explains, her smile fading. Probably thanks to the obvious snark in Gracie’s voice.

“Old friends who fuck on occasion?” Gracie asks her, her gaze still on Caleb.

“G,” he warns, and she shakes her head.

“No, fuck you, Caleb. Bringing a girl over here.” She stabs him in the chest with her index finger a couple of times before she turns and marches over to the couch. She grabs hold of Jackson’s hand and jerks him onto his feet. “Come on. We’re going out.”

“Wait a minute, what?” Jackson asks, sounding sleepy. He runs a hand through his longish hair, sending an apologetic look in Caleb’s direction. As if he knows what’s going on. “I’m beat. Can’t we just stay here tonight?”

“Let’s go to the spare room then,” Gracie says with determination, glancing over at Caleb to make sure he’s watching.

Of course, he is.

Gracie drags Jackson up the stairs, and seconds later, we hear the door slam shut.

Not a one of us speaks for a moment, the only sound the game coming from the TV.

“What the fuck was that?” Caleb finally says, running both hands through his hair and clutching the back of his head as he glares at the empty stairwell. “Did she really just take him up to Diego’s room so she can fuck him?”

“I doubt—” Diego starts, but Caleb interrupts him.

“Yeah, I think she did.” He starts pacing the living room, Baylee stepping out of his way, looking uncomfortable. I feel sorry for her. She just got dragged into the middle of this. “What the hell? Who does she think she is? And with Jackson? I should’ve known.”

“Caleb, seriously,” Baylee says. “What’s your problem?”

“Women,” he spits out. “That’s my problem.”

He stalks off into the kitchen, Baylee chasing after him.

Tony sits up, and I do as we

ll. Diego and Eli both shrug and return their attention to the game.

I guess they don’t care about the drama unfolding right before them.

“Should I go talk to Caleb?” Tony asks.

“I don’t know. Would he listen? And why were you guys so cold to Baylee just now?” I ask, curious.

“Old history. Baylee’s best friend our senior year was this girl we all can’t stand.” His voice lowers, his gaze briefly going to Diego. “Cami Lockhart. She’s a total bitch who really screwed with Diego and Jocelyn’s relationship. Got in the middle of Eli and Ava’s too.”

“That’s not Baylee’s fault though,” I point out, feeling sorry for her.

“I know, you’re right. It’s just—hard to forget all that, you know? Still feels fresh.” Tony sighs. “I’m loyal to my friends. I know what Cami did to Diego, and it was messed up, and I can never forgive her. Baylee’s guilty by association.”

Reaching out, I touch his face, the stubble prickling my palm. “I love how much you care about your friends.”

I sound like a complete sap, but screw it. I don’t care.

He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You want to go check on Gracie?”

“What if they’re—doing something?” I wrinkle my nose.