The Freshman (College Years 1)

I don’t say anything for a moment and she glances up, our gazes connecting. “What about me?”

“What do you want? Your father’s company? Do you want to run it someday?”

I make a face. “I don’t even fully understand what he does. The only reason I’m majoring in business is because it’s the most general major I could find that could cover a lot of th

ings. He took it as me aspiring to join him at the helm one day.”

“But that’s not what you want.” Hayden says.

“I don’t know what I want. I’m only eighteen. Right now, I’m happy where I’m at. Going to school, playing football and being with you. Isn’t that enough? Why do I have to make a decision right now?” I sound like a miserable whiner, and I clamp my lips shut, annoyed with myself.

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have to. You need to tell your stepmom to back the fuck off.” Hayden shifts upwards so her face is in my mine, dropping a lingering kiss on my lips. With the change in position, I slip completely out of her, come leaking and most likely creating a wet spot. I guess that’s an extra benefit to condoms—no wet spots.

So fucking stupid, what Helena’s doing. “She threatened me, remember?”

“Will you really be that upset if your father believes her lies and cuts you off? Will it really make a difference in your life?” Hayden asks.

“No,” I say slowly, realizing that she’s right. “Our relationship is already pretty weak.”

“Is it the money you’re worried about?”

“I come into a trust that no one else can revoke or touch when I’m twenty-one. It’s mine. Most of it is money from my mother’s side of the family,” I explain.

“So money isn’t a motivator either.” She kisses me again, and I cup the back of her head, keeping her there so I can kiss her some more. “She has nothing over you.”

“You’re right,” I murmur against her lips, just before I tease them with my tongue. A thought hits me and I pull away so I can look into her eyes. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“If Lauri tells your dad you’re with me? Will he be pissed?”

Her eyes darken, and I know the answer before she says it. “Probably. But we can make it work.”

“Can we? Do we want to?” I’m tense. I almost don’t want to hear her answer.

But then again, I’m hanging on her every breath, waiting for every word that’ll come out of her mouth next.

“Yes. I want it to work,” she says carefully. “What about you?”

I grin. “I thought you said relationships were for pussies.”

Her smile matches mine. “I did, but maybe that’s what we are. A couple of pussies.”

“You think so?”

“I know my pussy likes you,” she says, laughing.

I grip her hard and flip her over so she’s the one lying on her back. “I know I really like your pussy too.”

I can’t believe we’re having this conversation about her pussy right now. But it’s making me laugh. She makes me smile just thinking about her.

Damn, I’ve got it bad for this girl.

“So are you my boyfriend now?” she asks in a sing-song voice.

“Is that what you want?” I gently thrust against her, my erection already returning and raring to go. Not a surprise. He makes frequent appearances where Hayden is concerned.

She nods. Smiles. “I told myself I wouldn’t do this.”