The Freshman (College Years 1)

I hear the front door unlock and glance up just in time to watch Gracie open it and walk into our apartment, stopping short when she sees me.

“I didn’t think you’d be home yet,” she says.

“Here I am,” I say, trying to inject some enthusiasm into my voice, but failing miserably.

Gracie shuts and locks the door, and then joins me on the couch, her expression solemn as she studies me. “Are you all right?”

A sigh escapes me and I snap my laptop shut, settling it on the coffee table in front of us. “Not really.” I pause. “Why did you let Caleb tell Tony what he heard me say?”

Gracie’s mouth pops open. “I can’t control him. Even if I told him not to do it, he would anyway. Tony’s one of his best friends.”

I look away, my stomach churning. I haven’t eaten anything all day, and I know if I do try to eat something, I’d probably want to puke it right back up.

God, I’m a complete mess.

“Are you—mad at me about this?” Gracie asks when I haven’t said anything. “Because if you’re mad at anyone, it should be yourself.”

I turn to her with a roll of my eyes. “Come on, G. I’m not mad at you. I know it’s my fault. And I was talking to my dad, remember? I’ll say anything to appease him. He was giving me so much shit over dating Tony.”

“Why? I don’t get it.”

I explain the business rival angle, Helena and Lauri’s friendship, and how their men don’t approve—again because of the business rivalry. How they’re bored, rich housewives and I believe they get a little thrill out of messing around with mine and Tony’s relationship.

“That’s straight out of reality TV, overblown drama,” Gracie says when I’m finished.

“Right? Plus, it’s dumb,” I say in agreement. “Who cares if Tony and I are seeing each other?”

“Well, clearly your dads do.” Gracie’s face brightens. “I do like your suggestion of the two of them merging together, though.”

“I thought it was a great idea. My father did not.” Another sigh leaves me and I lean my head back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. “I still haven’t really talked to Tony since I ran into you guys yesterday.”

“Don’t you think you should do that?” Gracie asks gently.

“Of course. I just don’t know what to say. He left me a voicemail saying he wanted to see me tonight.”

“You should get together with him. They have an important playoff game tomorrow,” she says.

“You want to go with me to the game tomorrow? If Tony hasn’t told me to fuck off, I sort of want to go,” I say.

“Are you going to see your family while you’re over there?” she asks.

I didn’t even think of that, I’m so focused on Tony. “I don’t want to.”

“So it’ll be a quick drive over, watch the game, drive home kind of thing?”

I glance over at her. “Yeah. It will. Does that work for you?”

Gracie nods, looking pleased. “I didn’t want to stay the night or get caught up in your family’s drama.”

I grab a throw pillow that’s nearby and bop her gently in the face with hit. She laughs. “You’ve met my family.”

“Your dad and your sister. I don’t think I met his girlfriend.”

“Lucky you,” I mutter, annoyed all over again at the meddling those women decided to do in my life.

I’m twenty years old. I don’t need two grown women trying to maneuver my relationship for me—or sabotage it. I can do it on my own, thank you very much.

And they weren’t trying to help me, ever. They were trying to break us up.