The Freshman (College Years 1)

“Yep,” Hayden says. “It’s all for Jackson.”

Eli whistles low. “Damn. I think I made a mistake, pursuing football. I should’ve taken the rock-star angle like he did. He’ll get pussy for fucking days! Oops, sorry Ellie.”

I didn’t see Ellie at first, but there she is, standing with Ava. Glaring at Eli.

Yeah. Oops.

We all talk. About Jackson’s performance the last time we were here, both Gracie and Hayden going on about how good it was. How great he sounded. We talk about the potential of his performance that’s happening in mere minutes, and Eli tells us Jackson has yet another deal on the table.

“He hasn’t refused this one yet. His father’s team of lawyers is looking it over. I’m thinking he might take it,” Eli says.

“What about school?” Ellie asks. “And football?”

“Fuck all that if he can land a million-dollar contract and tour the world,” Caleb says with a laugh. “If I were him, I’d go for it. Maybe this is his dream, not football.”

“He likes both,” Eli says. And since he’s the one who’s closest to Jackson—besides Ellie—then I’ll take his word for it. “And you can’t tell me he doesn’t love this constant adoration he’s getting. There’s nothing but girls here.”

“They’re young,” I say, glancing around. “Mostly still in high school.”

“We’re still in high school,” Ava says, waving a hand between herself and Ellie.

“Yeah. You’re proving my point,” I tease her.

She sticks her tongue out at me. “Hey, my brother will be home next week.”

“He mentioned that. We talked some a few nights ago,” I say. I plan on seeing Jake as much as I can during this Thanksgiving break.

“You should come over for Thanksgiving,” Ava suggests. “Mom mentioned it to me earlier when I told her I was going to see you tonight. She asked what you were doing.”

I think of my dad’s invitation, and how I really don’t want to go. This is the perfect excuse. “I’d love to go.”

“You should come too,” Ava says, turning toward Hayden. “I’m sure my mom would love to meet the girl who stole Tony’s heart.”

Hayden blushes, and now I can’t imagine showing up to the Callahan’s house without her. She doesn’t even realize the power she has over me, does she? “Are you sure?”

“The crowd around the table grows every year, I swear. My parents love it though. This is their favorite holiday.” Ava smiles as she scans our group of friends circled around her. “You should all come if you can make it. At the very least, stop by for dessert.”

They all agree they’d love to stop by, and I study each of their faces, overwhelmed with the affection I feel for all of them. It may sound corny, and I feel like a sentimental asshole who would never admit any of this out loud. My friends would give me endless shit, but…

These people I’m with right now? They’re my family. Jake and Hannah are too. I don’t want to spend the holiday with my father and Helena. It would be a tension-filled dinner with my dad lecturing on and on while Helena shoots daggers at me with her eyes and tends to those crying toddlers who are my half-sisters.

Still can’t quite wrap my head around that, but whatever.

“Do you really think it would be okay if I came with you to the Callahan’s for Thanksgiving dinner?” Hayden asks me.

I nod, slipping my arm around her shoulders and hauling her in close to my side. “Definitely. Coach and his wife are cool. They seem to really enjoy having a ton of people over on Thanksgiving.”

“I’m supposed to go to my dad’s for the holiday, but I really don’t want to.” Hayden makes a face and I lean down, dropping a kiss on her lips.

“Spend it with me. And my friends. Our friends,” I amend.

She smiles. Tugs on the front of my T-shirt. “Okay.”

Maybe it was a mistake, coming to watch Jackson, even though I was all for it earlier. If I could, I’d suggest we leave now. I can’t wait to get this girl alone. Get

her naked in a bed. Mine. Hers. Whatever. I just want to be with her.

But this works too. With our friends in the middle of a smelly hot bar, waiting for our friend to walk on stage and perform for his screaming fans.