The Freshman (College Years 1)

Hayden gets along with pretty much everyone. Except my stepmother. But no one likes her. I don’t even think my father likes Helena much anymore. Which is probably for the best. I don’t trust her. My father shouldn’t either.

“Yeah, I’m excited to spend time with Jake. We all are,” I say, pushing all thoughts of my dad and his wife firmly out of my mind. Why focus on the bad stuff, when there is so much good happening right now?

“What time do you want us coming over?” Gracie asks me.

“Around six? Food will be on the grill by then. There will be beer.”

“I’m making white wine spritzers,” Hayden adds.

“Ooh, delicious,” Gracie says with a smile. “Can’t drink too much though, since I’m driving over.”

“You can stay the night,” I suggest.

“And risk having to listen to Caleb fuck his latest conquest all night long?” Gracie firmly shakes her head. “No thank you.”

Those two are still going at it. They’re either friendly, or at war. It’s exhausting.

I think they enjoy it.

“I’ll stay the night,” Hayden murmurs to me and I kiss her again. Unable to resist, as usual.

“That was always the plan.” I squeeze her close, my ass going numb considering it’s half hanging off the bench seat. “I’m out of here.” I rise to my feet.

“So are we,” Hayden says, and they both stand as well. “We were just waiting for you to get out of class.”

“Really?”

Gracie nods. “We do that a lot for you.”

Hayden nudges her, making Gracie laugh. “We were done with finals yesterday, remember?” Hayden asks me.

Yeah, I remembered. Sort of.

Okay, maybe I forgot a little.

I go to my girlfriend and wrap her up in my arms, kissing her soundly. “You’re the best.”

“Don’t ever forget it,” she says, smiling up at me.

Oh, I won’t.

There are so many people crowded in our condo and our tiny backyard, it’s kind of blowing my mind. Even better? They’re all people I know and care about.

“You know how to throw a bash,” Jake says as he stands beside me, watching me turn chicken on the grill. “I’m fucking starving.”

“There’s food inside,” I tell my friend and he grins at me.

“And miss watching a future barbecue master work his magic at the grill? No way.” Jake takes a sip from the beer bottle he’s clutching.

Jake and Hannah showed up at the condo before everyone else, allowing us the time to catch up with them. Caleb and I asked Jake all sorts of questions about football and the team at USC, to the point that Jake said he couldn’t say anymore because he felt like he was revealing trade secrets. We laughed, acting like he’s joking with us, but I think he was kind of serious.

Hannah suddenly approaches us, a plate full of chips and salsa, vegetables and dip and crackers and cheese in her hands. “Here you go,” she delivers to Jake with a kiss.

“Thanks, babe,” he says, immediately digging in.

“No wonder you didn’t care about going inside to get food. You had someone taking care of you,” I say to him once Hannah is gone.

He grins, munching on a baby carrot. “She’s good to me. Like, it’s better than ever between us.”