The Freshman (College Years 1)

“I’m glad you two are still together.” I flip the pieces of chicken yet again, that satisfying sizzle music to my ears.

“We ran into Sophie a couple of weeks ago,” he says conversationally.

I don’t even visibly react. It’s no big deal. Thinking about her doesn’t make me feel like shit anymore. It doesn’t make me feel anything at all beyond a fondness for her. Nostalgia more than anything else.

That was a different time. And I was a different person then.

“She looks good,” he continues. “She was checking out the USC campus. They have a great dance program there, and I guess she made it in for the next semester. We saw her at a restaurant that’s not too far from school.”

“Cool.” I nod. Slather barbecue sauce on a couple pieces of chicken before I turn the flame down to low. “I’m glad she’s doing well.”

“She said the same thing about you.” When I glance over at Jake, I see he’s watching me. “Yeah, we talked about you. I’m glad you found Hayden, man. I liked Sophie, but I think Hayden’s better for you.”

“I think so too,” I say with a smile, pleased that Jake likes her. “She likes you and Hannah too.”

“You guys should come down to Los Angeles and hang out with us for the weekend over the summer,” he suggests.

“I’d love to. I’ll check with Hayden, though I’m sure she’d be down.”

“Down for what?” Caleb magically appears, a beer in hand and a girl under his arm. And it’s not just any girl either.

It’s Baylee. Shit.

“Hey, Baylee,” I say to her, and Jake does the same, the both of us completely unenthusiastic.

It’s not that we don’t like Baylee, I just hate what Caleb is doing to her. The back and forth has gotta get old. You’d think Baylee would put her foot down and say enough is enough.

But I guess not.

“I told Tony he should bring Hayden and visit Hannah and I later this summer,” Jake says.

Caleb nods. “That sounds fuckin’ awesome. I’d love to hang out with you guys. Go to the beach, pick up some babes.”

He says this in front of Baylee and she doesn’t even blink.

“Sounds fun,” she says, glancing up at Caleb with stars in her eyes.

Oh man.

We keep up the conversation, talking about—of course—football, and Baylee eventually leaves us by ourselves. The moment she’s gone, Caleb frowns, draining his beer bottle before he says, “I need to break it off with that chick once and for all.”

“Yeah, you do,” Jake agrees mildly. “You’re just stringing her along.”

“How would you know? You haven’t even been here,” Caleb says defensively.

“You did the same thing to her in high school. I don’t think much has changed,” Jake points out.

“True.” Caleb looks miserable. “I’m a dick.”

“At least you can admit it,” I say, Jake and I laughing.

I eventually take the chicken off the grill and throw a couple of burgers and hot dogs on. I take the plate of chicken into the kitchen, where Hayden is holding court with the rest of the women, making her wine spritzers for them as they all chat and laugh. Hannah, Gracie, Ava, Ellie, Jocelyn and Baylee. Diego is in the living room with his baby girl, Gigi, and Eli. They’re in some sort of competition with each other, trying to get Gigi to walk to them first.

“Ooh that smells wonderful,” Jocelyn says when she spots me. “I’m starving.”

“Everyone is, I think.” I set the platter on the counter and the girls grab paper plates, ready to fork it up. “Save some for us.”

The women laugh, ignoring me completely.