The Freshman

by Monica Murphy

  “You can tell me anything,” he says.

  “I was scared I was going to lose you,” I confess, tightening my hold on him. “And I couldn’t imagine what tomorrow would be like, if I couldn’t talk to you. See you. Touch you.”

  “Guess you don’t have to worry about that,” he says before he kisses me deep. “You’re stuck with me.”

  “I’m not complaining,” I say with a laugh, our mouths fusing.

  At the same exact time, my stomach growls. Loudly.

  “Sounds like your stomach is complaining,” Tony says against my lips.

  I still haven’t really eaten anything. And now that my nerves are gone, my stomach is ready to be fed. “I’m starving.”

  He lifts his head away from mine. “Let’s go grab something.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” He smiles. “Let’s go to that taco truck near Strummers.”

  Oh, I know where he’s going with this. “Do you think he’s performed yet?”

  Tony tilts his head. “How’d you know Jackson’s performing tonight?”

  “Gracie told me. She headed over there a while ago,” I admit.

  “Caleb’s there too, with everyone else.”

  I grab hold of his T-shirt, giving it a gentle shake. “Let’s go.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yes. Oh my God, it’ll be so much fun, and it definitely won’t suck.” I laugh, thinking of Robin and Bat’s Cave.

  “All right, let’s go then.”

  I grab my phone, leaving my purse behind so I don’t have to take it into the bar. I slip on a jacket and when we climb into Tony’s car, I’m hit with the delicious scent of rich leather.

  “Did you wear that jacket in anticipation of going to watch Jackson?” I ask him.

  “Maybe,” he says sheepishly. “It’s the closest thing I’ve got to a rocker look.”

  “I love it.”

  Someday, I just know I’m going to blurt out, “I love you,” to Tony. And I’m okay with it.

  Perfectly okay.

  Twenty-Seven

  Tony

  The club is packed. There’s another shitty band on the stage, the jangle of guitars and nonsense being spit into a mic filling the room, and I grimace as we make our way through the throng of teenaged girls everywhere. I’m holding Hayden’s hand, leading her into the crowd that surrounds the small stage, when I spot my friends, standing head and shoulders taller than pretty much anyone else in the building.

  Much like last time, there aren’t a lot of guys here tonight.

  As we approach, I see the shocked expressions on my friends’ faces, save for Caleb and Gracie, who’ve both experienced this chaos before. Diego, Jocelyn, Eli and Ava all appear in a daze. Like they can’t believe this is happening.

  Exactly how I felt when we were here last time. Actually, it was worse because we had no idea Jackson was going to perform. That was even more shocking.

  “You guys made it!” Caleb roars when he spots us, his grin taking up half his face. He looks pleased. “And just in time. These assholes are going to wrap it up soon.”

  I give Caleb a bro shake and he does the same. He then hugs Hayden, who laughs nervously.

  “Thanks for giving Tony such good advice,” she tells him.

  Caleb is still grinning. “Any time. I’m glad to see you two are together.”

  “Told ya,” Gracie says, slugging Caleb in the forearm. “You owe me.”

  “Tell me you didn’t bet on it,” Hayden says.

  Gracie’s expression turns innocent. “We didn’t bet on it.”

  She’s lying, I can tell. Hayden can too.

  The lead singer shouts into the microphone, “Thank you everyone, and good night!” and the stage lights go down. The girls start hopping up and down, screaming their heads off.

  “They’re all yelling for Jackson?” Eli turns to look at us, his eyes wide. “Right? They don’t give a shit about the band that just finished.”

  “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.

  We all chat while we wait for Jackson to appear. The anticipation is ramping up in the room. You can feel the crowd growing more and more anxious, girls shouting his name at random times. Ellie looks mind-blown. I don’t know if she’s ever been at one of his performances like this before, and I bet she’s overwhelmed.

  She’s not the only fan of Jackson’s anymore. He has a whole slew of them.

  Finally, the lights go out. The screaming increases. Caleb is screaming too, chanting Jackson’s name over everyone else. We’re laughing. Eli is losing his mind. Ava, Ellie and Jocelyn are hopping up and down, clutching each other’s hands. Hayden rearranges herself so she’s standing directly in front of me, just like last time, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.

  Finally, the lights go up and there’s Jackson. Sitting on his throne once again, a single beam of silvery light focused only on him. He’s clutching his guitar, his hair in his face, clad in a white T-shirt and jeans. Layers of chains hang from his neck. Rings glint off his fingers.

  The girls go wild.

  “JACKSON, YOU’RE SO FUCKING SEXY!”

  That’s from Caleb.

  “Good evening. My name is Jackson Rivers.”

  And then he begins to play.

  It’s an unfamiliar song. It starts out slow and soft, before it starts to build. I’m sure it’s his own creation, and I don’t remember it from last time, so I’m guessing it’s new. It gets a little faster, and when he switches to the chorus, the entire stage is lit, showing a full band behind him.

  The screams are deafening.

  Only for you, I’d hesitate

  Only for you, I’d stand and wait

  It’s only you that can change my mind

  And only you would leave me behind

  It’s a bittersweet love song. I know it. But for who? Maybe his fans. I glance over at Ellie, who looks ready to swoon.

  She probably thinks it’s for her.

  When he finishes, the girls are screaming so loud, my ears start to buzz. Jackson smiles at the crowd, and when he spots us, his grin grows. He waves, and the girls in front of us think he’s waving to them. They lose their goddamn minds and lunge for the stage, but a beefy security guard stops them, holding them back.

  “He even has security,” Eli shouts at us, sounding envious. “Holy shit.”

  “This is insane,” Hayden says with a laugh.

  “Good song though,” I tell her, giving her a squeeze, thinking how right those words are.

  Hayden is the only girl I’d do anything for. And when I say anything, I mean anything.

  I tuck her in close, resting my chin on top of her head as Jackson launches into the next song. Another original, one that’s familiar, and Hayden starts to move to the beat. I glance over to catch Caleb helping Gracie onto his shoulders and she beams at Jackson, singing along with the chorus when it starts. Ava’s on top of Eli’s shoulders already, and Ellie and Jocelyn are dancing around Diego.

  Being surrounded by my closest friends, both new and old, my girl in my arms, this is the best feeling in the whole damn world. Bar none.

  My heart is full.

  Twenty-Eight

  Hayden

  January

  “Oh my God!” I start running toward Tony the moment I spot him out on the field. He stops when he hears me, aiming a smile my way as he throws his arms out, waiting for me. I slam into him, his strong arms coming around me, my face pressed against his chest as I breathe in his sweaty, familiar scent.

  The Bulldogs just won the Las Vegas Bowl.

  When I pull away from him to look at his face, he’s grinning. His helmet is long gone, and his hair is a sweaty mess, dark clumps of it clinging to his forehead. His uniform is filthy. They played hard tonight. Tony caught a touchdown in the third quarter. He also had possession of the ball a lot, gaining plenty of yardage. His stats are stellar. He’s most likely going to start next season, his coaches informed him a few weeks ago.

  And he’s only a freshman.

  “I’m so proud of you,” I murmur as I stare into his eyes. I’m overwhelmed with pride and happiness. This is a good night. One of the best nights.

  And we’ve had a lot of them lately.

  “Thanks.” He dips his head, his mouth barely touching mine. “Love you.”

  “I love you too,” I say before he really kisses me.

  Right there, out on the field, in front of everyone. Guess I don’t mind public displays of affection anymore.

  We said our first “I love you” to each other over Christmas. It felt right. From the start, being with Tony has always felt right. Who cares about our fathers’ hatred for each other? What does it matter that I’m two years older than him? That shouldn’t even be an issue. All I care about is Tony. And he only cares about me.

  That’s the most important thing of all.

  Ash Davis is nearby, holding his fiancée Autumn as he talks to someone from the NFL Network. He asked her to marry him at Christmas, and of course, she said yes. He’s sure to get drafted. It’s a big deal, winning this bowl. Being on this team. Tony has told me more than once while they were in the playoffs that he couldn’t believe his luck.

  But I know the truth. It’s not all luck. The team is just that good, and Tony is a huge contributor to their overall talent and skill.

  “My mom is here. She flew in this morning to watch the game,” Tony says when we finally end our kiss. “I just saw her on the field. She told me she’s proud of me.”

  I can hear the emotion crackle in his voice and I hug him tight, overwhelmed. They’ve been trying to piece their relationship back together, thanks to Tony reaching out to her on Thanksgiving. He told her he was grateful she was his mom, and he wished they could spend more time together, and she agreed. They’ve been working on that, and it’s been a beautiful thing to witness.

  We even spent Christmas with her, and we had a lot of fun. His mom went all out. The house was beautifully decorated, with a massive Christmas tree in the living room, filling the entire space with the delicious scent of fresh pine. It snowed the few days we spent there, and Tony took me all over his hometown, showing me where he went to school, where they used to hang out and party.

  He even took me to the Callahan’s house, which was kind of a trip. We were supposed to visit them for Thanksgiving, but I ended up going to my dad’s after all. I really only went to spend time with Palmer. Not one of the Channing family’s most memorable holiday moments, that’s for sure.

  When Tony and I showed up at the Callahan house, I realized quick every single Callahan is beautiful. Like, no joke. Plus, they were the most down to earth people I’ve ever met, and Drew Callahan has ten times more money than my dad, who’s a pretentious asshole.

  Oh shit. Speaking of pretentious assholes…

  I see Anthony Sorrento Senior approaching us, Helena holding onto his arm as she manages the field in her sky high stilettos. I almost roll my eyes at the sight of them, but I restrain myself.

  Barely.

  “Tony,” his father says smoothly.

  We both turn to look at them. I can barely hold back the sneer that forms on my face when my gaze lands on Helena. We haven’t spoken since the Thanksgiving incident. Tony didn’t spend the holiday with them. He told Helena via text to go fuck herself.

  Proud moment right there. He didn’t back down even an inch when it came to her. And Tony is the nicest guy I’ve ever met. Just don’t come for him, like Helena did.

  She never brought up anything to Tony’s father either. Her threats were all empty. Pointless. We know what she was trying to gain, but her method was weak. I’m guessing this marriage won’t last long. Knowing Tony’s father and his past, I’d say it was doomed to fail from the start.

  But maybe that’s
just me being a pessimist. People can change, right? I mean…

  Look at Tony and me.

  “Hey, Dad,” Tony says weakly, his expression hopeful. My heart aches, only because I know that despite everything, deep down Tony just wants his father’s approval.

  “You played well tonight,” Anthony says as he glances around the giant stadium before his gaze returns to Tony’s. “Congratulations on the win.”

  Tony grins, his arm tightening around my shoulders as he tugs me closer. “Thank you. I didn’t know you were coming to the game.”

  “I was able to get some time away from work. It’s not every day your only son plays in a bowl game in Las Vegas,” his father says, sounding boastful.

  I chance a glance in Helena’s direction. She looks positively miserable.

  I don’t feel bad for her at all.

  “Great job tonight, Tony,” Helena adds, and I can tell somehow Anthony made her say that.

  “Thanks,” Tony says coolly, his gaze barely meeting hers before he smiles down at me. “It’s been a good season.”

  “The best season,” Anthony says. “We were hoping the two of you might have time to go to dinner with us?”

  I stiffen under Tony’s arm. That sounds like absolute torture.

  “Ah, yeah. I appreciate the offer, but I can’t. I need to head back to the locker room here soon,” Tony says, pulling away from me slightly as he quickly glances over his shoulder. “They’re having a party for us later, just for the team. Back at the hotel. Wish I could go to dinner with you guys though.”

  He sounds so sincere, I almost believe him.

  “That’s too bad. Maybe some other time. We’re leaving tomorrow,” Anthony says.

  “So are we,” Tony says, smiling down at me. I love that he treats us like a package deal, even in front of his dad.

  “You should come to our house and visit again,” Anthony suggests. “Spend some time with your sisters. They’re growing so fast.”

  Helena smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I wonder if she’s unhappy with her life. If there’s anyone to blame for that, it’s only herself.