The Freshman

by Monica Murphy

  “Maybe I will, once everything calms down,” Tony says. “I’m glad you came.”

  “I’m glad I came too, son,” Anthony says, his voice sincere, his eyes glowing with pride. “Thank you for the invite.”

  “I didn’t think you’d be able to make it,” Tony says truthfully. “I just sent it on the off chance…”

  “Of course I wanted to be here. I might not show it enough, but I care about everything you do. I love you, son.” He grabs hold of Tony and they embrace. I watch them, a tiny smile curving my lips, emotion making my chest tight. I love witnessing this. Both his mother and his father came to this game tonight. They showed up for him.

  And that’s all Tony has ever wanted. Support from his parents.

  My gaze goes to Helena, who’s tapping away on her phone. I step closer to her, lowering my voice. “Texting your boyfriend?”

  Her head jerks up, her eyes wide. “What do you mean?” she asks, the slightest tremble in her voice.

  “Hmm, I don’t know. I remember being in the bathroom at the country club that one night a few months ago. Overheard a few things you and Lauri talked about.” I shrug. Might’ve mentioned those things to Lauri too, when I spent Christmas Eve with them.

  Definitely not my most memorable Christmas with Dad and Palmer, since everyone was so tense, including me. But we’ll get through this. If that means Lauri won’t be in our lives anymore eventually, I’m definitely not going to complain.

  “Like what?” Helena asks warily, taking a few steps away from the men who are still quietly talking to each other. I go with her, a faint smile on my face.

  I’m probably enjoying this way too much.

  “Gossipy shit you should be worried about your husband hearing, that’s for sure” I say, not mincing any words. “Like how hot you are for your new stepson.”

  Her gaze shifts to the men for the briefest moment before returning to mine. “That was nothing.”

  “I wonder if your husband would think it’s nothing if I mentioned it to him.” I make like I’m going to walk over there and she grabs my arm, stopping me.

  “I don’t like threats, Hayden,” she spits out, her eyes narrowing.

  “Neither do I,” I tell her pleasantly, jerking my arm out of her loose hold. “And don’t touch me ever again.”

  A cajoling smile appears on her beautiful face. Too bad all that beauty hides a black soul underneath. “It was no big deal. I was just making conversation with my friend, you know? You don’t need to tell anyone about that conversation.”

  What’s funny is I haven’t told anyone. I sort of forgot about it—until Helena made her threats toward Tony. And still I never mentioned it to him.

  “As long as you leave Tony and I alone, it can remain our little secret,” I whisper with a pleasant smile. “Don’t ever forget that.”

  “How am I supposed to trust you?” she asks, her voice full of doubt.

  “I feel the same exact way about you.” She’s such a chicken. She’s never going to carry out her threat against Tony. I’m confident about that. “Be careful when you gossip in bathrooms. Someone might be in a stall and hear everything.”

  I walk away from her with a flounce, approaching Tony, who watches me with a gleam in his eyes.

  “We’re going to take off then so you can get to your party,” Anthony says to the both of us. Helena is sulking just behind him. “Have fun. Enjoy your night. You deserve it.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Tony calls as they turn and start to walk away. Helena glances over her shoulder, her gaze meeting mine, and I offer her a little wave.

  She scowls and looks away, shifting closer to her husband as they leave the field.

  “What exactly did you say to her?” Tony asks me.

  My smile is mysterious. “Nothing much. Did you want to meet at the hotel later? After your party?”

  “After? Uh, I don’t know if you realized it, but you’re going to the party with me,” he corrects.

  “I thought it was just for the team.” I frown.

  “You’re definitely invited. I can’t celebrate tonight’s win without you. Hell, my dad probably could’ve gone too, but I didn’t want Helena there. I kind of hate her.” Tony chuckles. “You know you want to go. They’ll have free food and booze.”

  “Of course I’ll go. It sounds amazing,” I tell him, excited to celebrate their win. I rise up as he bends his head down, our lips meeting for a brief kiss. “Can’t wait.”

  “Maybe I can stay in your room tonight?” he asks. The team has to share rooms when they travel for away games to cut down costs, and he’s rooming with Caleb. Diego and Eli are together, and Jackson is rooming with another teammate, I can’t remember his name.

  I still can’t believe Jackson remained on the team. He’s been wined and dined by multiple record companies the last couple of months, but he hasn’t committed to any of them yet. He claims he’s not sure if it’s even something he wants to do. And he doesn’t want a bunch of executives in suits trying to stifle his creativity—a direct quote.

  I get where he’s coming from, but everyone else thinks he’s crazy. They believe he should jump on the money and chase the fame.

  “Are you allowed to stay in another room?” I ask Tony.

  “I don’t know. I sort of don’t care. You’re staying at the same hotel, so what’s the big deal,” Tony says with a shrug. He glances around before he pulls me in for another too brief kiss. “I want to be with you later. Just the two of us.”

  I’m not going to protest.

  I want to be with him too.

  “Oh my God,” I say with a moan, arching beneath him just before he rolls off of me and climbs off the bed. I lie in the middle of the mattress in an exhausted, barely breathing heap of satisfaction while Tony’s in the bathroom.

  I stretch before tugging the comforter over me, and close my eyes. Life is good. Way too good. And I don’t even have that foreboding feeling like I used to have, when I worried that the rug was going to be pulled out from beneath my feet and all the good would turn to bad.

  A lot of that is thanks to Tony.

  Minutes later and he’s climbing back into bed, pulling me into his arms. I go willingly, settling my head against his chest where I can hear the steady beat of his heart. He gives me a squeeze and I run my hand back and forth across his ridged stomach, smiling when I feel his muscles contract beneath my fingertips.

  “That was amazing,” I whisper. I didn’t expect us to have sex tonight, but I’m not complaining. I figured he’d be exhausted from the game, the excitement afterward from winning, the party that went on for hours. It’s so late, almost three in the morning, and I can barely keep my eyelids open.

  I’m not the one who played an intense football game either.

  “Yeah, it was,” he agrees. I lift my head, dropping a kiss on his firm jaw.

  “You were a little unhinged,” I whisper. We’ve become more and more comfortable with each other sexually. As in, we’re getting a little more experimental.

  It’s been fun.

  He glances down at me, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. “You were the one smashing your pussy on my face.”

  “I know. It felt good.” I shrug, owning it.

  “You were a little out of control too.”

  “You make me excited.”

  “Oh, I know,” he says dryly and I smack his shoulder. He laughs. “It was good.” A pause. “It’s always good.”

  “So good,” I say on a sigh.

  We remain quiet. The curtains are still parted, showcasing a gorgeous view of the Las Vegas city lights, and I think about how I should close those curtains soon because when the sun comes up, it’s going to be brutal.

  But I don’t move. It’s like I can’t. Tony doesn’t move either. We’re too content. Too tired.

  “Sophie sent me a congratulations text,” he admits, his voice whisper-soft.

  I stir against him. “Really?” Hearing her name used to fill me with intense jeal
ousy, I’m not going to lie, but I started reminding myself that I have Tony now, not her. And then I realize what he did to her, how he shut her out and she broke up with him because she felt like she had no other choice. Now I just feel sorry for her. That she didn’t get to keep him. Enjoy him more, like I do.

  But that’s okay. He’s mine now. I love him.

  And he loves me.

  “Yeah. She saw me on our local news. I think her parents saw it, actually. She told me she’s happy for me,” he says as he rakes his fingers through my hair.

  “That was nice of her.”

  “I thought so too. I just wanted you to know. Didn’t want to keep it from you.” He stays quiet only for a moment. “My mom says I’m on a karmic voyage of discovery, how I’m reconnecting with people and finding closure with some of them.”

  My hand goes still on his stomach. “That’s…interesting.”

  He chuckles, the sound rumbling in his chest, against my ear. “Right? She’s become very spiritual lately. Reading all sorts of self-help books.”

  “She gave me that set of affirmation coasters for Christmas,” I remind him.

  “Exactly. Burning candles and collecting crystals. You should see her Buddha collection. She has a lot of them,” he says. “We’re not even Buddhists. She says she likes the vibe they bring to the house and yard. Looking at them gives her peace.”

  “Whatever helps bring her peace. I won’t judge.” My eyes fall closed, finding my own peace with this gorgeous, thoughtful, smart man lying beside me.

  “I told her the same thing.” He drops a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you.”

  My eyes pop open. “For what?”

  “For giving me a chance. For sticking by my side. For tolerating my bullshit.”

  “Um, right back at you,” I tell him, my hand starting to drift once more. “I’m ridiculous sometimes.”

  “So am I,” he says, sucking in a breath when my hand settles gently over his burgeoning erection.

  The guy never stops. It’s one of my favorite traits of his.

  “I love you,” I murmur as I begin to stroke him.

  “You’re just saying that so we’ll do it again,” he accuses, and I can hear the laughter in his voice.

  “Is it working?” I ask innocently.

  “Always,” he murmurs.

  Just before he kisses me.

  Epilogue

  Tony

  I’m walking by the library, minding my own business when I hear a low whistle sound somewhere to my left. I glance over at the cluster of picnic tables nearby and spot my girlfriend sitting at one of them, her best friend right next to her. The both of them trying to act like they don’t see me, looking everywhere else but in my direction.

  Of course I know Hayden’s the one who whistled at me. She’s been doing it a lot lately. She’s kind of weird sometimes, but I love her.

  Pausing, I lower the shades on my face, so I can peer over my sunglasses at the two of them. Gracie barely looks my way before nudging Hayden in the ribs. My girl smiles at me and waves. “Hey sexy.”

  Chuckling, I approach them, stopping beside the bench they’re sitting on. They both scoot over, allowing me some room, and I settle in right beside Hayden, reaching for her. Kissing her. “I’m done,” I murmur against her lips.

  “Yay!” She throws her arms up in the air before wrapping them around my neck, giving me another, longer kiss.

  “Ew,” Gracie says, making a face. We both glare at her. She laughs. “You guys are gross.”

  “You’re just jealous of our love,” Hayden says teasingly, and I tighten my arms around her waist. I refuse to let go of her.

  It’s like I can’t.

  “You know I’m not jealous. I’m actually really happy for you guys,” Gracie says with a wistful sigh.

  It’s the end of the spring semester. I just took my last final. I’m officially done with my freshman year. And it’s been better than I could’ve ever expected. I went into this school year a little nervous, not expecting much, and crossing my fingers I’d pass my classes.

  Instead, I started on a championship winning football team, I made the Dean’s list for the fall semester and will most likely do the same for the spring, and I’ve fallen in love. I’ve even reformed a tentative relationship with my parents. A good one too, especially with my mother.

  Didn’t give her back Millicent though, even when she asked. Millicent is my cat now. Mom got herself a teacup yorkie instead. She named him Mr. Nutters.

  Whatever.

  “Are we celebrating the end of the semester tonight?” Hayden asks me.

  I can think of the many ways I want to celebrate with just Hayden tonight, but I know that’s not what she’s referring to. “We’re having a barbecue at our place. Everyone’s invited.” I say this specifically to Gracie.

  She makes a face. “Including Caleb?”

  “Gracie. He lives there,” I deadpan.

  She rolls her eyes. “I was hoping he was excluded from the festivities.”

  “Will Jackson be there?” Hayden asks, her eyes lighting up. She has a slight thing for him, but I don’t mind. He still hasn’t signed with a record company yet. He’s playing hard to get, and hopefully it’s working for him. He recently produced a couple of his own singles thanks to his dad’s money, and one of them got major airplay.

  He’s turning into kind of a big deal. We’re going to be able to say we knew him when, I’m pretty sure of it.

  “Yes, your secret boyfriend will be there.” I bop her nose with my index finger and she laughs. “He says he has an announcement.”

  “Oooh, I wonder what his announcement will be.” She frowns. “He hasn’t mentioned anything to me yet.”

  She’s kidding. We like to joke that Jackson is Hayden’s side boyfriend. He has no idea we make this joke either. Jackson doesn’t talk much to Hayden. He doesn’t talk much to any of us lately. He’s been too busy. Once football was finished, he was off, taking only a couple of classes on campus and some online, while the rest of the time, he’s in the studio making music.

  I don’t know if he’ll be on the football team this next year. As of right now, his name is still on the roster. But things could change. He’s pursuing his passion and he’s throwing his entire self into it. He can’t do that if he’s playing football and doing the music thing. Eventually he’s going to have to choose.

  Can’t wait to see where his path takes him.

  “Jake will be there tonight,” I tell Hayden.

  “Oh, that’s so great.” She met him at Christmas, and she got along great with him and Hannah. Of course she did.

  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.”

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