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“Thanks, Dad. I’m going to miss you guys, but we’ll see you in a few weeks for the opening game.”

“Yes, your mom and I will be there early that day, so if you want to ride with us to the game, let us know, and we’ll pick you up,” he says while putting his other arm around me as we walk out the door.

“You sure you have everything you need?” Mom asks.

“Yeah, I think so. If I forgot anything, I’ll have you bring it when you come to campus.”

“Okay, that works,” she says. “I know you’re going to roll your eyes at me when I say this, but I feel much better about you going to Walker with Casey and Beck than I did when you left for State with Britney last year. You know she was never my favorite.”

At the mention of Beck, my heart sinks. “I know, and I agree. I feel much better about this year overall. I have a better handle for what I want to specialize in too. I feel like psychology is a good route for me. And I’ll admit, it was hard, being away from Casey last year. Twins have to stay together—ya feel me?” I say with a laugh.

Rolling her eyes, she says, “Yes, I feel you. Just please keep an eye on each other and make good choices.”

I love to tease my mom, so I can’t help but say, “Mother, I promise we will make very goodbadchoices; don’t worry.”

She shakes her head as we walk up to the truck. “Casey, please keep your sister in line. But seriously, I love you both. Have an amazing year, and we’ll see you in just a few weeks. Call us when you get there. Oh, and, Charlie, don’t forget to call Aunt Linds when you get closer to campus so she can meet you at the sorority house with your room key.”

“Okay. Yeah, I have a reminder set on my phone to call her. I’m just glad they could fit me into the house so I don’t have to live in the dorms this year.”

My mom was in a sorority in college, which I really didn’t think would be my thing, but she made some really great lifelong friends, so that’s why I rushed last year at Chandler State. And because I was a legacy, it was really just a formality. I’m really glad I did it, given how things ended up with Brit. Now it will also make my transition to Walker easier because I already know a few of the girls in the house. One is Lindsay’s daughter, Arbor, and the other is her roommate, Lily. Plus, the house is a freaking mansion.

Lindsay Gibbs—who I refer to as Aunt Linds—and my mom met their freshman year at Walker. They rushed together and have been friends ever since. She’s the alumni chair for the sorority, so she basically keeps all the girls in line and helps manage the operations of the house.

“Aunt Linds is practically family. You know she always has your back,” Mom says as she gives my hand a squeeze. “Aren’t you a little sad you missed the rush festivities? I always had so much fun, making the skits and dances.”

I turn to look at her with ayou’ve got to be kidding meexpression on my face, but when I see her smile is genuine, I just smile and nod. “Maybe next year.”

Casey has nothing to load into the truck since he’s been at school for over a month now for training. He just decided to come up to get me instead of Mom and Dad taking me.

Dad hands Casey my duffel bag and he loads the last of my things into the back of the truck bed when he says, “Charlie, you need to ride in the back.”

“No, sir. Why?” I ask.

“Because I’m sitting in the front,” Beckham’s deep voice booms as he crosses the street and reaches the truck.

Fuck.

When I turn, I make eye contact with Beckham, and he gives me a snarky look. I just huff and shake my head.

I hear Mom and Dad talking, but I can’t really focus on what they’re saying. I mean, it’s kind of hard to when I have the intense eyes of my ex-boyfriend staring me down.

Literally.

Beckham Linson—the one I once loved fiercely before our relationship shattered into a million pieces. It’s been two years since we were a couple, and the pain of the fallout still stings despite the fact that he’s remained Casey’s best friend and my parents’ second son.

I’ve done everything I could to stay away from him. My heart is still attached to the memories, and my body betrays me when I look at him. Beck—with his stupid-hot blue eyes that are nearly gray and his brown hair that’s almost black—sort of has the whole Clark Kent–looking thing going, minus the glasses. The look he has right before he rips open his shirt and looks all hot and shit. And his height—the only way I can match his six-foot frame is if I’m on stairs or something. He’s no longer a teenage boy. He’s a man.

A man I will see a lot more of now that we’ll both be at Walker. Beckham is the starting running back for the football team. He was recruited heavily by Walker to play football, so he was able to earn a starting spot on the team, even as a freshman.

Between him being Casey’s best friend and a star athlete on campus, there’s no way I’m going to be able to avoid him.

I hear Mom say one last goodbye, and I head toward the front seat of the truck anyway. Completely ignoring my brother’s order. Right as I’m reaching for the handle, Beckham comes up behind me, crowding me against the door.

That imposing frame of his blocks me in, and I can feel the heat of his skin burning through his T-shirt and smell the fresh scent of the cologne he’s worn since our freshman year of high school. It was originally a gift from me. I’m actually a little surprised he still wears it, but I can’t say it doesn’t give me a little bit of satisfaction.

“There’s no way I’m sitting in the back. You get back there,” he drawls.

Luckily, I’ve become immune to his good looks and broody charm, which have everyone in this town—other than me—falling at his feet.