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“Thanks. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow for chapter,” I laugh.

Turning, I walk to the door, following Casey and Beck, and turn to say goodbye to Aunt Lindsay, but she is already on another call, so I’m not sure she even hears me.

I shoot my mom a text while walking to the truck.

Charlie: MOM. MOM. MOM. I cannot believe this is happening to me. Like, OMG!

Mom: *sad face emoji* I’m so sorry. It’ll all work out. Just be glad you have somewhere to go instead of turning around and coming home. Not that I wouldn’t be happy with you coming home! You know I love you. Aunt Lindsay will take care of it. Just give her a few days. You know she gets shit done.

Charlie: You don’t have to write complete sentences in texts. I’ve told you this 1000x. You could just vm me if ur reply is that long.

Mom: Well, since you’re picking on me, I guess you’re okay?

Charlie: Urgh, I’ll call you later.

Mom: Love you.

Charlie: Love you.

When I pull open the rear cab door, Casey turns to look at me while Beck types on his phone. I don’t care who he’s texting with. Really, I don’t. But, gawd, this means not only do I have to deal with Archie’s whoriness, but Beck’s too.

He probably has a whole harem of coeds at the house every night.

I think I might be sick.

With a smirk and a bit of sympathy in his eyes, Casey says, “It’s going to be okay, Char. And it’ll be fun. Like a big sleepover.”

“A sleepover? What are we, ten? Case, you do realize she’s going to have to stay in my room since I have the most space, right? What the fuck are we going to do about that?” Beck sounds irritated, which makes me defensive.

“Well, fuck you too, Beckham. Do you think I want this? This is my worst nightmare.” I grab the handle and pull myself into the truck.

“Okay, okay. I’ll just sleep on the cot in Beck’s room until you can move into the sorority house. No big deal. I can’t have two of my favorite people killing each other. I’d miss you both too much,” Casey says with a laugh.

“Case, you can’t sleep on a cot. You’ll be destroyed, and that will just piss Coach off. You worked so hard last year and in training to earn a starting position. You can’t fuck it up. It’ll be fine. I’ll be nice, I promise,” Beck says.

“Charlie, do you promise to play nice with Beck?” Casey asks.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, thinking. “What if I put the cot in the living room? There’s plenty of space there.”

Casey sways his head. “It’s a possibility.”

Beckham shifts in his seat and lifts a hand, about to talk, yet he stutters a touch before speaking. “That’s a terrible idea.”

“Why? Because I came up with it?”

“To start,” he says and then looks up, as if trying to find the answer. When one comes to him, he points his finger. “There’s always someone in there with the TV blaring. You’ll never sleep. Sometimes, the room is packed with random guys who come over to watch a game.” He moves his attention to Casey. “Not to mention, she sleeps in those damn boy shorts and T-shirts. You don’t want Archie walking in when she’s waking up without a bra.”

“Absolutely not,” my brother says without missing a beat.

“Exactly. At least I know how to be a gentleman and look the other way. And besides, it’s nothing I haven’t seen already.” He grimaces as soon as the words leave his mouth.

Casey turns his head and looks at me in the rearview mirror. “Beckham makes some good points. I know it’s not ideal, but do you think you could rough it on the cot in his room for a few days?”

I blow a huge breath out of my mouth, making my lips vibrate.

Can I rough it? Yes.

Will I like it? Not one bit.