Page 1

1

VAUGHN

I stare at the textbook in front of me, annoyed as all hell that I’m stuck inside right now. It’s spring, and it’s beautiful outside. The sun is still up, despite it being late in the evening, and I’m missing the last bit of daylight because I’m stuck inside looking at a math book.

I take one last glimpse over at my best friend, camped out on my bed with his own textbook, and I can’t hold back the smile on my face. He’s so damn content doing math homework, for Christ’s sake. I’ll never understand the guy, but I don’t have to, to know he’s pretty much my whole world.

I met Austin on the playground in kindergarten, and the poor guy has been stuck with me ever since. It never really mattered to either of us that I’m the epitome of a jock, and I suppose he’s the definition of a nerd—even though I wouldn’t call him nerdy. Not really. He loves books, and he hates sports. I’ve seen nerdy characters portrayed in movies and TV—all awkward and clumsy—but that’s not Austin.

He’s cool and collected. Totally sure of who he is and who he wants to be. He stands up to bullies—whether they’re trying to mess with him or someone else. He’s the strongest person I know.

Sometimes I wish I were more like him. I do my best to fit in. Joke around with the guys in the locker room, whether I feel like it or not. Play all the sports the school offers, even though I really only like playing football and baseball. I played basketball and soccer too and was damn good at them both. I actually would have preferred to spend that time with Austin but didn’t want to deal with all the mocking from the other guys in school.

Because they think Austin is a freak for not wanting to play sports. There’s not much to do around here, and football is pretty much God. So when a kid refuses to play and would rather read, it puts a bullseye on their back.

Luckily, I’ve been able to hold it at bay as much as I can. Letting everyone know Austin was off-limits, but he has no problem going toe-to-toe with all the assholes who won’t let up. It scares the hell out of me, if I’m being honest. That one of them will get to him when I’m not around—will steal away his spirit somehow.

I don’t ever want him to lose that.

“You know even though your scholarship is for sports, you’re going to have to do work at college.” Austin looks over at me, his light-blue eyes glittering with mirth and teasing.

“I don’t plan to major in math,” I deadpan, closing the textbook that’s resting on my desk and climbing out of the rolling chair I was sitting in. I go over to the bed and drop down next to Austin, resting my head on his shoulder.

Yeah, I’m sure some people would think it’s weird that I love cuddling with my best friend—but those people can fuck off. Obviously, they don’t have as cuddly of friends as I do.

Although, it kind of makes me chuckle because Austin is pretty much a no touchy sort of person, but he makes an exception for me. He closes his book and wraps his arm around my shoulder, letting me snuggle closer. “You’ll still have to do math.”

I shrug and breathe in the clean scent of his Big Bend Bears hoodie. He refuses to go to any of the games, but he didn’t even blink when I bought him the hoodie for Christmas last year. I kind of wanted to get my jersey number printed on the back—but figured that might be a smidge too weird.

“I can’t wait for college,” I say honestly. I’m going to miss Big Bend, sure, but it’s only two hours away, and Austin will be there.

He snorts at that. “I’m sure you’ll rule the campus.”

“I don’t care about that.” I look up at him, bright and happy because that’s the way Austin makes me feel. “Just you and me, Austin. Going to college parties and hanging out on campus. It’s going to be great.”

“You, me, and Van,” he says pointedly, like I forgot my own girlfriend or something. I didn’t. I’m happy Vanessa is going to college with us too, but I mean—it’s always been Austin and me. There’s nothing wrong with being excited about us going to college together, like we always planned.

“Yeah. I know,” I say a little defensively. “Van will be there too. It’s going to be great.”

He snorts again, shaking his head at me. “Most guys would be pretty excited their girlfriend is going to college with them, man.”

I sit up a little, still staying close to him. “I am excited.”

He’s studying me too closely now, and I hate that he knows me so well. I huff as he cocks his head to the side. “What’s wrong?”

Damn him. I huff again like a petulant child and lean back against the wall my bed is on. “She’s pissed because she wanted us to live together.”

He looks a little surprised by that, his mouth forming an adorable little O. “She wanted to move in together?”

I nod, still a little shell-shocked by that. Van is great. I really like her, and we’ve been dating since our freshman year of high school. But moving in? Is she crazy? I’m not ready for that. “I told her I have to live in the athletic dorms my freshman year because of my football scholarship, but she thinks I could get special permission or something.”

I squirm in my seat, feeling itchy, just thinking about it. Moving in with someone—living with them all the time—that’s a huge commitment. Especially when you’re eighteen years old. But she seems hopeful about it instead of freaked-out. Like it was always supposed to be the plan or something. “What did you tell her?”

“That I didn’t want to rock the boat with the new coach.”

His lips purse together, and he doesn’t look too pleased—like he wants to say something but is holding back from me. I hate when he does that. He has to know he can tell me anything by now.

“What?” I ask, trying to force him to talk to me.

“Nothing,” he says and leans forward, unzipping his backpack and putting his math book in there before zipping it back. “I should probably get going. It’s a school night.”

“No, don’t go. Mom is making fried chicken for dinner.”

He laughs at that, and that beautiful, bright smile I’ll never tire of is left on his face when the sound stops. “You know my mom can cook too.”

“I do.” I jump off the bed and grab his hand. “We’ll go to your place for dinner tomorrow! Come on. I can smell the chicken already, and I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” he chides but lets me lead him out of my room and toward the kitchen. My mom doesn’t look surprised at all to see us walk into the kitchen while she stands by the stove.

“Smelled dinner, huh?” she teases.

“You know it.” I kiss her cheek. “What can I do to speed up this process?”

She laughs at that, a full vibrant laugh and points to the cabinet. “Set the table.” She looks at Austin. “I’m assuming you’ll be setting a place for my favorite child too?”

Austin blushes at that, and my little sister, Carrie, walks into the kitchen at that moment. “You mean me, right, Mom?”

My sister is a sophomore in high school—sixteen and a total hellion, but she’s a good kid who actually gets along with our parents pretty well. “Sure, sweetie,” Mom says, kissing Carrie’s forehead and then winking at Austin, who just chuckles.

Carrie and Austin continue to joke around about being my mom’s favorite child as we set the table. My dad walks in, just in time from working at my uncle’s cattle ranch a couple of miles away. He looks tired, and his boots, which he takes off by the back door, are muddy, but he’s happy when he kisses my mom hello and then sits down at the table with us.

I love these nights at home with my family. I’m going to miss it when I go to college, but I have no doubt Austin and I will make our way back here at least once a week.

So I still can’t wait.