43
ASTRID
Ifollow Paige as she pushes her way through the crowd in the local sports bar, heading in the direction of the soccer team’s usual table. The celebrations are in full swing after today’s win. It was an away game, and I couldn’t attend as I was working at the bookstore downtown, where I have a part-time job. I literally get paid to be around books all day. How cool is that? I never miss any of Callan’s home games, but away games are not possible, which I hate because I detest missing any of his games.
As predicted, Callan is already making a name for himself, and he’s the first freshman in Bennington Turo’s history to start every single game. I’m so proud of him, and I just know he’s going to fulfill his childhood dream. He’s too talented for some team not to snatch him up.
“Gwen’s here,” Paige shouts when she looks back at me.
I inwardly groan, just knowing she’s going to be flirting with at least one of Callan’s teammates. Scott and Gwen have been on-again, off-again at least four times in the three months since we started college. During off periods, Gwen has been indulging in a slew of one-night stands, some of them with guys on Callan’s team, much to his disgust.
I shriek when someone pinches my ass, turning around to give the jerk a piece of my mind when my retort dies on my tongue. Squealing, I jump on Callan, wrapping my legs around his waist. I haven’t seen him in two days, and I missed him. His arms encircle my body, propping me up by my butt as his lips descend. The revelry fades as we kiss, and I don’t even feel the bodies bumping into us as we get lost in one another.
“Damn, I needed that,” he says when we finally break apart. Carefully, he sets my feet down on the ground, keeping a protective arm around my waist.
“I watched the match on my cell at work. You were amazing, baby. That second goal was pure magic.”
“They made us work for our win, but it feels good.” His hand slides down to my ass. “Almost as good as being inside you,” he purrs in my ear, sending waves of shivers racing across the length of my body.
“Hey, Callan.” Paige materializes in front of us, and Callan leans down, kissing her cheek. Callanadoresmy college best friend. Paige and I share a dorm, and we hit it off from the get-go. She’s studying pre-law and is busy with classes and assignments, but she always makes time for fun.
“Paige. You look great. Where’s Tonya?” Callan asks.
“Working, unfortunately.” Paige’s long-term girlfriend is a bartender at the other sports bar in town. That bar is strict about not serving alcohol to students under twenty-one, unlike this place, which turns a blind eye to fake IDs and underage drinking; hence why it’s so popular with the college crowd.
“We can drop by in a while,” Callan suggests. “It’s getting far too manic in here for my liking anyway.”
“Cool.” Paige tucks her brown bob behind her ears. “I’m getting drinks. Vodka cranberry?” she asks me, and I nod. “Callan?”
“I’m good. My beer is at the table.” This place serves a local nonalcoholic craft beer that Callan likes, but his preferred beverage of choice is still water. His teammates often overindulge after a game, with only a handful mindful of their alcohol intake, like my boyfriend. It’s not difficult to tell the guys who are going to make it from the ones who won’t.
“I’ll meet you over there,” Paige hollers as she walks off toward the bar.
Callan fights off well-wishers as we make our way to the team table. Everyone knows who my boyfriend is, and I don’t miss the hostile looks sent in my direction from many of the girls we pass. The female population is not happy the star striker is taken, and some girls make sure I know it. Callan isn’t pleased, and if he’s around when it happens, he isn’t shy about putting them in their place.
“Fair warning,” he says in my ear as he takes my hand. “Gwen is here, and she’s locked.”
“Is she with anyone?” I don’t know if it’s on or off with Scott this week.
“Robbie.” Callan jerks his head, and I follow the motion, finding Gwen perched on Robbie’s lap with her legs straddling his waist, her arms around his neck, and her lips moving against his.
“Guess it’s off with Scott again.”
Callan snorts. “Does it really matter? I don’t think she cares anymore.”
“Gwen wouldn’t cheat.” I hope my voice doesn’t sound as feeble to his ears. The truth is, I don’t really know anymore. Gwen has been acting weird since we came to college. She’s been distant with me ever since we argued over Paige.
Paige and Gwen do not get along, and Gwen is angry that I won’t dump her. I think she’s being unfair in her demands. Paige is my roommate, and even if I didn’t love her to pieces,asking me to cut all ties with my roomie is not practical. Gwen has her new college friend group, and I have mine. It was bound to happen, seeing as we have different classes and don’t interact much. That’s not to say I wish to cut Gwen out of my life. She’s been my bestie for years, and she needs me now more than ever. But I can’t do anything if she’s determined to avoid me out of petty rivalry.
Sometimes, Gwen makes it so hard to love her.
“Come on, babe. I doubt Gwen has been faithful to Scott from the minute she showed up here.”
“You’re being mean.”
“And you’re being naïve.”
I wrench my hand from his grip, pissed at his comment. “Sticking up for my friend is not naïve, and if you’re in a shitty mood, I might as well go home.”
