“It’s only temporary,” I remind him as he lowers my feet to the ground. “I’m there with you in spirit. Your biggest cheerleader, shouting for you from the sidelines.” I wrap my arms around him, squeezing my eyes shut and relishing the feel of him against me, before I let him go. “Go, baby. Go do your thing, and I’ll do mine. We’ll talk soon, and I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Love you.” He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead, swipes his bag, and then strides off through security, carrying the entirety of my heart with him.
“Woo-hoo!” Gwen barrels through the door of my dorm carrying a large pizza, a bottle of bubbly, and a stack of plastic glasses. “We’ve got to celebrate. Your man is famous, and you are too!” She slides the pizza box on top of my desk and flops down on my bed with the bottle and the glasses.
“You do know it’s only lunchtime? And one TikTok does not make me famous. Besides, I really wish that girl hadn’t posted it.” Some college student and her boyfriend spotted Callan and me at BTV and secretly filmed us kissing. Unfortunately, it’s gone viral, and I’m publicly outed as his girlfriend.
“Oh, come on. I know you secretly love it.”
Eh, nope. I really don’t.
“I didn’t know you were stopping by.” I switch the subject on purpose.
Paige hasn’t stopped scowling since she opened the door to Gwen, and tension tightens my shoulders into knots. We were all together at the sports bar Tonya works at this morning to watch the press conference, but I made my exit shortly after, wanting to speak to Callan in private. Paige came with me as she has a big assignment due Monday, and Gwen stopping by unannounced is not ideal. But I don’t want to discourage her because she’s talking to me again, and she needs me.
It sucks when your two best friends don’t like one another.
“The press conference was a couple of hours ago. I presume you’ve already spoken with Callan,” Gwen says, removing two plastic cups from her stack and placing them on my bedstand.
“You presume wrong,” Paige says, gathering up the books on her bed. “He’s most likely still busy at club headquarters or talking to the media, and he hasn’t had the time to call yet.”
“Oh. I was sure he would’ve found time to call the love of his life by now.” She shrugs.
“Callan will call when he can.” I work hard not to lose my temper because that was bitchy. If she’s in one of her moods, it’s possible we’ll end up arguing. “I thought you weren’t drinking alcohol,” I say when she pops the top on the champagne.
“I’m not,” she snaps, pouring some liquid into a glass. “It’s nonalcoholic.” A muscle clenches in her jaw as she sets the bottle down. “I thought you’d appreciate it as you don’t drink alcohol much, but if you’re going to lecture me, I’ll leave.”
“Stop.” I reach out, grabbing her hand. “I’m sorry. I had to ask, you know that. It’s a thoughtful gesture. Thank you.”
Gwen smiles and resumes pouring our drinks, and it hasn’t escaped my notice that she’s only poured two. I won’t let her be rude to Paige. “Would you like some?” I ask my roommate as she stuffs books into her bag.
“I’m good, thanks. I’m heading to the library to finish my assignment there.”
“You don’t have to go. We can head to Gwen’s dorm.”
“It’s cool, Astrid. Honestly.” She leans in and hugs me. “I’ll catch ya later.” Paige straightens up, plastering a fake smile on her face when she turns to my longtime bestie. “Bye, Gwen.”
“See ya.” Gwen wiggles her fingers and smirks, and I feel like slamming her head against the wall.
“You were really rude,” I say when Paige has left.
“What did I do?” She thrusts a glass into my hand.
“It’s the way you speak to her. Like Paige is beneath you.”
Her lips twitch as she raises the glass to her mouth. “You’re the one who said it.”
“You don’t have to like her or hang out with her, but I do expect you to be kind to Paige when you see her. She left our dorm to give us privacy, and instead of thanking her, you gloated.”
“Azzie, seriously? You’re making a big deal out of nothing. But if it bothers you that much, I promise I’ll be extra nice to her from now on.” She bumps her glass against mine. “A toast! To famous rich boyfriends.”
“Gwen!”
“What? That’s not a lie. He bought you a brand-new BMW, Azzie. Like wow. Girl, you struck gold. Play your cards right, and you’ll be set up for life.”
“You know that’s not why I’m with Callan. I love him for so many reasons. Fame and money have nothing to do with it.”
“Jeez, Azzie. Lighten up, will ya? You should be on top of the world today.”
