“There’s this life saving thing called grocery delivery. I’m very good at that. I figured when we went out today to show you around campus, we could hit the grocery store and stock up. We need to get back to eating healthier options and not spending money to eat out. It’s expensive. Which brings me to another topic. Finances. How are we going to afford the utilities and everything?”
Jacob and I take a seat at the table as Dylan gets her bowl and joins us. I notice we don’t have anything to drink and get up to get three of the sodas from the fridge. We had some snacks left over from our trip and brought them in last night.
“We’ll be fine. Once we renounce our housing, that will be extra money from our scholarships that’ll go to us. Then we can reduce our meal plan; if we eat at least one meal at school, that’ll be extra money in our pocket. As far as electricity and rent go, my parents told me we didn’t need to worry about it. Our goal is to focus on our education and the team.”
I look up just in time to see both their jaws drop. I can feel all the emotions they’re experiencing right now because I felt them too, when my parents told me.
“That’s too much.” Jacob runs his hand through his hair as he blows out a breath.
“Jacob’s right. I can’t expect them to pay for me. For us. I’ll get a part-time job or something to take care of my share.”
I laugh. My parents know Dylan better than I do, and they haven’t even known her as long or intimately as I do.
“It’s not funny, Ford!” She crosses her arms as she presses her lips firmly together.
Reaching out, I take hold of her arm, pulling it away from her and cradling her hand in mine, caressing the top of it with my thumb. “I know it’s not, Kitty. I had this same conversation with my parents, and they even joked about how you might react this way. They wanted me to let you know that you will not get a job. The house is paid for, and it’s going to end up being mine, anyway. As far as the electric, they want you to think of it as a gift for putting up with my hard-headed self. Now, do you want to hurt their feelings by declining their request and trying to pay them?”
Her eyes tear up, and she shakes her head before a gentle sob escapes. “It’s been so long since someone has been this nice or thought about me. Well, other than you two and Matthew.”
“Now that we’ve got that sorted and learned that Ford has the best parents other than me, let’s eat. We have a campus to see,” Jacob announces boldly, brightening the mood in the room, causing us all to smile. But I know Dylan is masking a deeper pain. I wish her parents could be different and truly see the pain they’re putting their daughter through.
Chapter break
“Shh.” I place my finger over my lips and whisper to Jacob as we sneak into Dylan's room and give her a kiss on the forehead.She’s sleeping so deeply she doesn’t even wake, just rolls over and curls herself against Matthew’s body.
Matthew came over last night and we all fell asleep in the living room watching aScreammarathon. Around three this morning, we all made our way up to bed, with Matthew following Dylan. By their state of dress, it would appear they didn’t do anything more than sleep. I’ve got to give it to him. He has more restraint around our girl than I do.
“Why are we going in to see the counselor this early? It’s barely seven,” I ask Jacob as we step into the hallway, gently shutting the door behind us.
“Because it’s all they have available for the next week and we want to go over our classes and make sure they’re what we want before they fill up. We also need to let them know we’re staying off campus so our tuition can be adjusted,” he reminds me.
“You mean you and Dylan need to. I already did that.” I give him a wink. When we were talking about it last night, Matthew said he would help Dylan get hers adjusted.
It doesn’t take us long to drive to campus and within a few minutes, we are parking in front of the administration building. Dylan’s tour yesterday helped.
“Man, this campus is huge. Even seeing it yesterday, it still astounds me.” I blow out a breath as we walk up the sidewalk to the building. Students are casually moving around, some huddled in groups, while others are in pairs or alone. Each one has a story and a new life awaiting them. I’m just happy I have my best friend and girl with me on this journey.
Jacob pulls open the door and stands back so I can enter. I can’t help but laugh at his chivalry. “Well, thank you, sweetheart. It’s so nice to have a strapping young man like yourself who still knows how to be courteous,” I joke, barely moving in time to dodge his punch.
“Fuck you, asshole,” he snarls before laughing with me.
“Nah, I’d rather fuck our girl.”
He’s mumbling under his breath as we step up to the receptionist. “How can I help you?” the middle-aged woman asks without looking up from what she’s doing on her computer.
“We’re here to see Mr. McStevens,” I tell her, reaching over to the rack beside her desk that holds the school’s catalog of classes.
“The both of you?” she asks as she shifts her gaze to us, raising her eyebrow as she looks over the rim of her glasses.
“Yep, I’m Ford Nickels and this is Jacob Stoll. We’re freshmen and newly recruited players to the lacrosse team.” I puff my chest out with pride. Playing for CSU is going to be a dream come true.
“Take a seat and I’ll let him know you’re here.”
We turn, and my eyes go wide, seeing the line behind us. Jacob and I step out of the line, move around the crowd, and head toward the two vacant seats against the wall. Before we’re able to sit down, we hear a husky voice calling our names. Turning, we see our counselor. He looks to be in his thirties, with shaggy dark hair and a mustache that looks like he’s been transported out of the seventies.
“Right here,” Jacob answers, giving him a wave as we head in his direction.
“Good to meet you. The appointment note stated you wanted to go over your schedule and to discuss your housing situation.”
