I wave my hand in the air. “Yes, Ms. Competitive, we forfeit. Congrats on winningagain.”
Kamila does a little dance with Levi, and I smile as I walk past them to the fridge. I open the freezer and look for what I made last night after a long day at the soup kitchen, trying to distract myself from the most intimate and awkward moment Grayson and I have had to date. It was the first time we’d ever been caught, but Jake, being who he is, didn’t say a word after I asked him not to.
“Who wants orange margarita Popsicles?” I hold out the trayto offer it to everyone, and the three of them stop bickering about what movie to watch. It’s the second Sunday game night we’ve managed to have this semester, and it’s been fun. Except that every semester, there seems to be less and less time for just the four of us.
Pushing that thought aside—like I’ve done so many times before—I move the tray again, and they each grab one.
“Careful,” I warn. “They may taste sweet, but they’re strong, and you’ll get tipsy with just two of them.
“Pfft, speak for yourself,” Jake says.
“Stop being an asshole and go put on the movie,” Kami says in between licks of her Popsicle.
He walks away and hands Levi a Popsicle as he reaches the couch. Knowing Levi, he’ll only want two since Stevie can’t drink, and he’s never liked getting drunk. The man loves her and would quit drinking for her completely if she didn’t insist he have the whole college experience.
“Emma, you’re the final vote.” Levi flips between two movies on Kamila’s and my screen in our dorm suite. “InceptionorThe Shining?”
I place the tray of Popsicles back in the freezer. “Both are great, but I’m not in the mood for horror.”
“Inceptionit is.” Levi sighs as Kami and Jake high-five.
An hour later, we’re all snacking and focused on the movie. My choice is strawberry ice cream, as usual. I’m cuddled next to Kami on one end of the couch when my phone vibrates, which can only mean I either got a text from my editor or an email.
“I thought we said no phones,” Kami points out without looking away from the screen.
“Sorry, must be Amelia.”
Jake and Levi both let out a loud sigh.
“How is Amelia doing?” Jake cracks his neck.
“Fine, and she’s still off-limits. The rumor is that she’s seeing someone.”
Jake looks at me with an approving nod. “Good for her. She’s a nice girl.”
“And waaaaayyy too smart for you,” Levi mumbles before Jake slaps the back of his head.
We all laugh quietly.
“Seriously, though, tell her to let you take one day off.”
I don’t bother to answer. Kami doesn’t say anything, knowing how tough campus jobs and extracurriculars can be. Levi also works, but he only gets messages when a parent needs to cancel their kid’s guitar lessons. He also takes most Sundays off. Jake is the only one who doesn’t work or have any extracurriculars… Honestly, we’re not really sure what he does when he isn’t with one of us, which is only about thirty percent of his time. Still, that’s a lot.
Like always, knowing less is better when it comes to his personal life.
Unlocking my phone, I see I received an email, not a text. Instead of it being from my editor, it’s from Grayson. My heart pounds loudly in my ears as I open it.
Subject: Next week’s class
Ms. Haywood,
I hope your Sunday is going well and that you found the soup kitchen to be educational.
I’d like to speak with you alone for a moment after my lecture on Wednesday.
Professor Hayes
