“Yeah. She says I owe her money for damages and stuff. Plus, they want to raise her housing cost because now she has a single. I need to talk to the RA. I got that email this morning. College sucks.” And as depressed as I was, being in the same room as Austin and having him dedicated to me was a rush.

“Okay. You’re getting the full crew now. I don’t like that they are still in your day.” He pulled his phone out and started a group message, typing with one hand so he could keep his arm around me.

His phone started pinging with responses. “They’re all in. Tinsley will set up a Google calendar with your schedule and we will make sure you’re covered.”

“Covered how?” I turned my head and rested my temple on my knee.

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head. We got you, girl.” He set his phone next to him on the floor.

“I really need to make sure I handle my stuff. It’s what makes an adult.” I was wondering how hard I could lean on these people before I became too much of a burden.

“Baby, you met some of the crew, right? Damn near all of them have had to deal with getting their ass handed to them at some point growing up. That’s the beauty of adult life—the cliques of high school are done. You don’t have to take it anymore. We all make sure that we support.” He pushed himself up and held out his arms. I grabbed his phone, and with the other hand, allowed myself to be pulled to standing.

I had been in Teddi’s crew growing up. She was popular and not a jerk. She dragged every single group in school together to help with the kids with cancer charity, Me Party, that she established.

But here on my own, I didn’t have anything to do but get angry by myself. I had to take this. Plus, Austin deciding to keep me close was always on my to-do list.

“Hey, what’s your classwork look like? Can you come home with me this weekend?” Austin picked my bag up off the floor and moved it to his bookshelf.

His handsome, earnest face waited for my answer. Like I'd ever say no to him. “I can make it work. What’s going on?”

“Dad’s birthday. I’m glad you’ll come. You hungry? I’m about to grab lunch.” He went to the closet and I was treated to a shirt change. He was the kind of ripped a guy got from being really physical, not bench-pressing all day. His tattoos were perfect. They highlighted the muscles in his chest and arms. They were also statement pieces.