Wes is a few inches taller than Heath with lighter hair and a leaner build. He looks familiar, but I can’t place him until Heath turns to me and introduces him as one of the coaches of the basketball team and an old teammate of his brother’s.

Heath comes to stand beside me again. “And this is Ginny, my girlfriend.”

My insides light up every time he calls me that.

Wes nods his head to me in greeting. “Nice to meet you, Ginny.”

“You too.”

“What are you doing on campus, old man?” Heath asks. “Shouldn’t you be at the gym making guys run sprints or something?”

“Not for another hour.” His smile is big, and his eyes crinkle up at the corners. “I’m meeting Blair for lunch.” He takes a step past us and turns. “Hey, nice season, by the way. I’m hoping to make another game soon.”

“Nathan’s coming up in two weeks for the game against Western Michigan.”

“Yeah? I’ll have to call him and give him shit for not telling me himself. I’ll see ya later.”

He heads off in the opposite direction and Heath and I continue across campus. I slide my glove-covered hand around his and squeeze.

“Coming over tonight?” he asks, swinging our arms lightly between us.

“Yeah, but I need to do some laundry first. I’ve barely been at my dorm all week.”

“I don’t see a problem. Should just pack your stuff and bring it to my place.”

I slow. “You’d give me a drawer?”

“I’ll give you as many as you want.”

I laugh lightly at how easy it is for him to share himself and his space. Although that’s not really new. Heath may not have experience in being a boyfriend, but he’s always gone out of his way to give me anything he thought I might want. But all I really want is him. No one has ever made me happier and I’ve never had more fun than when I’m with him.

It wasn’t exactly my plan to fall for someone first semester, but I can’t wait to see what new adventures the next one will bring.

“Mav, these burgers are amazing,” Reagan says with a groan of pleasure.

“They really are,” Rhett adds. “I bow down to the grill master.”

Mav waves his hand and dips his head in a mock bow.

The guys bought a patio heater and we’re outside having dinner. Me, Heath, Adam, Rhett, Maverick, Dakota, and Reagan—we’re like our own little dysfunctional family.

My brother is leaned back, beer in hand, smiling as everyone eats and talks. He seems happier. I know our parents’ separation hit him hard, but I think he’s coming to terms with it. So am I. Things will look different now, but at least we’ve got each other.