“All right, well I won’t keep you. Chloe and I are headed to the beach. Stay out of trouble.”

I groan and tilt my head back.

With a chuckle, Nathan says, “I’m proud of you, but what kind of big bro would I be if I didn’t remind you not to screw up? You’ve got more than ever on the line.”

“Oh, I don’t know, the cool kind maybe?”

“Have fun. I’ll call you next week. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, and call Mom. She said she hasn’t heard from you in two weeks.”

“Been busy.”

“Mhmm, weak excuse. Later, Heath.”

“Bye, Heath,” Chloe says in the background.

“Bye, guys, talk to you later.”

4

GINNY

Trent arrives late Friday afternoon and Ava is brimming with excitement. She introduces me and then recaps a list of facts about the guy. Facts she’s already told me several times. I feel like I know him better than I know Ava at this point; she’s told me that much about him. Maybe a little too much.

“I’m going to show him around campus and then we’re going to the football game. Do you want to come with us?” She’s practically beaming with happiness and I have a twinge of sadness that this could be me and Bryan if he weren’t in freaking Idaho.

She leans into his side and Trent wraps an arm around her waist. His fingers slip under the hem of her T-shirt and he kisses her forehead.

It’s obvious how much they’ve missed one another by the touchy-feely display in front of me, and I’m starting to understand just how imperative it is I get the hell out of here. I haven’t even been able to bring myself to watch porn since Bryan broke up with me. I certainly can’t handle a full-on romantic display with a side of orgasms.

“No, thanks. You two enjoy. My brother is having people over, so I’m going to go hang with them. You two will have the place all to yourself tonight. It was really nice to meet you, Trent.”

I shower and get ready, hesitant to head over to Adam’s before the party gets going. I appreciate that he always looks out for me, but I want to find my own friends at Valley, too, and if I run over there every time I need an escape, I’m going to spend the next year as Adam Scott’s little sister instead of Ginny Scott. So tonight, I need to find some friends.

I text Adam to make sure he’s there before driving over.

Adam: Yep. Just hanging out at the house. You coming over? I warned the guys to be on their best behavior.