I stop drinking to ensure Liv has a good time and I introduce her, and in some cases myself, to anyone who will listen. We dance and laugh with our teammates and if anyone minds my being here, I can’t tell because I’m not focusing on that.

After two in the morning, Emily pushes me into the back of an Uber with the rest of my roommates. I slide in between Bri and Emily. Tonight was fun. The first fun night I’ve had that didn’t involve Nathan since I got to Valley.

I decide to text him. I’m well aware that he’s probably asleep, but I miss him, and I want to hear his voice… or see his words, whatever.

Me: Hey! What are you doing?

Bri glances at my phone. “Booty call?”

“Is it still a booty call if I love him?” Love might be a bit strong, but at this hour, my very strong like feels a lot like love.

I lie my head on Bri’s shoulder. I never did get a chance to talk to her tonight, but the back of an Uber seems like the wrong place. Eh, when will it be the right place? “Why don’t you like me?”

Emily busts out laughing and I yawn. I’m suddenly so tired and the exhaustion of weeks of stress and holding it all in finally catches up to me. Bri stays quiet and I pull my head from her shoulder. “I just want to play volleyball and I’m good. I’m really good. So why don’t you like me?”

“Because I had to work my ass off to be here. My mom worked three jobs, and I still had to take out student loans and here you are, buying your way into not one but two colleges.”

“I didn’t buy my way into Valley.”

She raises a brow.

“I didn’t.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Yes. My coach at Golden put me in touch with—”

“I know. Your coach from the school you bought your way into made a call.”

She looks at me like she’s waiting for me to connect the dots.

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Isn’t it?”

I mull it over for the rest of our drive. Is my time at Valley just an extension of all the perks my parents gained for me? I can’t believe that.

We get out of the Uber and slowly make our way up to our dorm. Instead of going to my room, I head to Bri’s. She’s changing in the closet, and I plop down on her bed.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s the same thing, but I can see how it feels unfair to you. I just want to play volleyball. No bullshit.”