“So,what, they’re not letting you go to college?” Ty says, incredulous.
“I’m going to Bainbridge,”I say glumly. “It’s only an hour away. I can play hockey for their mediocre team. I can get a degree in who knows what so I can work a nine-to-five because I’m not playing hockey.” I want to swear. I want to throw a punch. I want something to rid me of this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“And you’re just goingalong with this?” Knox asks.
“You sound like Fallon,”I tell him. “What else am I supposed to do? I guess I could disobey them, but they’re my parents, you know? And if I go against their wishes… Anyway, that’s a really far distance. And I hate to leave Em and Fallon behind like that.”
“Hmm…”Whit mumbles, typing on his phone.
“What is goingon in that head of yours?” Knox asks.
“I look reallygood in maroon. Not everyone can pull it off, but I can,” Whit muses.
“What the actualfuck is the matter with you?” Knox spits. “Booker’s in crisis, and you’re over there doing your color chart?”
“Nah, he has a good point,”Ty interjects. “And the wolf? Fierce. I like it.”
“Right?”Whit says, nodding.
These two are havinga conversation that Knox and I are not clued into. “Um… what are you guys talking about?”
“Plans change,”Ty answers. “Looks like we’re going to Bainbridge, boys.”
“No,you guys can’t do that,” I answer.
“Why not?”Whit asks. “I haven’t applied anywhere yet, so that means the world’s my fuckin’ oyster. Knox has another year yet, but you know damn well he doesn’t want to be nine hours away from his little brother.”
“Yeah, but…”my words trail off as I think of Ty. His family makes mine look functional. I know he doesn’t want to be anywhere near them. That was part of the appeal of Vermont.
“No big deal, Book,”Ty says, reading my thoughts. “It’s not like I’d have to live with my mom. I’ll stay at school with you guys. We’ll have to live off campus so I can stay there year-round, but that won’t be a hardship.”
“Actually,that’s the only silver lining. There’s a house we can live in. It used to be the campus chapel, but it’s been renovated since. My mom and Kristy lived there in the 90s, apparently. Anyway, there’s plenty of room, according to my mom. I figured I’d get stuck with roommates, but if you guys are sure—”
“Of course, we’re sure,”Ty says. “We’re a family. Wherever you go, that’s where we’re going.”
“I look even betterin maroon than Whit does,” Knox says, earning himself an elbow to the ribs.
“Yeah,Booker. Don’t think you can get rid of us that easily,” Whit tells me, giving me a bear hug I didn’t ask for.
These three are my family,and I’m lucky to have them.
Chapter 1
Ian
Present day,January, just before the spring semester starts
Drip is closed at this hour on a Sunday, but Mel and I are here, restocking. As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the coffee shop I manage, this slower pace is welcome, especially right before the madness of the semester begins.
Usually, we’d have a few more helpers, but Willa is cutting back on her shifts since she starts Esthetician school next week. And Theo went home to Michigan for the weekend. That means it’s Mel and me, but I don’t mind that at all. She’s been my bestie since I started grad school at Bainbridge a year and half ago and got a job slinging coffee here.
“Did you see the toffee crunch topping is back? Thank the gods,” Mel says, holding up a package. “Coach King gets kinda feisty when we’re out.”
“Yeah, when I told him we were out last week, the man looked downright sad. He’s not the only silver fox I’ve reduced to tears, but I feel bad all the same,” I tease.
“You’re joking, but that man is fine. And don’t let the salt and pepper fool you. He’s only in his thirties. Totally not too old for you. And I love an age-gap romance.”
“Yeah, ok, Crazypants,” I say, laughing. “Let’s just forget that the man is both straight and married.”
