Chapter 24

Andrew

As soon as her dorm room door closed, Ashley whipped her top off. Her small perky boobs were already braless, the pale pink nipples standing to attention.

I can’t help but wonder what Gina’s breasts look like, free from clothing. The blonde girl slides my T-shirt up and off over my head, pressing herself up against my chest.

Her lips move frenetically against mine. She tastes faintly of coffee and cigarettes, the taste of a student, I guess, her tongue practically choking me, she sticks it so far into my mouth.

I gently ease her back, walking us over to her messy bed. She turns us around and pushes me back, so I end up lying on her dirty sheets.

She tries to look sexy while crawling out of her skin-tight jeans.

I glance around the room, taking in the piles of clothes on the floor, the stack of empty take-out packaging, the empty condom wrappers on the bedside table.

An unwashed smell permeates the sheets I’m lying on. I swallow the nausea down.

“Hey...uh Ashley? I really have to go, actually. I have a meeting with the football coach.”

“Are you fucking kidding me!” She kicks her jeans off, standing in front of me fully naked, fully shaved, looking like an angry Barbie doll.

“You are seriously turning down a hookup with a college girl right now? You could be a fucking legend at your high school for getting with me.”

She leans over me, walking her fingers down my abs. “You can even take photos if you want.”

I cough to hide my laugh and sit up, pushing her hand off my stomach.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m already a fucking legend at my high school.” I pull my T-shirt back on and flash the frowning girl a grin.

“Maybe you could use this unexpected free time to tidy your room?” I manage to pull the door shut before her shoe reaches me, thudding against the flimsy wood.

I’m still chuckling when I catch up with Jake and Gina, who scowl at me.

“So, how was your first college hookup, man?” Jake grins, rubbing his hands together.

“Firstly...who says it’s my first college hookup?”

Gina tuts and rolls her eyes, making me and Jake grin wider. “And secondly...it was ~so~ ~fucking dirty, dude.”

“YAS! You, sir, are a fucking legend.” Jake high fives me.

“That’s what I told her.” Jake hoots with laughter.

“You’re fucking disgusting. ~Both~ of you.” Gina flashes her glare toward Jake, too, which makes him quiet down. She huffs and storms off as quickly as she can with her crutches.

“Shit. Maybe we should’ve waited till she was gone before we started talking.”

“Jake, man. I didn’t even hook up with that girl. It’s just too easy to wind her up.” I grin, pulling myself up onto the wall next to him.

“I thought it was a done fucking deal the way she pounced on you.”

“It was! But her room was really fucking dirty. Like ~really~ ~fucking dirty.

“She had a pile of used condom wrappers next to her bed, the floor, and all other items of furniture were covered in clothes, which I’m assuming were dirty due to the smell coming off them, and she tasted so so bad.

“If she’s that bad on the outside, I can’t even imagine how crudded up she is on the inside.” I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the memory.

Jake howls in laughter, almost rolling himself off the wall, arms clutching his stomach.

“Anyway, we’ve got that meeting with the coach. Can’t be late for that!” We jump off the low wall, Jake still chuckling and shaking his head.

In the distance, I spot Gina with her dad and Jake’s. Her hair looks like gold in the sunlight, shimmering down her back.

I watch as she pushes her cell phone into her back pocket, making her jeans tighten around her butt cheek.

“Dude! Stop drooling.” Jake pushes me out of my daydream.

“Fuck you.” I push him back, my eyes wandering back to Gina.

~I think I’m in trouble~.

~

~

***

The coaching team is very impressed with both Jake’s and my show-reels.

One of their new coaches trained us together at camp, so they were very excited at the prospect of gaining a quarterback and running back who already had great chemistry and history together.

They basically told both of us we would definitely be granted at least partial football scholarships if we agreed to play there.

I think Jake is as relieved as me that he can alleviate some financial burden from his dad’s shoulders.

We manage to have a family dinner for once on Sunday night, and I excitedly relay all the things I found out about the college yesterday, heavily emphasizing the part about the scholarship.

My folks are quiet throughout, which is never a good sign.

“Andy.” My dad puts his cutlery down and clears his throat.

“I believe that if you think this is truly the best fit for you, and you’re not just making this decision because you think it’s the best thing to do to help us….then I support you, son.”

I smile at him and open my mouth to say thanks when my mom interrupts.

“No, Mark, this is bullshit.” Her fork clatters against the dinner plate. My little sisters giggle at the curse word.

“Andrew, you have worked too damn hard to throw away this opportunity just because you think we won’t cope without you here.

“This is ~Yale~ we’re talking about. Think of all the doors that will open up for you in the future! And we have money put aside for paying for your college.”

“Mom, do you not remember how expensive it is there? It’s about $50,000 per term. Plus, you’d have to pay for accommodation for me and give me some spending allowance. Not to mention books…”

“Okay, okay! I get it, Andy.” My mom slumps down in her chair, her blue eyes glittering with unshed tears. “I just want you to have every chance you possibly can.”

I get up and walk over to wrap my arms around her shoulders. “I know you do, Mom, but I honestly feel I can have all the same chances at San Fran State, plus still see you and the girls every day.”

She sniffs and nods.

“Fine. If it’s really ~really~ where you want to go….”

I kiss her on the cheek. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you more, my baby boy.”