6. Freddie

FREDDIE

THEN – SOPHOMORE YEAR – OCTOBER

I ’m three beers deep and bored out of my fucking mind. Frat row is the same shitshow it always is—too many people, too much bad music, and at least three guys who definitely peaked in high school, trying to start a fight.

“Freddie!” A familiar voice purrs in my ear. Brianna. Right on schedule.

“Hey, trouble,” I say, falling into our usual routine. My eyes scan the crowd again. Still no sign of them. How long does it take two girls to get ready? Though, knowing Tara, she’s probably forced Alex into some makeover shit.

Brianna presses against me, all perfume and bare skin. “Miss me?”

“Always,” I lie, pulling her closer. It’s easy, this dance we do. She’s sexy as hell, wearing a skin-tight dress that leaves nothing to my imagination—not that I need to use it since I’ve seen it all before. She knows the steps, I know the ending. No surprises, no complications. Just what I need to get through another Friday night.

“Your place or mine?” she asks, running a finger down my chest.

“Let’s see where the night takes us.” I wink, but my heart’s not in it. My eyes catch on someone with dark hair entering, but it’s not Alex. Fuck . When did I start caring who shows up to these things?

Brianna slips away to grab another drink, leaving me with the all-too-familiar flavor of mindless flirting lingering on my mouth. I check my phone—no texts from Tara or Alex. Not that I’m waiting for them or anything.

“God, your place is such a mess,” Ethan appears, mimicking Brianna’s voice. “But, like, I’ll totally help you clean it.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, shoving him.

“No, no, wait—’Freddie, you’re so funny!’“ he continues in falsetto. “‘Tell me again about your workout routine. I just think it’s soooo sexy that you’re a personal trainer.’“

“At least I’m getting some,” I shoot back.

“Yeah, but at what cost, bro?” Ethan gestures toward the keg where Brianna holds court, tossing her hair back as her friends laugh. “At what cost?” he repeats with mock solemnity.

“Shut the fuck up, man. You’d dream of sleeping with someone like Bri.” It’s not a dig—Ethan’s no slouch. He’s a 6’1”, ex-quarterback, all muscle and confidence with an angular jawline that draws its share of admirers. But he’s never been able to keep one around for long.

“Whatever you say, little dude,” he sighs, reaching down to ruffle my hair. I shake him off, taking a final swig of my beer, but it’s empty. Time for another one.

Heading toward the keg, I spot Brianna and go to tap her on the shoulder when snippets of her conversation catch my attention. She’s facing away, giggling with her friend. It’s probably wrong, but I pause, listening.

“...only sleeping with him because Alfie’s always over at their house,” Brianna is saying, laughing. “Like, Freddie’s hot and all, obviously. But he’s kind of meh. He’s just convenient, you know? If Alfie would just notice me...”

Meh? Really?

Her friend gasps. “No way! Alfie? The weird, quiet one?”

“He’s not weird, he’s mysterious, and you can’t deny he’s sexy as hell,” Brianna counters. “Besides, Freddie’s boring lately. It’s like he’s not even trying anymore. Last time, he kept checking his phone all night.”

A twist hits my gut—not exactly hurt, but annoyed, and embarrassed, maybe. So, I’m just some placeholder while she tries to catch Alfie’s eye? Fucking Alfie?

Ethan reappears at my shoulder, poised to make another smartass comment, but a familiar laugh grabs my attention. I turn, and there’s Alex and Tara, just walking in. And Alex... well, she’s dressed to kill. Definitely something from Tara’s wardrobe—a black top and jeans that make her look tall, legs endless. Her hair’s down in loose waves, but she looks uneasy, tugging the hem of her shirt, shifting from foot to foot.

“Looking good, ladies!” Ethan calls out.

Alex’s cheeks flare pink as she ducks behind Tara. “I told you this top was too much,” she mutters.

“You look hot,” Tara declares. “Right, Freddie?”

I shoot Tara a glare. “You both look nice,” I reply carefully, noticing Alex visibly relax. “Rough night getting ready?”

“Oh my god,” Alex groans, finally letting out a laugh. “Tara tried to murder me with an eyelash curler.”

“It’s not my fault you flinch like I’m coming at you with a knife!”

“It was hot metal near my eyeball!”

A laugh escapes me before I realize it. The Brianna situation fades from my mind, the tension loosening. Then, speak of the devil?—

“Freddie,” Brianna purrs, appearing at my side. “Ready to get out of here?”

I feel Alex stiffen slightly next to me. Meeting new people’s hard for her, and if I wasn’t so pissed at Bri, I’d make a proper introduction.

“Actually,” I say, “we’re heading back to mine. House party.”

Brianna’s eyes narrow as they shift to Alex and Tara. “And you’re bringing the baby freshman? How... sweet.”

Before I can reply, Alex straightens, meeting Brianna’s gaze head-on. “Actually, I’m perfectly capable of deciding where I go without anyone ‘bringing’ me anywhere. But thanks for the concern.”

Holy shit. Ethan lets out a bark of laughter beside me.

Brianna blinks, momentarily thrown. “I just meant?—”

“We know what you meant,” I cut in, wrapping an arm around Alex’s shoulders. I can feel her trembling slightly; that little burst of confidence took a lot out of her. “Ethan, grab the guys. We’re out of here.”

As we walk away, Brianna’s annoyed huff follows us. “Whatever. Text me later?”

I pretend not to hear her.

“You okay?” I murmur to Alex as we head out.

She nods, still tucked close against my side. “Yeah. Thanks for...”

“Being your human shield?” I grin. “Anytime. Though that was some pretty badass standing up for yourself back there.”

She ducks her head, but I catch her smile. “Tara’s been teaching me about confidence.”

“Damn right I have,” Tara chimes in. “Now come on, I want to see Troy try to convince Alfie to do karaoke again. I wanna hear that guy sing!”

Later, we’re sprawled out across my living room like the world’s most dysfunctional family portrait. Ethan’s hogging the couch, Alfie’s in his usual corner spot looking half-asleep, and Alex perches on the armchair like she’s afraid it might collapse under her.

“Who’s ready for Troy’s famous nachos?” Troy yells from the kitchen.

“Fuck yes!” Ethan pumps a fist. “Tell me you’re doing the spicy thing with the cheese sauce.”

“Obviously. What am I, an amateur?”

The poster of Einstein’s ridiculous tongue mocks us from the wall as Tara pulls a bottle of tequila from her bag. “While we wait... truth or dare?”

“Oh god,” Alex groans, but she’s grinning, her cheeks flushed pink now that the alcohol’s loosening her up.

“Orrrr…Seven Minutes in Heaven?” Ethan suggests with a wicked grin, eyeing the coat closet.

Alex goes rigid, her fingers tightening around her drink. Before I can say anything, Tara jumps in.

“Yeah, that’s gonna be a no,” Tara says, shooting Ethan a look. “Remember last week when we had to walk up nine flights of stairs to the Environmental Sciences library because the elevator was too small?”

“You didn’t have to come with me,” Alex whines, her cheeks shifting from pink to red.

“Please,” Tara rolls her eyes, but her voice is fond. “Like I’d let you tackle nine flights alone. Besides, it’s good cardio.” She bumps Alex’s shoulder affectionately, and something tightens in my chest as I watch them.

“You’re claustrophobic?” Alfie asks. “Me too.”

Alex nods, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and laughs. “Small spaces and I don’t mix.”

“Fine! No small spaces for anyone. Truth or dare, Alex?” Ethan asks, waggling his eyebrows.

She considers for a moment. “Truth.”

“Boring!” Tara calls out.

“Have you ever been in love?” Ethan asks, and I suddenly find my beer very interesting.

Alex’s face shifts from pink to red. “I... no.”

“But you want to be,” Tara prods, because she’s evil.

“I mean... yeah.” Alex tucks her hair behind her ear, a nervous tell I’ve started noticing. “I know it’s stupid, but I kind of believe in the whole fairy-tale thing. Like, real, true love. The kind where you just know.”

“That’s adorable,” Ethan coos.

“Shut up,” she glares at him. “I just... I don’t want to settle, you know? I want the real thing. Someone who gets me, who challenges me, who makes me want to be better.” Her eyes dart to mine for a split second before dropping to her lap. “I want the kind of love worth waiting for.”

“Wait, wait,” Troy calls from the kitchen. “Are we talking about love while I’m making my world-famous nachos? This is too perfect.”

“Your nachos aren’t world-famous,” Alfie mutters.

“They’re famous in my world!”

I watch Alex laugh, her earlier awkwardness forgotten. Her head tilts back, and the freckles splattered across her face wrinkle together as her cheeks widen.

“Freddie!” Tara’s voice snaps me back. “Truth or dare?”

I grab the tequila. “Dare. Always dare.”