𝗔 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞𝗬 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗘

19 | the frat house

"I'm starting to think I should've come in through the window too," I said as Jameson and I bypassed two ping pong balls being flung through the air. The catch? They were on fire.

As a broody, dark-haired guy struggled to catch them both in plastic cups, I winced. The balls hadn't hit me, and yet the hair on my arms had been singed.

Jameson looked right at home. He did, at least, have the grace to safely lead me to his bedroom.

While I'd decided that I wanted to live in an apartment for my first semester of college, Jameson had deemed a frat house - with 12 roommates, no less - to be his top choice.

I was already concerned, and I'd only seen two of his roommates.

As we scaled a small flight of stairs, he held my hand.

Jameson's room was large but shared with another boy. Thankfully, he wasn't home. However, he hadn't had the decency to keep his side of the room particularly clean.

Stretching, my boyfriend deposited two backpacks onto his bed.

Hopefully this was everything he needed.

School started a week from today for both of us, and this was the last visit before actually moving in.

"What do you think?" Jameson murmured, lifting himself up onto his bed before offering me his hands. I took them, and he helped me up.

Settling in beside him, I said, "I think guys are stupid."

He grinned. "Worried for my safety?"

Seriously, I said, "I always worry about that."

"Don't worry." He winked. "I do have nine lives."

Rolling my eyes, I sunk into his arms. Until now, I'd refused to acknowledge that we were going to be living apart for the remainder of college.

I knew I was being a baby.

Our schools were only an hour away from each other,

But still . . . It felt like a big adjustment.

For the next few years, I wouldn't get to wake up next to him.

Without my permission, my eyes welled.

Jameson glanced down, confused at my sudden silence. When he noticed my tears, his amusement melted away.

Tapping the side of my head, he murmured, "What's going on in here?"

"Nothing good."

"Tahiti."

I met Jameson's eyes. "We're going to different schools."

In a teasing voice, he lowered his lips to my ear. "No shit, Sherlock."

That pulled a smile to my lips. "Jameson, I don't want to be away from you."

He fixed his green eyes on me. "I can't say it's my preference either."

More to myself than to him, I whispered, "Why do it, then?"

"Because we have different things to accomplish," Jameson murmured. "Going to UConn is your dream."

"Losing you isn't."

His lips pulled into a crooked grin. "You're not losing me, Grambs."

"It feels like I am." Sighing, I let my inner thoughts through my lips without thinking. "I bet you'll be throwing parties and drinking and -"

"I know what you're thinking," Jameson said.

"What?"

"That I'll get drunk and hook up with someone." He paused. "Or several someone's."

I met his eyes. "You wouldn't."

"You're right - I wouldn't. But I don't think you've convinced yourself that yet."

I struggled to maintain eye contact. "Jameson -"

"I'm going to stop you right there." Jameson lifted my chin until I had no choice but to stare into his green eyes. "I may be reckless and stupid, but I would never risk my favorite thing in the world."

"What's that?"

"You, Heiress." He breathed deeply. "I would never put myself in a situation that could potentially compromise my relationship with you."

"Promise?"

He raised his pinky, making me smile, and I raised mine, locking them.

Smirking, he said, "Promise."