“I’ll figure something out.” He smiles as he pulls his shirt over his head.

“Luckily, if my mom asks, I can blame swim practice. She doesn’t need to know where I went swimming.” I give him a mischievous smile as we both jump back into Mark’s truck.

We can’t help laughing at how drenched we both are, but I don’t care what happens. I won’t ever trade these last three hours.

“I have twenty texts from Francis, asking if his truck is okay.” Todd laughs.

“Glad he cares so much about us.”

Todd’s fingers intertwine with mine as he starts to drive. I can’t stop looking at his ring.

“Thanks for this,” I say, lifting both our hands

He looks over and gives me his crooked smile. “You’re welcome.”

God, I love him.

Chapter 16: The Trip

TODD

We’re finally at Mt. Craymore. The boys and I have waited for this trip since we knew it existed freshman year, and thankfully, my parents didn’t try to kill this like they’ve killed everything else good in my life. I couldn’t wait to get away from everything. The only person I’m going to miss is Ashley.

I’m ready for college, but it all still feels so far away and so up in the air. The audition at Penn went well, I think. I have never been more nervous in my life. Playing at a packed pep rally is nothing compared to playing in an auditorium with only three people who don’t even crack a smile as they stare you down and jot notes in their little notebooks.

I did get an official verbal offer from Penn State, but nothing is truly official until signing day, so either one of us can still technically back out. Boston College is really interested, too. I try not to tell Ash too much because:

1.) Nothing is official

2.) I know, even though she tries to hide it, it really upsets her.

So much in my life feels like it’s undecided; everything except making it to state. That one is, unfortunately, decided.

I still replay that damn kick in my head every day. I’m not sure I will ever truly get over it. This trip is going to make up for all of that, though. This is our last trip together with all the guys before we go away to different schools.

Ryan has verbal offers from Notre Dame and NC State. Brian has at least three verbal offers, including Bama, which is also a school that has been courting MC, big time. MC has more offers than I can count. Penn is interested in all of us, but because there are other offers on the table, nothing is locked. I can’t imagine not being with the guys every day. Regardless, it could happen, so we need to make this trip count.

Mark, Brian, Ryan, and I are all rooming together. Tonight is going to be epic, drinking and skiing, but not in that order.

“Night ski!” Brian comes waltzing into our cabin. “Who needs state when we’ve got the senior ski trip, baby!” Brian is already slurring his words. I know he doesn’t blame me for state, but the words still sting.

“Whoa there, you need to slow down,” Ryan says, prying the Solo cup from Brian’s hand.

“Here, eat this.” Mark shoves half of his sub sandwich at Brian. “You need a base, or you’ll never make it through the night.”

I shake my head and laugh at the three of them. I love these guys. I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

***

Somehow, the party ended up in our cabin, where it’s wall to wall people. We haven’t actually made it to the slopes yet tonight, and at this point, I’m not sure we’re going to.

“I love you, man.” Brian drapes his arm around me and pulls me into a head lock. Then he does a chin nod across the room. I follow his gaze to Blythe. “And I love my girl, too. A girlfriend; who would have thought?” He leans in and says lower, “I’m head over heels for that girl.” And now I know he’s wasted because he’s never this open.

I unwrap his arm from my shoulder and try to help him stand up straight. “So much for the base,” I say with a smile.

“What? I’m good.”

“Right.”

Mark catches my look from across the room, reading it perfectly. He’s currently all over Amanda, a cute girl who has always been more interested in running track than guys, until tonight it seems. She’s currently very interested in Mark as she is equally all over him. He whispers something to her, and I see her smile then plant herself on the couch. Mark pushes through the crowd to get to Blythe, whispers something in her ear, and then they both make their way over to me and Brian who is now singing the National Anthem. I’m not sure why. Then he abruptly stops as if a new thought just entered his brain.

“Come on, we’re going to miss the night ski,” he says to the three of us, pouting like a three-year-old.

“Um … You’re not going anywhere,” Blythe intercepts as she wraps her arms around him.

I give Mark a smile. We both know she’s the only one he will listen to at this point.

“Come on, baby; don’t you want to go down my slope?” he asks in what I think was intended to be a whisper as he gyrates his hips in her direction.

Blythe throws her head back and laughs. Then she takes his hand and starts to lead him toward the bedrooms. She looks back and winks at me and Mark.

“Our job here is done,” Mark says.

We both give each other a head nod with a smile before he makes his way back to meet up with Amanda, who has been patiently waiting for him on the couch.

I start to miss Ash, but quickly shake it off as I make my way over to Ry, who’s across the room with Gretch and a few other people. Before I know it, Rebecca steps in front of me, blocking my path, and it’s clear she’s had almost as much as Brian.

“Hi, Todd.” She runs her hand down my chest.

“Hi, Rebecca,” I say flatly as I remove her hand.

“You know what?” she says, looking up at me. “I miss kissing you.” Then her fingers start to trace the buttons of my shirt.

I merely smile and try to push past her, but she’s surprisingly quick for someone who has had too much to drink.

“You. Are. A. Very. Good. Kisser.” She moves her fingers up from button to button on each word.

“Uh … Thanks?” I remove her hand again.

“You know, it’s too bad your girlfriend wasn’t allowed to come since she’s not a senior. What is she, a freshman? Oh, wait”—she waves her hand in the air—“she’s your ex-girlfriend, right?”

I press my lips together. I would never hit a girl, but right now, I wish Rebecca was a guy so I could cold cock her.

“Girlfriend. No ex. She’s my girlfriend, and you know that.” I try to contain my frustration, but it’s not really working. I’m so done with this girl, done being nice. Just done.

“We were really good together.” She smiles like she wants to do so much more than talk, making my stomach start to turn. “In the play, I mean.”

“Hey, Todd, can I talk to you?” I glance with relief in the direction of the voice. I could kiss Blythe right now.

“Sure. See you later, Rebecca,” I say with a quick smile while I pry her hands off my waist.

“Thank you,” I say quietly to Blythe as I approach her.

“You looked like you needed saving.” She smiles. “Brian is sound asleep.”

“Good. Thanks for that, too.”

“Anytime.”

We both join Ryan’s group who are all standing around the make-shift bar that has been set up on the kitchen counter. After an hour or two, most of the party has cleared out. Other than our core group, there are just a few guys from the team left. I am definitely feeling whatever drink Blythe has been making for us. I’m relaxed for the first time in months. This is exactly what I needed. I’m numb with joy, and it feels good. Being here makes me excited for college where there are no parents to hold you back from anything, to tell you what to do or who to date.

“Hey, where’s Brian?” Rick, one of the guys on the team, shouts from across the room.