“Sadie, I will be up on stage. If I was going to be by your side tonight, I would say okay. But do you know how many guys are going to look at your shoulder and neck, imagining what it would be like to kiss it?” He walks into my room, clearly thinking I will change my outfit.

“You only think that because it’s your favorite spot to kiss,” I inform him, and turn around to my dresser, putting my earrings in.

“I wouldn’t say my favorite spot.” He comes up behind me, starting to kiss my shoulder. “Definitely the top five though,” he agrees and I catch his eyes smiling at me through the mirror.

“It’s yours, Brady…all yours,” I answer, and place my hand on the back of his head while he continues to trail kisses up my neck.

“Don’t forget it, baby. When you see all those frat guys tonight, don’t forget who you belong to.” I see the insecurity in his eyes. He’s suddenly afraid that I’m going to change my mind about him. How could he ever think that?

“Hey,” I say, turning around. I place my hands on either side of his face and bring it down to me. “I’m yours…always. You never have to question that.” I get up on my tiptoes and kiss him. “Okay?”

“Okay, it’s just…we are going to a place that holds good and bad memories for you. Maybe you will think I’m not enough,” he admits and my heart breaks.

“For once, it’s you who doesn’t get it,” I laugh.

“What?” he asks with no trace of humor.

“You are it for me. Game over. I’m yours…and you’re mine.” I wrap my arms around his neck and rest his forehead against mine.

“Well, those guys wouldn’t have gotten you disowned by your family,” he sadly says, revealing where this sudden insecurity comes from.

“Brady, it’s not your fault my dad disowned me. I don’t care about the money or the car. All that matters to me is you. If I can only have one in my life, I prefer it to be you. It’s my dad’s problem, Brady, not ours.” I give him a chaste kiss.

“But your degree, Sadie. I wish I had the money to pay for your last semester. I feel guilty because I get mine for free.”

“It will all work out. If I have to take a semester off, it will only give me more time to spend with you,” I joke, holding him firmly against my body.

“Sadie…” he sighs.

“No, Brady, let’s just enjoy tonight. I will have enough heavy conversation with my mom tomorrow. Take me to your gig,” I say and Brady chuckles at the wording I use. “Then take me back to your place and make love to me all night,” I request.

“With pleasure, babe,” he says and holds out his arm for me to take. I grab my purse and position my arm through his, letting him escort me out of the room.

Cars align the street and co-eds mingle in the front yard. The shadows of people fill the windows of the house and a sudden pain fills my stomach. Brady entwines his fingers with mine, looking down at me. “You sure?” he questions and I nod my head in agreement. “Let’s get this over with,” he says and guides us up the walkway.

The stares are automatic but for the first time, I realize it’s mostly girls, admiring my boyfriend. I remind myself this isn’t Drayton. Just because we are at frat party doesn’t mean it will be the same. This is just a college party, nothing more. What happened at Drayton was because of the people, not because it was a fraternity.

Walking through the doorway, I’m taken aback by how crowded the room is. Wall to wall college students fill every inch of the house. Brady squeezes my hand harder, leading me to the makeshift stage. From the way he knows his way around, I assume he has been here before. The rest of the guys are already setting up and Jessa sits on the stage, observing them.

“Hey, guys,” she says, sitting up straighter. With one more squeeze of my hand, Brady bends down and kisses me before hopping up on the stage. I walk over to Jessa and ask, “Hey, how long have you guys been here?”

“Not long. Don’t take this wrong, but how on earth did you hang out with all these people,” she comments and glares across the room.

“I didn’t know any better,” I joke and knock her shoulder with mine.

“Now that you do, let’s keep it that way,” she laughs, knocking me back.

I look up when I hear a familiar deep voice. It’s Grant talking to the guys and I’m surprised to see Brady speaking back politely. After he finishes telling them some stuff, Grant makes his way to me and I notice Brady’s eyes follow.

“Hey, Sadie,” he says, looking at me, then Jessa, and back to me.

“Hi, Grant. This is my roommate, Jessa,” I inform him, motioning back and forth. “Jessa, this is Grant.”

“Hi, nice to meet you,” Grant says, putting his hand out.

“You too.” She shakes his hand back and I see her eyes peruse his body before a smirk appears. Huh, I wonder if Rob noticed that.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” he asks and I bite my lip, glancing over to Brady, who is watching us while setting up a microphone.

“Sure,” I agree, but not moving away since there’s no way Brady won’t follow.

“I’ll leave you guys to it,” Jessa says and stands up to help the guys.

“Everything work out? Vince told me you found him and Brady together,” he divulges.

“Um…yeah. Brady filled me in. Thank you. Whether you want to recognize it or not, you are a good friend to Brady. He might not say it but I know he appreciates it,” I tell him.

“I’m glad you know the truth,” he states, looking down at his shoes. “You went to Drayton, right?” he asks and I wonder why the change of topic.

“Yes, why?” I answer.

“Well…I guess some of the guys met a couple guys from our frat in Drayton at a party during Thanksgiving. Anyway, there are two guys here and I wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Oh,” I mumble. Why does Grant think I need a heads up? What does he know?

“Sadie, I don’t know if it even matters,” he says, as if reading my mind. “I just thought there must be a reason you transferred senior year and thought you deserved to know. I just told Brady before coming over to you.” He looks toward Brady and my eyes follow. He is setting up the drums with Trey and not even looking our way, showing me he trusts me with Grant now.

“What did he say?” I ask.

“He wanted to cancel the show and leave, but the guys convinced him to stay. Now I guess you have me as your bodyguard for the night, at least until the show is over.” He smirks up at me. “I don’t know what happened and you don’t have to tell me. But you are right. Brady is a friend, no matter what has happened between us. You’re his girlfriend so I will help him out.” For the first time, it dawns on me how close they must have been to put all of their issues aside for tonight. I vaguely wonder if it was Grant who Brady called when we were at Niagara Falls.

“Thank you, but I don’t need protection. I think Brady is just feeling a little overprotective right now.” I glance up at him on stage. He still makes my heart skip a beat and my breathing erratic. Tonight his hair is gelled into a faux Mohawk and the black bands wrap around his wrist. The jeans hang low with his Converse and his black hoodie.

“Please, just let me stand by you while Brady’s performing?” he asks and I nod, agreeing.

Grant goes off to get us some drinks before The Invisibles start to play. Jessa bounces back to me, asking a million questions about who Grant is, how I know him, and any information about him. I look at her questioningly and she laughs at me, stating she’s just curious and to stop reading into it. Brady jumps off the stage and walks toward me.

“You okay, baby?” he whispers in my ear. “We can leave right now,” he says.

“No…I probably don’t even know them. I’m surprised though you are allowing Grant to be my bodyguard,” I remark, wrapping my arms around his waist.

“He’s the only one I would trust you with…besides me,” he admits, pulling me closer.

“You didn’t feel that way a few weeks ago,” I remind him.