The Sophomore (College Years #2) - Monica Murphy Page 0,92

of substance, and that’s when it hits me.

They’re not going to offer a meeting to me. I know it. I can feel it in my bones. And I did this shit to myself. It was my idea to have Cupid’s Bow open for me, and look what it got me.

Straight out of a record deal.

Twenty-Six

Ellie

The moment Jackson walks into the apartment, everyone starts cheering. Calling his name and clapping, Caleb whistling so loud it makes my ears hurt. I clap along with them, my excitement dying the moment I see the look on Jackson’s face.

He’s not happy. Not at all.

Oh, he’s smiling and nodding and holding his hand up, so his friends can slap their palms together. He graciously hugs Ava and Jocelyn, who are both gushing over his performance. Diego gives him a hug too, just before the couple slips out, having to get home so they can relieve their babysitter, which is Jocelyn’s mom and sister.

But I can see it in his eyes, in his entire demeanor. Things didn’t go the way he wanted them to with the record label, and my heart aches for him.

He takes the beer Eli offers him and polishes it off in a couple of gulps. Caleb gives him another beer as I wait for him to come to me, my eyes never straying from him as he moves about the apartment.

It takes him a while to notice me, but I’m not offended. I can tell he needs their accolades. He was feeling down and they’re treating him like the man. I totally get it. I’m just sitting here, listening to Gracie go on about how she got the Snapchat handle from one of the guys in Cupid’s Bow, and how she’s totally going to hit him up.

Finally, Jackson notices me, and the relief that crosses his face when our gazes meet sends a little thrill deep inside me. I sit up straighter, on the edge of the couch, pleased when he settles directly beside me and leans in for a kiss.

I give it to him, right in front of everyone, pleased that he’s not holding back. I’m so used to him doing that. When we were both in high school, he would talk to me for hours on Snap, and then pretend I barely existed in person. It devasted me.

To have him kissing me in front of everyone, not giving a crap who sees, is what I’ve wanted for what feels like years.

“Are you all right?” I whisper when he pulls away.

His smile stays firmly in place as he slowly shakes his head. “Not really. We can talk about it later though.”

I touch his cheek, wishing he wasn’t so down. “It’s going to be okay.”

“With you?” He raises a brow.

I nod.

Jackson presses his cheek against mine, his mouth at my ear. “I wish we could go to my room.”

“I wish we could too,” I whisper in return. “But they want to spend time with you.” I wave my hand in the general direction of our friends.

“I’ll give them thirty minutes,” he says, as he reluctantly pulls away from me.

“That’s definitely not long enough.” I laugh when he scowls. “Ninety minutes.”

“No fucking way,” he practically growls. “An hour.”

“Perfect. An hour.” Anticipation races through me when I see the dirty gleam in his gaze as he studies me. I know what he’s thinking about.

I’m thinking about it too.

“Countdown is on,” he says, just before he leaps to his feet. “See you in an hour. I need to go make the rounds with my people.”

I giggle, waving at him. Fighting the combination of nerves and excitement that fills me at what we’re about to do. At what epic line we’re going to cross in our relationship.

The moment he’s gone, Gracie says something. And I’d sort of forgotten she was sitting there on the couch.

“What was that all about?” The sly look on her face tells me she already knows.

“Nothing,” I say, trying to infuse my voice with an air of mystery, but Gracie isn’t buying it.

“Uh, huh. Are you two making sex plans for later?” She crosses her arms, waiting for my answer.

I can’t hide it from her. I’m too excited. “Yes,” I say with a giant grin. “We are.”

“Make sure he’s gentle with you.” When I frown, she rolls her eyes, lowering her voice. “You’re a virgin, Ellie. It’s going to hurt.”

I don’t want it to hurt. I want it to feel amazing. I want him to feel amazing too. I’m sure he’s used