Chapter 31
Danny
Eighteen Years Old
Aswarm of buzzing, busy bees invades my stomach as we follow the printed directions to Gracie’s dormitory. Mom’s driving—at Gracie’s request. The rental truck is filled to the brim with dorm room staples. Mini trash cans, ramen noodles, shower caddies, and sheet sets.
“We’re going to Gracie’s dorm first, right, Mom?”
“Right. She has more things, so we’re going to stop there first to unload and make sure she’s all settled for her internship orientation. Then, you and I will head over to the athletic side of campus.”
“I think it’s bullshit we can’t just room together.”
Mom plugs one of her ears with her free hand. “La, la, la. I do not need to hear anything regarding that, Daniel.”
“I didn’t say anything bad! I just meant to hang out together more. We’ll be further apart in distance at college than we are at home.”
She gives me a flat look in the rearview mirror, eyes rolling. “Sure… I’m sure that’s exactly what you meant. Just make sure to use condoms, please. I’m too much of a free spirit to be a grandmother right now. In fact, I’m about to date as soon as you munchkins leave the house. Tomorrow, maybe.”
I try not to gag. “Mom, please. Can you not? You’re making Gracie blush!”
Gracie sinks down into her seat with slight embarrassment. “It’s fine, Janie.”
We stop at a red light, and Mom holds her hands up in protest. “Sorry, sorry! As a mom dropping you both at college for the first time, I’m legally obligated to say that. It’s in the Mom Code of Conduct. Take it up with the president’s mom if you don’t like it.”
“Yeah, you can stop with all that now. We’re well versed in ‘the talk,’ thanks to Mae.” I shudder, remembering Mae’s very literal approach to the birds and the bees. “I miss the person I was before I watched that video.”
Gracie nods in agreement. “Same. If a bee flies up to me, I just close my eyes and hope it stings me now. I can’t bear to look at its little bee face after what I’ve seen.”
“Enough with the bee sex, children,” Mom says in exasperation.
“You brought it up!” I shout.
“And I sincerely regret it!” she yells back.
Gracie snickers in her seat.
“Thank God Tessie’s with friends today,” I mutter.
Tessa, the family pre-teen, will always be five years old to me. I’ll miss her at college, but with Easton being only about ninety minutes away from our houses, we’ll see family often.
“Moving on. Sweetie, do you think you have everything you need?”
“I don’t think there was anything left in the whole store when we were done with it. I’m good, Janie. Thank you again for everything,” Gracie replies.
“My pleasure, kiddo. Daniel, you’re all set for practices? You have your gear?”
“They actually provide it now that I’m in college. I can’t wait to wear the uniform while I compete in a sold out stadium. It feels like forever since I’ve been in a real game. I miss it.”
“Tessa’s already been telling everyone that her brother’s going to be on TV,” Janie laughs. “It’ll be a blast watching you. You two have your scholarship stuff figured out?”
We answer in unison. “Yep!”
I face Gracie and grin. “This is really going to be our year, huh?”
“I hope so. I’ve already connected with some other students in the pre-vet program and they seem amazing. I’m just excited for a fresh start.”
I grab her hand and lean closer so I can whisper in her ear. “And we’ll have more opportunities for alone time.”
She shivers. I honestly can’t get enough of her. Ever since we started having sex this summer, my protectiveness has increased tenfold.
Rolling down the window as we pull up to her dorm, I breathe in the fresh air and admire the campus. Lush green grass, trees for miles, and little squirrels scurrying around every corner.
“I think this is it!” I call, pointing at the building.
“Drackett Dormitory, kiddo?”
“That’s the one,” Gracie answers as Mom puts the car in park.
I hop out. “I’ll start unloading some of the heavier stuff on the curb to bring in. It’s going to take a while to get all these boxes out.”
“Sounds good!” Gracie holds up her phone. “I might give Mae a call—you want me to put it on speaker?”
I smile. “Always. Can’t wait to hear what wisdom she has for us today.”
Gracie dials her home phone, and it rings three times as we wait to hear Mae’s voice.
“Queen Bee?”
“Yes, hi!” Gracie grins at me. “Danny’s here, too.”
“Aren’t you two at college now?”
“Yes…”
“So, why are you calling me? Don’t you need to go sing the school fight song or something?” Mae asks with a dose of her classic sarcasm.
“Singing the fight song is on the agenda later tonight, actually,” I tease.
Mae laughs. “Alright then. How’s move-in going?”
“It’s going great.” Gracie pushes a few stray curls out of her face.
“Danny’s doing all the heavy lifting. Janie decided to drop me off first so I could spend some time getting settled.
I’m here a little bit earlier than most students because of my animal sciences internship, so I haven’t met my roommate yet. ”
“I hope you’ll claim the better bed, Bee.”
“Uh, probably not.” Gracie blushes.
After years of minimizing herself for her father’s convenience, taking the “better” furniture is something Gracie would never do. She’s still learning how to curb her habit of making herself small.
Mae chuckles, her voice raspy over the phone. “Make sure you stick up for yourself over there. You’re the strongest kid I know. Don’t let anyone walk all over you. Never again.”
“Or, if things get tough, maybe I’ll just come hide at home with you. You’re close enough,” Gracie teases.
“Girl, don’t make me put a barricade around this house. If I see your face in the next ninety business days, we’ll be having words.”
I stifle a laugh. “Business days? Sounds serious. Shall we prepare a presentation for our next reunion?”
“I’m not kidding. Bee needs to live it up! Pull all nighters, go to parties, dye her hair. Hell, join one of those groups where you pay people to be your friends for all I care.”
Gracie giggles. “A sorority?”
“Yes, join a sorority!”
We both chuckle, and Gracie leans her head against my shoulder.
“Thanks for your input, I’ll definitely consider it.” Gracie playfully rolls her eyes. “We already miss you, Mae.”
“Miss you, too. Well, I’ve got a hot date with a puzzle, here. I’m going to let you go. I love you like bees love honey.”
“Love you, too,” we say in unison.
“Nice set, Gracie baby. Keep it up,” I encourage as she pulls on the rowing machine handle and pushes off the foot rest with her legs.
“Thanks,” Gracie replies, out of breath. “I think that was the most resistance I’ve done. I’m going to be so sore tomorrow.”
“I’ll help work over your muscles tonight,” I promise, drawing a blush from her.
God, things are so good with us. We’ve fallen into a solid routine after just two weeks at Easton.
On the weekends, we explore campus and hang out with mutual friends.
Gracie’s already close with the girlfriends of the guys on the team, jokingly telling me I’ve been demoted from “best friend” to “male best friend.” On the weekdays, she joins me at the campus gym for my personal workouts, even though she hates intentional exercise.
For me, all of my exercise is intentional.
Gracie may call it a “torture dungeon with air conditioning,” but I call it Monday through Sunday.
Football isn’t just a sport to me—it’s a part of me.
Every workout, every meal, just serves to ingrain it further into my DNA.
Nearly every choice I’ve made has led me here, playing as a Division 1 starter.
I increase the resistance on my machine as my girlfriend eyes me up and down, unashamedly checking me out.
“Wow, Danny. I’m pretty sure you could lift all my emotional baggage with one hand,” she jokes.
“Ha ha. Very funny, Gracie,” I deadpan.
It’s my turn to stare at her now, and my eyes linger on the curve of her ass.
The pale blue of her fitted tank top and leggings brings out the vibrant blue color in her right eye, making it appear brighter.
Her cheeks are pink, and the light sheen of sweat on her face only makes her glisten.
I could spend all day admiring this girl, but I tear my gaze from her to focus back on my workout.
“I’m going to get some free weights over there. Be right back.” I jog to the other side of the gym.
As I wait for someone to finish their rep, I glance back and watch a jacked guy wearing a ripped tank top walk over in her direction. He sports the type of over-the-top muscles that make you wonder if it’s just protein powder.
Muscle Guy holds out his hand, and Gracie tightens her grip on the machine in response.
She still has a difficult time trusting men after her asshole father.
I know Gracie can handle herself, but I’m not sure if I can handle watching the Hulk chat her up.
It takes me all of two seconds to abandon the weights and run back to her.
“I like your outfit, by the way. The light blue looks great on you. Do you come here often?” I overhear him ask.
“I usually only come with—”
“Me. Hey, dude. I’m DT.” My breath comes in short puffs, and it’s not from the workout.
“DT! Whoa. Nice to meet you, man. Can’t wait to see you on the field this year. I was just talking to…” He looks at her expectantly.
“Grace. My girlfriend.” I bend down, hooking my arm around her back and practically hoisting her up to my side. “Your outfit does look nice, baby,” I murmur softly in her ear.
“Ah, shit. I didn’t know she was your girlfriend. Sorry about that, man.”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I’m not her keeper.”
Gracie bites her bottom lip, trying not to laugh.
“Nice meeting you though,” I say, politely dismissing him.
After he walks away, I squeeze Gracie’s hip. “Let’s get outta here. We can’t have you too exhausted before I get my hands on you.”
She flushes. “Can we repeat last night? I really loved when you—”
I cut her off with a groan. “Please stop talking.”
Tugging her behind me, I hurry us out of the facility. She playfully swats my ass, and I swoop her up in the air, tickling her sides and soaking in the sound of her laughter.
Time has been kind to us, and we fall for each other a little harder every day. I may not know what every tomorrow holds, but I know she’ll be in it. And that’s more than enough. Because even after years of belonging to Gracie Sinclair, I still can’t believe she’s mine.