“Yes, it’s necessary.” I hit him with a pointed look I hope comes across as stern. “You can’t keep your hands off me here. Do you really think we’d get any studying done in private?”
Brayden shrugs. “Maybe not English or History, but I bet we could get other studying done.” He waggles his brows and I pull the front of his hat down to cover his eyes.
“How’re you feeling about your finals?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Good. It’s crazy to think after this, I’ll only have one semester left and then I’ll be a college graduate.”
“You’ve got this.” I reach over and squeeze his hand.
A couple walking by glances over at us, intrigued. The rumor mill is running on overdrive. I’ve heard the whispers. Seen the looks. We haven’t confirmed anything because it’s nobody’s damn business, but since returning from the disastrous event in California, Brayden, Ashton, and I have been spending time together publicly. Sometimes Ashton walks me to class holding my hand, or Brayden kisses me in the tutoring center. I’m not ashamed to love three men and I refuse to hide it—with the exception of Drew. I hate that we have to keep him a secret, but it’s not about being ashamed. He would lose his job if anyone found out that he’s dating a student—or three.
“I’m studied out,” Brayden says, standing. “Why don’t we go grab a coffee before I head to practice?”
“Fine,” I agree, since I could use a caffeinated pick-me-up.
When we get to Starbucks, which is located on campus in the quad, I order on my app like I always do so we don’t have to wait in line, but when I click to place my order, it comes back denied. Weird. I click to purchase using a different card, but it does the same thing.
“Did you order?” Brayden asks.
“I think my app is messed up.”
When we get to the front of the line, finally, I give the barista our order and hand her my credit card.
“I’m sorry, but your card has been declined,” she says, flinching.
I hand her another card, but she shakes her head. “I’m sorry, it was declined too.”
“I got it,” Brayden says, shooting me a sympathetic look. He hands her his card and it goes through without issue.
“Thanks. I’m going to see what’s going on with my cards.”
“I’ll meet you at the table,” he says, leaning over and kissing me softly.
I walk over to an empty table and pull up my bank app first. My hands shake as I wait for the home screen to pop up, and when it does, I nearly hyperventilate. Zero. There are zero dollars in my bank account. How is this even possible? Was my account hacked? But then I remember my credit card was declined too.
I open up my contacts and pull up my mom’s number… Then scroll up to my dad.
Before I hit call, Brayden comes over with our coffees and sits down. “Everything okay?”
“I’m sure it’s just a mix-up,” I murmur, taking a sip of my coffee. My peppermint mocha latte is usually sweet, but today it tastes like cardboard, and I know it’s because I’m freaking out. Mom warned me… I thought because I haven’t heard from her in a couple weeks, she forgot about me. But I should’ve known better.
“My parents want to have us all over for dinner,” Brayden says, taking a sip of his own coffee.
“That’ll be fun.” I force a smile. I love Brayden’s parents. They’re so sweet and nurturing. “Maybe Molly can show me how to make a new dish.” She’s been sending me easy recipes to try out and so far they’ve been a success. The boys have not only eaten them, but none of them have died from food poisoning.
“I want to tell them about us.” He gnaws on his bottom lip. “I’m a little worried they’ll flip, but I want them to know.” He doesn’t say it, but I know he’s thinking that he has enough secrets he’s keeping from them.
“I think initially they’ll be shocked, but I don’t believe they’ll disown you or anything.” Not like my parents have…
“I don’t think so either,” he says, staring out the window. I follow his line of vision and see Drew walking across the quad. I want so badly to call him over to join us, but we can’t.
“I can’t wait to get the hell out of here,” Brayden says, anger dripping in his words. I know he’s thinking about finally being free to be with Drew out in public but…
“I have three more years.” If I can even afford to continue here. If I’m right and my parents did cut me off, there’s no way they’re going to keep paying for my apartment, or my utilities, or my food.
Brayden frowns as if just realizing that when he leaves, I’ll still be here. And I have no clue where Ashton will be… And if Drew is still the coach here, we’ll be in the same position we’re in now.
“Yo, Brayden,” a guy calls out. “Practice in ten!”
“Shit, I gotta get going.” He jumps up and then dips down, kissing me goodbye. “I’ll see you at home later.” Home… It’s technically neither of our homes, yet it feels like more of a home than the one I grew up in.
When he’s gone, I take my coffee outside and call Dad. He answers on the first ring.
“Mia.” The single word is laced with sympathy, and I immediately know there wasn’t a mix-up.
“So, it’s true,” I say in greeting, not even bothering to ask the question.
“Your mother felt it was best—”
“To cut me off financially while I’m in college?”
“To go with tough love,” he finishes.
“What the hell is tough love?” I hiss. “Neither of you has shown me any kind of love in years. Now you want to try and parent?” Angry tears leak from the corners of my eyes.
“Your mother feels you’re making bad choices, sweetheart. Come home and we’ll help you get back on track. You can enroll in college here, live at home…”
I swallow the lump in my throat, knowing this is probably the last conversation we’ll ever have because I can’t be part of a family who doesn’t love and accept me. Ashton, Brayden, and Drew are my family. They love me and accept me. They support me…
“I’m not coming back,” I tell him. “This is my home.” And I’ll do everything in my power to make sure of it.
He sighs. “I understand, but if you change your mind…”
“I won’t.” Nothing can make me change my mind about my boys. They’re mine and I’m theirs and anyone who doesn’t understand can go kick rocks.
Without bothering to say goodbye, I hang up and head over to the financial aid office.
“How can I help you?” a cheery, gray-haired woman asks.
“I’m interested in applying for a loan.” Because I’m under twenty-five and my parents make too much money, I’m not eligible to receive any grants.
“Here’s the website.” She slides a paper over to me. “This tells you everything you’ll need on hand when you apply. Applications must be received on or before April thirtieth to be eligible for the summer.”
“Oh, no, I need to apply for… now.”