My mom has called a couple of dozen times today, and I still haven’t picked up. I have no desire to mend this fight.

After I got home, I told Jessa the whole sordid story.

All she said was, “Fuck him. I know he’s your dad, Sadie, but what a jackass.”

I couldn’t agree with her more. Then, she took me to the cafeteria, and we got one of everything from the dessert line.

I have already been to the financial aid office this morning where I was informed that I didn’t qualify because of my parents’ income. They told me that a student loan would be the best way to pay for my last semester, handing me a pamphlet with some names and numbers. After calling a few numbers, I found out that it would be virtually impossible to have the paperwork done in time since I had less than two months before the new semester started. I’m probably going to have to take my final semester off, and maybe everything will be handled by the summer session. Then, I can graduate next winter. All in all, that isn’t a horrible scenario.

I look at my watch and notice I’m running late to meet Brady. He wants to go with me to spin class. He’s just worried about me.

When he dropped me off last night, he begged me for ten minutes to pack my bags and come back home with him. I insisted that I had to do this on my own. I refuse to go from relying on my dad to relying on Brady—not only for his sake, but also for my own. It’s time for me to prove to myself how strong I am.

Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I leave the dorm, practically running to the rec center, so I can grab a spot. When I reach the hill, Vodka Vince is sitting on his usual bench, staring out at the open field.

“Hi ya, Sadie.”

“Hi, Vince. How are you today?” I ask, trying to sound unrushed.

“Seen Grant lately?” he questions.

Now that he mentions it, I haven’t. Ever since Brady and I got serious, I haven’t gone up to the sixth floor or run into him anywhere else.

“No, I haven’t.” I cringe.

“Because of your boyfriend?”

For the first time, Vince stares right in my eyes. Something’s different about him today.

“I guess. I spend a lot of time with him,” I say, shrugging.

“Do you love your boyfriend?”

I hesitate, not sure about how much I should continue sharing with Vince. Brady’s warning rings through my head.

“Yes,” I honestly answer.

“That’s good.” He smiles. “Well, I see you’re on your way somewhere, so get to it.” He motions with his hand for me to continue down the sidewalk.

“It was nice talking with you, Vince. Take care,” I say. I break out into a full sprint to get to the rec center on time.

I swing the doors of the building open and slam right into Brady’s chest.

“I was getting worried,” he says, catching me by my arms.

“Sorry…I got held up,” I respond, bending over to catch my breath.

“It’s almost starting. Let’s go.”

I’m happy he doesn’t ask me for more details about my tardiness. He never hides how he feels about Vince.

We enter the room, and the instructor is already there. I’m thankful it isn’t Chad again, but I am disappointed that it’s some girl in tight spandex biker shorts and a small sports bra. She has a spectacular body, all tan and toned. I notice her eyes following Brady from the door to our bikes, and I debate on throwing myself into his arms, kissing him senseless. It isn’t the first time I’ve seen that look from the female population when it comes to my boyfriend.

Can I really be offended? They have good taste. I just need to have confidence that he won’t veer anywhere else.

I help Brady set up his bike, and his eyes focus on me while I’m bent over. He makes some sly comments about my ass. I push his shoulder back, and he exaggerates losing his footing. We hop onto our bikes, and he starts to change the gears.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Brady Carsen!” I quietly chastise him.

“What?” He sheepishly looks at me, knowing he just got caught. “It was too enjoyable, watching you bend over and press your ass against me,” he jokes.

“I thought I heard your annoying laugh,” a female says, stopping beside his bike.

“Maura!” Brady announces. His head pushes back, and his eyes bug out.

“Why on earth are you taking this class? Shouldn’t you be running on the hamster wheel or something?” she teases him.

When she finally comes into view, I’m surprised to find that I know her, too.

“I’m here with my girlfriend,” he tells her. He leans back on his bike, revealing me.

“Sadie?” she asks.

I have never been so happy to hear my name.

“Well, obviously, Maura,” he says, sounding annoyed.

“Sadie”—he looks over at me—“this is my sister, Maura,” he introduces. “Maura, this is Sadie, my girlfriend.”

“Shut up! You’re his girlfriend?” she screeches, her hand flying to her chest.

“Yes,” I answer, just as shocked.

“Maura, what the f—” Brady questions her tone.

“Oh, stop worrying so much. I met her last week at a class. Well, I technically didn’t meet her, but we chatted.”

“I can only imagine what about.” Brady rolls his eyes.

“If I had known she was the infamous Sadie, there would have been a lot more talking,” Maura answers as she takes the bike on the other side of me.

“Just keep the stories to yourself,” Brady says to her seriously, giving Maura a look.

“So, Sadie, tell me about yourself.” She ignores Brady, turning my way.

“Um…” I stutter.

Then, the instructor interrupts us, starting the class. I can’t help the feeling of relief that flows through me. How do you tell your boyfriend’s sister that you just got disowned by your parents?

“Psst…Brady,” she loudly whispers.

“What?” Brady cocks his head, scrunching his eyes at her.

“I need to talk to you after class, something about—”

Brady nods his head, cutting her short, and then she looks over at me and gives me a small smile before facing forward to concentrate on the class. Obviously, this is another secret that I’m not involved in.

I have to admit, watching my amazing boyfriend do a spin class leaves me breathless in more than one way. My hands beg to grab him, so we can run into the locker room where I can have my way with him in the shower. His silence throughout the class surprises me. It’s like night and day to him in the bedroom. He makes no grunts or noises. He just steadily completes the workout. If it wasn’t for his drenched shirt and body, I would have thought the spin class was nothing to him.

After the class, I grab my towel and rub the sweat off me. Sipping out of my water bottle, I notice the playful Brady is gone, replaced by a very serious one. He makes no jokes about my shirt clinging to me, outlining my body. Quietly, he sips his water and stares at Maura. They seem to be having a conversation with no words. Theo and I could do that. I always thought it was a twin thing, but I guess it’s a sibling thing.

Before I can ask any questions, Maura says, “It was nice meeting you, Sadie. Brady should bring you over to the house, so you can meet my kids and hubby.” She embraces me in a sweaty hug and turns to Brady, doing the same, before leaving.

“Sorry about that,” Brady apologizes.

“Why would you be sorry? What a coincidence that I met your sister last week,” I remark, following Brady out the doors.

“She’s a little…excitable.” He stands to the side of the door, allowing me to go first.

When we get out to the hallway, I see Kara talking with Maura, and my shoulders slump as I let out an exasperated breath.

“Oh, look who it is.” I roll my eyes in annoyance. “She knows your sister?”

“Yeah, well…remember, I told you, she’s a family friend?” Brady walks toward them—the last place I want to go.

“Brady!” Kara exclaims, swiftly making her way over to us, embracing him. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in, like, forever!”

He slowly removes her arms from his neck and says, “You remember Sadie, my girlfriend?” He reaches his arm around my waist.

One of the things I love about Brady is that he’s always forthcoming with people that we are a couple.

“Hi, Sadie.” She leers my way and gives me a once-over before her eyes land back on him.

“So, I hear you are playing at Grant’s frat party this weekend?” she asks.

My head shoots up to him as he glances down at me.

“Oh, how is Grant?” Maura questions Brady.

“I’m only playing it because of the money. Rob booked it. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t play for those fucking douches.” Brady’s voice is full of hostility.

“You really need to let it go, Brady,” Maura says sympathetically.

Brady gives her the same shut-your-mouth look that he did earlier.

“Anyway,” she says, clearly irritated, “I need to get back to the kiddos. I swear, girls, when you become a mother, you will wonder what you did with all your time before them,” she jokes, waving good-bye.

“Bye, Maura,” all three of us say in unison.

“So, can I come to the party?” Kara eagerly asks.

I wonder why she’s asking for Brady’s permission.

“Call Grant. I’m sure he’ll let you in,” Brady says with no emotion.

“But I could just come with you and the band,” she whines.

It dawns on me that she’s asking Brady to bring her to the party.

Um…no.

“Kara, you can ask one of the guys if you want. Sadie and I will only be there when I play. We’ll be leaving right after I finish,” he reveals.

I look up at him, surprised for the second time in this short conversation. Not only did I just find out that I’m going to a frat party, but Brady has already decided how long I’ll be staying as well.

“You used to always take me. Remember, Brady? It was always you and me.” She glares at me.

“Well, now, it’s me and Brady. I’m sorry, Kara, but we have to get going.” I loop my arm through Brady’s, walking us forward. “See you later.”

After we’re down the hall, Brady leans toward my ear. “I like this jealous side of you.”

“There’s something about her, Brady, that I don’t like,” I admit for the first time.

“She’s just a young girl trying to be something she’s not,” he says. He’s blind to her infatuation. “Come home with me, and show me how much I’m yours,” he requests, winking that caramel eye at me.

“Gladly.”

He stops us right before the doors, and his arms hold me tight. He bends down, and his lips brush against mine in a loving way. Then, his tongue sneaks through my parted lips. When we break apart, he locks our fingers and escorts me out of the building.

When I sense someone staring at me, I turn around and find Kara’s eyes boring into us. Brady stops, looking back, but I shake off the shivers she just caused and nod for him to continue. I don’t want her to know that she has this effect on me.