It’s Friday, and The Invisibles are playing Grant’s frat party tonight. To say that I’m less than thrilled would be an understatement. After all this time, the last place I want to be is at a frat house. Not only because of my past experiences in them, but also because of Theo.

He loved his fraternity. It was the brotherly bond he always wanted when we were younger. He begged my parents to have another child after us, praying they would have a boy, but that never happened. When we were young, he would bribe me to play baseball, basketball, and football. He turned me into a tomboy of sorts, but I secretly loved it. Not to mention, I never told anyone about all the times he played house or Barbies with me.

Brady could feel my apprehension, so he already told the guys the set would be short and that we would be leaving right after. I said it would be okay, and Jessa jokingly told Brady that she would protect me, not letting any frat douche bags touch me. He insisted on driving me even though Jessa said she would bring me right before the show started.

“I want all those fuckers to know she’s mine when we walk in,” was his response to her.

When I open my dorm door to Brady, he looks me up and down while I wait for his signature smirk.

Instead, the first words out of his mouth are, “You aren’t wearing that.”

I look down at myself, scrunching my eyebrows. I’m wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a looser-fitting pink blouse that falls off one shoulder. My hair is pinned up into a messy-bun style with strands falling down the sides of my face.

“How about, You look beautiful, baby?” I tease, smiling up to him.

But his face is serious, and his lips are tight.

“Sadie, I’ll be up onstage. If I were 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. I 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 in the top five though,” he agrees.

I catch his eyes smiling at me through the mirror.

“I’m yours, Brady…all yours,” I answer.

I 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.” Rising up on my toes, I kiss him. “Okay?”

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

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 my forehead against his.

“Well, those guys wouldn’t have gotten you disowned by your family,” he sadly says, revealing where this sudden insecurity has arisen 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 of those things in my life, it’s always going 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 due to my dad’s tenure with the University.”

“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, firmly holding him against my body.

“Sadie…” he sighs, not letting this topic go.

“No, Brady, let’s just enjoy tonight. I’m sure I have a heavy conversation in store with my mom tomorrow. Tonight, I just want to have fun. Take me to your gig,” I say.

Brady chuckles at the wording I used.

“Then, take me back to your place and make love to me all night,” I request.

A glimmer hits his eyes. “With pleasure, babe.” He 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 line the street, and coeds 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, at the edge of the walkway. “You sure?” he questions.

I nod my head in agreement.

“Let’s get this over with,” he says as he guides me up the sidewalk.

The stares are automatic, but for the first time, I realize it’s mostly girls, admiring my boyfriend. I remind myself that this isn’t Drayton. Just because we are at a 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 is sitting on the stage, supervising.

“Hey, guys,” she says, sitting up straighter.

With one more squeeze of my hand, Brady bends down and kisses me before hopping up onto the stage.

I walk over to Jessa and ask, “Hey, how long have you guys been here?”

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

“I didn’t know any better,” I joke as I 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 politely speaking back. 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.

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.

I bite my lip, glancing over to Brady, who is watching us while setting up a microphone.

“Sure,” I agree. But I don’t move away since there’s no way Brady wouldn’t follow.

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

“Everything work out? Vince told me you saw 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.

I wonder about the change of topic. “Yeah. Why?”

“Well, I guess some of the guys met a couple of guys from our frat in Drayton at a party during Thanksgiving. Anyway, there are two guys here from your old school, and I just 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 begins, as if reading my mind. “I just thought there must be a reason you transferred during your senior year, and I thought you deserved to know. I just told Brady before coming over to you.”

He looks toward Brady, and my eyes follow. He’s 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’re right. Brady is a friend, no matter what has happened between us. You’re his girlfriend, so I’ll help him out tonight.”

For the first time, it dawns on me how close they must have been for them to put all their issues aside for this. I vaguely wonder if it was Grant I overheard Brady calling 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 onstage.

Brady still makes my heart skip a beat, and my breathing becomes erratic as I see him up there. Tonight, his hair is gelled into a fauxhawk, and my favorite black bands are wrapped around his wrist.

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

I nod, reluctantly agreeing.

Grant goes off to grab 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 other information I know about him. I questioningly look at her, 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 if you want,” he says.

“No, I probably don’t even know them. I’m surprised though that 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.

“It was a grudge I needed to let go of. He came and warned us ahead of time. He has always had my back. I’ve just been a jackass these past few years,” he informs me.

“Well, go finish your show, so you can be my bodyguard,” I say, kissing his chin.

“Stay close to Grant, and if you need me, just give me a signal, okay?” The worried look on his face makes me feel uneasy.

“It will be fine. Just go.” I nudge him toward the stage.

“Hold up, one good-luck kiss.” He brings my face to his before possessively thrusting his tongue into my mouth, making my whole body heat up. “Love you.”

“Love you,” I whisper to him before he jumps onstage.

Grant is at my side as soon as Brady pulls the microphone off the stand. Jessa is standing on the other side of me.

“Okay, everyone ready?” Brady’s voice fills the room, and it quiets down a bit. “We are going to start this off fast and aggressive. Any problems with that?” he questions.

Everyone screams.

Does he know what a great stage presence he has?

“All right then…I’m going to get a little sappy first. When I first saw my girl, this song came into my head, and I haven’t been able to shake it. Sorry, babe, I haven’t told you this, but here it goes. I want to see a lot of jumping and singing along. Got that?”

Trey starts beating the sticks together, and I know the song from the drumbeat. When the guitar and bass fill in, I’m astonished by the song choice. Brady’s voice comes over the microphone, and he finds me in the audience, giving me a wink, before he starts singing “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick. I’m oddly flattered and surprised that, out of all the songs in the world, this song came into his head when he first saw me.

The crowd goes crazy. Drunk people thrash their bodies around, enjoying the band. Grant holds me by my arm to keep me steady, and I grab Jessa in response. Everyone sings along, including Jessa. I jokingly question her with my eyes, knowing how she feels about corny ’80s music, but she playfully slaps my shoulder.

Brady’s eyes periodically find mine throughout the song, and I blow him a kiss up to the stage. I glance at Grant. He doesn’t seem to be having fun at all, so I take his left hand in mine and put his other hand in Jessa’s, making us all dance together. His eyes divert to Jessa, and he appears embarrassed. That only lasts a second before they are both dancing around. The three of us are in our own world, and even Grant sings along with The Invisibles as they continue playing their own songs after the Cheap Trick tribute.

As the night goes on, I suddenly start to feel like the third wheel between Jessa and Grant. Brady smirks over at me with raised eyebrows, obviously noticing it, too. My eyes find Rob, who seems more interested in flirting with some girls standing in front of the stage. I watch him for a while, and he never even glances Jessa’s way. I start to think my first instinct about Rob was accurate.

“Okay, everyone, we are going to take a break,” Brady announces. “Continue partying and drinking. The more you drink, the better we sound,” he jokes.

I wonder if it bothers him, being around alcohol like this because of his dad.

“Hey, baby, are you enjoying yourself?” He wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me into his sweaty body.

“I am,” I confirm, kissing him.

“You want anything?” he asks before taking a gulp from his water bottle.

“No, I’m good now,” I answer.

Jessa and Grant have moved over to the side of the stage and are talking to each other. Dex and Trey are sitting on the stage with their feet dangling while swarms of girls circle around them. I don’t see Rob anywhere, but Jessa doesn’t appear to be looking very hard for him.

“What’s up with that?” Brady motions his head in Jessa and Grant’s direction.

“I don’t know.” I smile curiously up to him. “I have to admit, I felt like I was imposing after a while.”

“I noticed.” He chuckles while his eyes search the crowd.

I take my finger and move his chin, so he faces my direction. “Relax, baby.”

His eyes soften as he stares down at me. “I’m trying.”

I purse my lips in response.

We stand together, him holding me from behind, slowly kissing my shoulder and neck like always. He whispers things he’ll be doing to me later while my body heats in anticipation.

“Sadie Miller, is that you?” a voice calls over.

When my eyes meet his, my stomach drops. Before the guy can even approach, Brady and Grant sandwich me between them.

“Hi, Jeff,” I say.

It’s Jeff Soren, the last guy I slept with at Drayton.

“I thought I heard you transferred here,” he remarks, glancing first at Brady and then at Grant.

He leans in, as though he wants to give me a hug, but Brady steps up to him.

“Jeff, this is my boyfriend, Brady.” I signal my finger at him. “And this is my friend, Grant.” I signal to him.

He steps up next to Brady. I’m practically hidden behind their two large bodies.

“Uh…hey, guys,” Jeff says nervously, waving his hand at them.

“Hi,” Brady says, straight-faced.

“Hi, Jeff. This is my fraternity house,” Grant informs him as some form of a threat.

“Sorry,” I say as I step through the two of them. “Grant told me there were some people here from Drayton. I’m surprised it’s you.” I let Brady and Grant stand beside me.

“Yeah, it’s just me and Miles Jacobs.” He stands there, appearing uneasy, while my two pseudo bodyguards keep watch.

“Oh…Miles is here, too?” I question, not really knowing what else to say.

This situation is entirely too uncomfortable for all of us.

“I should probably go find him. We miss you at Drayton, Sadie. The girls said they never hear from you. Do you like it here?” he asks sheepishly.

Even though he slept with me when I was drunk out of my mind and right after I had a crying fit over Theo, Jeff Soren has always been a nice guy.

I look at Brady, and a smile automatically lifts my lips. “I do. Thank you, Jeff.”

He smiles in return. “I’m glad, Sadie.”

He stands there for a minute, and I step forward, hugging him, before Brady can say anything.

“You look really happy. You deserve it,” he whispers in my ear.

I step back, and Brady possessively puts his arm around my waist.

“Bye, Jeff.” I give him a small wave. I watch him as he’s swallowed up by the crowd.

When I turn around, Brady gives me a brief kiss and a wink, noticeably calmer than he was earlier. Dex and Trey are up onstage, getting their instruments ready for their second set, while Rob and Jessa are making out in the corner. I look at Grant out of the corner of my eye and can’t help but notice his tense stance while he watches them, but when I put my hand on his arm, he smiles my way, trying to appear unfazed.

The Invisibles start to play again, and the guys and girls pick up where they left off.

After the show, the band packs up the equipment and loads it into the van. Then, they come back to enjoy the party.

Before leaving us, Grant gives one last look in Jessa’s direction. She seems to be enthralled in Rob’s world again. Once Grant turns around, I see Jessa open her eyes, peering over to Grant, while Rob’s tongue invades her mouth. I knew she felt something with Grant, but I wonder if she will admit that to herself.

Brady tells Grant to hold up for a second, and the two of them shake hands as Brady says something to him. I can’t explain their friendship, but I’m glad it is starting to head in the right direction again.

Brady tells the band we are leaving, and we make our way out the door. His arm is around my waist as he leads me down the sidewalk, and that’s when I hear my name again.

“Sadie? Sadie Miller?” a drunk voice questions.

Brady and I turn around.

“Man, you are a welcome sight. These girls are all a bunch of teases.” He walks toward us.

Brady steps in front of me.

“Whoa, Miles. Let’s go.” Jeff runs down the sidewalk, trying to stop him, but Miles continues to rush my way.

“Listen to Jeff, Miles. Go back inside.” I put my hand on Brady’s arm, indicating for him to back up a little, and he surprises me by doing it.

“Come on, Sadie, just like old times,” Miles continues, slurring his words.

Brady tenses next to me. The air is swirling, and I feel the storm brewing.

“Miles, stop talking. I’m really sorry,” Jeff apologizes while looking at Brady.

I’m sure, at this point, Brady is ready to pounce on Miles.

“Just get him the hell out of here,” Brady’s low voice speaks with his fists clenched at his sides.

“Get the fuck off, Soren. You always had a soft spot for Sadie. Even when she was fat, you loved her.” Miles turns toward Jeff, and he looks back at Miles in disgust.

“I suggest you listen to your buddy and leave,” Brady coolly directs Miles, stepping right in front of me.

“Who the hell are you?” Miles slurs.

“Her boyfriend.”

People start making their way outside. Grant comes up next to Brady, followed by Dex, Trey, and Rob.

“Man, Sadie, you really had to dig to the bottom of the barrel to find a guy who wouldn’t use you for the good fuck you are.”

The minute his words fall out of his mouth, a fist swings in the air.

Brady lands a punch across Miles’s cheek. “Don’t you ever talk to her like that again. Actually, don’t ever fucking talk to her.” He steps forward as Miles steps back.

“Fight, fight!” The shouts ring around me.

Suddenly, I’m in the middle of a circle of people chanting and yelling. Panic sends my heart racing, and my breathing is labored.

“Listen, man, believe me, I know she’s good, but come on. I was just going to have her for a little while, and you can have her back in twenty minutes,” Miles’s cocky voice baits.

Brady’s fist connects with his face again. I notice Dex and Trey are holding Miles from behind now.

“I really hope your daddy has good medical coverage because he’s going to have one hell of a bill after I’m done with you!” Brady yells as he throws another fist into Miles’s gut. “Let him go, guys,” Brady says to Dex and Trey. “I want him to realize what a little piss rich kid he is when he can’t land a punch.”

They let Miles go, and he lamely tries to punch Brady, who sidesteps away from it. Miles stumbles. Jeff seems to have stepped away after Miles’s comment to him, and the rest of the band plus Grant have made their way to me, watching Brady and Miles.

“Man, Sadie, first you get your brother killed, and you go right out and find someone new who likes to fight just as much. Are you going to get him killed, too?”

The whole crowd silences with this revelation of my secret past, and my body numbs as I watch Brady throw punch after punch, screaming obscenities at Miles.

While witnessing Brady beat the shit out of Miles, I’m back in the hotel room, watching Theo fight Craig.

Jessa wraps her arms around me while sobs explode out of me, and I crumple to the sidewalk.

Guys like Craig and Miles don’t take embarrassment well. My subconscious convinces me that Miles will find Brady and kill him, just like Craig did to Theo.

“Stop it! Someone, stop it!” I scream, rocking back and forth “Brady!” I yell.

Jessa whispers in my ear, telling me it will be okay, but everything in my past tells me it won’t. Brady ignores my screams, continuing to punish Miles.

I don’t know how it ended—if someone pulled Brady off or if he left on his own—but his arms soon replace Jessa’s. He positions one arm under my shoulders and his other arm under my knees, picking me up.

“Take her, Brady. We’ve got this,” Grant’s voice tells him.

“Thanks, Grant. I owe you…like, a million,” Brady says sincerely as he carries me to the car.

“I’m sorry, Sadie. I should have taken him away sooner.” Jeff comes to our side, but I keep my face buried into Brady’s chest.

“Just go get your friend, and get the fuck out of Western,” Brady spits at him. “It’s all right, baby. I have you,” he whispers before kissing my temple.