Muscular arms squeeze me tight, pulling me closer. “Good morning, Red. How did you sleep?” Trevor’s voice is deep and rumbly in my ear.

“Good morning. I slept wonderfully.” I smile, snuggling my back into him.

His hand settles on my hip, holding me still. “Enough of that, or you’ll get me going more than I already am. We have class in forty-five minutes.”

I groan, “Do we have to go?”

“Unfortunately, we do. The only bad part about you being in my bed is that we can’t stay here.”

“I’m never leaving. I’m too comfortable.”

“I told you it’s like a cloud.”

“The combination of you and the bed is too much to resist.”

He presses a kiss to my neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever slept so well. I love having you in my bed.”

“Then why are you trying so hard to get me to leave it?”

He tears the covers back and slaps my naked ass. “Time to rise and shine, Red.”

“Ow.” I rub my cheek. “I’m too tired,” I complain, burying my head under a pillow. I don’t even care that I have no clothes on. I already feel comfortable with him.

He drags me by my foot to the edge of the bed while I loudly protest, and scoops me into his arms as if I’m no heavier than a feather. “Come on. We need to get ready.”

“Fine,” I agree sounding like a petulant child. Trevor releases me to slide down the front of his solid frame, and once I’m on my feet, continues to hold me. He brushes the flyaway hairs from my eyes. “I don’t know how I’ll keep my hands off you during class.”

“Who said you have to?”

“I don’t mean hand holding, Red. I’m talking about tearing your clothes off.”

“Oh, well that will have to wait for another time. Professor Gordon doesn’t seem like the type to welcome PDA, never mind partaking in voyeurism.”

He laughs, “No, she doesn’t.” His arms drop and he takes a step back retrieving his boxer briefs from the floor. “Get dressed, unless you want another shower.” We showered after round three of our sex games so we could sleep in longer this morning. “There’s extra toothbrushes in the top drawer in the bathroom. My mom bought me like twenty when I first moved in.”

I lean down and scoop up all of my clothing, placing it on his bed. Stepping into my underwear, I continue to talk as if we’ve done this hundreds of times. “My mom does the same thing. The dollar store must clap with glee when they see her coming.”

“My mom got me prison socks the last time she went.” His voice is muffled by his shirt as he pulls it down from his head. Such a shame he’s covering up those abs.

“Prison socks?” I raise a brow. “What are those?” Once my bra is on, I slip my shirt onto each arm and pull the two sides together in front of me. My fingers push each button through the corresponding loop as he answers.

“That’s what I call them. They’re paper thin, misshapen socks that get holes in them after you wear them once. I need the ones with the reinforced toes and heels.” He buttons and zips his jeans and runs a hand through his hair.

“So why does she buy them?”

“Because I don’t have the heart to tell her I don’t use them. I give them to Owen. He likes everything.”

“Including your condoms,” I laugh.

“It’s good you can laugh about that, but if things had gone differently, he’d be getting an ass beating. I’m gonna brush my teeth and then the bathroom is all yours.” He closes the door behind him and the sound of running water trickles through the wood. I slip my jeans on and wiggle them up my hips before fastening them.

Moving around the rumpled bed, I smooth out the sheet and comforter, and place the pillows neatly at the top.

Trevor comes out of the bathroom and grabs a Red Sox cap from the top of his bureau. He places it on backward and tips his head toward the doorway. “It’s all yours. I’ll be in the kitchen making coffee for us.”

“Thanks. You’re a godsend.”

“You’re just figuring that out now?” His parting words make me smile until I remember I have to go to class. I plod into the bathroom and grimace when I catch sight of my hair. The long, red strands stick out from every direction they can. I’m already dreading the thought of trying to get a hairbrush through the tangled mess.

Ten minutes later, my teeth are brushed and my hair is tamed into a knot on top of my head as I wander into the kitchen. Trevor leans back against the counter, a travel cup in his hand. He grins as I walk toward him, handing the coffee to me.

“Thank you.” I sniff and take in the smell of dark brew.

“That’s not all I have for you.” He winks and turns to grab something from the counter beside him. I can’t see what it is until he holds his palm out in front of me. “I made you breakfast.” There’s a muffin wrapped in a ziploc bag.

“Is this a banana vegan muffin?”

“Yes, ma'am. Here, I think you might need this. It’s cold out.” He grabs one of his hoodies from the kitchen chair and takes my coffee and muffin from me while I slip it on.

“Trevor, you’re so sweet. Thank you.”

“Only the best for you, Red. I wish I could do more.” What’s he talking about? Everything he’s done up to this point has been amazing. He’s thoughtful and caring, what more could I want?

I relieve him of the travel mug and muffin. “What are you having?”

“Don’t worry about me. I grabbed a protein bar. We need to go or we’ll be late.” He ushers me to the door, locking the deadbolt behind us. He points to the apartment across the hall. “Nick and Carter live there.”

“That’s convenient. You guys must see each other a lot then.”

“You know, you’d think that, but we really don’t. He’s busy with Carter and work and we run on completely different schedules.” I don’t know his friends well, but they seemed nice when we were in the Hamptons.

Once we’re outside, he takes my hand and we start down the sidewalk. “Dammit. I don’t have my laptop with me.”

“I’ll take notes for you.”

“You have to be thorough so I can understand them. No shorthand that only makes sense to you.”

“I’m a great note taker. You’ll see.” He grins down at me and it’s impossible for me to keep my expression serious. His smile is contagious. “So, now that we’re officially official, does this mean you’ll sleep over all the time?”

“Who said anything about being official?” I jest.

“You know you love me. You told me and you can’t take it back now.”

“I don’t want to take it back. And I’ll think about staying over sometimes. I work mornings four days a week. Do you really want me waking you up even earlier than you need to be?”

“Yes, if it means more time with you.”

“Are you sure you’ve never had a serious girlfriend before?”

“Red, I’ve never had any girlfriend. Why?”

“Because you’re really good at this.”

“I’m a natural at most things.”

I glance at him side-eye. “Except when it comes to being humble. You need more practice in that area.”

His lips part with a flash of even teeth and he nudges my elbow with his arm. “I know one area I want a lot more practice in.”

“Cooking vegan?”

“No, not unless it involves burning up the sheets with you.”

We climb the front stairs of the building our class is in, still holding hands. I notice a lot of scrutinizing stares directed at us. Some of the faces don’t look too happy and others look downright hostile. I guess as Trevor’s girlfriend I’ll need to steel myself for this kind of reaction. My stomach gets all fluttery as I think about that title. Girlfriend. It’s certainly not one I was shooting for, but now that I have it, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Trevor catches the door as it’s released by the person in front of us, guiding me through first. More pairs of eyes fall on us as we walk down what feels like an endlessly long hallway with all the attention we’re garnering.

“Don’t they have anything better to do than stare at us?” I huff.

He squeezes my hand reassuringly. “Settle down, Red. Who can blame them? We look good together.”

“I’m sure that’s it.”

“Hey.” He pulls me to the side of the hallway and turns me to face him. “Focus on me and only me. None of these people matter. They don’t belong in our relationship, don’t let them in.” He’s right. Who cares what they think? I don’t know them and their opinions shouldn’t weigh in on how I act. If I want to hold my boyfriend’s hand, I will. If I want to kiss his lips I will.

“How about you bring those sexy lips down here so I can kiss my boyfriend?”

He grins. “Your boyfriend, huh? I like you staking your claim on me, Red.” He lowers down and our lips meet for a slow, sensual kiss. He traces the bottom curve of my lip with his tongue and then slowly strokes mine. The background noise and outside influences disappear. I can only hear the pounding of my heart and the low growl that erupts from Trevor as he draws back. He hovers over me, dragging in a deep breath. “Why did we leave my bed?”

“I won’t say I told you so.”

“You do realize by saying you won’t you really are.”

“Yep.”

“Okay, Red. I’m going to need you to walk in front of me so no one sees what you do to me.”

“Hey, there’s my girl,” Trevor calls out as I step out onto the back deck of the frat house. I smile as he hurries over as eager to see me as I am to see him. Even though we spent last night together and had class this morning, it seems like it’s been ages.

Closing me in his arms, he takes my lips in a gentle kiss. He rests his forehead against mine. “I missed you, Red. Why does it feel like I haven’t seen you in a week?”

“I was just thinking the same thing. I missed you all day.”

“This is crazy.”

“Crazy good?” Is he having doubts about us, or regretting things?

“Crazy in the best sense of the word. I never imagined feeling this way about anyone.”

“Me either. It’s a little scary, isn’t it?”

“It’s exciting, Red, not scary. Think of all the wonderful times we have to look forward to. Things will only get better for us. We’re only getting started.”

“I know you’re right, but you might have to whisper reminders in my ear every once in a while.”

“I’ll whisper more than reminders in your ear.” He wiggles his brows and with our foreheads still touching, I feel the movement against my skin.

“Aww, isn’t this sweet?” Flynn yells from his seat at the table. I hold up my middle finger behind Trevor’s back and everyone laughs.

“What’s for dinner?” Amelia changes the subject. “I’m starving. I hope you guys have some good food.”

“Don’t worry, I made sure there’s plenty. When I heard you were coming, I bought extra,” Owen jokes.

“Hey, don’t be hating on my appetite. Guys say they love a girl who eats a lot, until they actually do.”

“I don’t think food is what we want to see in their mouths when we say healthy appetite,” Flynn informs.

“Eww, Flynn. We’re about to eat dinner. Can we keep the conversation dick free?” Leah scolds, leaning forward on the table to glare at him.

“Did anyone else see the latest post on the Boston Terriers Buzz Blog?”

“No, can’t say I did. You follow that, Clance?” Trevor asks.

“Hell, yeah. I want to know what’s being said about me.”

“Who cares? I’ve never paid much attention to the school rumor mill.”

“Well you might change your mind now. Today’s post is about you.”

“About me?”

“Yep, you and Grace.” Oh, great. Just what I don’t want, attention on me.

“What’s it say?” Leah’s impatience shows.

“October 2nd - The Latest Buzz,” Clancy reads in his best news anchor voice.

“Which football player seems to be off the market, ladies?

None other than the elusive Trevor Lincoln, younger brother of Brady and son of NFL legend Lawrence. One of the most sought after bachelors on campus, we’ve watched and waited for someone to nab him, but to no avail. Not even a flicker of interest beyond a casual hook up has been noted, although from what I’ve heard many have given it their best effort.

It seems as though his bachelor status has changed from commitment phobe to taken. Don’t cry, ladies. It’s still early on in this relationship and anything can happen.

Who’s the lucky girl, you’re wondering?

None other than running back, Grace Duffy, from the women’s football team. This redhead must be pretty special for Trevor to commit. I guess we’ll have to see what the future holds for this athletic couple.”

“What the fuck? Why does anyone care about my relationship status?”

“Dude, don’t be naive. This blog has over one-hundred thousand followers. A lot of people follow it. Here,” Clancy hands his phone to Trevor, “read some of the comments. There are a shitload.”

Trevor holds the phone in front of us and I lean into his arm as my eyes scan the post.

Good luck to her. He’s a pig who can’t be faithful. - B.U. Booklover

He’s probably got a piece on the side she doesn’t know about. - Goodtimes Girl

It’ll be fun to see how this plays out. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. - K.C.

She’s not even that hot. How’d she get him? - S.H.

She plays football. I guess he likes them manly. - Laughsalot

Maybe she sucks a mean dick? - Tim G.

My stomach turns with every comment I read. Most of them are negative and hateful. Why do people care about things that aren’t their business? I’m not bothering anyone. All I did was fall in love with a guy. And now I’m a horrible person for it? Why are people such bullies? Don’t they understand publicly speculating about someone and calling them names is unacceptable?

Trevor’s arm wraps around me as he hands the phone back to Clancy. I do my best to blink away the tears stinging my eyes, but not before Trevor notices.

“Hey, don’t let them make you feel bad. These people are assholes for caring about something that’s none of their business.” He kisses my temple. “They’re speculating about our relationship when they’re the biggest assholes for posting shit about us. If this blogger wants to know something, she can ask us first hand instead of guessing and inviting all the false information. I’ve never spoken to her, or any of these people commenting, and yet they profess to know all about me. Every one of them who commented negatively is a bully and not worth our attention.”

“I know, but it still hurts to see people saying those things.”

“Fuck ‘em. They have nothing better to do than poke fun at others. They must be miserable people,” Leah soothingly rests her hand on my arm.

Owen claps his hands calling everyone’s attention. “I think we need to forget about this nonsense and eat some great food. Who’s with me?”