“Yeah, thanks,” she whispered, seeming a little better.

I never removed my hand from her back. I liked touching her, in any way.

“No, I don’t have any family,” she announced, her voice barely audible.

I jerked back, grimacing at my stupidity, and asked, “Shit, you’re an orphan?”

“No, but I have no family left. I’m not sure an adult can still be classed as an orphan.”

“Your momma?”

“Died giving birth to me.”

Christ. “Daddy?”

“Died when I was six.”

Jesus. “No grandparents, aunts, or uncles?”

“One, a grandma.”

Thank f**k. At least she had one person. “And?”

“Died when I was fourteen.”

Shit. “But then, where…?”

“Foster care.”

“And that’s it? You’ve been on your own for… You’re twenty, right?”

“Yes.”

“On your own for six years?” My chest actually ached. She’d lost everyone. Everyone.

“Well, I went to university so I had some friends there, and Professor Ross took me on as a research assistant in my first year and watched out for me when she realized I had no other family. But yeah, I’ve been on my own for a long time. It’s been… difficult.”

I leaned in, trying to give comfort, but f**k if I knew what the hell to say. What was there to say? She was completely on her own.

Her fingers skirted up my arm and she said, “Not to be rude, but this conversation is kind of bringing me down, Rome. Death and Budweiser should never go together.”

She was trying to joke, but I had no humor for the shit hand she’d been dealt. I’d sensed that pain within her in class, but f**k, not the level she was at.

“So you and Shelly?” She interrupted my thoughts with the worst topic possible.

“Good subject change,” I answered dryly.

“Well, there had to be a reason she was so pissed at our kiss. Even if it was just for the initiation.”

“We’re… complicated.” I never talked about this, not even with Ally. But she’d shared who she was and for the first time ever, I wanted to do the same.

“That sounds like a copout if ever I’ve heard one.”

“Nah, not a copout. She’s been hounding me since sixth grade. Our families are pushing for an engagement. You know, to protect their investments, keep the company’s money in the family. Our fathers are business partners. I don’t even f**king like her. She’s a big old thorn in my side.” That was putting it mildly.

“But… are you going to go through with it? The engagement, I mean. I’m surprised you’d settle down with someone you don’t want. Or even settle down at all, if the rumors are to be believed.”

And there it was. The shit that came with being me had already reached her ears, in a matter of hours. The gossip mill doing its job to f**king perfection. Time to set her straight, share a few home truths.

“Fuckin’ rumors. Look, girls just throw themselves at me. When it’s offered, I take it. Why the hell not? I don’t have a girlfriend, never have. Sex helps me calm down from being so riled up all the time and shows folks that I’m definitely not with Shelly. I won’t apologize for it. I just like to f**k a lot and never the same girl twice.” I saw her jaw drop, but she’d asked. It was the truth. “My parents have a set plan. I’m expected to graduate, marry Shelly, take over the family business, and live the American f**kin’ dream.”

“So you don’t want to play football professionally? I thought I heard that you were destined for big things?”

That completely changed my mood. “Yeah, I do want to play. I love it. It’s as natural to me as breathing—the rush, the camaraderie, the roar of the crowd on game day, popping the perfect shot for a touchdown. My parents don’t support it. They just… Hell, it don’t matter. I just f**king hate my life being dictated by my folks, that’s all.” Saying something, telling someone about them, was helping, ridding me of my anger.

“Then do what you want. Screw everyone else,” she said, as simple as that.

“Easier said than done.”

Her soft hand squeezed mine. “You can’t live your life for other people, Rome. You have to do things that you want, achieve your dreams, in any way you want to do it. If you’re happy, then your parents surely will be too, and if not, they’ll get over it in time. Don’t be with someone you dislike like Shelly. Be with a girl you can’t resist, who you truly want above anyone else. Someone you connect with.”