Page 69 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

“It’s not a secret I’m not doing great in this class.” I tug at my hoodie strings, ashamed with how much I dropped the ball this quarter.

“It certainly is not.” He chuckles. “Considering this course isn’t required for your major, I’m surprised you registered in the first place.”

“I know,” I agree, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans to keep from fidgeting. “But it’s important to me. I wanted you to know I found a tutor. Someone who can make it make sense for me.”

“One of my students?”

“Not yet. But she will be soon.” He’s going to love Sophie just like I do. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I plan to turn my grade around before the end of the quarter and ask that you don’t write me off yet.” It’s hard when a lot of my brothers don’t prioritize school. Don’t get me wrong, I can party with the best of them. But this is important to me too. For my dad. My career. I’m thankful as fuck Sophie is going to help me.

“I’m happy to hear that, Cooper. Reach out if you get stuck. I want to see you succeed, if you’re willing to put in the work.”

“I am.”

“I hope time tells the same story.”

“It will. Thank you.”

Pushing through the green double doors, I exit the classroom. I hold one door open when I see footsteps approaching, and glance up just in time to see their owner.

“Oh. Hey, Marcus. What’s up?”

“Hey, man. Not much. Professor Everett is helping me with the graphics for an app I’m working on.”

“Oh, cool. What’s this one?” Marcus designed his first app when he was nineteen. I think he ended up selling it, but I don’t know any of the details.

“Nothing too exciting. It’s for Jack, actually. He wanted his own program for his finance clients to stay organized. It’ll allow him to see whatever they input too so he can better help them.”

“Or better control them,” I say under my breath, unable to stop myself.

He chuckles. “Aren’t your parents friends with the Porters?”

“Yeah, they are. Just feeling defensive of Sophie.”

“What’s going on?”

“She’s just having a rough time. Her relationship with them has been a little strained. Especially with Jack. He’s having trouble finding the line between giving her the freedoms that come with being an adult and still wanting her to be his little girl.”

“Huh. That’s . . . interesting.”

“Why?”

“Just took a different approach with Dean. It was his idea for him to go abroad. Something about how finding your potential is easier if you actually go looking for it.”

I have no desire to dive into that psychology right now.

“Yeah, well Sophie probably wishes she could live in another country instead of her house these days. He’s not a bad guy. She’ll be nineteen in a few months, so it feels dramatic. You know how we were in our first year of college.”

“Thank fuck our parents don’t know.” He smirks, adjusting his laptop bag over his shoulder.

A dozen blurry memories flash through my mind, and I question how we even survived the stupid shit we did when we got our first real taste of freedom. “Of course I want Sophie to be safe, but she should have the opportunity to craft her experience like we did, ya know?” As long as it doesn’t involve experiencing other men.

“Agreed.” His brows scrunch together, and his eyes dart to a thought. “I’m not sure if Diane and Jack will go for it, but Sophie could move in with me.”

“Really?” I should have thought of that idea on my own. It’s not only good, but it might actually work. The Porters trust Marcus–I mean Dean lived with him for years. Money might be an issue, but I’ll help Sophie figure it out.

“Yeah. Dean’s room is empty. And I could use a roommate who knows how to bake.”

“You and me both.” I laugh, all of a sudden craving red velvet.

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