Page 147 of Someday Away

“Perfect,” Fi says, swiping her phone closed. “I’ll text it to you guys.”

Everyone parts ways as we walk back to our various dorm rooms, and after all the emotional stress plus our dance party, I’m practically dead on my feet. My phone buzzes just as we reach the guys’ room, and I click on the message, smiling when I see the photo Fi sent.

Brantley has his tongue out and Fi looks completely disgusted. Serenity is smiling like the beauty queen she is. I’mgrinning from ear to ear, my green eyes bright. I’m sitting next to Trey, who’s looking down at me with so much love, while Link is on my other side with his signature sexy half-smile. We all look disheveled, but also so fucking happy.

Fi’s right. It’s perfect.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

CHARLIE

Today istheday and the theater is a madhouse—swarming with film and English majors trying to prep for their final projects. Lincoln has been slinking around with a clipboard and his usual resting dick face, barking orders—all these people in his safe space make him grumpy.

Against my better judgment, I pulled him into the manager’s office, locked the door, and gave him a quick blow job because I just wanted him to relax. His attitude has been scaring the shit out of the poor technical theater students who have been hard at work getting a modern projector to work alongside our old-school tech. He was a bit more agreeable after that.

I got my acceptance letters this week—one came Monday and one Tuesday—and I haven’t told Trey or Link, mostly because they’re under enough stress as it is worrying about Matt and dealing with finals.

And speaking of Matt, ever since he was escorted off campus, John’s PI has been tailing him, and he assured us the guy has hardly left his dad’s house in Brighton. Seb was happy with that bit of knowledge, so he called off Marcus’s security guys; however, Marcus started asking questions when he saw theirovertime hours on his payroll, and so we had to tell him about Matt. He was furious, of course, because every male in my life wants to solve my problems with guns blazing like they’re John McClane. Excuse me while I roll my eyes, but also feel overwhelmingly loved. Sebastian and Marcus are actually in town now to see my screenplay in action, which is making me extra nervous.

The streetlights outside are just starting to flicker on when I see Liv and Gavin walking up, and I wave as they walk inside.

“Hey,” I say, smiling. “Are you guys nervous?”

“Nah,” Gavin says nonchalantly, but Liv rolls her eyes and elbows him.

“Yes, he is. We both are. He’s been stressing over it all week.”

“I’m nervous too, but I think it’ll be great,” I say, trying to exude confidence that I don’t feel.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Damon (the new assistant manager) stumbling out of the back room juggling cups and popcorn tubs. We make eye contact, and he smiles tightly when sees me.

“I think I’m needed. I’ll see you guys inside?” I walk over to grab some cups before Damon drops them.

“Thanks. It’s been way busier than I thought it would be.” Damon wipes the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm. “But you must be excited.”

I shrug. “I’ve always had a bit of imposter syndrome when it comes to my writing, so this whole thing is kind of nerve-racking and surreal.”

Suddenly I’m hit from behind, and a small pair of arms practically lifts me off the ground in a hug. “You’re gonna be famous after this!” Fiona squeals.

“God, you scared me.” I grab her wrists, which are still wrapped around my waist while trying to calm my racing heart.

“Oh geez,” Trey says as he enters the lobby with Link, skirting around small groups of people entering the auditorium. “You’re not letting Fi into our throuple, are you? It’s going to get too crowded, and I don’t like her like that.”

Fi gives me a sly wink, and her hand slides to my ass. Link and Trey’s eyes widen as they follow the movement.

I can’t help laughing as I pull from her grasp. “Not a chance.”

I notice Sebastian and Marcus walk in, and I run toward them, throwing myself at Seb. He laughs when he catches me and swings me around, and I almost knock over Marcus, who steps back, trying not to smile.

“There are a lot of people here,” Marcus remarks.

I shrug. “Dr. Jackson has been promoting the project nonstop. He wants to make it an annual thing—the crossover between Film, English, and Theater departments has been really successful. And Link organized the whole thing with the theater as a venue, so it’s kind of a big deal.”

Seb glances over at Lincoln and they lock eyes like they’re sizing each other up, but to my surprise, it’s Marcus who makes the first move.

He leans forward, extending his hand, which Lincoln shakes. “It’s been a while, Lincoln. Nice job with this place. It looks great.” Then he smiles at Trey and puts up his fist. Trey grins and bumps his fist against Marcus’s. “Good to see you again, bro.”

Seb snickers and leans close to my ear. “They used to get stoned together. A. Lot.”

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