Chapter 21

Georgina

To be honest, I was actually really pissed off that AJ had received an early acceptance letter to Yale.

Not that I wanted to go there particularly, I just wanted to flaunt it in his stupid face if I got offered places in all the good schools before he did.

I’ve seen him wearing an old Yale hoodie before, so I assume his mom or dad went there.

I’ve gone through the motions of applying to the Ivy League schools and the other big hitters but have already decided I want to go to San Francisco State.

It means I could still live at home, and it is the same one Jake is applying to. There is no way I am leaving my dad on his own, and if I can experience college life with Jake by my side, that will be amazing.

AJ seemed kinda annoyed all day, more standoffish than usual, and while I wait for Katy after school, I see him having a heated talk with Jake in his Jeep.

Jake looks at him sympathetically, patting him on the arm.

~I wonder what that’s all about?~

~

Katy appears at my side as I watch them pull out of the parking lot.

“So! I’ve decided to dye my hair...and you’re helping me!” Katy squeals excitedly, her hands on my shoulders as she jumps up and down in front of me.

“O...okay, calm down!” I can’t help but grin back at her. “So what color are we doing?”

***

“Pink! Your hair is bright fucking pink!” PJ walks slowly all the way around Katy, who is practically vibrating with excitement.

“It’s cool. I approve.” Drew raises his soda can in their direction.

I giggle, resting my head on Jake’s shoulder.

Jake kicks Drew’s leg.

“I’m sure Katy is thrilled that the great Drew Robinson approves.” Drew flips him off with a grin.

PJ runs his fingers through Katy’s hair, a smile widening on his face. “I like it. My little punk princess.”

Katy squeals, throwing her arms around his broad shoulders and peppering his face with kisses. “You look sexy as hell, baby girl.”

It did suit her, to be honest.

When she pulled the packs of pink dye out of her bag, I originally thought it was a terrible idea.

It was a shade darker than candy floss and somehow brought out the green hues in her eyes more.

While she corrals me into taking a hundred new photos of her for her Instagram, I notice AJ slip into the room.

He leans down quietly and says something to Drew, who shrugs before standing up and pulling him in for one of those weird bro-hugs.

He then fist bumps PJ and Jake and shoots a tight smile toward Katy and me before leaving again.

“What’s his problem today?” The three boys shoot each other a look before simultaneously shrugging at me. Okay, so that’s not weird at all.

“Forget about that mardy-ass. Let’s go get some food!” Katy pulls me toward her bedroom door.

***

Saturday morning finds me cooking breakfast for Jake and our dads. Last night, I broke the news to my dad that I wanted to go look at San Fran State and was hoping pancakes and bacon would help sweeten the disappointment.

My dad shuffles into the kitchen, still blinking the sleep from his eyes, and makes a beeline for the coffee pot.

“Mmmmm, coffeeeee…” James, Jake’s dad, appears behind him like a caffeine-driven zombie.

His brown hair is sticking up all over the place, and his eyes are still half-closed, his arms outstretched toward the steaming mug my dad is now offering.

They sit down at the table, dividing up the newspaper like an old married couple.

I place the plates loaded with breakfast goodies in front of them and get murmurs of appreciation as they help themselves.

Jake soon bounds downstairs, already dressed, his knees poking out of the rips in his jeans as he sits next to me.

As he leans over me to get to the food, he presses a quick kiss to the side of my head. “Thanks for this, Smidge.”

“So…” My dad clears his throat and leans back in his chair, fixing his gaze on me. “You absolutely sure you want to go to San Fran State? You could get into any university you want. You know this.”

I sigh, laying down my cutlery. “Yes, dad. But I can’t think of anything worse than being miles away from you. And think of the money I’ll be saving you by living here!

“Thousands of dollars not being spent on dorms. Plus, I get to stay with Jakey! I mean, college parties can get pretty out of hand…”

My dad narrows his eyes at me.

“Not that I would be going to any parties…” I flash him a sickly sweet smile.

His eyes soften. “Georgina. I love you with all my heart, and all I ever want is for you to be happy and safe. And if you feel happy and safe staying here, then I’m certainly not going to stand in your way.”

I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in his familiar scent.

He pats my hands. “But at the same time, I don’t want what happened to you to determine the rest of your life. Honey, you can’t live in fear. And you can’t rely on Jake always being around to look after you.”

“Where the hell else am I gonna be?!” Jake asks indignantly.

James shoots him a ~shut up~ look.

“Sweetheart.” My dad pulls me down, so I’m sitting on his lap, my head resting on his shoulder. He slowly starts to rub my back, and I suddenly have to blink away tears that form in my eyes.

“It kills me that you went through everything you’ve been through at such a young age. I wish your mom were still here to help guide us through the next chapter of your life.

“If you strip away the bad stuff, the things that scare you about moving away, honestly…do you still feel this is the best choice for you?”

I sniffle, wiping away the treacherous tears that have escaped, and give a little nod.

My dad gives me a sad smile and presses his lips to my forehead. “Well, okay then. I guess it’s a family day out on campus.”

“Aw hell yes!” Jake puts up his hand for a high five, slowly retracting it after his dad glares at him over his coffee mug.