That is, all the Baldwin boys but me.
“Wow, that is…great for him. Still confused why Michael didn’t just call and tell me.”
“Oh, we’re having a surprise dinner for him in a week—a congratulatory dinner. I know you’re coming home for Thanksgiving, but we wanted to make sure you could make it to this too. Big occasion, and we want the whole family there, of course.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” I say.
Celebratory dinners are a big deal in our family, and they’re never a surprise. Mom always plans them as a surprise, but no one is ever surprised.
My eldest brother Rob got one when he graduated from this college as valedictorian, and another when he was accepted into Yale Law School; another when he passed the bar exam; when he got engaged; and his most recent one was for being the youngest person at his law firm to make partner. This is Michael’s third dinner, as he also graduated valedictorian from MPC, and of course we celebrated when he was drafted straight out of college into the NFL. Noah, the brother I’m closest to in age, has had two dinners: valedictorian, and acceptance to NASA.
I’ve had one.
When I made the college soccer team and got a full ride here to play soccer, I got a celebratory dinner.
But I didn’t get one when I made captain my sophomore year, and I most certainly didn’t get one when I quit soccer after last season, because Baldwin boys don’t quit.
But I’m on track to be valedictorian—or at least I’m as close as I can be with Jessie Matthews on campus. I know for a fact that would earn my father’s approval and get me a celebration dinner.
Gun to my head, I couldn’t explain why I care so much about my father’s respect, but I don’t know how to be anyone else. I was raised to be a Baldwin Boy and learned from a young age what it meant to be proud of the family name. My dad is a self-made man, and we’ve all heard the story of how he made his money and how he did it with integrity. Being a man of honor is important to my dad, so it’s important to all of us too.
“How’s school? Your grades?” my dad asks, almost right on cue.
“Top of my class, Pops.”
“Like a Baldwin boy should be.”
“Robert,” my mother chides in a half-whisper. My mom has always been a “your best is what counts” kind of parent, and my dad a “live up to our name” kind.
“Well, this has been fun,” I say. “I’ve got to get some studying done, so I’ll talk to you guys later?”
We say our goodbyes, and I launch myself off the bench, making a beeline for the library.
Any other time after a phone call with my dad I’d be plagued with thoughts of my brother, his accomplishments, and what I need to do to live up to the Baldwin name. I’d go to the library and study for an hour, dead set on acing my next test, but I’m distracted today, and as soon as my parents are off the phone my conversation with them is gone from my mind.
All I can think about is last night.
Jessie in those leather pants.
Jessie’s hands on my neck, my shoulders…the way her fingers dug into me.
The little noises she made when I kissed her neck.
Just thinking about it now, my body heats up, my cheeks and toes warm despite the chill in the air. I know I’m not the only one who felt that insane spark between us. But if that’s true, why did she act so weird this morning?
Girls are fucking weird.
Hopefully, some time in the library will help get my mind off Jessie and what happened, and next time I see her I’ll just talk to her about it.
Simple as that.
* * *
“Fancy seeing you here,”I say to Jessie as I approach Professor Gold’s office. Of all the people to run into, in all the places, Jessie is here, at almost exactly the same time as my meeting with Ava Gold, my advisor. A delightful surprise.
“Small college,” she says, but she doesn’t look up from her phone.
I hum the tune to “It’s a Small World” and do a full-body wiggle/dance to match. She smirks, and even though it’s not a full smile, just the faintest upturn of the corners of her lips, it feels like a win.
