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That was four years ago, back when she was barely a sophomore in high school, and when I’d been totally in love with Cassidy. So, yeah. Definitely a lifetime ago.
I opened my mouth to ask how she was doing, but at that moment, her brother appeared, and her attention shifted to him.
He held an unopened can of beer in each hand as he moved to stand beside his girlfriend. Colin looked happy to see his sister, and they embraced in a quick, awkward hug.
“Hey,” he said. “Thanks for coming, Syd.”
When Colin’s parents had found out he was performing in adult film, they’d gone no-contact, but I was pleasantly surprised to know that wasn’t the case for her.
“Of course.” She stepped back from the hug and thrust the black gift bag she’d been carrying toward him. “Congrats on graduating.”
He transferred a can to the other hand, holding the pair of beers with one so he could accept the present with the other. “Thanks, but you didn’t need to get me anything.”
She shrugged like she was embarrassed. “You don’t have to open it now,” she offered quickly. Then her gaze slid over to me. “Congrats to you, too, Preston.”
I blinked, and time seemed to slow.
That strange, powerful connection we’d had from earlier was back, just as strong as it had been when the pool was separating us. If anything, it was more intense now that we were up close. My heart beat too fast, making me feel weird. Off balance.
Hopefully I didn’t sound that way. “Thanks.”
Colin and Madison were oblivious to the tension holding Sydney and me together. He passed one of the unopened beers to his girlfriend and then held the other out to his sister.
“You want one?”
Her gaze darted from the can to me, and hesitation filled her voice. “I’m not twenty-one.”
Right. She was, what? Nineteen?
I waved a hand, brushing that off. “It’s cool. My dad let us drink before we were legal, as long as we weren’t stupid about it.”
She took the beer, maybe only out of politeness, and when she popped the top, an enormous smile widened on her brother’s face.
“What?” she demanded.
“This is a big moment for you,” he teased. “Your first beer. I’m glad I got to be the one to give it to you.”
She rolled her eyes and took a sip. “You know I’ve been to college, right?”
“Davidson?” I asked.
She licked her lips like she didn’t love the taste of beer and shook her head. “Vanderbilt. Like you.”
Of course. Because she was a good girl, had gotten into the prestigious university, and was worth the expensive tuition to her parents—unlike her brother, who’d they sent to a public school.
“I never saw you around,” I said.
Her head tilted a half-degree, like this was a stupid thing to say, but she pressed out a polite smile. “It’s a big school, and I don’t think we hung out at the same places.”
Because she’d probably been at the library studying while I’d been at the bars. I’d done the bare minimum to keep my grades decent. Plus, she was too young for the bars.
Still is, a voice reminded me.
Madison’s focus went to her boyfriend. “I thought you got lost in there.”
“Steve,” he offered as his excuse, and apparently it was all she needed because she nodded with understanding.
“Steve . . . Hatfield?” Sydney asked. When it was clear this was who Colin was talking about, she lifted an eyebrow. “What’s he doing here?”
