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way more than some of the other women Dad’s found over the years. I mean, there was Trish the drunk, and Lauren was literally a shoplifter. Heather tops the list by a mile, and here I am insulting the school she runs right to her face.
    Heather grins and meets my eye across the table. “Hailey, really, I’m not insulted, and I know what you meant. But I’m proud of the level of state school we are.” She shrugs, “Actually I’m pretty excited to push things in a more academic direction now that I’m at the top.” She turns and winks at my dad. “ Not at the expense of the football program, of course .”
    Dad chuckles, and she rolls her eyes. “Hey, I’m smart enough to know where our alumni donations come from,” she finishes with a smile before turning back to me. “I’d honestly welcome any feedback on the school while you’re with us, Hailey.”

    * * *
    “ S o , you’re thinking I’m a little nuts aren’t you?”
    We’re in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner with Beasley prowling for scraps at our feet when Dad stops and leans against the counter next to me.
    “Dad-”
    “Give it to me honest, kiddo,” he puts up fake boxing hands as he grins at me.
    I roll my eyes at him. “You know I really like her, Dad.”
    It’s just her dickhead of a son I can’t stand.
    “You don’t think it’s a little crazy to make this step after only six months?”
    I shrug, pushing the rack into the dishwasher and shutting the door. “I mean, you love her, right?”
    “It’s the real deal, kiddo.”
    I grin. “Good, then no, I don’t think you’re crazy.”
    “You sure?”
    I nod. “Yeah, I really am.”
    He smiles back before grabbing me into a big bear hug. “Thanks, sport.”
    Heather ducks into the kitchen. “You ready to go, honey?”
    “Oh, yeah,” Dad grins sheepishly at me. “Hey, Hails, Heather and I were about to head out and paint the town red.”
    Heather rolls her eyes at me. “He means a glass of wine and then humoring me with that new French film down at the art movie house.”
    Dad throws his hands in the air dramatically and Heather laughs. “But if any of those football boys of his ask, we were at- oh, I don’t know, a strip club or something ridiculous.”
    “Oh, definitely tell ‘em that, I’ll be the king of that practice field,” Dad laughs as Heather punches his arm.
    “So what are you up to tonight then, Hailey?” Heather says, grabbing her purse from the back of one of the kitchen stools. “I’m sure there’s a whole bunch of parties back on campus tonight, much to my chagrin.”
    Oh, yeah, my wild social life.
    I frown as I clear my throat. “I- uh, actually I was hoping I might just stay here tonight?”
    Heather and my dad exchange a look before she turns and nods. “Yeah, of course! You know, it’s your house now, too.” She smiles as she puts an arm around me and gives me a squeeze. “Oh! Why don’t you go for a swim or something? We just had the pool cleaned this afternoon and it’s a hot one out tonight.”
    “Oh, my suit’s back at the dorms.” I make a face - the pool actually sounds like an amazing idea seeing how muggy it is outside in the late summer night. “Maybe I’ll just watch a movie or something.”
    My dad waves his hand. “I’m sure there’s an old suit up in one of those boxes in your room, Hails.”
    I shrug, “Yeah, maybe.”
    Dad grins as he ruffles my hair. “Don’t have too much fun, kiddo.”

    * * *
    O h yes .
    The late summer heat fades as I slip into the water. I place my glasses on the edge of the pool and let my head dip back onto the folded towel behind me. The stars are out, and I can even see them here, as opposed to the old house that was a little closer to the city. Certainly more stars than I’d be seeing in Manhattan right now.
    Alright, so there are some perks to being here instead of there.
    I sigh as I ease back, letting my legs float out as I slowly close my eyes, relax, and-
    The scream catches like