One of Them Girls by Cala Riley (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📕

It’s probably for the best. She has some unresolved issues with the asshole from the party, anyway. Best not to get myself caught up in that drama. Been there, done that.

“Hey man, I saw you leave the party with little Cassandra Davis,” Jack says as he comes back into our shared room.

I let her name roll around in my head. Cassandra Davis. It suits her. I wonder how many Cassandra Davis’ there are on social media.

Shaking my head. “Yeah, I walked her home,” I say noncommittally as I continue reading my textbook.

“She’s been marked off-limits by Jared. You might have some issues there.”

I glance up at him. “I can handle myself. Besides, there’s nothing there.”

“Uh-huh. She’s not some smoking hot blonde with legs for days, an ass that you could live off of, and a chest that makes grown men weep.”

I chuckle. “She’s hot, but I don’t think any woman’s worth the drama.”

“No matter what you say, he thinks you’re hitting that. He was beyond pissed after you left with her.”

I shrug. “Not my problem what he believes.”

“Right,” he says. “We’re going to Saddle Up Saloon tonight. You in?”

“Sure. Why not?” I tell him.

Last night wasn’t overly exciting, but I can’t keep cooping myself up in this room. Jack’s been a good friend so far.

Or maybe Cassandra will be there.

“Great. We are leaving at seven. If you’ve got a fake ID, bring it. They won’t serve you without it.”

I shake my head. “How about I drive and be your DD?”

“My brother. We can take my car though in case I need to get my dick wet, which we both know I will.” He smirks.

“With a mouth like that, I can’t possibly see how a woman can turn you down,” I deadpan.

“Right? The ladies love them some Jack.”

“Whatever, man. Now shut up, I need to finish these assignments if you want me to go anywhere.”

“Man, you study too much. You need to lighten up.”

I don’t respond as he grabs a couple of things before leaving.

He doesn’t get it. He doesn’t have parents like mine. His mom calls him on Sundays and fusses over him and if he’s happy. His father talks football with him and asks how his training is going, but never once asks him about his grades.

My parents? I’m lucky if I hear from my mother outside of holidays and my father would kill me if I got anything less than an A.

There are only a couple of routes you can go as a Walsh man. Lawyer, doctor, or businessman. He was pissed when he found out I wanted to teach.

I haven’t heard from him since I declared my major. I don’t give a fuck though.

At least that’s what I tell myself.

I haven’t forgiven him for trying to push me on Tinsley last year or the deal he made with her father, but the need to impress him is ingrained in my system. The thought of disappointing him still makes my skin itch.

Hours later, Jack comes back, finding me in the same position I was in with a different textbook when he left.

“Okay, man. Studying is done. We’re going to get food, then I’m going to get blitzed. You ready?”

“Yeah, man.” I shut my textbook, getting up to pull a T-shirt on.

I slip on my shoes and grab my wallet.

We make our way to his truck, a single cab old Chevy that has seen better days.

Another big difference I’ve seen in Texas. No one drives the flashy cars I’m used to. Even if they have money to buy a new one, they stick with their old trucks instead.

I asked Jack about his truck once. He said it was a family heirloom, passed down from his grandfather, to his father, and now to him. He said he wouldn’t dream of buying a new one.

“Run it ‘til the wheels fall off,” were his exact words.

It’s such a different mentality, but one that’s slowly growing on me. I don’t feel the pressure to prove my worth based on what I wear or drive. Or how much is in my father’s bank account.

It’s refreshing. No one cares who I am or who my father is. Jack isn’t friends with me because of the perks he can get from me.

He’s just a chill guy who has taken me under his wing because I’m his roommate.

He thinks I’m the poor one.

He said that to me once, actually. I tried to buy him dinner, and he said that I didn’t have to do that around here. No one cares what money I have. That I might be rich beyond my wildest dreams, but if I didn’t have good friends and a good family life, then I was the poor one.

Then he paid for my dinner.

It was an interesting experience, that’s for sure.

We pull up to a diner and make our way inside, getting seated right away.

After we order, Jack talks about school.

“Man, there’s this hot as fuck chick in my Lit class that’s feisty as fuck. She won’t give me the time of day, but fuck if I don’t want her, anyway. I can’t go there though.”

“Yeah? Why not?” I ask.

“She’s the take-home-to-mama type, and that’s a step I’m not sure I’m ready to take. My mama would love her, though.”

I chuckle. “Life’s not all about chasing tail. You know that, right?”

“I know, but after Christy-Lynn broke my heart in the tenth grade, I’m not sure I’m ready to risk it again.”

“Ah, so you have woman drama. Here I thought you’ve always been a player,” I tease.

“Not at all. I used to be a good, wholesome boy. Then that jezebel went and ruined that. Haven’t been the same since.”

“That’s deep, man,” I deadpan, making us laugh.

“Shut up. We both know there’s some Christy-Lynn in your past too.” He pauses. “Or was it a Bubba?”

I throw a napkin at him. “You’re fucked in the head.”

“I know, but people love me anyway.”

Jack’s not wrong. He might not be the good wholesome boy of