Free His New Jam by Shannyn Schroeder

had no idea how big a deal it was. This was how it had started last time. A missed class here or there. No big deal. Until it was.
    â€œThanks,” she mumbled and left the room.
    By the time she got out of the shower and dressed, Hunter had a to-go cup of coffee ready for her. He was fully clothed, even wearing his jacket.
    â€œI left it black.”
    She dumped in a heaping mound of sugar. “Sorry to make you rush like this.”
    â€œNo problem. I don’t have class until ten.” He pulled his keys out. “I’ll see you tonight, right?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œDon’t forget the parking permit I gave you yesterday.”
    He pressed a quick kiss to her lips and walked out the door. Sydney stomped down the stairs and ran to her car. She hadn’t missed a class all semester, so this shouldn’t be an issue, but finals were coming up. It’d be just her luck that she’d miss something vital today.
    She needed to learn to not get caught up in a guy, stay on track. But Trish had been right. She missed having fun, and sleeping with Hunter had been fabulous.
    She continued her self-talk all the way to school. Hunter hadn’t been anything like Tony. There had been no manipulation to get her to sleep in and cuddle with him. Hunter had apologized for making her late and even made her a coffee. As much as she appreciated it, though, it was more than she expected or even wanted from a guy she was sleeping with.

    That evening, Sydney got a spot right in front of Hunter’s apartment, glad she already had the permit in her window. Nerves skittered through her. Her life suddenly felt very unsettled and that was all due to Hunter. She’d accepted that she wouldn’t have any relationships until after she graduated. She was okay with it. He was making a mess of everything, but not necessarily in a bad way. She hoped.
    Grabbing her bag, she ran up to the house. The sound hit her through the door. Hunter was playing. That man knew how to play a ballad. If it wasn’t so freaking cold out, she would’ve stood on the porch and just listened. But the cold seeped through her layers, so she rang the bell.
    Less than a minute later, Hunter answered the door with his sax in hand. He wore a T-shirt and sweatpants. His hair hung loose and brushed his jaw. He swiped it back as she stepped through the door. Her eyes were drawn to his arm and the defined muscle that bulged there. “Hey.”
    â€œAren’t you freezing?” she asked.
    â€œNah. The apartment’s warm.” He turned and walked back into the front room.
    She closed the door behind her and followed. As she unwrapped her scarf and pulled off her jacket, she said, “You can finish. It sounded good from outside.”
    â€œI was just messing around, warming up.”
    She glanced at him. He looked like maybe he was embarrassed about her hearing. It didn’t fit her image of him. “I’d like to hear the rest.”
    â€œYou’ll hear plenty as soon as the others show. How was school?”
    The switch of topic surprised her. They didn’t talk about school. They discussed music and marching band, their common interests. “Okay, I guess. I have some killer finals coming up next week.”
    â€œMe too. But then we have a month off to relax.”
    â€œDo you have gigs planned for the whole break? I mean, for the band.”
    â€œYeah. We usually play a few extra nights since we have no class. I have to check with the bar. I’ll let you know when I have a schedule.” He watched her carefully as she took the spot behind the drums.
    â€œIs there a problem? Kevin’s not coming tonight, right?”
    â€œNo. We’re, uh, having a New Year’s Eve party here. You want to come?”
    A party at Hunter’s house. A party was public, far from keeping their exploration a secret. “I don’t think so.”
    â€œBand will be over.”
    â€œBut I