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He stood up quickly and headed away from Callie. What in the world was he going to say to Holly?
His mom called on his way home from work. “How’s your internship going, honey?”
He debated not telling his mother, but she would find out anyway. She was expecting him to visit a week or two before his senior year started. “The company is changing leadership and the new boss offered me a full-time position for the next year.”
“That’s great, honey. I heard about that.”
The quick boxed dinner from earlier curdled in his stomach. “What?”
“Oh, don’t be so surprised. I’ve been keeping up with things since you told me your boss wasn’t showing up. I pulled some strings and convinced your company that changing management and keeping you around were the best choices for the company. I even talked to the people at school so there was less on your new boss’s plate.”
“Mom, I can’t believe you interfered with my job. That is not cool!” With money, she’d paved his way. She’d done it before, made sure he was captain of the soccer team and got all the best teachers, but he thought he’d broken away from her micromanagement when he’d chosen Logan over the dozens of Ivy League schools she’d wanted.
“You need more space away from Holly so you can see what you want. A few more months will help you have a clear mind.”
“No, Mom.”
“This is a deal breaker, son. We’ve helped you out all this time, but if you continue seeing Holly, our hands and funds will be tied.”
Hot blood flowed through his veins as red filled his vision. “Have you and Dad talked about this? Or is this just you?”
“Well, no, I haven’t talked to him yet, but I’m sure—”
“Then I will take up matters with him in the future.” He knew it. Of course his dad wouldn’t interfere this much. “I can’t even talk to you right now. You have overstepped and ruined any relationship we could have had in the future. I love Holly, and it’s time for you to move past that.” He disconnected the line and threw his phone on the bench seat.
He yelled in frustration and pulled the truck over. He didn’t want the job because it’s what his mom wanted, but he needed the job to break free. If he returned to school with no money, he could possibly apply for a few scholarships, but it would be tight. For once, he understood the struggle Holly was going through, and he was going to make sure she was well supported by him if he had anything to say about it.
His roommates were out partying. They even left him a note to let him know at which bar, but he didn’t feel like being around anyone. He heated up a microwave dinner, scarfed down the soggy noodle-and-hardly-any-meat meal, and got dressed for bed with his stomach rumbling.
Once he was as relaxed as he could be, he pulled out his phone and dialed Holly’s number. She answered after two rings, sounding chipper as usual. “How was your day, sweetie?”
Eric leaned back against the bedpost in his bedroom, shared with two other interns. “Sorry I’m a little late calling. My boss wanted to talk to me.”
“I’m surprised he even showed up at work. His track record isn't great.” Holly knew as much about Eric’s boss as he did.
“Yeah, not that boss. The new boss that will be instated in a few days.”
“A new boss? Really, that’s exciting. I bet Greg’s not going to like that.”
“Yeah, well that’s the least of my worries.” He closed his eyes and bit his lip to hold back a sob. How could he go another semester without Holly? Would she give up on him?
“Something sounds up,” she said, already guessing there was an issue.
It would do no good to stall this kind of thing. He’d learned the hard way the previous time around. “The new boss is Callie, the one I told you about. She’s taken me under her wing while I’ve been here, and I’ve helped her out of lots of pinches.”
“Okay,” Holly said, drawing out the word.
“She asked me to stay another semester, just through the transition. I can finish the rest of the classes I need online, and she’s worked out a program with my school to use an extended, paid internship to finish off my senior year.” The words tumbled out of his mouth, and even though he included all the perks, it still felt like a raw deal.
“I can’t believe this,” Holly whispered. The broken tone of her voice made what was left of his confidence falter.
“I’m really sorry, sweetie,” he said, burying his head in his hands. “Look, I don’t want to do it either, but there’s something else I haven’t told you.”
“Really?” Her voice had risen in pitch a few octaves, and he knew she was holding it in.
“My parents have refused to help me anymore—if I continue dating you. It’s not too shocking after the many times she’s tried and succeeded at interfering in the past, but this time, I’m breaking free. No more holding on to her coattails. But this means I can’t pay for school unless I have money.”
He heard her take a deep breath. “Okay, so what will we do?”
