AllFreeNovel
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I wait as the little dots bounce on my screen before my phone pings.
ATLAS: Not sure it works like that, bro.
GRAHAM: Retirement is nice.
I snort. Atlas has always been the hard-ass while Graham took title of the golden. Not surprising considering Graham’s father played for the NFL and practically coached Riverside from the sidelines. For as long as I could remember, he was planning Graham’s future in football, until Graham shocked us all by declaring he was done and leaving the sport behind. Truthfully, I can’t blame him, though. His father was a total dick. He and Atlas are cousins, and when Atlas transferred to Riverside our senior year, his father practically dropped him like a hot stone to foster Atlas’s talent. Then some crazy shit went down between them, and let’s just say it’s amazing Atlas and Graham have managed to make amends and strengthen their friendship.
ME: Lucky bastard.
TEAGAN: Yeah, but college chicks really dig the football thing, even more than in high school.
ME: I wouldn’t know. I’ve been too busy patrolling your sister to pick up chicks.
GRAHAM: Brynn giving you a run for your money?
ME: She’s like a full-time job.
Though I kinda like it. But they don’t need to know that.
KNOX: Sorry, I’m late to the party. Never thought I’d see Jace Taggart hit a dry spell. You’re practically a virgin again.
I snort and text him the middle finger emoji, then:
ME: I intend to change that tonight.
ATLAS: Big plans?
ME: Just headed to a frat party. What are you all up to?
GRAHAM: It’s the weekend, so I’m headed to Chicago where I plan to do a LOT of catching up with Sky.
ATLAS: Kenz and I are going out with friends.
My stomach tightens. Of course they’re hanging out with their girls. They’re both nauseatingly happy and in love, something I’ve never once found appealing. The idea of giving everything to one person and loving them unconditionally makes me squirm. So why does the chokehold on my gut feel a lot like envy?
TEAGAN: I will be spending the evening getting trashed with my new teammates.
KNOX: And I’m spending it as a free man.
GRAHAM: What?!
TEAGAN: For real?
ME: You and Carrie broke up? Duuuude.
Out of all of us, Knox has always been the solid one. He’s a friendly giant, a reliable constant in our lives. You know exactlywhat to expect with him, and shit, Knox had been with his girlfriend since sophomore year. If I’d have put money on any of us getting married just after college it was those two.
KNOX: Said I should have the full college experience. That long distance was too hard.
GRAHAM: Dang, that . . .
. . .only validates my negative feelings toward commitment. Why bother if they’re just going to fucking leave?
ATLAS: Cold.
TEAGAN: Sorry, bro. We’re here if you need us.
Could this conversation be more depressing?
