THREE WEEKS AGO
Oh, I needed that,” I moan into Jack’s neck, my body giving a final few shivers.
His hand is making lazy circles on my hip, and our frames are melted into the plush mattress of his bed, situated in his somewhat extravagant off-campus apartment.
The scene is familiar. Also a senior at UConn, Jack and I have enjoyed your standard college three-year situationship. Sex, friendship—and no commitment.
The friendship is legit. We have few people we can trust with our genuine thoughts, so it’s been nice to stumble into that kind of companionship.
He’s also been a plus-one at many of my family events over the last couple years. Given me cover for not finding a real date.
I’ve returned the favor a few times. His grandfather owns the New Jersey NFL team, so he has regular family social obligations.
The sex is solid too. Jack knows what he’s doing and is turned on by my athletic success, not intimidated. That’s unusual, sadly for me.
“Same. It’s been a long week.” He’s headed to Harvard Law after we graduate, and this semester he’s commuted into New York City for an internship with one of his family’s lawyers.
“Better get used to it, being the heir to your family kingdom and all that,” I tease him.
“God, I wish I was good at sports instead, like you.” He laughs.
“It’s not easier, but I’m pretty sure I would die working in an office.”
“You wouldn’t, but you’d miss basketball. You love it too much.”
I do.
After running a hand through his mussed brown hair, Jack flips to face me and kisses my shoulder. “What’s your schedule again?”
“Once the draft is over this week?—”
“When you’re picked first by Orlando,” he interjects. The Surge traded up to get the first selection in the draft, for the stated reason to choose me.
I hit him gently. “We’re not jinxing that. Anyway, I’ll be headed to whatever team picks me. I just finalized the plans so that after the draft I can finish everything for my classes remotely.”
“It all happens that fast?”
“Yeah, one day I’m a normal college senior, and the next I’ll be a WNBA player facing training camp.”
He shakes his head. “You won’t be here for graduation? Definitely?”
“It sucks, but yeah, the season will already have started by then.”
He sighs. “Okay, crap, my family is planning a huge dinner in the city that weekend, and I was hoping you could be my date.”
“Not this time, sorry.”
He gives a half smile. “No worries.”
He’s quiet for a moment before continuing. Processing something.
“So this is it, I guess? I mean, you leave in two days, and we aren’t going to see each other anytime soon.”
I blow out a breath. Even if we were never committed, we’ve been intimate with each other foryears. Our college experiences weaved together.
Thisisa moment.
“Yes, I think so. I—” I’m not great about expressing my feelings, but I try. “I’m always here as a friend.”
