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I ignore his choice of nickname before grabbing my things and heading for the door.
"What's the matter? You're too good to shower with us?" Mason quips.
A deep chuckle emits from the back of my throat. "As much as I appreciate your desire to check out my junk, I have a perfectly good shower back at my dorm. But enjoy your sausage fest, my man."
Some of the guys burst into laughter while Mason turns an angry shade of red. I don't let him say anything else, though, instead choosing to leave with the last word and a wink in his direction.
AS I CLIMB UP the steps to my dorm, I think back on how this time two years ago, I was living in one of the best penthouses in Tallahassee. Living the dream was an understatement for my life back then. I quite literally had it all.
Played football for Florida State.
Shared the best place in the city with my best friend.
Was invited to all of the best parties.
Everything was perfect, until it wasn't.
Lies and betrayal were only a part of what took me from on top of the world to the lowest point I've ever been. I guess you could say I got lost, but I don't think anyone expected what went down. A life was lost, hearts were broken, and some of us barely made it out alive.
Now, as I walk toward my suite-style dorm, the simplicity of it is a comfort factor for me. Granted, it's better than what most students have, but it's definitely not what I was raised in. The two-bed, one bath, mini apartment I share with my best friend pales in comparison to the six-thousand square foot mansion my parents enjoy, but it's ours. It's where we rose from the ashes of destruction.
Stepping inside, the smell of something delicious fills the room. Jace, my best friend, is sitting on the island and nods when he sees me, while his girlfriend Paige slaves over a hot stove. Typical. Jace can't cook for shit. So, instead of trying to help, he sits there and looks pretty while Paige keeps him from living off Pop-Tarts and protein bars.
"Whatever you're making, add some for me," I ask in my best begging voice.
Paige snorts. "Not a chance."
"Aw, come on. I'm hungry."
I step closer and look over her shoulder, where she's pulling pierogis off the pan and putting them on a plate. I make an attempt to snatch one, but she puts a hand on my chest and pushes me back.
"Oh, gross," she cringes. "You're slimy."
"And all man, baby," I tease, bouncing my brows suggestively.
Jace chuckles while Paige goes to wash my sweat off her hand. It's honestly nice to hear, after what last year was like with him. With everything that happened, Jace was one of the people who took it the hardest. He didn't exactly use the best methods of coping, and when he damn near went to prison for a crime he didn't commit, I thought for sure we were going to lose him. We didn't give up, though, and thankfully, neither did he.
"Coach worked you hard, I'm guessing?" Jace asks.
I throw my head back and groan. "It's like 90 degrees out there and he had us running suicides."
"Ouch."
"You're telling me. Went through the wringer and your girlfriend won't even spare me a bite."
Paige turns around and hands the plate to Jace before crossing her arms over her chest. "Maybe you should find a girlfriend of your own to cook for you. Charlotte keeps asking about you. Why don't you ask her out?"
Ugh, right. Charlotte. That girl has the personality of a doorknob. "Eh. She's not really my type."
"That's not what you were saying while she was sucking your dick last weekend," Jace mutters.
"Dude, I'd let you suck my dick if I thought you'd be decent at it."
My best friend shivers at the mere idea. "That's...really disturbing. Thanks for that."
"Anytime, Sweetcheeks, " I say with a wink and head toward the bathroom. "I'm going to shower before we have to pick up the kegs for Z's party tonight. Paige?" She glances my way. "If you want to ditch the diva, you can join me."
She rolls her eyes playfully as Jace laughs. If the three of us didn't go back as far as elementary school days, he'd probably knock me out for even joking about it, but Jace knows I'd never betray him like that. The two of them are perfect for each other, and I'm just glad I get to see my best friend happy—and most importantly—healthy again.
