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“Could’ve fooled me, Kitcat,” Cam taunts his friend with the nickname they won’t tell me the origin of. “You sounded pretty satisfied this morning when your damn moaning woke me up.”
“Satisfied isn’t the word I’d use. Temporarily relieved maybe, but I need to get laid. I hope being on the football team will facilitate that.”
Cam huffs out a frustrated breath and rolls his eyes. “As if you need to boast about that to find a girl. You literally just have to stand there, and they’ll flock to you. You don’t even have to open your mouth, and they’ll drop their pants.”
“You’re exaggerating,” Jagger says as his cheeks turn just a little pink.
“I’m totally not.” Cam turns to me and insists, “I’ve seen it happen.”
“I can see it.” I agree. “He has that look about him.”
Jagger's brows pull together as his gaze darts between the two of us. “What look?”
“The one girls like. Dark hair, green eyes, and a solid build. That’s what they went for where I’m from.” I’m not interested in men, but I’m capable of recognizing attractiveness, and Jagger falls squarely into that category. I’d call him pretty—in a rugged sort of way—if I didn’t think he’d balk at that. But how else do you describe smooth skin, angular cheekbones, and long eyelashes?
“Well, Cam looks like a California surfer, and girls like that too.” Jagger downplays his appeal by turning the focus to Cam, who also fits the attractive label, though with features that would probably be considered classically good looking instead of…well, pretty. “And you’re a freaking beast, man.” He looks at me. “Tall and built, but not hulking big. Don’t you guys act like I’m the only one they’ll flock to.”
“Fine. They’ll flock to you first.” Cam crosses his arms over his chest. “Bet.”
“I’m not making bets on who scores first,” Jagger scoffs.
“Because you know I’ll win.”
“Because I’m a gentleman.” Jagger waggles his eyebrows mischievously before they both burst into laughter, clearly sharing some sort of inside joke, which makes my chest feel sort of hollow.
It wasn’t that long ago that Xavier and I were just like them. We had the same interests, the same sense of humor, and we could communicate with just a look. Not just a word or two either. I'm talking entire conversations. It drove people crazy, but it was my favorite part of having a best friend.
When he broke the news he didn’t plan to go to college with me anymore and stormed out…
Things were never the same after that night. I almost threw away my scholarship, but ultimately my dad convinced me to come here. He told me I couldn’t put my life on hold for Xavier, and since that was the same argument I made about Piper and Xavier’s decision not to come to Colorado, I knew he was right.
So, here I am. At my dream school, playing for my dream team. I still wish Xavier were here with me, but I’m getting by without him. That doesn’t mean I don’t still think about him daily, especially when I see how close Jagger and Cameron are.
“So, whad’ya say, Cruz? Coming tonight?” Jagger switches places with Cam on the bench.
I probably should. I don’t know anyone here besides my teammates, and even though those are the guys I’m likely to see the most, it wouldn’t hurt to meet some people outside of football. And while I’m not looking to replace Xavier—I couldn’t even if I wanted to—it’d be nice to have someone, or a group of someones, to call friends.
“We’ll help you dump your shit at your new room first. You’ve got all weekend to unpack,” Cam adds with a little oomph as Jagger climbs on top of him to spot his next round.
“Yeah.” I force a smile to my face. “Why not.”
***
The sparsely furnished room is empty when I get there, which is nice in the sense that I get to pick my bed and desk. Though, being first means the door could swing open at any time, and I’ll be on edge until it happens.
I’m not an anxious person, but I don’t know anyone who would be totally calm as they wait to find out who they’ll be living with for the next nine months. Aside from knowing the guy’s name–William–I have zero information on him. And even though we filled out a survey to help the university pair us with someone they think is compatible, I feel like that doesn’t inherently mean we’ll hit it off the second he walks through the door. In that sense, it’s probably for the best I’m going out tonight. It’ll give me something to do besides waiting in what resembles an exam room for the person who's going to deliver my fate.
“Which desk do you want?” Cameron asks as he carries a box of notebooks and other school supplies through the door.
“The one by the window.” I point to my choice. “And this bed.” I drop one duffel bag of clothes on the mattress as Jagger deposits the other, and I reach into a third duffel to get my sheets.
“Unpack later.” Jagger’s already going for the door.
“It’s just my sheets. I don’t wanna have to make the bed when I get home.”
“If you do things right, you’ll pass out without even knowing your bed isn’t made.” He holds the door open so we can leave. “We need to get dinner before the party.”
“Fine.” I huff as I toss my sheets back onto the mattress. Cameron trails behind me with Jagger bringing up the rear as we file to the door. I glance over my shoulder, quirking a brow. “But I get to pick the restaurant, and I swear if you try to convince me to eat Sushi again, I might—shit!” I reach out to steady the guy I plowed into. “Sorry, man. I wasn’t paying attention.”
