Page 29 of The Night We Met

Brandon: None near campus.

Nash: Might head to one in the next city over.

Me: I’m in.

Chance: Do we needto supervise?

Nash: You mean cockblock?

Chance: No, I mean make sure y’all don’t get arrested.

Me: We could use a getaway car.

Me: I mean a designated driver.

Me: Or should I just call you the babysitter?

Chance: Don’t be a dick.

Nash: My buddy at Tempest just told me they’re having a big party tonight.

Me: It’s settled.

Brandon: Why do I feel like this is about to be a long night?

“You’re dating the starting QB for our school?”My question plays on a loop over and over again. Losing someone I almost had but never had hurts worse than having them and losing them. No matter how I try to play it, I know my ghosting Kamryn lost me having her.

My mind keeps going back to move-in day. How it was so easy for us. Those nights wrapped around each other. The trust that was already solid between us.

I’m in love with my best friend. And I just lost her to someone that I can never compete with.

I drop my things off in my room before heading to the showers. Male freshman athletes have a whole dorm building to themselves. It’s convenient. It’s quiet when practices, games, and/or matches are scheduled. But on this particular weekend when a quarter of the dormitory is quiet because they’re part of the football team, this place is a ghost town.

I try to black out the hurt that’s doing its best to make itself known. I had years to tell Kamryn I had feelings for her. Years! But I squandered it by keeping her in the friendzone and dating other girls that didn’t look like her.

Frustrated, I dry my body off and rough dry my hair with the towel before throwing it in the hamper. I search for a pair of jeans that are decently clean and a black henley. Slipping on some boots, I grab what else I need and head towards the guys off campus apartment.

I had the option to be their roommate. But I wanted to be on campus around Kam. Call it clinging to home, but it was what I needed. She was what I needed to feel closer to home.

I make a detour into the liquor store with the new fake ID I got. My plan is to forget that my best friend found someone else. My plan is to forget. Forget that a dare was what set us in motion. That a dare was what gave me a taste of what I could have. If that involves me passing my time with girls that aren’t Kamryn, then so be it.

If she can be happy with him, then why can’t I?

Tempest University isn’t much different from our university. The athletes stick together and the sorority girls do their best to catch the eyes of the frat bros. Me? I’m just here to get a buzz and hookup. I take a couple shots before moving to the makeshift dance floor. Sliding up behind a curvy brunette. she looks over her shoulder at me with a smirk on her face.

“Is this okay?” I ask as I place my hands on her hips. Because even in my buzzed state, I still know how to ask for permission.

“More than okay,” she responds before rolling her hips into mine.

Someone turns down the lights and the dance floor gets more crowded. Our bodies press closer. My hands roam down her body as she leans her head back on my shoulder. She pushes her rolling hips harder into my groin and settles my hand on her hips as I let her feel all of me.

Stopping suddenly, she takes my hand and pulls me through the thick crowd. Leading me to a hall off of the main room, she opens a door and peers into the room. It must be vacant as she pulls us in, slams the door closed, pushes me up against the wall, and then kisses me.

My mind takes a second to process before I’m kissing her back. I lean forward and grab her by the back of her thighs. Her legs wrap around my waist.

I break the kiss because I should at least know her name despite this planning to be a one-time thing. “What’s your name?”

I walk us forward to the bed. I set her on the edge as I lean over her. Not climbing up with her. This is no-strings attached sex. Which is what got me in this mess in the first place. I hover over her, waiting for her answer.

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