The Senior (College Years 4)

At least on the field, everything I’m doing lately turns to gold. Tonight’s win was fuckin’ easy. We’re playing an away game next Saturday, and I’m not even worried about it. I just get out there and do what’s necessary—and everything falls into place. I feel on top of the world.

Only problem?

I keep thinking about a certain blonde female who I should really tell to kiss my ass.

But then I start remembering how she used to feel in my arms. Her soft, smooth skin. The sweet taste of her lips.

Fuck that. Fuck it.

We’re in the locker room after the game when Diego approaches me, slapping his palm against the center of my chest. “Bro-ski. There’s a party tonight.”

“There’s a party every Saturday night,” I say with a grin, shoving him away, playing like I’m into it. The last thing I want to do is party.

Though I should. I should drown myself in alcohol and try to forget. I should find some pretty little thing—a brunette with giant titties and brown eyes who looks nothing like Ava—and lose myself in her. Preferably her mouth. A blow job is probably the least intimate sexual act someone could perform on me.

What the hell am I thinking? Sex is intimate no matter what. I’m just fooling myself. Fucking someone else isn’t going to take the pain away.

Fucking someone else would ruin everything.

“Nah, this one is different. He’s hosting.” Diego jerks his thumb toward Tony, who is currently pulling on a clean shirt.

“Why are you talking about me?” Tony asks us both.

“He says you’re having a party.” I point at Diego.

A panicked look appears on Tony’s face for the briefest second, before it’s smoothed over and Tony nods once. “Yeah. Just a little get-together. Nothing special.”

“There’s liquor,” Diego tells me.

“Okay.” He’s acting like we’re eighteen and going to a high school party. “We’re legal now. We can drink alcohol whenever we want.”

“I know that.” Diego rolls his eyes. “I’m just excited to get out for a few hours. The grind doesn’t stop for me. What with school and work and football, plus Gigi. I’m ready to relax. Have a few drinks with my lady and my friends.”

My lady? I almost laugh.

“It’s a chill event tonight. More for the girls,” Tony adds.

Wait a minute—

“Is Ava going to be there?” I ask through tight lips.

Tony and Diego share a look before Tony answers, “Uh, yeah?” He rubs the back of his neck, his gaze not quite meeting mine.

I stand up taller, resting my hands on my hips. “You saying you don’t want me there if she’s going to be there?”

Is this what it’s come to in our friend group? They have to pick sides and shit? I’m the one who’s been with these guys and their girlfriends for the last three years. I deserve to keep them more than Ava does.

“No, we’re not about that,” Tony reassures. “I just figured you didn’t want to be around her.”

“I don’t want to be,” I agree vehemently. “But she’s not going to stop me from hanging out with my friends.”

“Good,” Diego says with a nod. “Then come over. You can ignore her, and she’ll ignore you. You don’t have to say a single word to her for the entire night.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” I say in agreement. “I’m down.”

My gaze finds Tony’s, and he’s watching us as if we’ve lost our minds.

“I’ll see you guys at my place then,” he says, slowly backing away from us. He looks slightly terrified, and I suppose I can’t blame him.