1
Sasha
“Have you given any more consideration to going out with my cousin?” my bestie asks as we trudge across campus to our nine o’clock class.
Of course she would hit me with this when I’m still bleary-eyed from lack of caffeine. I woke up late and didn’t have time to make a cup of java before rushing out the door.
When I remain silent, she lifts a brow.
In all honesty, I’d been hoping Brooke would forget about her stint as matchmaker and stop trying to fix me up with her cousin, Ryder. I should have known better. My roommate isn’t the type of girl to let anything go. She can be as tenacious as a terrier when the occasion calls for it. It’s all part of her charm. She’ll nip at my heels until she wears me down and I eventually give in.
Or I kick her in the ass. Whichever comes first.
“Well?” She nudges my shoulder with her own.
I huff out a breath before hedging, “Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Because I think it’s a terrible one.
“Absolutely. Why wouldn’t it be? He’s good looking. You’re good looking. Voilà! It’s a match made in heaven.”
The only true part of that statement is that Ryder McAdams is smoking hot. And he has the puck bunnies to prove his popularity. I, however, am not interested in dating a jock. I’ve spent most of my life around them. Football players, to be specific. My best guy friend—the one I’ve known since we were in diapers—is a half-back for the Western Wildcats. I’ve seen firsthand how rabid the fangirls are for him and his teammates. I have zero interest in competing with a legion of jersey chasers in order to hold on to a boyfriend.
And the other downside to dating an athlete is that a lot of these guys aren’t known for their fidelity.
Just ask Brooke.
She was dating Andrew—a football player—for about nine months. Little did she know that he had a few groupies on the side and was busy spreading around the love. An unfortunate clap diagnosis is what ultimately tipped her off. Or maybe I should say it was the painful urination and weird vaginal discharge that clued her in to the situation.
Eww.
I’d thought she was going to wring his neck with her bare hands. Honestly, he deserved that and more. Brooke was the best girlfriend. And even though he keeps crawling back on his hands and knees, begging her to give him another chance, my girl has remained steadfast in her resolve. I couldn’t be prouder of her. She’s told him in no uncertain terms to go take a flying leap. So far, he refuses to take no for an answer. I’m not sure why he won’t let it go. He obviously didn’t care enough about their relationship to stay faithful in the first place.
So...no, I’d prefer to avoid the athletes at Western.
Along with the frat boys on campus.
They’re just as bad.
Take out those two groups of potential candidates and it makes for an awfully shallow dating pool.
“I’m not really looking for a relationship,” I tell her as we pass by the union. “I’ve got enough going on.” Soccer and school take up a huge chunk of my time. I’m in my senior year of college and my schedule is jam packed with architecture classes. I’m also working on getting my resume together so I’ll have a job secured by the time graduation rolls around in the spring. Life is changing. I’m both excited and scared at the prospect.
“Maybe not, but you need someone to take your mind off Easton. You gotta move on, girl.”
The comment is so unexpected that I stumble in surprise. Before I can take out any of the unfortunate pedestrians within striking distance, Brooke grabs hold of my elbow and tows me along the walkway. It takes a moment to regain my balance.
Panic bursts to life inside me as I focus on staying upright. “What are you talking about?”
My roommate rolls her eyes and releases a long-suffering sigh. “I’m talking about the secret crush on E you’ve got going on.” She pulls me closer before dropping the next bomb. “The one, I suspect, you’ve had for years.”
I shake my head in silent protest.
Before I can deny her claims, she continues. “You can try to fool me all you like, but don’t lie to yourself. You’ve had a major thing for that boy as long as I’ve known you. And hey—it’s not like I blame you for it. Easton is gorgeous with all that thick, whiskey-colored hair. There’s been more than a few times when I’ve wanted to drag my fingers through it.” A faraway look enters her eyes as she stares off into space before abruptly clearing her throat. “Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that I get it. My problem with the situation is that you’re unwilling to do anything about it. The best thing you could do is move on. And Ryder could help with that. It’s not like I’m telling you to marry the dude. I’m just saying, let him take you out and show you a good time.”