I scrolled through my memories with him, pinpointing one that would’ve definitely prevented my heartbreak. It wasn’t erasing any of our nightly phone calls or the emails, or hanging around him when we were in high school; it was making the decision to go to a college near his.

I should’ve never done that…

Freshman Year

Subject: Star Status

Dare I ask how many women you’ve attempted to sleep with since you’ve started the semester? If I see another commenter on Facebook talk about how “sexy” you are on your profile picture, I will scream. (Why are you using that picture of us anyway? And what the hell is up with that CAPTION???!!)

Arizona

Subject: Re: Star Status

The word “attempt” implies that I actually have to try to sleep with someone here. I don’t. You’re only upset because none of the commenters are leaving compliments about you. (I like that picture of us in eleventh grade. No one will ever know what “Beat her to it…Best twenty dollars I ever won” means…)

Sincerely,

Carter

I put my phone away and focused on the girl who was sitting at my table.

Earlier today, she’d claimed to have no idea who I was, but the first question out of her mouth was, “Do you think you’ll go pro after college?”

Hell no… “Anything is possible,” I’d responded. “I’m only focusing on the present.”

Now, our main conversation points were all used up, and I was just waiting for her to get to the inevitable ending for our night.

“So…” she said. “When you’re not hanging out with your basketball friends, who do you hang out with?”

“Myself, really,” I said. “I don’t really have time for much else.”

She frowned and stood up, moving so she could sit right next to me. “That’s so sad…You don’t have any real friends? People outside of your teammates?”

“Not at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll make some eventually.”

“Why not start with me?” She bit her lip and rubbed my thigh under the table. “As a matter of fact, I think you and me can be best friends.”

“Becoming best friends takes a lot of time.” My cock hardened as she caressed it through my pants. “I’m not sure I’ll have much of that when the season starts.”

“You have to sleep somewhere at night, right?” She bit her lip again. “I’ll be there for you whenever you need me…Want me to show you how good it could be, future best friend?”

“I would.” I smiled. “Tell me when.”

“Tonight?”

“Tonight works.”

“Okay.” Satisfied with my answer, she smiled wider and got up. “I’m going to tell my friends I’m leaving. You think you’ll be ready to go by the time I get back?”

“Most definitely.”

She blushed and walked away, and I signaled to the waitress for the check. Then I pulled out my phone, noticing another email from Arizona.

Subject: Scheduling Time.

Now that you’re going to be a huge basketball star, I guess I’ll have to start making appointments to come see you. How far out into the year are you booked with groupies? Or do I need to go through your “people” for things like this?

Rolling my eyes,

Arizona

Subject: Re: Scheduling Time.

You wouldn’t have to make appointments to see me at all if you’d chosen to go to a closer school. You hate snow and rain, so you should’ve never agreed to go the University of Pittsburgh.

Sincerely,

Carter

Subject: Re: Re: Scheduling Time.

I know…Which is why I just transferred. Well, THAT and other stupid things…Ugh. I know it’s sad that I only lasted a month, but I couldn’t stand the dreariness, and that professor I was adamant about learning from? Apparently he got this huge book deal before the semester started and is stepping down from teaching for two years so he can finish it.

Please don’t tell me ‘I told you so’…

Regretting things,

Arizona

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Scheduling Time.

I fucking told you so.

Sincerely,

Carter

PS—What school are you transferring to?

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scheduling Time.

Reeves University. Seven minutes away from your precious South Beach University.

I’m actually here right now unpacking. God, I missed the beach!

Will call you when I get more done.

Arizona

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Scheduling Time.

No need. I’ll come help you. Send me your address.

Sincerely,

Carter

I wrote a “something came up” on a napkin for my “future best friend,” and headed straight to the address Ari texted me. It was exactly seven minutes like she said, and just like my dorm, it was steps away from the beach. Unlike my dorm though, where everyone had a roommate, it seemed as if all the suites in Ari’s dorm were singles.

I didn’t bother knocking on her already open door. “Ari?”

“I’m back here!” She yelled.

I stepped past the closet and saw her folding clothes on the bed.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were here? I would’ve helped you move your stuff.” I asked.

“Because the week I made my decision, you were on ESPN’s college channel with your team-mates talking about how explosive a season this was going to be, how many intensive practices you were looking forward to. I figured you’d be busy. No practice today?”