PROLOGUE
MALIK
“Bro, what’s up?” With a broad smile, I opened the FaceTime call on my phone and plopped onto my bed, my gaze raking over Greyson Moore, my best buddy from football camp. It was about time I heard from him. We’d just finished our junior year of college, and I hadn’t seen him since spring break when I’d visited him in New York City. What a time we’d had…
“Hey, Malik. I have good news.” His bright blue eyes twinkled as his blond hair, longer than I’d seen it in some time, flopped to the side around his high cheekbones.
“Yeah? Lay it on me.” I shifted to the headboard, resting my back against the soft pillows.
“So…I got a transfer to ASU for next year.” His smile reached his eyes, and he bit his lower lip. “My dad hates the idea, but I convinced him to let me leave Cornell for a spot at ASU to see if I can make it into the draft.”
“Holy fucking shit. Are you kidding me?” I straightened and crossed my legs, my back leaving the pillows. “When will you be here?” This was perfect. All the guys were moving out except for Tex and me, and finding a roommate was paramount to keeping this house. “You know you’re moving in with me, right?”
The corner of his lip curled. “Yeah, I was sort of hoping that would be the case. Is it cool with your roommate if a straight dude moves in?”
“Hell yes. We don’t discriminate in this house.” My heart flip-flopped. How awesome next year would be with him right here, in the same house? We’d have so much fun together.
“Great, but ask him first.” He chuckled. “I’ll need to know in a week.”
“I’ll ask him right now.” I tapped open my text app and typed. Tex would be on board, I knew it.
Malik
Hey, looks like I found a roommate for us for next year. It’s my buddy from football camp, a guy named Greyson Moore. He’s straight, but he’s still a great guy
My phone dinged. “Hold on.” Tex was in the main room. He probably thought I was nuts texting from my bedroom, but so what?
Tex
If you like him, I know I’ll like him. I can’t wait to meet him.
I closed the text app, and Grey appeared on my screen. “Well?”
“He said he can’t wait to meet you.” As a grin slid across my lips, I shook my head. “Damn, man, we’ll have our best year yet.”
“We sure will. You’ll have to show me around when I get there. I don’t remember ever being in Phoenix.” He glanced off-camera and returned.
“Oh, I’ll show you around all right.” My memory flashed with the fashionable clubs he’d taken me to over spring break in NewYork City and the socialites he’d introduced me to. “It’ll differ from what you’re used to, but we’ll have a great time.”
“Good, I hope it’s not what I’m used to.” He sighed. “You know, Ithaca isn’t the same as the city either.” He propped his chin on his hand and smirked. “Tell you what, I’m looking forward to a warm winter with no damn snow. It was cold as fuck here last year.”
“Well, during the first few months here, you’ll melt.” I should talk the place up instead of down. “But most of the year, the weather is amazing. Sunshine every day, palm trees, girls by pools in bikinis…” Since I was bisexual, I appreciated a woman in a string bikini as much as he did.
“Hell yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.” His smile returned with a vengeance. “I have a feeling it’ll be a little harder to keep my grades up with all that nice weather.”
“I won’t lie—it can be difficult. There are many parties and cool bars here too.” I tapped my fingers against my lips. “First thing I’ll do is get you acquainted with Mill Avenue. That’s where it’s happening.”
“Okay, I’ll count on that.” His smile faded. “I’m driving down with a moving truck a week before practice starts. If you could send me the address and the name of the place you’re renting from, I’ll give it to my father, and we’ll work out logistics.”
“Sure thing. I’ll text you the info, and we’ll get you on the lease. My buddies are moving out by the end of June, so…” Shit, he’d be here in July already and we’d have an entire week to fuck around. I bit back a fresh smile as my heart soared. We’d never lived close to each other but had frequented the same football camps and had met for vacations.
“So, I’ll pay for a full month of July’s rent.” He curled the corner of his lips. “Shit, I’d move sooner if I could, but my dad is insisting I attend some business functions with him to show me off to his associates.”
“He still thinks you’ll be working in the family business?” I pursed my lips. Poor Grey lived and breathed football, maybe even more than I did.
“Yeah, well, I have to maintain a 3.7 GPA so that in case I don’t make the draft, he’ll send me to Harvard for my MBA.” With a huff, he rolled his eyes. “I only want to play football, man. You know me.”
“I do.” My chest tightened. Hell, I’d make sure he made the draft, even if he played second string behind me. It was a longer shot for him, but not impossible. Bringing my phone’s screen closer, I said, “Grey, I’ll make sure we’re in the draft together next year. We’ll do this.”