The buzzer went off, blaring loud and mixing with the cheers that echoed off the arena walls. I loved home games because the sound of so many fans losing their shit over the victory was the cherry on top of a fudge-covered sundae.
"Fuck yes!" Knight, my closest friend on the team, ran over and nearly knocked me on my ass as he gripped my shoulders and shook me. "That's what's up!"
Several of my teammates did the same, along with slaps to my back, ruffling my short black hair and smacking sweat-slicked palms. Winning a game by a perfectly executed shot could leave you battered and bruised by your own team.
I didn't care. I laughed with abandon, and the smile that stretched my lips was born of pure adrenaline and the infectious energy from the Harksford University fan base.
Coach knocked his arm into mine. "Damn boy, way to get it done."
"Yes sir." I chuckled before grabbing the bottom of my jersey to wipe the sweat dripping down my face. I glanced toward the stands like I always did after a game to capture Noah's reaction.
He stood taller than most of the crowd, which never ceased to surprise me, considering his appearance in middle school. Dressed in jeans and a white and blue Wolverines—our college mascot—hoodie that I was pretty sure he’d stolen from my closet, he clapped louder than the rest and flashed me a familiar grin that only boosted the high I was riding.
"You can stare at your boyfriend later. Let’s go." I tore my gaze from Noah, and Knight wheezed when I elbowed him in the stomach.
"He's not my boyfriend, asshat." Noah did have a boyfriend though. I'd known it was coming from the day my lips touched his, but the situation hadn't materialized until three months ago. Sure, he'd briefly dated a few assholes who shared a mutual feeling of dislike with me. But Brad, Noah's current boyfriend, was in a league of his own. The relationship had always rubbed me wrong. Keeping Noah a secret because Noah’s brother, Trevor, was Brad’s best friend was beyond fucked up. Noah had agreed to the stupid situation and that frustrated me. Even if it had been Brad’s idea. One he swore was temporary. I shook off the irritating thought.
Following the team, I jogged across the court toward the locker room.
The spacious room smelled awful—the musty scent of sweaty athletes that no amount of bleach could kill seemed to soak into the tiniest fibers.
Coach's postgame speech was quick and to the point, throwing another comment of praise my way, along with other players who had made key shots and blocks. When it was over, I stripped out of my uniform and took a cold shower, appreciating the cool water against my heated skin. Knowing Noah would be waiting, I dressed quickly in warm clothes and slung my gym bag over my shoulder.
"Where’s the fire?" Knight asked, gray eyes peeking out beneath the fringe of chestnut brown hair that dripped water down the sharp angles of his pale face.
"No fire. Just ready to be done looking at your ugly mug."
Knight was fully aware of his effect on girls and never had trouble getting laid, so the smart remark was met with a snort.
"Coming over to celebrate with us?" he asked as he laced his tennis shoes.
"I don’t know man. I’ll let you know."
"Got to check in with the missus?" He stood, stretching his arms over his six-eight frame and cocked a dark brow.
I shook my head, refusing to take the bait.
Newb, nicknamed for the obvious reason that he was new to the team, frowned. "I didn’t know Rook had a girlfriend. Thought he didn’t do serious."
I didn’t, but it wasn’t because I was the manwhore playboy portrayed in whispered rumors throughout the campus. Between basketball, classes and Noah, there wasn’t enough time to devote to a relationship. Not that I’d even met a girl who had tempted me into making the effort.
"Keep up, newb." A sparkle of mirth flickered in Knight’s eyes, and I knew something stupid was about to spill from his reddened lips. "Rook has a girlfriend with blond hair, pretty blue eyes…and a big dick."
Newb's brows shot straight to his hairline. "What?"
Jamey, one of our teammates, butted in. "How do you know it’s big, Knight? You been scoping out Noah's cock?"
Irritation shot through me at the comment, and I glared at both of them.
Knight shrugged. "Must be since he has Rook on lock."
I shoved his shoulder. "Shut up. You know Noah's off limits to locker room talk."
His lips twisted into a smug grin. "Tell me you’re not going to check in with him first."
Since that was exactly what I planned to do, I couldn't argue. "Fuck you, dip shit."
Knight's laugh boomed off the walls. "Like I said. On lock."
The conversation was going nowhere.
"You're an idiot." After flipping off my friend, I shouldered through the door with echoes of laughter at my back. I found Noah leaning against the wall near the exit. "Hey. You ready?"
He kicked off the wall and brushed the golden strands that always darkened during the winter away from his forehead. "Yep. No surprise, but you owned that game."
"It was probably the hardest I've ever had to work though. Those were some big motherfuckers." The Giants were appropriately named.
He released a husky laugh as he pushed through the metal door. Icy wind assaulted my exposed skin as we crossed the dark parking lot toward my black Yukon, which I’d bought used after my car had ended up costing more in repairs than it was worth. I clicked the key fob to unlock the doors and then slid behind the wheel as Noah took the passenger seat. Cranking the heat on high, I shivered as I turned on the seat warmers. I cursed the chilled black leather interior.
"Fuck me, it's cold." Noah hissed as he rubbed his hands together. "It was in the seventies yesterday."
"Lives in Texas his whole life and still hasn't accepted we once had all four seasons in a single day," I muttered.
Noah barked a laugh. "You're the one who rants when it gets below thirty."
"Because that's fucking cold!" And happened so rarely, you couldn’t get used to it.
"See?” He arched a brow. “A big, ugly baby."
"Ugly? The fuck I am. In case you forgot, your dick—"
A well-timed tap on Noah's window saved me from saying what we'd agreed to forget about. Though that was laughable. There was nothing that could wipe away that memory.
I groaned when Knight gestured for me to roll down the window. Pressing the button, I only allowed him a few inches and scowled. "Miss me already?"
"Hell no. I missed Noah." Knight winked at him. "Hi, boo."
Noah grinned. "Hey, ba—"
I snapped my fingers in front of Noah, blocking his view before glancing at Knight. It was harmless flirting—that happened way too often—because Knight was straight. I still didn't like it. "What do you want?"
Knight narrowed his eyes. "You’re like a jealous girlfriend, you know that, right?" Giving me no time to respond, Knight flicked his attention back to Noah. "Party at my place to celebrate. The whole team is coming. Make sure he's there?"
"On it, captain." Noah half-saluted him, and Knight's lips twitched.