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. . .

Sloane

I’m sitting in the stands on a Saturday afternoon—game day—when life as I know it falls apart.

But that hasn’t happened—not yet.

Right now, fifty thousand fans are screaming their hearts out, cheering for our beloved football team.

At our university, nestled in the mountains, there’s not much else to do, so football is everything. Football Saturdays are sacred. And today—our home opener—the vibes are immaculate.

The roar of the crowd swells as the Mystic Falls team runs onto the field in their purple and white uniforms. It’s so loud that I can’t hear my best friend Jacklyn yelling, even though she’s right next to me.

“And the Mystic Falls Cascades are, of course, led by the star quarterback of Mystic Falls University, Joe DeRollo!” the announcer booms.

I beam with pride. That’s my boyfriend since freshman year.

It was like fate when we met—first weekend, first party of freshman year.

“Uhhh, Sloane,” Jacklyn says, her tone cutting through my reverie.

“Yeah?”

“I need to show you something.”

Her expression wipes the smile from my face. She holds up her phone, and my stomach tightens as I read the message she just received from our sorority sister, Fiona.

It’s a screenshot of a conversation. Between Joe and Fiona.

Joe: So…I need to loosen up this morning before the big game. Do you want to come over for a few?

Fiona: Let’s be clear. You have a girlfriend.

Joe: So?

Fiona: So…that would be cheating.

Joe: Sloane’s great in a lot of ways, but she’s kind of a prude. This could be our little secret.

My heart slams so hard it feels like it might burst out of my chest. The words blur as tears sting my eyes.

“I mean, it could be worse,” Jacklyn says cautiously, like she’s afraid I might break.

I instinctively twist the ring on my left hand—the one Joe gave me last spring, swearing it was a promise for our future together. A future he’s casually shattering.

“This is real? Like, this is really him?” My voice shakes, and I feel so small, so stupid for defending him even now.

Jacklyn rests a hand on my shoulder. “Sloane, it’s him. I’m so sorry.”

“I—I think I need to go. I think I’m going to be sick.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No. Stay. Watch the game.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t really want to watch the game anymore. Not when I know our star quarterback dicked you over like this.”

We file out of the aisle, squeezing past the hordes of screaming fans. My legs feel like lead, and the cheers behind me are just noise now.

I avoid Joe that night. It’s not hard; there’s a big party at Joe’s frat house, where all the "cool kids" will be. Me? I need time to process everything.

So, being me, I head to the library with Jacklyn.

My dad always told me, “When life gets tough, don’t lose focus on where you want to go.”

I’m an Econ major, and the GMAT is looming. Business school is the goal—Harvard, maybe Stanford, or even Texas. I don’t know yet. But I’ve got straight As, and I see no reason not to shoot for the best.

Jacklyn and I settle at a long oak table, our books sprawled out for our Principles of Marketing class. I’m trying to read when a huge sigh escapes me.

“You okay?” Jacklyn nudges me.

I shrug. “I keep reading the same line over and over.”

“Yeah, I feel that. I’m thinking about grabbing some late-night food. Want me to grab you something?”

“That’d be great. How about a wrap?”

“On it. Want to come with?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I’ll chill here. Keep an eye on your stuff.”

“Good idea. Thanks.”

Jacklyn gets up, and I flip my hoodie over my head, burying myself in my book—not that I’m actually reading. Avoidance is my current coping strategy. Confrontation? Not my thing.

Just then, a tall guy steps into the study hall. He’s wearing gray sweats, a hoodie, and large headphones over his shaggy brown hair. Glasses frame his clean-shaven face.

He’s cute. An observation I might not have made before this morning’s bombshell.

I try not to stare, but something about him feels familiar, though I can’t place him.

Our eyes meet for a second before I look down, accidentally catching a glimpse of his sweatpants.

Okay, I’m not a perv, but it’s hard not to notice. Let’s just say, it’s…impressive.

I bury my nose in my book again, though I’m still not reading a word.

“This seat taken?”

I look up to find the tall man in gray sweatpants standing by the table, one headphone off his ear.

“Uh, no. Go ahead.”

“Thanks.”

He pulls out a textbook and notebook, then sits down, his headphones back on. For a few minutes, I pretend to study while my heart pounds.

“Hey.”

I glance up. He’s looking at me now, his headphones hanging around his neck.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” he asks.

“I was thinking the same thing. What’s your name?”

“Asher Knox. You?”

“Sloane Carter.”

His eyes widen. “Sloane. Hmm. Yeah, I’ve definitely heard that name. You’re a senior?”

I nod.

“Me too. Who do you hang out with?”

“I’m in Delta Nu.”

“Ah, I know some of those girls. Great girls. Maybe you’ve been to our frat? Sigma Gamma?”

My stomach drops. “Yeah, my…uh…” What do I call Joe now? Boyfriend? Ex? “I know some people there.”

“Cool. I live in the frat house.”

“Don’t you have a party going on right now?”

“Yeah, but parties aren’t really my thing. More of a library guy,” he says with a chuckle. “You too?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“I have a theory,” he says, leaning slightly forward. “Pre-game parties are the best part of the night. You’re with your closest friends, playing drinking games. Once you’re at the big party, everyone’s too drunk to have fun.”

I smile. “Fair. You must be an introvert.”

“Maybe. I just like talking with certain people. If someone’s not listening, I don’t bother. But I like to dance.”

“Me too.”

He studies me for a moment. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

I hesitate. “Uh, that’s a good question.”

“How so? I’m not.”

“Well…I just found out my boyfriend is probably cheating on me.”

His expression softens. “That’s rough. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Sorry for the overshare.”

“No problem. If you want to get back at him, we could make out.” He grins, removing his glasses.

“That’s not really my style.”

“High-road girl, huh?”

“Yes.”

“So, you’re a good girl.”

I laugh. “Why does that sound dirty?”

He smirks. “Didn’t mean it that way, but if that’s where your mind went…”

Okay, my flirting game may be rusty but we definitely have a vibe.

“Can we pretend I didn’t just say that?” Asher says, scratching the back of his neck.

“Fine. But now I have a question,” I reply. “If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer.”

“Okay…?”

He shakes his head. “Actually, no. I’m going to be a gentleman. I don’t want you thinking I make sex talk with every girl I meet five minutes into a conversation. It’s inappropriate, what I was thinking. It’s just…” He pauses, his gaze flicking to me. “You’re gorgeous, and my mind keeps wandering. Sorry. I’ll let you get back to studying. I’m probably distracting you.”

My heart hammers in my chest. “Ask it.”

“You won’t judge me?”

“Nah. And honestly? I can’t concentrate on my book right now,” I admit. “This is a nice break, and I’m enjoying talking to you.”

“How was your sex life with, uh…your anonymous boyfriend?”

I shrug. “I mean, pretty good.”

“Pretty good? That doesn’t sound very convincing.”

“Okay. Decent. It was decent.”

His eyebrows lift. “In my experience, when it’s actually decent, a woman doesn’t just call it ‘decent.’ They’re raving about it. It sounds like you’re trying to defend him.”

“Well, uh…” I clear my throat, fumbling for words. Am I just one of those girls now, defending an unfaithful ex? Not that Joe’s an ex yet. Ugh.

“Look.” Asher leans closer, sliding into the seat next to me. His green eyes lock onto mine, and my breath catches. “I hope this isn’t too forward, but it seems like you’ve got some stuff to sort out in your life. Which is fine. I do too. But I’m noticing a vibe here.”

I nod, my voice quiet. “I notice it too.”

“All I’m saying is…I feel drawn to you. And if things don’t work out with this guy, we should hang out.”

Screw it. I’m enjoying this flirtation too much to stop. “Hang out? That’s what you want to do? Did you just say you want to…hook up with me?” Oh no. Word vomit.

He laughs. “I didn’t say that. But does some primal part of me find you attractive enough to want to bend you over this table?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks—and between my legs.

“Yes,” he says, answering his own question when I don’t. “But I’m a gentleman, like I said. I don’t know anything about you. I don’t know what you like. I just know I’d like to get to know you.”

“And you know this after five minutes of talking to me?”

“It’s a gut feeling. Do you believe in gut feelings?”

“Yes.”

“Well, let me know what you decide. I don’t want to be a homewrecker if you’re working things out, but…I’m very attracted to you.”

“What do you like?” I ask, trying to deflect his intensity.

“Me? I like everything. I love sex…with someone I’m into. There’s nothing better than mutual obsession.”

“You’re obsessed with me already? Slow down there, love-bomber.”

He laughs. “If you’re just getting out of a relationship, we both know this wouldn’t be love.”

“Oh? What would it be, then?”

“A really good time.”

“Pretty cocky of you.”

He shrugs, his grin wicked. “No. Cocky would be saying I’d fuck you better than your ex—or whatever he is—ever has.”

A hot chill ripples down my spine, landing squarely between my thighs.

Before I can say anything, we hear a noise. Jacklyn walks into the room, holding my wrap.

“Hey, guys!” she says, keeping her voice low for the library. She glances at Asher, her face lighting up. “Whoa! Blast from the past! How are you, Asher?”

Asher stands, his grin genuine. “Hey, Jack! How are you?”

They exchange pleasantries, catching up quickly. When Jacklyn mentions her boyfriend, Brian, Asher nods approvingly.

“Bring him by the house sometime,” he says as he packs up his things. “We’re having a party next weekend. Sloane, you’re welcome to come too.”

“Thanks,” I say, watching him walk away.

When he’s gone, Jacklyn gives me a sly look. “So…marketing? That’s what you were talking about?”

I laugh. “Something like that. Do you know him?”

“We kinda dated freshman year. It was a rebound thing.”

“Oh. You…‘dated.’”

“Yeah, it was casual,” Jacklyn says with a grin. “But he’s really cool and respectful.” Her smile widens as she sighs. “Those were some good times.”

“Okay…I feel like I’m missing something here,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her.

Jacklyn hesitates, her cheeks tinting pink. “Asher is…” She clears her throat. “He has a gift.”

“A gift?”

“I mean…ugh, this is bad. I shouldn’t be telling you this because I’m with Brian now.”

“What?! Just tell me.”

She glances at the floor, then back at me. “He’s gifted…down south.”

It takes a second to click, and when it does, my mouth falls open. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Jacklyn raises an eyebrow. “Let’s just say, he might be the backup quarterback, but there’s nothing ‘second string’ about his endowment. If you know what I mean.”

“I think I’m catching your drift.”

“He’s gigantic. But he’s also fun,” she says with a mischievous smile. “If you’re in a bad place and need a pick-me-up? He’s definite hook-up material. Just saying.”

She pulls out her phone, quickly typing Asher’s name into the search bar of her messages, then hands it to me.

“I’m not going to look,” she says firmly. “Because, you know, Brian. But scroll back to freshman year.”

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I start scrolling. Most of their recent conversations are mundane, but as I dig into the past, I stop cold. My eyes land on the photo.

It’s a picture of a naked, ripped guy. Slim, toned, and very much…endowed.

My jaw drops. “This is the guy we were just talking to. That’s…him? His dick is literally the size of a Starbucks Venti latte.”

“Yep.” Jacklyn snorts, quickly covering her mouth. “Can you delete that photo? I meant to delete it. Since, you know, Brian and all. But…yeah.”

I stare at the screen a moment longer than I should. Heat pools low in my belly as I delete the photo and hand her phone back. “I mean, size isn’t everything…” I mutter, trying to play it cool.

Jacklyn gives me a knowing look. “He knows how to use it too. If that’s what you’re wondering.”

I blink, caught off guard. “I mean…I guess I was. Wait. Why are you sharing all this with me?”

She leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Sloane, you’re my best friend. I can’t not share these things with you.”

“It wouldn’t be weird if I went for it with him?” I ask, hesitant. “Like, weird for you? Since you dated him?”

Jacklyn grins slyly. “So, you’re thinking about it? Are you breaking up with Joe?”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I guess I should,” I admit.

“I just don’t want to see you all sad. And if having my blessing helps, you’ve got it. I always liked Asher. He was fun when I needed it—a real gentleman. Things just fizzled out. It wasn’t meant to be. I’m happy now. But maybe he’d be a good rebound for you.”

“This is a lot to think about,” I say, taking a big bite of my wrap. “Thanks for grabbing this, by the way. You’re the best.”

“So…” Jacklyn rests her chin on her palm. “What are you going to do?”

I shrug, chewing slowly. “I’ve always been a high-road girl.”

Jacklyn smirks. “The high road is great, but if it’s not working out for you…maybe it’s time to take the You road. Just saying.”