37. Darian
DARIAN
Opening the door with a grin, I carry in my overstuffed suitcase and pause in the living room.
We’ve been back at Nolan for about two weeks.
It’s been pretty low-key; our training schedule is on summer hours, so there’s still plenty of time to chill between practices on the court and workouts in the gym.
Coach is even more relaxed than last year, cutting practices short or leaving the assistant coaches to run drills with us while he wanders off the court, looking all distracted.
I have no idea what’s up with him, but I’m not complaining. It means we get more time to mess around on the court doing our own thing, playing basketball the way we used to as kids. No official rules, just a good time.
But not this weekend. Right now, we’re moving into our new place. This is gonna be my home for the next two years, all going to plan, and I’m stoked.
When I texted the group chat, letting them know my moving plans, everyone was in.
So, today’s the day.
Today, we start our next chapter in this big-ass house, and I am pumped.
“Move your ass, bro.” Charli nudges me in the back, then struggles past with an armful of bags.
I step sideways so she can get to the stairs, trailing after her with my big suitcase.
We visited with the owner last week, and Charli and I already picked the two best rooms. It’s only fair, right? When we get to the top of the stairs, she veers left while I turn right. The rooms at each end of the hall are the biggest, with double windows looking out over the front yard.
There are two more rooms up here with a massive bathroom that we’ll have to share.
Although Charli’s room comes with an ensuite.
Can’t believe she won the coin toss over that one.
I’m still kind of salty, but I guess she’ll be here for a year longer than me, if she can find roommates to replace us all as we leave.
Downstairs are two other rooms with a shared bathroom between them.
Mac and Jimmy will be down there, leaving Sawyer’s and Ben’s rooms in between mine and Charli’s.
Everyone seems happy enough with this arrangement, and I’m hoping for a smooth transition into living with four other guys and my sister.
I put up with dorm life for the past two years, and that wasn’t so bad.
Surely this will be even better. We’ve picked good people, although I’m quietly dubious about Mac.
He forced our hand, but now that Jimmy’s said yes to this, at least there’ll be someone responsible to keep an eye on the wild child.
Dumping my shit on the bed, I check out the rest of the furniture in the room.
It’s a combination of secondhand purchases and IKEA.
I still have to put my desk together, which I’ll do later today.
It’s currently flat-packed and resting against the wall.
Other than that, this is a pretty easy move really.
Mac and Jimmy provided most of the furniture for the living and dining room. Sawyer and Ben have fitted out the kitchen, and Mac’s also added a sweet sound system and a big-ass TV. Between the six of us, the house is fully kitted out with everything we need.
It’s going to be a fucking awesome year!
Walking past my new mirror, I pause to inspect my eyebrow—a habit I can’t seem to break.
It’s growing back but doesn’t look the same.
I’m not sure it ever will, and every time I think about Nix straddling me with that fucking razor in her hand, I get singed with rage.
I can’t believe she fucking went that far.
Staring at my reflection, I notice my forehead wrinkle in disappointment. That’s the other thing I feel whenever I think about it. I honestly thought we had something. When I kissed her in that laundry room… shit, I’d never felt anything like it.
But then she acted as if it didn’t happen.
Seriously. Such a little psycho.
I need to put her out of my mind, but that’s hard to do when my sister refuses to stop being friends with her. Talk about family loyalty, right?
I scoff and move away from the mirror.
It’s not like I can demand Charli stay away from her. All I can ask is that she keeps her away from me.
Heading back downstairs, I walk into the kitchen just in time to watch Sawyer sneaking up behind Charli, who’s humming to herself as she unpacks a box of kitchen utensils.
“BAH!” Sawyer yells, smacking two pots together just behind her head.
She jumps a mile, letting out a scream before spinning on Sawyer with a growl.
“You are such an ass!” She laughs out the words because he’s nearly doubled over, cracking up at her reaction as he scrambles away from her.
She chases him out into the front yard, and I watch from the doorway as they wrestle it out. Seriously, they’re like eight-year-old kids sometimes.
He grabs her around the waist, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around.
I roll my eyes at Jimmy as he walks up the path, giving them dubious side-eyes.
“Don’t worry about them,” I assure him. “This is nothing new.”
That doesn’t seem to comfort him as he slips past me toward his room. He’s carrying a bundle of bedding, and I offer to help.
“Need a hand making your bed?”
“No, I’ve got it. Thanks.” His voice is a soft mumble, and I watch his back as he walks through the archway leading down to his room.
It’ll be interesting living with the guy. He seems shy, very introverted, which is the opposite of me. It’s gonna be weird for him living in this place. I’m pretty sure it’ll be too loud and chaotic most of the time, but that’s just the way I want it.
I’m keen for parties and games and dinners together.
I have visions of epic video game battles and drinking beers around the table after practice. I’m hoping to have people over and make this place a cool hangout zone.
But is that what everyone else wants?
I probably should have established that before we all moved in together.
Now’s as good a time as any, I guess.
“House meeting in ten!” I shout, calling into the front yard to alert Charli and Sawyer, plus Ben, who’s just getting out of his car.
Walking through to Jimmy and Mac’s wing, I call toward their bedrooms. “House meeting in ten!”
“Why?” Mac shouts back.
“Because we should probably establish some rules… guidelines… whatever… around this place. Make sure we’re all on the same page.”
He groans, but Jimmy replies, “We’ll be there.”
I nod, once again grateful that Jimmy’s here to keep Mac in check.
It’s going to be an interesting ride living with these guys, and I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure it’s a smooth one.