38. Ben
BEN
I sit at the table, listening to everyone bicker over house rules. I don’t really care what they are, to be honest. Just as long as I can get my studies done and play a good year of basketball, I’m not too fussed.
I decided to be scribe, so I’m jotting down notes.
So far, we’ve established that we have to check in with each house member before throwing a party. Friends are also welcome, but if they start acting like douchebags, anyone has the right to say so, and the person who brought them in needs to then escort them out.
I suggested that on a school night, we have a “quiet after 10 p.m.” policy. People can use headphones if they want to keep doing noisy stuff after that time. Mac grumbled about that one, but Jimmy backed me up, and then Darian negotiated eleven instead of ten.
“So, no one goes into someone else’s room without being invited.”
Doesn’t that kind of go without saying?
I write it down anyway and can’t hide my eye roll when Sawyer taps my computer screen and whispers, “Basketball Base Rules, man. Change the heading.”
“We’re not calling this place Basketball Base.”
That’s so lame.
I shake my head. Sawyer started saying it the second we sat down at the table, like he’d been thinking about it for weeks or something, and he’s being damn persistent.
“The alliteration is beautiful, and it works.”
“It sounds ridiculous,” I quietly argue back.
“I like it.” His look is pointed as he shoots his hand into the air.
“Yes, Sawyer.” Darian points at him.
“I’d like to add another rule, please.”
Darian nods, and I curl my fingers into a fist. I am not writing this shit down. If he says—
“I’d like to officially name this house Basketball Base.”
I dip my chin with a soft sigh.
“It works, because we all play basketball, the alliteration is beautiful.” He emphasizes the word to my face, then turns his charming smile on everyone else. “And it’ll be cool to give this place a nickname.”
“I don’t give a shit.” Mac leans back in his seat. He’s been looking bored since about five seconds into this thing. “Call the house whatever you want.”
“I like it.” Charli bobs in her seat.
Of course she does.
Jimmy shrugs, then murmurs, “I probably won’t be referring to it that way when I talk to people, but you can call it that if you want.”
Always so agreeable.
I shake my head again.
“Ben, you don’t like it?” Darian asks.
“I think it sounds lame, but I’m only one person.”
“Let’s vote.” Darian slaps the table with the side of his fist. “All in favor of christening this house Basketball Base, raise your hand.”
Four hands shoot up, and I cast a side-eye at Mac, who’s smirking at me.
He doesn’t give a fuck what we call this place; he’s just voting this way to piss me off.
“Basketball Base it is!” Sawyer punches his arms into the air, then taps my computer screen again. “Write that down.”
With an irritated grunt, I type it onto the screen, then look at Darian. “Anything else?”
“I think we’ve covered it. I don’t want to get all hung up on rules and shit, but I want each of us to be happy here.
If something’s going down that you don’t like, you need to be able to tell us.
This is only going to work if we’re all honest with one another without getting offended at every turn.
We all have a right to our opinions, but that doesn’t make them facts.
And if we disagree on something, that doesn’t make us enemies.
We can all live in this place together if we have that understanding. ”
We all nod in agreement. Sawyer gives him a thumbs-up, and I think that’s a wrap, right?
“Oh, and one last thing…” Darian crosses his arms. “What’s the deal with girls sleeping over? Everyone cool with that?”
“Yes, sir.” Sawyer grins.
Charli gives him a side-eye and murmurs, “And guys, I’m assuming.”
“Whatever you’re into.” Darian tips his head. “Just want to make sure we all agree on how this plays out.”
“I’m cool with one-nighters but don’t think anyone should be sleeping over on the regular,” Mac murmurs. “Not unless we’ve met the person and agree that we like them.”
“Good point.” Darian flicks his finger at him, then runs it around the rest of the group. “So… we agree?”
Jimmy’s expression wrinkles, but he doesn’t say anything. I can’t imagine the guy bringing a plethora of girls home—unlike his buddy, who’s sitting there smirking and obviously thinking about all the hotties he’ll be inviting into this place.
Shit.
I am so done with women this year.
“Ben?” Darian waits for my reply, and I give him a quiet nod.
I won’t be bringing anyone back here. I’m not like Mac and Darian and Sawyer. I can’t just flirt with every girl I speak to. I can’t just sleep around like it means nothing. No matter how hard I try, emotions always get involved, and I’m the one who gets burned.
My only solution is to write off women for the rest of college. Maybe if I act like an asshole the way Mac does, I’ll put them off. Although he seems to somehow lure them in.
Only because he uses charm to get them, then treats them like shit.
If I start tough from the outset, I won’t be put into these situations where my heart gets used for a punching bag.
I need to focus on studying and playing ball and that’s about it.
I can be friends with girls like Charli and stuff, but nothing romantic. I’m over all that shit.
I don’t even want to entertain party hookups or one-night stands because I can’t seem to help but catch feelings.
I think of Caroline and shake my head as I walk up the stairs.
I’m determined to make this year a good one.
Drama free.
Which means no chicks allowed!
At least that’s what he thinks!
Ben’s story continues in the first full-length Nolan U Basketball novel—His Reckless Freshman—available on August 18, 2026.
Keep reading for a little preview…