8. Ben
BEN
I rest my elbow on my desk, scanning over the notes I’ve just typed up, happy with the start of my essay.
I’ve been enjoying classes so far this semester.
I thought the one on constitutional law would be a total snore-fest, since I know it all from taking classes like this for the last few years.
I mean, I even touched on it in high school as well.
But this particular class has been really interesting.
Maybe I just have a better professor this year, I’m not sure, but she’s definitely reminded me why I love the Constitution.
I think it’s cool that our country was founded on these laws.
They define the structure of government, how power is allocated, and most importantly, how to protect individual’s rights.
When used correctly, the Constitution is a tool to empower the people of this nation.
Unfortunately, it’s not always used correctly, and although I can’t make a massive difference, I’m hoping to make some difference as a lawyer. Even if I can only help one person at a time.
Leaning back in my seat, I give myself a short brain break, my mind running back to the interview I had with Jolie this afternoon. My lips twitch with a smile as I recall snippets of our conversation. I’m surprised by how much I don’t mind the fact that I have to see her again next week.
I really should mind.
And I really shouldn’t have agreed to it.
I guess I just want to cut her a break or something… or maybe I just want to make up for my awful behavior earlier today with Ruth.
Shit. I still feel bad about that… but it’s not like I want to chase the poor girl down with an apology either. What if that makes her blush again and she gets the wrong message?
At least hanging out with Jolie today had a purpose, and there was no blushing or inklings of romance. Aside from those dimples, there was seriously nothing risky about talking to her.
She’s not my type, and she’s on a date tonight anyway.
I wonder how it’s going.
She doesn’t seem like the worldly type. I know I shouldn’t assume, but it felt to me like she doesn’t date much and was super excited about this one. I hope it’s everything she wants it to be.
“Benny Boy! Dinner!” Charli shouts up the stairs, and I roll my eyes.
Benny Boy.
Don’t know how it started. Don’t know how to stop it.
And if I ask her to quit, she’ll just do it more. That’s Charli for ya.
I snicker, rising from my chair.
When I first moved into this place, I assumed we’d all just take care of our own food, but Sawyer’s such a good cook that after only a week, we found ourselves eating together as often as we could.
We all pitch into the food/housekeeping fund, and Sawyer’s basically in charge of the kitchen.
Now everyone is here most nights, although sometimes we’ll grab food in the dining hall after practice.
But it’s Friday night, we didn’t have practice today, and I think everyone but Mac is currently home.
Closing my laptop, I go wash my hands in the bathroom, hanging up a towel or two before heading downstairs.
It smells so freaking good.
“Hey, hey.” Charli grins at me, pulling out a chair and taking a seat opposite her brother.
He’s already digging into his meal, forgetting the etiquette of waiting for everyone to be seated first. Mom would have told me off so badly if I’d pulled something like that.
I wait for Jimmy to find his seat before serving myself a couple of enchiladas.
“This looks amazing. As usual.” I smile at Sawyer.
“Thanks, man. I’ve been experimenting with cream cheese.” His grin is nothing but triumphant, and I look down at my plate, hoping the experiment pays off, because I’m starving.
Sawyer’s loading up his plate with salad while Darian starts telling us about this chick he hooked up with in the library.
I watch his face, wondering how much of it is actually true. The guy talks a big game, but—
“Ugh! I know!” Charli sticks out her tongue. “And coming around the corner to find my brother with his hand up some girl’s skirt is not what I should be seeing in a public library. You’re such a slut.”
Darian grins like that’s a compliment.
I take a bite of enchilada and damn… it’s so good.
Sawyer laughs. “Was it that chick from your corporate finance class?”
“You know it.” Darian raises his chin, lifting his fork like it’s a sword. “To easy women and—”
“Shut up.” Charli throws a cherry tomato at him. It bounces off his nose, and he quickly bends down to grab it off the floor.
He chucks it right back at her, but Sawyer does a fast intercept, catching it before it hits her face and popping it into his mouth.
Charli gives him a side-eye. “I can catch my own tomatoes, bro.”
“I know.” He shrugs, loading up his fork with a monster mouthful.
“How was your day, Ben? Please tell me you didn’t hook up with any girls in the library.” Charli makes a pointed effort to change the subject, because she knows I’m not that kind of guy.
“Nope. Just your usual, run-of-the-mill day.” I give her a closed-mouth smile.
Liar. You had an interview with an overly excited, quirky freshman and did exactly what your teammates told you not to do.
I can’t say anything about that yet, though. I want to wait until the article is out and prove to them that talking to her was not a mistake.
Yes, I initially agreed because I felt sorry for her, but it turned out better than I thought it would. Her questions were insightful, and I honestly believe she wants to make us look good. My answers will ensure that happens. I’m just helping us out. That’s all.
Her sparkling gray eyes dance through my brain as I poke at my food. They’ll be smiling at someone else right now. Some guy she was giddy to go out with.
I hope he’s taking care of her.
“Jim Jim. How about you, man?” Sawyer grins. “Do anything to make Basketball Base proud today?”
I roll my eyes, still hating that Sawyer insists we call our house Basketball Base. Honestly, it’s so lame.
Jimmy gives him a closed-mouth smile. “No library hookups.” He puts another forkful of enchilada into his mouth so he doesn’t have to say more.
I dip my chin to hide my smile. The guy is the definition of a closed book.
I’m sure if you got him alone and on a good day, he’d open up and maybe even be chatty, but not at a table surrounded by the likes of Darian and Sawyer.
Plus, Charli’s sitting right next to him, and I think Jimmy’s afraid of girls.
Not that Charli’s really a girl.
I mean, she is, but she’s also just one of the guys.
“So, any idea why Coach canceled practice yesterday?” Darian asks the group.
I shrug, not that surprised. I noticed a small shift in Coach Wiggins last year.
He just seemed to be a little less enthused about his job than he was the year before, and it showed.
He didn’t work us that hard at practices, he canceled, he cut sessions short, and it looks like this year will be more of the same.
We’re not complaining. It makes for an easier schedule than what the football and hockey guys have to put up with. Although, I’m surprised he gets away with it.
“We’re gonna lose again this year,” Darian grumbles.
“Maybe not.” Sawyer pokes at his food. “You never know, there might be a team out there that’s worse than us.”
Jimmy frowns and I pause, my fork midway to my mouth as I glance at him.
Charli snorts and shakes her head. “Highly unlikely, dudes.”
“Cierra la boca, hermana,” Darian mutters.
She gets another cherry tomato thrown at her, and this time, Sawyer doesn’t go for the intercept. It bounces off her forehead, and she gives her brother the finger before sitting back and saying it straight.
“You guys are going into this season all wrong. You’re expecting to lose because your coach is slacking off and even more disinterested than he was last season. It’s a miracle he still has a job. Seriously, it’s like the athletics department has forgotten about your sorry asses.”
“It’s probably just an excuse not to throw any money our way.” Darian makes a face.
“Whatever. I don’t give a shit about politics.
And all you guys should care about is playing the game and having fun with it.
You don’t have to be losers. You’re all great players, but you choke as soon as that whistle blows.
I’ve seen you guys mess around on the court when there’s zero pressure, and you’re good.
” She glances around the table with an incisive look, adding in a point of her fork when she eyes up Jimmy.
“You’re really good. And I don’t care what Coach Wiggins does or does not do with you guys.
You can kick ass this season. It’s up to you. ”
We all stay quiet for a moment, letting her words sink in.
The lack of response soon becomes awkward, and that’s when Sawyer launches into a friendly debate with Darian over the merits of cream cheese and whether it should go in the actual enchiladas or be spread over the top underneath the salsa roja.
Charli tips her head back with a groan and an eye roll while I look down at my dinner.
I think Sawyer went for the spread technique, and it works great. I love creamy food, so I’m all in with this experiment.
Grabbing another dollop of sour cream, I try to take a little heat out of the dish. My Hispanic roommates like it hot and spicy. My white ass does not.
In saying that, the flavors are great, and I won’t complain about living with someone who’s practically a chef.
As far as I’m aware, though, Sawyer has no plans to pursue that as a career.
He’s currently studying business and isn’t sure what he wants to do with that degree.
I’m pretty sure his main goal in life is to have fun and only do things that he enjoys.
So far, I’ve learned that means: food, girls and low-pressure basketball.
Not a bad list.
I smirk and take another mouthful of food, not regretting for one second my decision to move in with these guys.