Epilogue Lewis
Coach’s house is packed with basketball players—we’ve got a lot of celebrating to do. Don and I are headed for the NBA, the Campus Drivers all graduated, and this is our last meal together before we head off to start the rest of our lives.
I’m hanging out in the living room with Don. Tomorrow, he’ll be winging his way east for a press conference with the Knicks.
“Is Carrie going with you?”
He nods. “I’m hoping I can talk her into joining me out there.”
“She still stuck on Sycamore Heights?”
“Yeah. She’s only got one more year to go, but the idea of her staying back here in SHU depresses the hell out of me.
” He hangs his head. “I’ve been trying my best, man.
I even talked to Columbia about it. Carrie’s an amazing student, plus the dean’s a Knicks fan.
So, he hooked me up with an enrollment pack.
I’ll be earning enough to cover her tuition—but you know how she is.
” He sighs. “Guess I’m just gonna have to step up and get her crushing even harder over the summer. ”
I nod thoughtfully. Just a few months ago, I would’ve been rolling my eyes at the sight of my friend having a meltdown over some girl, instead of embracing everything this insane opportunity has to offer.
I thought that was the way to do things—focus on the NBA, go all in, and leave the rest for later.
I was wrong, though. Sticking to the plan would’ve meant no stress, no wasted time, and no Amy Hitman in my life.
Damn, I was a fool. Her cheering me on from the sideline makes me even more determined to succeed.
Her waiting for me in the parking lot with her cleaned-up Pontiac makes me feel on fire.
“How’d you convince Firebird?” Don is asking.
“Nothing special—she just can’t stay away.”
Amy strides across the room to hover by my side. Perfect timing!
I wink at my friend. “Like I was saying…”
“What was he saying?” Amy asks.
“That you’re obsessed with him.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. She turns to me slowly.
“Obsessed, huh?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“Oh, that’s exactly what you said, dude.” Don nods excitedly, before glancing at Amy. “And then you just happened to come over…”
“I’m here for the wine!” She snatches the bottle out of my hand. “Just you wait till we’re alone,” she hisses, before turning to slink out the French doors.
Donovan laughs. “I thought Carrie was bad—Amy is next level.”
“Hey, at least she hasn’t waxed my balls.”
He gasps. “Where’d you hear that?”
“Carrie told Lois, who told Becca, who told Carter”—I take a deep breath in—“who told Lane, who told Adam, who told me.”
“Fuck my life—is nothing sacred between us anymore?”
“What did I tell you about girlfriends screwing everything up?”
He punches my shoulder. “You aren’t fooling anyone, man.”
We exchange knowing glances.
“Dinner, guys!” Adam calls out from the garden.
“Who’s gonna feed me up there in New York?” Don scowls. “I bet I waste away…”
I’m last to reach the table, and as I stroll over to join the others, I take a beat for myself—just a moment to freeze-frame the scene. In a few days, we’ll be scattered across the country. We won’t be hanging out anywhere near as much. I want to photograph this moment in my mind.
Lane throws an ice cube in my face. “Stop checking us out, you pervert.”
“I’m gonna miss you, Laney Boy.”
“Hey, you know where to find me!” He smiles. “Lois and I are sticking around—not like the rest of you traitors.”
It’s true, I realize. Lane is the only Campus Driver who plans on staying in Sycamore Heights with his Super Girlfriend. Straight after graduating, he got himself a juicy contract for a high-profile X-rated series, and he doesn’t even need to move. He and Carter get to work remotely.
“At least you get to stay with your girlfriend,” Don grumbles.
“We really messed with these guys’ lives, didn’t we?” Lois says, flicking her boyfriend’s face with a sausage.
“And their heads.” Carrie nods. “We took their Campus Driver egos, and we ripped them to pieces.”
“Or stamped the shit out of them,” Amy suggests.
The girls burst into giggles, leaning in for high fives.
“They kinda did,” I admit. “Lane learned to deal with his crap; Don won the best boyfriend trophy—”
“Though I have the actual trophy.” Carrie raises her bottle triumphantly.
“Adam learned how to use his dick—”
“Oh my God! Not the d-word!”
Donovan sticks his fingers in his ears. “Dude, that’s my sister you’re talking about!”
“And he uses it so well,” Amelia purrs.
“Cut it out, guys!”
Lois smirks into her glass. “You really know how to give a speech, don’t you?”
“What did you learn?” Amy asks.
“Me? I was already the ultimate alpha.”
“Guess we need to do some more stamping on this one, girls.”
Before I know it, Amy’s hand is between my legs—and she’s tightening her grip.
“Fffffffffuuuuuuuu—”
“What’s he trying to say? I can’t make out the words,” Lois says innocently.
“No, I’m not hearing it, either.” Amy frowns, pressing down a little harder.
“You taught me the meaning of love!” I blurt out.
I think I just heard a fork drop.
“Okay… Wow. I think you’re cutting off his blood supply,” says Carrie.
Once she releases me, I sling an arm around Amy’s neck.
One thing’s for sure—I have amazing taste in women.
And in friends, come to think of it. I’m going to miss these freaks.
Once upon a time, the thought of graduating and leaving the Campus Drivers behind made my blood run cold.
Now, though… I’m excited for what comes next.
Adam is heading for DC to be with Amelia, and as a business graduate, we all agree he’s the guy to take the app to the next level.
He’s already in talks with a bunch of deans, and there are plans to get a team set up in his new city.
We’ll be going live at other colleges, too—Don’ll take care of New York; Lane is set to keep an eye on Sycamore Heights.
And as for me, I’ll be launching us in Miami.
I’ve already got my eye on my first trainee—and while she’s not exactly the sunniest employee around, she’s most definitely the perfect girl for a guy like me.
And something tells me she has what it takes to keep our Florida cohort on the straight and narrow.
The plan is to have an army of Campus Drivers across the country, and the future looks bright.
“Let’s drink, guys”—I hold up my glass—“to the end of an era. And to new beginnings.”
Something stirs inside me.
The Campus Drivers are at a crossroads—and there’s miles and miles of open road stretching ahead of us.