Seems everybody has someone to get to tonight except me. Which is bullshit because I could have a dozen different girls waiting for me at home if I wanted. Anyone but her.

Damn her.

9

KATRINA

I watch the end of the Valley game on TV. I’ve never been to a college game in person, but since our basketball team went to the Final Four last year, I guess I’ve got caught up in the excitement as much as the rest of the university.

And it doesn’t hurt that the object of my every thought is wearing jersey number thirty-three and dancing around on the sidelines like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I mean Valley did win, but the rest of his team looks serious and focused despite the victory. Joel looks as comfortable as if he were celebrating a pickup game at the local park.

My mind wanders to Friday night and that kiss. That kiss. Never in my life have I been kissed so… thoroughly. Joel kisses like I imagined. No, better. My lips tingle and I bring my fingertips to them wishing I could bring the memory to life. My face warms and I shake my head hoping to clear it. A million and one things to do and my brain replays the look of desire just seconds before he kissed me. He looked at me that way. Like kissing me was as important as taking his next breath.

Joel’s Valley basketball roster picture splashes on the TV and the announcers discuss his season and daily stats. They continue talking about him until they’re forced to a commercial break and I finally get a second without the greatness of Joel Moreno all up in my grill.

I busy myself around the apartment, folding laundry, doing dishes, and picking up toys until my mind is focused. I grab my laptop and sit on the couch to finish editing the dialogue in the last scene of the play when my phone pings. I reach for it absently, bring it up to my face and glance down ready to dismiss whatever notification or news alert has interrupted my writing.

And stop short.

Jaw gapes.

Body flames.

It’s the second day in a row he’s shocked me by reaching out.

Four little words pummel my heart as I read the notification: JoelMoreno33 wants to send you a message. My social media accounts are locked down and I’ve never been so glad.

I’d be lying if I said I’d never checked out his, which are very much public. His posts and interactions are as entertaining as he is. And let’s not even talk about the photos he’s tagged in. There’s an actual Joel Moreno Fan Page.

My thumb glides over the notification and before I can make too big a deal of it, I press Accept and open the message. It’s a video of a guy taking a shower. You can’t see anything but the guy’s legs until a cat walks into the shower and starts rubbing against him getting all wet but clearly happy for the attention and completely undeterred. I’m sure there’s some sort of message here but instead of engaging I close out without a response.