Basketball has become an escape, but this morning I try and push all that away and remember my love for it. I don’t want to play to forget, I want to play for me and for the great memories I had practicing with my dad and Heath, memories I’ve made playing on this court for the past three years, and for the memories I hope to make with my team this year.

We may not make it back to the Final Four, but we’re gonna fight to go as far as we can.

Joel and I bump wrists as we head to the sideline to grab water. “Nice fake back there. Datson was three steps in the wrong direction when you blew past him.”

We sit down to take five, and I look out over the court. “Last year. Pretty surreal.”

“Getting sentimental about graduation already?”

“Guess I am.”

“Me, too.” He tosses his towel on the floor next to him. “What are you thinking for next year?”

I glance at him in confusion. “Next year?”

“Yeah, next year, after graduation. Are you entering the draft?”

I laugh but he doesn’t join me. “You’re serious?”

“Hell yeah.”

“I hadn’t given it any thought,” I answer honestly. “I just wanna see this year through first.”

“Alright then, let’s do it up right,” he says and stands ready to go back out and get our team ready.

Chloe’s already gone to her early morning classes when I get home from practice. I hop in the shower and get ready for Comm class.

When I slide into the seat next to her, I’m grinning like an idiot. She’s smiling at me, and my chest fills with such happiness to have her. Really have her. I worried last night was going to make things awkward between us, but in some weird way, I think it brought us closer.

Professor Sanchez is on a rampage today, so we barely get a chance to scribble notes to each other and when class is dismissed, I groan because I know she has to hurry to make her bus.

“Don’t go,” I tease and hug her tight.

“I’ll be back tomorrow, and I’ll come straight over.” She tips her head up, her green eyes meeting mine. “I mean, if you want me to. I didn’t mean to invite myself over.”

I brush my lips against hers. “You can invite yourself over any time. Don’t think I’ll ever get sick of you.”

“Chloe, let’s go,” Emily calls, and I loosen my grip on my girl.

“Good luck. Kill ‘em.”

She grins. “I will.” She rushes to meet Emily and Sydney at the top of the stairs, and I watch her, feeling like a chump because I already miss her.