“Wes and Zeke’s rooms are all cleaned out for you guys. We’re having a party tonight, so get settled in and then let’s celebrate.” Joel claps me on the shoulder and then heads off toward the kitchen.

Datson and I go upstairs, stopping briefly to stare inside the half-sized basketball court that we’re now going to be able to use anytime we want. It’s just one of the perks of living here. There’s also a theater room and a back yard with a huge pool and lots of space that’s perfect for parties.

“Sure beats dorm living.” Datson takes a step down the hall. “Which room do you want?”

“I don’t care, man. I don’t plan on spending a lot of time in it when I can be outside in that pool.”

I let him pick and then walk into the other one. It isn’t a lot bigger than my dorm room was, but it’s a hell of a lot nicer. The walls are white and smell like they’ve been painted recently. A mural of the Valley U Roadrunner mascot is above the bed and there’s a stack of bedding folded neatly on the end of the mattress. A desk and chair round out the furniture in the room.

After putting away my stuff and taking a shower, I don a pair of swim trunks and a T-shirt and head outside. It’s early, but a few guys from the team are already out back chilling by the pool. The White House is the unofficial hangout even for the guys that live in the dorm or off campus.

“Incoming.” Datson tosses me a beer as I take a lounge chair next to him.

I catch it like I’m cradling a football, pop the top, and take a long drink of the icy-cold beer. “Fuck, this is the life.”

“I may never go to class again.”

Nathan, the team’s resident partier and now one of my new roommates is sitting on the hot cement in jeans rolled up so he can dangle his feet in the water, cigarette in hand. “I tried that. Turns out you aren’t allowed to live here if you flunk out.” He smirks so I think he’s kidding, but you never know with Nathan. I wouldn’t put anything past him.

“Yo, Nate.” Datson holds up a beer and when Nathan turns, he throws it to him. Nathan catches it but then tosses it back. “No thanks, man, I’m good right now.”

“Pacing yourself?” I ask. “That’s new.” Nathan’s usually the first person with a drink in his hand and the last person to stop.

“It’s going to be a long night. I suggest you do the same. The back-to-school party every year is insane and now you can’t just leave to get away from it.”