Carter leaving the city really put a damper on the rest of my trip. Don’t get me wrong, I had to be there for my boy, Noah, and I was. He kicked Sanchez’s ass, getting the knockout in the second round. We celebrated hard partying well into the early morning, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Carter. I missed her on the flight home and my head was preoccupied wondering what she was doing?

Sinking into the old leather of the couch, I turn my phone on. Leaning my head back, I compose a text in my mind and grin as I begin to type it out.

Me: Where’d my cuddle buddy go?

Barking out a laugh, I read it over once more and then send. She doesn’t answer my message and it’s not like I expect her to. She’d never make it that easy on me.

Me: You can run, but you can’t hide, Candy.

This time I don’t wait to see if she’ll answer. Immediately, I type out some more. This is the best I’ve felt since she left.

Me: Did you forget to kiss me goodbye?

Me: Do you miss me yet, roomie?

Does she miss me though? I’d love to know the honest answer to that question.

Is her bed lonely without me in it? And this one too.

I sure as hell felt her absence the past two nights. More than once, I found myself reaching for her only to find she wasn’t there.

How can I miss Carter being beside me after only a few nights of sleeping in the same bed?

It’s amazing how quickly she became an instrumental part of my life. I didn’t realize what a significant loss I’d feel once we returned to Boston. Now that I know, I need to figure out what I’m going to do to make sure I see her as soon as possible.

With Monday morning comes gym time and day four without seeing Carter. While football practice doesn’t officially begin until the last week of July, some of the team and I decided to begin a week early. We run the track for three miles, followed by two hours of drills that keep my mind occupied. It’s been nice to see some of my teammates, although, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t missing Brady and Zeke. We have some younger, talented players, but it won’t be the same without my two best friends.

Brady and Harlow moved to their own apartment about ten minutes away. Harlow is still attending B.U. and Brady got a job working for a sports talk radio show. He decided his football days were over, partly due to an old knee injury flaring up during last season. But all is good. He loves his new job and the two of them are ridiculously happy together.

Zeke found employment in the city working for an investment firm and he still shares the apartment with me. Claire, his girlfriend hasn’t been around much lately. I’m not sure what the story is there, but when he’s ready to talk about it, he will.

Trevor, Brady’s younger brother recently moved into his old room. So far, we’ve barely seen him at the apartment, but now that football practices have officially begun, I’m sure that’s about to change.

* * *

“Dude, do you know anyone who’s looking for a roommate?” Noah asks me as we finish changing in the gym locker room.

“What’s the matter? Did Reagan already get sick of your ass and kick you out?” I smirk, before raising the bottle of water to my lips.

“Nope, that’ll never happen,” he boasts, looking pleased with himself. “Carter got the job she interviewed for and now she’s ready to move out of her parent’s house.”

My heart pounds erratically at the mention of her name. “Actually, there’s a one bedroom available across the hall from my apartment.” I do my best to keep my tone even. He can’t know how much the thought of her being so close by excites me.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I can talk to our landlord for her if you want.”

“Give me his number and I’ll pass it on to Carter. She doesn’t mind if we put some feelers out for her, but she wants to be the one to do all the calling.”

“Here,” I say, sending him a text with the phone number. “It’s available immediately. The guy who lived there, just moved out this past weekend.”

“I’ll tell her to call him right away before someone else grabs it. I know Reagan would feel a lot better about Carter living alone with you guys right across the hall.”

“Yeah, most definitely. We’ll look out for her.” My cool answer masks the emotional turbulence going on inside my chest. Having her so close to me would solve the problem of when I’ll see her again.

When wouldn’t I see her?

We could spend time together every day which would give me ample opportunity to wear her defenses down. She won’t stand a chance resisting me.

* * *

“What’s going on with you lately?” Harlow bumps her shoulder into mine as we sit next to each other on the leather couch in my apartment.

“Football practices are kicking my ass. That’s about it.” My gaze drifts from the Star Trek episode we’re watching to connect with Harlow’s expressive gray eyes. “What?” I question, noticing the frown lines pressing down between her brows.

“What’s up with you? What aren’t you telling me?” Shifting on the cushion toward me, she continues her volley of rapid fire questions, while earnestly studying my face. “Are you in trouble? Do you owe some bookie money? Did you knock someone up?”

Barking out a laugh, I wrap my arm around her. Pulling her close, I kiss the top of her head. “Brady’s a lucky bastard to have you. If only I’d met you first.”

She smiles up at me. “Now, I get it.”

“Get what?”

“You’re thinking about a girl.” Her expression shifts from worry to delight quicker than the click of a dial. “Who is she?”

“Who is whom?”

“Don’t even try to keep this from me. Tell me now.”

“Her name is Carter.”

Her lips press together, cheeks puffing out as she nods her head, gloating over her correct assumption. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“You’ll like her.”

“Tell me about her. Where did you guys meet?”

“She’s one of Reagan’s older sisters and she just moved back to Boston.”

“She’s an older woman then?”

“Yep, she’s twenty-six and she’s about to return to dental school.”

“An older woman and a doctor to be, sounds like you’re out of your element my friend.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“She’s older and if she’s going to dental school then she obviously won’t have time for frat parties and getting drunk.”

“I already know she doesn’t like parties.”

“How long have you guys been dating?”

“We’re not dating yet. We spent a few days together in New York and kissed, but I haven’t talked to her since.”

“You’ve been back from the city for over a week now. How are you going to woo her if you don’t see her?”

“She’s moving into the apartment across the hall next weekend.” I smirk and hold my fist out for her to bump.

“Nice. How’d you manage that one?”

“The opportunity sort of fell into my lap.”

Now, if only I can get her to fall for me.