Six hard-fought, knock down drag out games later and we are the two thousand seventeen College Basketball Champions.

I almost couldn’t believe it when that final buzzer rang, when the fans rushed the court, when the confetti in the Jade Mountain colors came falling from the rafters. For so long, we had been working toward this, falling short both years prior by just one game. But now … we were champions.

“Did you see that scout for the Bulls? He beelined for you, dude.” Griffin pats me on the back, the crowded bar swarming around us.

It might be stupid, but we’d wanted to celebrate at home, choosing to drive the five hours home from the afternoon game in New York City just to celebrate in true hometown style at The Croc. And now we were surrounded like gods, everyone coming up to buy us drinks, do a shot with one of the winners, or simply ask for our autographs. I think our fellow students now understood that this would probably be the last time they saw any of us play for the school.

“Man, this is sad …” Larry frowns into his beer, mimicking my thoughts. “It’s our last game as teammates.”

“Aw shit, I didn’t even think about that until right now, thanks man.” Griffin flips him the bird. “What the hell are we going to do now?”

Most of us were going up for the draft this year, not waiting until our senior year because we were all mostly ready for the next step. No one wanted to risk injury playing for no money in college for another year, and like I said before, basketball was my major. I wasn’t concerned about getting a degree, it wasn’t what I was here for. If needed, there was always time for that later.

I smile at them. “Live it up without commitments until the end of the year, and then go on to whoop each other’s asses in the pros.”

It was true, we were kind of free to live like normal college students until we walked across that draft stage. I’d had a number of interested scouts pull me aside after we won game after game; this weekend was like a draft in and of itself. With offers of apartments, cars, girls, tickets, basically anything I wanted to convince me to come play for them … it is hard not to feel like a kid in a candy shop. There are so many rumors swirling that I’m going to be taken as the first pick, and my heart drops to my feet every time I hear it. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed about, a dream that would solve all of my family’s problems.

Ever since Eloise paid Mac off, I’d sent the rest of his twenty thousand to Joelle for Mom’s treatment. It should last us the rest of the year, if she doesn’t have a huge medical problem on top of all of the other problems. But after that, I’m on the hook again, not to mention paying Eloise back because I do plan to do that. If I could sign a contract as the first-round pick, it would make all of my problems disappear.

And it would also just be fucking awesome. My blood sings in my veins when I imagine walking across the stage to hold up my first-round jersey from my new team.

“I’m gonna slaughter you, Reiter. Next LeBron my ass, I’ll wipe the floor with you.” Nial walks up, downing a shot someone hands him.

We’re all three sheets to the wind already, drunk off victory and alcohol.

“I’m going to miss you guys.” Griffin tackles us all into a bear hug, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Um, excuse me, what is this rubbish? I thought I was the only one who got to throw themselves all over Colton.” A thick British accent sounds from behind us.

I release my teammates immediately and turn, scooping my girl up in a big bear hug. “Is this better?”

“A hundred times.” Eloise bends down to press her lips to mine from where I hold her above me.

“I thought you’d never get here.” I slowly lower her to the ground, the wall of people closing in around us.

It’s insane in The Croc tonight, Jade Mountain gear everywhere with people shouting and drinking way too much in the wake of victory.

“Well, some crazy blokes decided it would be a fantastic idea to take the team bus back to Vermont, and some of us had to reschedule our flights at the last minute.” She rolls her eyes at me.

I wince. “Yeah, babe, sorry about that … we just thought this would be more fun.”

She waves me off, motioning for Griffin to pour her a beer. “No worries, my love, you’re right, this is better. And that win, my lord. I’ve never felt such a rush!”

She’s extremely cute, her features lighting up as she relives that final shot to me, her point of view from the stands.

I bend down to whisper in her ear. “I want to celebrate that rush with you later.”

Eloise smirks. “Why do you think I rescheduled my flight so I could be home earlier.”

We both realize the weight of the word home in her statement, and not for the first time do I question what will happen when the semester is over.

“I love you.” I search her gaze, wanting her to return the words. Finally.

Our lives are going in completely opposite directions. Mine to professional basketball here in America, which will have me on the road almost three quarters of the year. And hers back to Paris, back to endless nights in restaurants and years of proving herself to be the best chef in the game.

My thoughts are interrupted when a conniving voice interrupts our little rendezvous. “Congratulations, Colton, I always knew you could do it.”

I turn to find Gretchen, queen of the bitches, standing right next to us. “Uh, thanks.”

Gretchen and I have never been particularly close, but as top members of both of our social clubs, I sense she’s always felt some sort of entitlement or claim over me … as she does with all of the more popular, I hate that word, males on campus.

“Eloise, nice to see you could make it home so soon. Funny, you didn’t consult with us on how we were getting back.” She tips her head, as if this is just some innocent conversation.

Yeah, this one is about as innocent as a hornet’s nest.

“Blimey, I apologize. I had to get back to tend to my boyfriend.” Eloise smiles sweetly, a phoniness dripping from the expression.

Gretchen scowls, knowing that my girl isn’t scared of her. “You’d be wise to check with your future sisters first before making any kind of move. As you know, your sisters will always have your back. The same can’t always be said of men.”

The nasty girl looks at me, raising her eyebrows and trying to insinuate something to Eloise. I’ve never been a particularly violent person, except when it’s on the court during a game, but I want to throttle this girl. First, she forces Eloise to publicly declare us as exclusive, which I’m not complaining about, but she made her do it before either of us might have been ready. And now she’s trying to … what? Claim I cheated? Claim I’m not the best thing for Eloise, or that she isn’t the best thing for me. God, I am really starting to loathe the meaningless drama on this campus.

“Don’t worry, Gretchen, I know who has my back.” Eloise just grins again, snuggling farther into my chest.

“Good, you should watch it.” Gretchen mutters under her breath before walking away.

“God, she’s a nasty piece of shite.” Eloise blows out a breath when she’s gone.

“Why do you even put up with them then?” I swing us around to the bar, needing some more drinks after that encounter.

She chews her lip, a move that has that rush we were talking about before moving distinctly to my hardening cock. “I’m still trying to get to the bottom of that.”

I can’t help it, I bend down and bite her lip, sucking it into my mouth. “How about we forget about that, and celebrate?”

Her eyes widen, and I feel it when she rubs her thighs together in frustration. “Next rounds on me, champion.”