The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak

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Two years ago

“I feel like Cinderella.” My buddy, Datson, spins in a circle, his arms held out to his sides and head tipped back in wonder, in the entryway of The White House, Valley University’s unofficial basketball house, best party spot on campus, and our new digs.

I snort and drop my bag on the tile floor. “It’s a little hard to picture you in a dress, dude.”

“I guess that makes me your fairy godmother then.” Joel skips down the stairs to greet us. His dad, the university president, owns the house, so he basically is our fairy godmother. This place is a palace. “Welcome, guys.”

“This is so dope,” Datson says, still taking it all in like he’s never been here before.

There are only four bedrooms at The White House and being asked to move in is an honor. With the new school year, two of the previous guys graduated, opening up two spots. Joel lives here, as does our other teammate Nathan.

“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.”

“Sounds rad to me,” Datson says as Nathan stands and pulls out his phone, ignoring us. “Why would I ever want to leave an awesome party?”

“No clue.” I hold up my beer. “Cheers to a long night.”

An hour later, I’m three deep when I notice the party has really started to bump. All around shirts are coming off—that’s always a good sign fun is being had—and people are jumping into the pool. That’s exactly where I am, watching the patio where Valley U students continue to pour out.

Datson named himself party host and is jumping around chatting people up, offering cups, and acting like he’s lived here for years instead of two hours.

Several of my teammates are in the pool with me shooting the Nerf basketball into the hoop set up on one end, but I

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