The Summer I Met The Girl

six

Matt is buzzing with excitement. His bags are packed for the summer, and in just a few hours, he'll be on vacation.

He can hardly contain himself. The ocean is calling, and it's taking everything in him to not bolt out of here without Crew.

There's a knock on his bedroom door, and Bethany pokes her head in.

"Hey." She says with a small smile, "Can we talk?"

Matt nods, throwing his phone onto the bed. "What's up?"

Bethany closes the door behind her. Matt tries not to be blatantly obvious about checking her out. But she's sexy as hell.

"I know we haven't really talked since we started fooling around again. And we're both leaving for the summer, so I just wanted to let you know that you don't owe me anything." Her words are rushed.

Matt nods, slowly. "Okay?"

"I just don't want you to think because of the last few weeks, we're like exclusive or something."

Matt crosses his arms over his chest. He hadn't thought that. In fact, he was pretty sure they were both on the same page about what it was. Just sex. Bethany had done everything she said she would. She wanted to help him get over Carly, and he had. Kind of.

"I didn't think we were," Matt says quietly, treading lightly and hoping he didn't hurt her feelings.

"Good." She says with a quick nod.

Matt takes a step towards her, "Beth?"

"What?" She refuses to meet his eyes.

"These past few weeks have been great. And next time you need help getting over a boyfriend, call me."

Bethany chuckles, "Thanks." She glances at the bags, "Leaving today?"

"Just waiting on Crew."

Bethany raises her eyebrows, "How much time do you have?"

Matt smirks, "About an hour."

Bethany takes a few steps towards him. When she reaches him, she grabs the hem of his shirt. "One last time?"

Matt kisses her lips. He adores the way she always tastes like coconut. They're on his bed before he knows it, and he relishes the feeling of her. He doesn't want to date Bethany, but the feeling of being with her is incredible.

Matt takes his time. Slowly undressing her. Kissing every part of her body. They make love like this is their last time — and maybe it is.

By the time Crew picks him up later that morning, Bethany has left. She left a long kiss on his lips before she walked out of his room.

"You okay?" Crew asks, quickly glancing over at Matt, and then back to the road.

Matt nods slowly, "Yeah. All good."

Crew opens his mouth to say something but then closes it just as quickly. They don't say anything for a while, and Matt's okay with it. He has so much going on in his head.

For starters, Bethany. They agreed to keep it casual, and they both seemed fine with that. Matt is still getting over Carly. And he keeps wondering about the girl from the beach. She was mysterious and aloof, and he's been dying to know more. But then it all comes back to Bethany. Maybe he could give it a real shot with her. Be a decent guy for her. She's certainly worth it.

He's also thinking about what life looks like after football. He has one year left playing the game that has defined his life. Matt glances over at Crew, wondering if he's feeling the same way about basketball. It's hard to let go of something that feels like part of who you are.