03

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭

First rule of one nightstand: always slip out before the person you were on his bed wakes up.

The moment the sun came up, I quickly wore my clothes as silently as possible then tiptoed out of the bed in hopes I did not wake him up. I froze the moment I felt him stir, then his hands reaching out for something to touch. I gave him the pillow which he brought closer to his chest and let out a satisfied sigh.

Thank God.

I released a quiet sigh and continued getting dressed. My shirt was on the floor, one shoe had somehow ended up near the closet. I found my phone beneath the nightstand after nearly giving myself a heart attack when I couldn't locate it.

Once I've gotten everything back in place, I finally allowed myself a proper look at him.

He looked different while sleeping.

Softer.

His dark hair had fallen across his forehead and part of his face. His expression was relaxed, free from the teasing confidence he seemed to wear so naturally from last night.

He looked almost like Alister, yet different. He was definitely more handsome, and had more prominent features like those Greek gods mythology. God certainly has a favourite, It was definitely a fine day in the gene pools the day he was formed.

For a moment, I stood there.

Just staring.

Then my brain remembered that I had no business staring at a man I'd met less than twenty-four hours ago.

Right.

Time to leave.

I grabbed my bag, moved toward the door and slipped outside as quietly as possible. I closed the door behind me, then turned only to bump into someone.

“Sorry about that.” I apologized, then left before the person would say anything.

I took in the campus environment, all green and beautiful with the banner of Saint Aurelius hanging on the entrance of the dorm building. For a moment I thought I still had the alcohol in my system, I blinked my eyes three times before looking at the building again and the banner that rested up mocked me.

Shit, did I just sleep with a student here?

How could I be so stupid and dumb to make that mistake?

I'm never drinking again, and definitely not with strangers that look like they are your secret answered prayer requests who happen to like devils springs.

I tried to shut the flashback of last night, but it kept popping up in my head. I still can't believe that I had one nightstand with someone that I just met, God have mercy.

“Oh hi, Mr. Rivera.” I looked up at the voice that called my name, it was Genevieve. “I didn't take you for the early type.”

She was wearing a green dress that clung to her curves, I took note of that as I gave her a smile.

“It's nice to see you, just came to check the curriculum. You know, to get a head start before I meet with the players later today.” That was a lie—i can't believe I just lied. But there is no way I will just spill the fact that I slept with someone who's probably a student here, though I may be wrong and he probably won't be a student, but I don't want to rule out that possibility.

"Oh, you're so dedicated."

If she only knew.

Before I could escape, Genevieve hooked her arm through mine and started dragging me across campus. She spent the next ten minutes pointing out buildings while I nodded along and pretended to listen. In reality, I was busy wondering whether I'd just slept with one of the university's students.

By the time she reached her fifth explanation, I was desperate for an escape.

"Actually," I interrupted, "I should probably head home and get ready for the team meeting."

"Already?"

"Unfortunately."

She sighed dramatically before letting me go, then made me promise that I would come to her if I had any questions regarding the school or any issues but I wasn't about to present my present predicament to her. The moment I stepped out of the building, I exhaled deeply, like I had been holding my breath the entire time.

Finally Freedom!

Or at least, something close to it.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and started walking fast. Past the neatly trimmed lawns, past students laughing and heading to their early classes, past everything that kept carrying my mind back to the fact that my one nightstand might be a student here.

What are the chances? Maybe a one in a hundred.

“God, Beckett..out of everyone you could've slept with, it just has to be someone who happens to go to the same university that you just got hired at!”

It was definitely Alister’s fault!

If he hadn't posted that picture of him with someone else, having fun while I'm trying to get my life back together then I wouldn't have made such a spontaneous decision. I wouldn't have gone drinking and if I hadn't gone drinking, I wouldn't have met this stranger.

If I hadn't met him, I wouldn't currently be wondering whether I'd accidentally slept with a student.

See?

Perfect logic.

The blame rested entirely on him.

Now my legs were walking back to my apartment, ignoring the ringing of my phone while my mind was randomly selecting fine moments from yesterday, even the image of him shirtless as sweat glisten his packs.

No, No, No, No... Beckett you shouldn't be thinking about that stranger's abs when you have bigger things to worry out.

My phone rang and once again I ignored it. It was probably spam or one of those insurance people trying to sell me a package or something, I mean that's the only people who persistently calls me.

Finally the ringing stopped then my phone buzzed with a notification. Giving in, I pulled it out of my pocket and unlocked it. I stared at the screen, reading the text that came in. “You left without goodbye.”

Yup, I'm definitely fucked!