Brent lies on the bed, playing with the ends of my hair, while I read through my textbook in preparation for an exam in the morning. It’s somewhat difficult to concentrate with him right next to me, and I find myself rereading the same sentence a few times before moving onto the next. He’s quiet and respectful, but I’m not used to having company like this. There’s a comfort and familiarity of him being here, but there’s a newness as well. At times, I feel like we’re in high school again, discovering each other. Other moments, it feels like he’s been around for years. In a way, both are true.Reaching the end of the chapter, I decide to take a break and shut my book. I roll on my side to face Brent, who has been patiently scrolling though his phone to occupy his time.“What are you doing?” I set my book on the floor before laying a hand across his thigh. “Looking up training facilities”—he puts his phone aside and rests his hand on mine—“to use while I’m here.”“I thought it was the off-season?”“It is, but I still need to keep up with a few things on a daily basis.”
