Come home late from the gym

I got back to the dorm a little after midnight, still feeling the effects of my workout.

The hallway was quiet when I opened the door.

I expected to see Jeff’s girlfriend there. He’d mentioned earlier that she was coming over that night, so I figured they’d probably still be hanging out.

Instead, the room was mostly dark.

Jeff was asleep on the couch with the TV still on. Some movie was playing quietly, the credits rolling across the screen.

I looked around.

No girlfriend.

I figured she probably left after Jeff fell asleep.

I headed down the hall toward my room. As I passed Chase’s door I caught the unmistakable sound of wet slapping and a woman moaning through the thin wood. No headphones, volume cranked. Typical Chase. I shook my head and kept walking. Not my problem.

My room was dark and quiet. I stripped down to my boxers, tossed my sweaty clothes in the hamper, and collapsed onto the bed. The sheets felt cool against my skin. My muscles ached in that good way, heavy and loose. I closed my eyes, ready to crash.

Then my phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from Sarah. “Miss you. Call me before you sleep?” I stared at the screen for a second, thumb hovering, then set it face-down. The gym had wiped me out. I’d text her in the morning.

I rolled onto my side, one arm tucked under the pillow. From down the hall I could still hear the faint thump of Chase’s porn, but it faded as sleep pulled me under.