Page 15 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
Shelby
“Did Christian just wave at you?”
“I’m not sure,” I say, sharing her thoughts. Even though Letti has been chatting my ear off, I haven’t taken my eyes off the game or the players, and yes, one in particular. I give a brief look to my left and right. Could he have meant it for someone around me.
Yeah, that had to be it. There are thousands of people here tonight and I’m surrounded by so many people sitting in the stands.
I push the thought aside as I watch the Raptors as they end up winning 31 to 20.
Christian moves across the field like a force of pure celebration—completely in his element, the energy spilling from him and his teammates in waves.
Watching him, it’s easy to see why tens of thousands will fill the stadium week after week, drawn in by the undeniable pull of their connection, their rhythm, their joy.
It’s infectious, the kind of moment that expands beyond the game itself.
The crowd is electric, and if you wanted to be spotted in the crowd, just wear any color other than blue or silver, I dare you.
Most people have jerseys, or some form of Raptors merchandise, and I make a mental note to buy something before the next home game.
I already have a hockey shirt and a hat courtesy of Travis, so might as well get totally wrapped up in the school spirit.
Leaving the grounds with the rest of the crowd takes a good fifteen minutes as I follow Letti and Travis through the mob and into the parking lot.
Travis looks around searching for his car and waving to some friends as we walk.
“So, are we going to the afterparty?” he asks, spotting his car and pointing at it.
“The text messages have gone out,” he says, holding up his phone. “It’s at Jason’s, no surprise there.”
“Yes, please,” Letti says, holding my hand and doing a little jump. Travis apparently has always attended these events while Letti was still in high school. Attending the football afterparties are not to be missed, or so I’m told.
“Shelby, you’re coming, right?”
My body warms with nerves and excitement.
“Lead the way,” I reply, walking toward his car.
My phone lights up in the darkness of the parking lot, I squint to read the small writing on the bright screen.
I read the text, then read it again. “A guy named Will just texted me. He asked if I was going tonight and said he is a friend of yours, Travis.”
Travis turns his head in surprise.
“Do you know who that is?”
“You’re joking, right? ”
“Nope,” I say, holding up my phone and showing him the screen.
Dumbfounded by my news, he shakes his head as he squints at the screen. “He is one of my teammates,” annoyance laces his voice. “How the fuck did he get your number?”
I shrug. “Buggered if I know.” I’m nothing if not protective of my personal information; although, since being here I have been a little more relaxed.
The other day I gave my number out to the students I’m doing a group assignment with.
We all exchanged numbers, and although I felt apprehensive to do it, afterward it actually felt good, normal .
“He couldn’t find his skates last week. He had to borrow a spare pair from the storage room, and trust me, you don’t want to stick your feet in those wet, bacterial things. Yet somehow he can track down your number. Unbelievable ,” he says as he slides into the driver’s seat.
Letti slides into the front seat, reaching for her seatbelt. “He’s a nice guy, though, kinda hot,” she says, coming to Will’s rescue. “You met him the other day in the coffee shop.”
“Yeah, I think I remember him.”
“He’s a great defenseman.” Letti adds.
Travis looks over at her, putting the car in reverse and his hand against Letti’s headrest as he backs out from the parking space. “Resourceful, too, by the fucking sound of it.”
“She’s not your sister…it’s not like he had to get yo ur permission.”
“Is that a rule?” I ask from the middle back seat.
“A massive rule,” Travis says to me through the rearview mirror. “It also applies to ex-girlfriends.”
Letti rubs Travis’s hand to appease him. “So, a girlfriend’s roommate might be a little far down the line.”
“So, you agree there is a line?”
I can sense the eye roll from here as Letti pats his hand. “I don’t think any bro code has been dishonored.”
He relaxes in his seat, squeezing her hand. “I’m still going to have a word with him.”
“They’re not going to listen to you; you’re not the captain.”
“Fine, I’ll get Merrick to tell them.”
“Leave Merrick out of it; she is fine.”
I grin down at my phone and send a reply back to Will.
Me: Yeah, I’ll be there.
Will: Awesome!