Page 17 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
My eyesight follows his back to the dance floor, and even I can’t find my friends anymore. Holding onto the wooden handrail, I push my body into it, allowing people to pass by.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
“Oh, bathroom.”
“Good luck, the line to the ladies is huge.”
“Great,” I grumble.
“I can take you to my friend’s bathroom if you want? He won’t mind me letting you use it.”
I hesitate. Trusting the male species again, do I dare?
“I promise I won’t bite,” he jokes with reassurance. “I’ll even wait outside.”
“Ummm, sure,” I say, pushing down the doubts that creep into my mind.
“This way,” he says, turning and heading back up the stairs .
We turn down a long hallway and stop midway as he opens a door to the left. “I was just here, so I know nobody is in here. It’s all yours. I’ll wait here.”
“Thank you,” I say, passing through the doorway into a bedroom.
“Bathroom’s just in there,” he says, pointing to a door at the opposite side of the room.
I nod and make my way to the bathroom. Once I’m done, I walk out and spot Will as he leans in the doorway to the bedroom right where he said he would be. Relief, men can be trusted...sometimes. “Well, that was so much better than waiting in line,” I say, passing by him. “Thanks again.”
“No worries at all.”
“So, you play hockey with Travis?” I ask as we walk back down the hallway. The music is loud, but up here I can hear Will without any effort.
“Yeah, I’m not as good as him, though. I play defensemen, number 12, if you come to a game.”
I lean my hip against the banister at the top of the stairs. “Travis told me there are no shit players on the ice hockey team, and that everyone has an enormous amount of talent, so I know you must be good.”
He slides his hand through his hair, almost blushing at the compliment. “Yeah, well, gotta be good at something, so maybe that’s my one thing.”
“Well, I guess I’ll find out. Travis already has me game day ready with team merchandise, so I can be a true supporter. Your first game isn’t too far away now. ”
My phone lights up from a text and I glance at the screen to see a message from Jane. “Oh, my girlfriend is looking for me.”
“Well, I won’t keep you, but if you don’t mind, can I keep your number?” He shoots me a hopeful look and it’s cute that a flicker of nervousness comes across his face. “I’ll admit I didn’t get it in the most chivalrous of ways.”
“How did you get my number, anyway,” I ask, needing to know.
“You and my sister are working on a group project together...”
I nod, a little relieved. At least there’s a thread of logic to follow—a link in the chain I broke.
“Sure,” I reply, he didn’t ask for my contact details, but I appreciate him at least checking if he can keep it.
To be honest, I’m genuinely impressed he made the effort to get my number, and quietly proud of myself for saying yes.
Plus, I get bonus points because it didn’t send me into a panic attack when I learned he had my details.
I actually like it and feel comfortable with him having my number.
The thrill of dating might just be in the cards again.
I say goodbye to Will at the top of the stairs and make my way back down the grand staircase.
Unable to find my friends on the dance floor, I flick off a text to Jane saying I need a drink and move toward the door.
Someone shifts into my path. I glance up—Christian…
again. My grip tightens around my phone. ”
“Hey. ”
“Hi,” I say as he stops in front of me, and I slide my phone into my back pocket.
One hand is in his front pocket, the other is holding a red cup as his muscles flex, and I once again take in that tattoo all the way down his tanned skin.
It’s a blatant gawk; again, the liquid courage shining through.
“I can’t believe we ran into each other twice tonight.
This party is insane; there must be a thousand people here,” I yell as we stand near the dance floor, remembering his departing words from last time.
He looks at me, and for a second, I swear this wasn’t chance.
But I shake off the thought—no overthinking tonight.
“Where are you off to?” he asks.
“Thinking of going outside to get some air, I’m sweating in here.”
He turns his head to look at the crowd and the dimly lit dance area we stand right on the cusp of. “Can I ask you a question?” he asks, his face coming back to look at me.
I look at him, puzzled, my lighthearted feelings dissolving. “Of course.”
He turns around to the dance floor, his body now next to mine as he points with the hand holding the cup. “Who is that?” he says, gesturing toward Tom as he dances with Jane and my friends from the dorm.
“Tom?” His proximity catches me off guard, my breath stalling in my chest. He doesn’t move from his position beside me as I study him. His eyes watching the dance floor as I remind myself to breathe. “Just a friend.”
He leans into me, our faces only inches apart as my heart thumps in my chest. “He was holding your hand?” His voice is so deep, so husky and so close.
“Just while we went to get a drink,” I say back. “It’s like a labyrinth out there,” I add, pointing toward the backyard, but his eyes don’t waver from looking at me. His eyes drop to my empty hands, then rise back to my face.
“So, are you single, Shelby?”
Wow, nothing like just coming out and asking what you’re thinking. “Yeah, actually, I am.”
His lip turns upward. “Would you like another drink?”
I bite my tongue and hold back the excitement I’m feeling, then answer, “That’s actually where I was headed.”
“Guess you better hold my hand then; it’s a labyrinth out there .
” He uses my words against me, a large grin crossing his face.
It’s sly and cheeky and makes my knees buckle.
I smile, accepting his hand as he leads me carefully through the crowd toward the keg.
This walk through the yard is easier, with Tom we got pushed and had to fight our way through, while Christian’s path seems to open right in front of him.
He also talks to practically every person we pass, everyone wanting to congratulate him on the win.
When I walked through before, I felt invisible, and now I feel everyone’s eyes on me.
Randy is still standing near the keg, noticing Christian, then me.
“Shelby, you’re back, just couldn’t stay away?
” He looks at Christian, his lopsided turn of his lips so mischievous.
“I see you upgraded your date.” He extends his hand to me, as my hand slips from Christian’s.
“Why don’t you hold my hand and go straight to the top. ”
Christian stares at him, shaking his head.
“I’m good…thanks anyway,” I reply, reaching for a cup from beside the keg and placing it in his outstretched hand.
“Ouch,” he laughs, taking the cup from me.
Christian gestures to the guys. “Big mouth here is Randy,” he says as Randy laughs, filling my cup. “And this is Seth.”
“Yeah, we met before.” Filling in the gaps for Christian, I add. “Tom and I came out and got a drink earlier.”
Seth nods his head in greeting. He’s taller than Christian and Randy, huge, full of muscle, and covered in tattoos. Once I get past all the tattoos, I notice he’s all in black: black shirt, jeans, and boots. No team logos for him. Not that he has to. I guess it’s Seth and people know who he is.
“Where have you been?” Seth asks.
“I had to sort some shit out with Tyler,” he turns to me and answers my unspoken question. “My brother.”
“Fuck, well, sounds like you need a beer,” Randy says, passing him his own cup.
“Just hearing his name these days makes me want a beer,” he sighs, sliding his new cup into his old cup .
“I told you to text me if you needed help.”
“It’s done now,” Christian says, bringing the cup to his lips and taking a gulp. I listen to the conversation around me and take a sip of my drink.