Page 25 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

Christian

Pulling up to the girls’ dorm, I shouldered the car door with a groan.

I copped a massive hit last night that sent me hard onto the field and my ribs are paying the price.

On the bus ride home, Randy was nice enough to show me my hit that got put up on YouTube .

I’m not sure if seeing that on loop made my ribs hurt more.

I went to bed with an ice pack strapped to my ribs and got fuck-all sleep.

At three in the morning, I gave up trying to sleep, opting to relax on the couch and alternated icing my ribs, bingeing shows, and taking painkillers prescribed by the medical team.

As I get out of my car, my phone beeps in my pocket as I approach the girls’ dorm building. I pull it out, concentrating on the screen and not the group of girls watching my every move as I walk toward them.

Randy: Who’s got my car?

Seth: Me. Had to go to the gym and return the punching bag I borrowed. Home in 20.

Randy: No worries. Is there a cheerleading outfit in the back?

Seth: Yep, and a thong on the front seat.

Randy: Ok, I’ll let her know we found it.

Seth: Have to say, bro, I’m a little relieved.

Randy: Shut up.

I grin and shake my head at the text messages, but I don’t laugh, laughing hurts, breathing fucking hurts. Pushing the phone back into my pocket, I walk, or rather hobble, straight past Dani’s door. It’s quarter to ten in the morning, so I’m hoping Shelby is in.

Knocking on her door, I step back as I hear gentle footsteps on the other side.

“Hey,” she says in surprise. Shielding her PJs with the bedroom door, they are pink and gray and look so cute, I want to push the door open to see them completely.

“Hey, I was just in the building and thought I would come make sure you’re still good for tonight?”

“Yep, I’m still good. Are you visiting your sister?”

“No,” I shrug, then grimace at my bruised ribs, still not used to the lack of movement. “I’m just inviting myself over to random girls’ dorm rooms. Welcome to NorCal University.”

“Thank you,” she laughs.

“Yeah, I’m here for Dani. I’m picking her and Tyler up, and we are going to meet up with our parents for lunch. We do it every other week.”

“That’s so nice, I wish I could take a short drive and visit my parents. I’m so jealous right now,” she says with a sad shrug. “Are you still really sore?” she adds as her eyes rake over my body.

“Some bruised ribs, but I’ll be good for our date. You will just have to take it easy on me.”

“I’ll try not to hurt you.”

He nods. “I’d appreciate that.”

“I hope you don’t mind I went out with Dani and Tyler last night. It wasn’t planned, it all just kind of happened after the game. None of us felt like going back to our rooms, so the sports bar it was.”

“Not at all, it’s nice you were all hanging out together.” I comb my hand through my hair and cringe at the movement.

“Wrong room, Goober,” I hear Dani yell down the hallway, dressed and ready to go.

“Hi, Shelby,” she yells when we both turn our heads to look. I’m slightly annoyed at my sister’s interruption, but hell, I got to see more of Shelby—and in her cute pajamas—so I’ll let it slide.

“Well, I better go. I’ll see you tonight.” I’m excited for tonight; although, I’m regretting my suggestion to take her for pizza since it’s where all my friends hangout.

“I’ll meet you here,” she replies, shielding her torso with the door. Her hair is a mess, and she is void of makeup, but still stunning. I lean in, giving her a quick kiss on her cheek, and turn back down the hall to a pleased-looking Dani.

Tyler is waiting on the front steps as we walk out of the building, he’s holding his usual garbage bag full of dirty laundry.

He is talking to three girls and working the Stone magic.

When we approach, all three girls are quick to say hello, including one I messed around with last year.

She leans in for a hug and I hug her back, not wanting to be rude as she whispers in my ear “I’ve missed you.

We had such a fun time last Halloween, I was thinking we should do it again this year? ”

“Yeah, maybe.” I shift uncomfortably, glancing a look at my sister as she rolls her eyes.

“Anyway, ladies, we have to get going,” I say, wanting to leave this encounter as quickly as I can.

As we turn to go, my sister elbows me in the stomach—specifically my sore ribs—and whispers, “Remember, you have a date tonight that doesn’t involve that one.”

I nod at my sister, “Yes, and one that I can’t wait for, dear sis.”

***

It’s a forty-minute drive to our house in a typical middle-class neighborhood.

Our bedrooms are exactly the same, and when we arrive home it’s like we never left.

Walking inside, I can smell the amazing lunch Mom is cooking, the roast is in the oven, and she is working away in the kitchen.

I walk in, wrapping her in a hug and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

“Christian,” she greets me, a tender smile lighting up her face. She’s in her late 40s and still gorgeous—I mean, she was a beauty queen back in her day. Dad was the town’s football star, they were high school sweethearts, and I thank my lucky stars every day for them.

“Hi, Mom.” Tyler tries to push me out of the way, but I’m bigger and don’t budge. “Move over so she can hug her favorite child.”

“She already is,” I tease back, flashing my teeth in a Cheshire cat grin. I let go of Mom and lean against the kitchen counter, rummaging through the couscous salad and picking out all the cranberries.

“Christian!” my mom says in annoyance, slapping my hand away from the bowl. Both Tyler and I tower over her now, with Mom and Dani the same height and the shortest in the family.

“See, favorite child right here. Mom would never do such a thing to me, would you?” Tyler smirks toward Mom.

“Go away, both of you,” she says, swatting Tyler with the dishcloth. “Go annoy your father until I get this roast done,” she tells us playfully, but you can see she enjoys our usual banter.

Tyler tries to push me as we walk into the family room, but I see his hand coming and brace my shoulders, not budging at his attempt.

I laugh at him as I throw myself down on the recliner.

I love this house, it’s our safe place, a happy place full of great memories.

Our height markers still pencil the family room doorframe. It’s home.

“Hey,” we greet our dad as he sits in his usual spot in the other recliner. John Stone is a fit man, and between him and Mom, we were bound to get good genes passed down to us.

“Good game last night. You did well, Christian. We were able to stream it on the computer,” he says as Tyler lies down on the couch between us.

“You finally got it figured out?”

“Yeah, yeah, we got it working. We also just purchased a thing to plug into the television so we can watch games that aren’t broadcast on the normal networks. That will be better than us trying to watch it on the computer. Your team looks like they have the goods. How are you feeling about it?”

“Good…great, actually. Practice is brutal, but we are learning so much from Coach. He knows his shit, and we are really meshing on the field, so with that and Coach’s wisdom, we are killing it.”

“That’s great to hear, I like that Coach of yours.”

“Yeah, he’s a beast who doesn’t take it easy on us.”

“Which is what you boys need with the Cyclones snapping at your heels.”

“Don’t mention them,” I scoff.

“That Cole kid and Randy still going at it?”

“Yep! With us being the top-ranked two teams, I don’t think the rivalry will lessen this season.”

“And Tyler, I heard your team is expected to do well this season too?”

“Well, they have me on the team now, Dad, so we will win for sure.”

“Uh-huh,” I murmur. “Yeah, that’s it! Not because you have one of the best players in the league on your team. ”

“The captain?” my dad asks.

“Yeah, Merrick O’Brien, he’s incredible.”

“I definitely noticed that boy zipping around on the ice. He’s fast, and his stickhandling and puck control is second to none.”

I agree and Dad, Tyler, and I watch the rest of the game in silence until Dani calls us for lunch. We each sit at the table in the same spots we have sat in since we were children.

“So, Christian has a date tonight.”

“Really, Dani?” I raise my eyebrow at her in annoyance then shrug. “Well, you lasted about an hour before saying anything, so that’s pretty good for you, I guess,” I say, taking a mouthful of food.

“That’s lovely,” my mom says. “What’s her name?”

“Shelby,” I say through a mouthful of food. I look down, stabbing at my food and hoping my simple answer would be enough to stop this conversation.

“She’s Australian and lives in my dorm, and she is really lovely. I like this one,” my sister adds.

“So, you aren’t dating that Jasmine girl?” my dad asks.

“No, Dad, I’ve never dated her. We are just friends.”

“Hmm…” he mumbles, looking back down at his plate. I know that look, it’s hard for people to believe we have never dated.

“Shelby is so hot,” Tyler says. “I took her out on a date last night and she is smoking.”

I direct my irritated eyes at him. Yep, this conversation is annoying me now. Tyler is rejoicing in the fact that we are having this discussion. His face is a picture of delight as he soaks up the way it aggravates me. With a confused look, my parents’ eyes flick between the three of us.

“You didn’t date her…she was with me, and we all went to the campus bar to watch Christian play football. That’s hardly a date,” Dani states.

“Well, I’m counting it as a date, but being the nice brother that I am, I’m happy to change the subject.” He smirks, swinging his head toward Dani. “Let’s talk about the date you’re going on tonight?”

“What, with who?” I question, waiting for one of them to answer me.

“Thanks a lot, Tyler, how did you find out about that?” Dani asks with a look of surprise etched across her face.

Tyler shrugs. “Guys talk, Dani, he’s on my floor.”

Dani’s body stiffens as she sits up straighter in her chair, a frown forming between her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “You didn’t say anything to him, did you?”

Tyler smiles, taking a long drink of water and shrugs.

“Tyler, what did you say?” She sighs.

Tyler casually cuts into his roast. “My friends and I just slapped him on the back and asked him a few questions, that’s all.

Maybe laid down some ground rules.” I look across the table and watch my father trying and failing to hide his smirk.

Well, the one thing I know is it won’t be a football player.

My sister is hot, too hot for my liking, but none of them would be dumb enough to date my sister behind my back.

When it comes to locker room talk, not much is off limits—except dating sisters.

“That’s not funny,” Dani says, folding her arms over her chest and falling back into her chair.

“It’s a little funny,” my dad smirks, causing me and Tyler to join him.

I see Dani look to Mom for support. “Mom!”

“Okay, boys, that’s enough, leave her be. She is nineteen and she can date whomever she likes.” She tries to put the conversation to rest for Dani’s sake.

Dani isn’t impressed and remains unwavering, arms folded, staring at Tyler, and I can see she is scheming. “Maybe you should ask Tyler why he got benched on Friday night?”

“What?” Dad, Mom, and I say in unison, our eyes all falling to him. “You didn’t tell me you got benched…you said Coach decided to give you a rest.”

“Oh, did they not know the real reason, Tyler… my bad, ” Dani says, flicking her blonde hair over her should and giving her twin a quick wink. Tyler sits there like a deer in headlights as Dani leans forward with a winning look on her face and resumes eating.

“Ha,” Tyler cringes. “Yeah. About that…”