Page 28 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
Christian
I take the front steps two at a time and enter the house, ready for the welcome I’m going to get.
It’s in relative darkness as I follow the light coming from the television.
I enter the room without making eye contact with my roommates.
Swiping a pillow from the couch, I slowly lower myself onto the floor, lying on the ground as slow as possible.
I can feel my friends’ eyes on me, smiles on their faces, knowing full well everyone knows the details of my date.
I close my eyes and my head lifts toward the ceiling. “Shut up,” I mumble.
“Didn’t say a word,” Randy quips.
Seth’s deep voice comes from his usual spot in the recliner. “That bad?”
I carefully roll over, avoiding my bruised ribs, my friends all shirtless and watching ESPN.
“It could have been better had we been alone!” I groan from the slightest movement.
“But I guess it was good.” I yawn, my words mumbled, “She is amazing and seems to have had a good night, even with the extra company.”
Randy just laughs .
“Got another date lined up?” Walsh asks.
“Yeah.” I lift my arms above my head and slowly stretch, still unable to fully extend. I wince at the idea I have to ice it again tonight. Fuck strapping ice to your ribs then being expected to sleep.
Seth rubs at his side. “So, they didn’t fuck up your night too bad then?”
Randy looks over at him, his head resting back onto the couch, half asleep. “Having me on his date with my wit and charm only improved the date.”
“I highly doubt that,” Walsh adds.
“Hey, he got another date, didn’t he?” Randy yawns, his eyes barely open.
Walsh flicks the remote to see what else is on. “You seem to really like her?”
“Early days yet,” I mumble, but have definitely felt the pull in my chest that she might be different.
Stretching, Randy lets out a loud yawn. “Well, gentlemen, I had two nice dinners, two awesome dates, and one great fuck. I’m exhausted and ready to call it a night,” he says, standing. “I’ll see you all bright and early in the morning.”
“Oh, before you go,” Seth says. “Can I just ask that we don’t have any parties here this week? I have a paper due Friday that I need to work on.”
“No worries, man,” Randy says.
“Downstairs at 5 AM,” I yell to Randy’s back and watch him salute the air in response.
“No worries, Seth,” Walsh says, turning back toward him. “But seriously, man, it’s probably perfect now. You do know you don’t have to ace every paper.”
Shrugging his reply, “I want to get into a good med school.”
“You will, man,” I say, slapping on his foot as I roll over to stand up like a very pregnant woman. “I wish I had your brains and dedication,” I yawn. “What exactly is in that weed you smoke?”
“Only the best,” he grins.
“Are you going to bed?” I ask him.
“Soon,” he replies. “Why?”
I slide my shirt over my head and stare down at my ribs, the right side nothing but an assortment of colors: blue, purple, yellow, some red…it looks like a rainbow threw up all over me. “If I go for a quick shower, are you able to help me ice and wrap my ribs?”
“Yeah,” he nods back.
“Thanks, man,” I say, turning to limp upstairs. Having someone who is studying to be a doctor is handy to have around the house.