Page 29 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

Shelby

The next morning before I even open my eyes, my phone alerts me that I have a message. Squinting at the screen, a smile I can’t help breaks out across my face.

Christian: Morning.

Me: Morning.

Christian: What r u doing?

Me: You woke me actually.

Christian: Sorry about that. I just finished at the gym, about 2 have a shower. I was wondering if u want to get breakfast at the café in 45min?

Another big grin broadens my face, and not just because I’m now picturing a naked Christian in the shower.

Me: Sounds good.

Christian: I can come get u.

Me: Meet me there.

Christian: K. See u soon.

“What are you grinning at like a mad person?” Letti says. Busted. She is lying in her bed, looking over at me and pushing hair away from her forehead.

“Christian just asked me to breakfast.” I’m trying to stop myself from smiling but failing miserably.

“Nice. So, I’m guessing by the stupid look on your face, your date with the hot running back went well? I tried to stay awake to get all the details but crashed early.”

“I had the best time. Although, we got totally inundated with Christian’s friends. He was getting so frustrated when more and more of his friends joined our table. I thought it was cute that it bothered him so much.”

“I bet that would have frustrated him…sounds like a scene from Grease .” Letti groans as she pulls herself up into a sitting position. She crosses her legs in front of her and reaches for her phone.

“That’s pretty much what happened.” I mirror her, pulling myself out of bed. I find some clean panties, shorts, and a pink Nike shirt my sister bought me for my birthday. “I also met Merrick.”

Letti swoons. “Oh, Merrick is so lovely, and very easy on the eye, if I do say so.”

With his gorgeous caramel skin that makes his light green eyes pop and that perfect smile glisten, he really is something.

“Yeah, that’s one fine specimen of a man,” I agree, both of us never shy to discuss how hot we find the opposite sex.

“He seems to speak highly of you. Oh, and he said to say hi.”

“I’ve known Merrick since Travis and he started college together. I’m actually surprised you haven’t been introduced to him sooner.”

“I’ve definitely seen him around, but never had the chance to get introduced.”

“Isn’t he the type of guy you would want to have babies with, just so your kids could have a chance of having skin that beautiful?” she comments, tapping away at her phone. “Plus, he’s just a great guy. He dates Emma, have you met her?”

“Doesn’t ring a bell.”

“She’s a bit weird, a massive prima donna, so no great loss there. Merrick is such a great guy, I have no idea what he is doing with someone like her, but to each their own,” she says, leaning down and flicking off the fairy lights.

“It was actually really nice meeting everyone last night.” I turn to face her. “So, what are your plans today?” I ask, dragging my hairbrush through my bed-tousled hair.

She sighs. “I have to get a paper done, really need to finish it today.”

“Well, good luck with that!”

She groans. “Oh, trust me, I need it.”

“I think we have some vodka in the freezer.” I point toward our mini fridge.

“I’ll pick up some fresh orange juice on the way home, your prize for getting that paper done.

Oh, and tonight I need your help with what I should wear for the upcoming Halloween party, I’ve never dressed up for Halloween before. ”

“That is totally unacceptable, you Aussies are weird. Tonight, we’ll look online and see what’s out?”

“Yes, that would be great.” I need all the help I can get as I have no idea what to expect. “What would I do without you?”

As I grab my towel and bathroom products, I watch Letti tap at her chin. “Hmm, how about we dress you up as The Crocodile Hunter?” she asks.

“No,” I say, shaking my head.

“Crocodile Dundee?”

“No.”

“Just a crocodile?”

“No, nothing crocodile related,” I laugh. “I would like to fit in, not isolate myself more than my accent already does.”

“Fine, kangaroo, it is!” she says as I roll my eyes at her and head for the showers.

***

Opening the café door, I look around and find Christian sitting with his teammates, who aren’t hard to spot.

My palms begin to sweat as I approach the popular table in the café.

He sits facing me at the U-shaped booth.

His hair is still damp from his shower, making his brown hair almost black.

He raises his chin in greeting as I approach, flashing me those perfect white teeth.

“Hi,” I say as I make my way over to the table.

He stands in greeting. “Morning,” he says, giving me a quick kiss on my lips as I feel the eyes of the restaurant on me.

“Morning, Shelby,” Randy says. None of his friends are surprised by his greeting. I guess that can only be a good thing.

“Morning,” I say to the table with a shy wave.

“I thought we could order and go sit over there,” Christian says, pointing to a spare table.

“Don’t you want to sit with your friends?” I say, gesturing toward the three guys.

“I sat with my friends long enough last night!” he counters firmly, shooting a pointed look at Randy, who returns the look with a crooked grin, equal parts charm and trouble between bites of his food.

“I don’t mind.”

“See, it’s fine, she doesn’t mind,” Randy adds, patting the seat next to him.

Christian slowly shakes his head. “Fine, I’ll go order. What can I get you?”

“Umm, just a coffee and bagel, please.” Since moving to America, I have fallen in love with cream cheese on bagels, something I have never tried back home. Vegemite on the bagels would be better, but cream cheese will have to do until my package from Australia arrives.

“Have a seat next to Seth…he will protect you.” Christian gestures to the seat he just left.

“Really, man, I’m sitting right here,” Randy says, faking a look like Christian’s words hurt.

Christian goes to order and Randy looks at me.

“Don’t worry, Seth will protect you from my good looks and charisma.

” Seth shakes his head at him, and I can’t help but laugh as I take a seat in the booth next to Seth.

While Christian grabs the coffees, I’m introduced to the final housemate, Walsh.

The kicker for the NorCal Raptors, and apparently that’s all he does…

walks out, kicks, and goes back to the bench.

He’s friendly, but quiet, also good looking.

Really channeling the boy down the street type of look with brown hair and green eyes.

“So, Shelby, how was your date last night?” Randy says, leaning toward me from across the table, a glint of mischief in his eye. “I heard some of the players interrupted you guys.”

“Yeah, you could say that! I didn’t mind, actually, I found them quite entertaining, but I don’t think Christian was overly impressed.”

“Ha, yep. I could see how much he wanted you all to himself.” Randy smirks as he takes a bite of his bacon and egg wrap.

“He should have known that would happen if he took you on a date there. That place is a free for all,” he says with a mouthful of food.

I shrug. “It’s my fault. I asked Christian to take me somewhere local, someplace I knew and would feel comfortable.”

He places the wrap back onto his plate, gently dusting off his hands. His brown eyes find mine across the table. “Ah, crap, now I feel bad.”

“It’s okay,” I reply because I actually enjoyed getting to know them all. “I had fun.”

My eyes follow his in quiet appreciation as Christian returns with our coffees. “Thank you.”

“The waitress said she would bring the food over in a minute,” he says .

Christian takes a seat as I slide farther down toward Seth, his fully tattooed arms are fanned across the back of the booth as he watches people come and go. He doesn’t seem to miss a thing as he takes in our conversation and gives the occasional head nod to people walking by.

Finishing off the last of his wrap and rinsing it down with the last of his coffee, Randy gestures toward Christian. “Well, I think we’ve annoyed him long enough. I think we should finally let him have some alone time with his girl.” His girl . “I better be heading home to work on my PHD.”

“You’re going for a PHD?” I question, realizing my voice probably sounded more surprised than it should have. “Sorry, I didn’t mean…”

He cuts me off. “Yep, it’s ‘PlayStation Hardcore Day’ and I’m going to put some long hours in. I’ll leave the medical degree to Seth,” he says, nodding his head at Seth as he slides out of the booth behind Walsh.

I laugh at the stupidity of what he just said…

seriously, no wonder girls swoon over him.

He’s funny, witty, attractive as hell, and charisma drips from him.

Yet the only guy who keeps making my heart skip a beat is the equally hot man sitting right next to me.

Just sitting next to him is turning me on and causing my skin to tingle.

What do you play?” I ask Randy.

“Anything and everything.”

“Call of Duty?” I ask.

His smile sharpens. “Actually, that’s what I was thinking of going home and playing. Do you play?” His voice carries just enough skepticism to make the question feel like a challenge.

“Mate, I destroy at that game,” I say, tossing back some sass.

Randy tilts his head slightly, weighing my words.

Christian watches with quiet curiosity. Seth remains unreadable, his expression doesn’t shift much, just a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, a flicker of acknowledgment that disappears almost as soon as it’s there.

But it’s enough. The girls at the next table notice, and I’m pretty sure she just fell in love with him.

Randy exhales, still unconvinced. “Really?”

I hold his gaze, unflinching. His doubt is almost a dare

“Yes.” I say again with confidence as I take a sip of my coffee. I feel Christian settle back next to me, his arm going around my shoulders, and I love the possessiveness I feel from his touch.

“You think you could beat me?”

I look him up and down. “Well, I don’t know anything about your PlayStation skills but… Yes, I do.” I can’t believe how cocky I’m being, but I’m enjoying this exchange, challenging Randy. Plus, I know my PlayStation skills…and I’m better than good.

“You actually think you could beat me?”

“What, pretty boy? You think people can’t beat you?” Walsh says, messing with Randy’s hair.

Randy looks at Walsh and then back at me. “ Well, I bet you can’t.”

“What’s the bet?” Christian asks.

“Lady’s choice.”

“Umm, let’s see,” I think. “How about online together, same team, best kill-to-live ratio wins, best out of five games.”

“Done,” he says, leaning on the table with both hands and making me crane my neck to look up into his eyes. “Now what’s the wager?”

“If Shelby wins, you have to run out onto the field at one of our training sessions wearing only a jock strap,” Christian says.

“What?” Randy and I both say in unison, our heads turning to him. Walsh lets out a laugh, and even Seth cracks another upward twitch of his lips, the girls’ ovaries at the next table are about to explode as they look toward him. “Oh, that’s good,” Walsh says.

“Just making it interesting,” Christian replies with a shrug as he takes a sip of his coffee.

With a challenging look he agrees. “Okay, Stone, done, but…”

Christian cuts in, pointing his finger at Randy. “She’s not doing anything even remotely naked.”

“Relax, Stone,” he jests. “I don’t have to make bets to get chicks naked, you know that. If I win, Shelby here has to sing the national anthem at one of our training sessions, that’s all. You know really get us pumped up for our training drills.”

Jerking my head around to look at everyone, I’m in shock. “What!! No, I can’t sing! I-I don’t even know your anthem.”

“What’s the problem? I thought you destroy?” Randy says, pushing off the table and folding his arms over his chest. Yep, he is challenging me, and I started this... fuck .

“I do,” I reply, lacking the confidence I had just a few moments ago.

“So…?” he raises that damn eyebrow at me again.

“Fine. Done!” I extend my hand out to him, and he gently shakes it.

“First game, nine this Wednesday night, suit you?” I ask.

“I’ll be online.”

Seth nods, gesturing to me while talking to Christian. He rubs his tattooed hands over his fully tattooed neck. “I like her.” His comment makes me blush because for a man who doesn’t say much, it was nice to hear a compliment, even if it was just three words.

“See you around, Shelby. I hope you kick his ass. That ego of his needs to be taken down a few rungs,” Walsh says, slapping Randy on the shoulder.

“I’m planning on it because trust me, you don’t want to hear me sing.”

“And everyone wants to see my ass cheeks. See you around, boys and girls.” Randy’s parting words are loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear.

As we watch them walk out, I lean back into Christian and groan. “I can’t believe I just did that. How good is he? ”

“He’s pretty good.”

Great . “Crap. Looks like I will need to get some practice in before Wednesday.”

“Well, if nothing else, it looks like you have earned my friends’ respect,” he says, squeezing me.

I look up at him, and everything I was just worried about melts away, content and happy in this moment. “Well, that’s a plus.”

He leans down, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose.

I know people are watching, probably talking and texting about us, but looking into that gorgeous face, I don’t have a care in the world.

The fear of losing the bet and singing an anthem I don’t even know slowly weaves its way to the back of my mind.

I lean forward and take another bite of my bagel.

“So, Seth is going for a medical degree?”

“Yup, he wants to be a surgeon.”

“Wow, that’s impressive! I guess I just thought he might go for the NFL since he seems pretty good at that, too, isn’t he?”

“He is naturally good at a lot of things, but that man is way too smart to play in the NFL.”

“Funny, I wouldn’t have picked him to be a doctor, he looks way too—I don’t know… rugged.” I cringe, hoping I’m not insulting one of Christian’s best friends.

“Yeah,” he laughs. “I get that. He looks like he could be a member of Hell’s Angels, but looks can be deceiving. I think he’s going to be a great surgeon. He’s calm, collected, more logical than emotional, not erratic or reckless—all traits that would suit his profession.”

I admire him as he picks up his coffee and takes a sip.

His mouth sealing around the rim of the cup draws my attention to his perfect lips and how something so simple looks so seductive when he does it.

I take a sip of my own coffee, thinking to myself that I really hope his interest in me is genuine.

It scares me how hard I might fall for this guy if I let myself—or worse, if I can’t help myself.