Page 3 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

“Seriously, it’s fine,” she tells me, her hand cutting through the air.

“My dad dropped me off today, which was a whole forty-minute drive. Sure, it’s been a crazy day lugging boxes but–” She waves her hand in the air again, and her three silver bangles jingle in the air.

“I can’t really complain.” She shrugs and smiles.

“I had help from Travis and his hockey buddies. Having five strong men to do all the heavy lifting made moving a breeze. Well, until Travis’s friends got distracted after their third trip to our room and started offering their assistance to other more ‘available’ freshmen.

” She shakes her head, smiling. “Still, it’s an exhausting day, so I’m ready for an early night myself—once I make your bed and you go shower.

” Her words are pointed just like her finger .

She is either the sweetest person I have ever met, or she’s basically letting me know that those wipes and deodorant didn’t do shit.

She stands and walks over to her side of the room. “Tomorrow, I can show you around campus. Travis is a sophomore here, so I know the campus well.”

“Boyfriend or brother?” I confirm.

“Oh, boyfriend.”

I look back at the picture frame on her bedside table. “He’s cute.”

She smiles and nods her head in agreement. “He most certainty is, and you will get to meet him tomorrow. He knows the campus and everyone on campus, so don’t worry about not knowing anyone.”

In the photo the sun is shining brightly down on the happy couple, and they look so peaceful and in love.

One of the main worries I had coming here was what my roommate would be like and if we’d get along. I’d read so many horror stories about the opposite. So, I’m internally beaming when she seems genuinely sweet and helpful.

***

The next morning, after a well-needed sleep in, we walk to the local café for some much-needed coffee and sustenance.

Then for the next hour, Letti spends her time showing me around the university.

The campus is impressive with its large historical buildings and open grass areas, it’s much bigger than I expected.

The lawns are manicured to perfection, and the pathways clear from debris.

“It’s quiet now because it’s orientation week and just new students are on campus; once classes begin, it will be much busier. All the juniors and seniors rule the school, so enjoy the campus while you can.”

I nod, taking in everything Letti says as we continue down the path toward the gym and sports arenas.

During the hour, I mapped out everything I needed to know—where orientation will be held, where my buildings are, the library, and the various dining halls.

I have a feeling I will be seeing more of the sports arenas often with Letti dating an athlete.

“It looks like we will have two classes near each other on Tuesday at the same time,” I say as we continue across the quad.

I study the piece of paper in my hand as I walk and wait for her response.

Hearing nothing but silence, I look toward her, waiting for a reply, then halt when Letti stops beside me.

Her eyes sparkle as a ridiculously attractive guy jogs toward us.

I recognize him instantly as the guy from the photo, somehow more attractive in person.

His eyes are fixed solely on Letti. With a large smile, he reaches down, grabbing her and lifting her into the air.

She gazes down at him as her hands rest on his shoulders.

“There’s my girl.” he says. He really is attractive, with light brown hair and bright, rainforest green eyes. Just looking at him, you could tell right away that he is an athlete. He’s tall with thick, strong legs and a built upper body.

“Hey, baby,” she says back. They kiss as he slowly plants her feet back on the ground, but not before whispering something in her ear that makes her blush.

Stepping out of his embrace, he continues to hold her close as she turns to introduce me. “Travis, this is my roommate Shelby, Shelby, this is Travis.”

I look up at him with a smile. I’m not short, but I still have to crane my neck toward the sky to see him. Seeing him up close, his features that I couldn’t see before are just as impressive. He has thin lips, and a perfect nose, although somewhat bent, which only adds to his athletic looks.

“Nice to meet you,” I say, holding out my hand, somewhat intimidated by such a large man. College men are just bigger than the boys in high school, like half of them are built like professional athletes—not that I’m complaining. He accepts my hand, giving it a gentle shake.

“Likewise.” He swings his arm over Letti’s neck and turns her around and we fall in step down the path. “So, Shelby–?”

“Wilson.”

“Cool. So, Shelby Wilson, what are you studying?”

“Once I declare a major, it will be psychology.”

“Nice. Australian?”

“Yes.”

“Sydney?”

“Brisbane.”

“Single?”

“Umm, yes.”

“ Fuck ,” he says with one solid shake of his head. He adjusts his cap and looks down at me in disappointment.

Not the response I expected. “Why is that bad?” I slowly let out.

Letti throws her head back slightly and laughs, answering for him, “Because you’re hot, babe, and Travis’s friends are like horny rabid dogs, wanting to stick their bones wherever they can.”

“Eww.” I crinkle my nose at her description.

He playfully tightens his arm around Letti’s neck. “They’re not that bad, but I have a feeling you’ll be a hot topic of conversation with my friends very soon.”

** *

Travis and Letti show me around the rest of campus together. There wasn’t much more to see, but with Mr. Popular it took even longer. Not that I’m mine, I met new people I’d probably never have met otherwise, and felt relatively relaxed the whole time.

My past is behind me…and thousands of miles away, I remind myself as I walk.

The urge to look back will fade—but not yet.

I just have to give it time. Although, having Letti and her six-foot-two, athletic, hockey player boyfriend beside me certainly helps.

I also got an email from my psychiatrist today saying that I could reduce my anxiety meds.

So, I’m ticking this day off as a win as I try to hide another yawn that slips out.

“Okay, that’s it. We are taking pity on you and calling an early dinner,” Travis says, a grin tugging at his lips.

“I’m so sorry, guys, the jet lag is awful.” I laugh, covering my mouth with the back of my hand as another yawn escapes.

Travis holds Letti’s hand, and I walk beside them as they lead me to a dining hall for dinner.

***

My belly is full, and late afternoon drapes the campus in quiet.

A few students linger, tossing a ball back and forth in the distance.

As the sun slips behind the buildings, the sky bursts into a soft bubblegum haze, casting the campus in glowing shades of orange, pink, and yellow.

I breathe in the beauty of this place and let out a tired yawn—my body still grappling with the time difference, needing a few more days to adjust.

“So how did you two meet?” I ask to help keep myself awake on the walk back to our dorm.

“School,” Letti replies. “Travis had a huge crush on me, practically stalked me around the halls and begged me to go out with him. After what felt like the hundredth time of him striking up a conversation, he finally asked me out. I took pity on him and said yes.”

“Lies.” Travis laughs, his fingers digging into her side.

“Don’t you dare believe that!” he points toward me on a smile.

“That’s not how it happened at all. She was head over heels for me.

Her little friends would giggle every time I walked past—it was embarrassing.

For her, obviously.” He gestures toward Letti with a smirk.

“She was crushing hard. So, one day, I took pity on her and asked her out. She screamed, bounced around like a kid who just won a giant teddy bear at the carnival, said yes—and, well, here we are.”

“Wrong!” she scoffs.

It’s undeniable how in love these two are. It’s cute, infectious, and makes me smile. “Okay, I’m just going to assume the truth is somewhere in the middle.”

They both shrug.

“So, when does your season start?” I ask Travis.

“October, but we start training soon, in the gym and on the ice. Our first game will be a hard one…fuck, all our games are hard, so Coach never takes it easy on us. Before I forget, are you going to come with me and Letti next week?”

“What’s next week?” I question.

“Tryouts.”

“I don’t know anything about hockey.”

“You don’t need to; it’s pure gold entertainment.”

“They judge,” Letti interjects, “and you’re coming with me.”

I shoot her a smile.

“Of course, we judge—and critique and evaluate.” He shrugs. “It’s tryouts. The whole team will be there, it’s mandatory. Coach would have our heads if we didn’t show.”

“You also laugh, point, and heckle.”

He shrugs “Again, its hockey, baby, it’s what we do.

Plus, tryouts can be hella funny. Last year we had a guy from England try out who couldn’t even skate.

He thought because he played rugby and could tackle that he would be able to handle hockey; boy, was he shown wrong within seconds.

Took him a few minutes and some smelling salts to regain consciousness. ”

“Ouch.” I wince.

“Usually people know better, but it’s still entertaining watching guys get laid out on the ice when they think they can play. Our team is one of the best, so you must be talented to make the cut.”

“Like you?” I jest.

“Pretty much,” he shrugs and laughs, shooting me a wink with those emerald eyes.

“So, you really don’t know anything about hockey?” Letti asks.

I shake my head. “No, not really. It’s not big in Australia, but I would love to go and watch. I want to experience everything while I’m here, watch the best of the best.” I try to joke but it ends in yet another yawn.

“Awesome. I’ll have the two best-looking women on campus cheering me on.” A grin splits his face, bright and shameless.

I breathe out, looking around the campus grounds.

I realize in that moment that I feel relaxed, and I haven’t felt this free and at peace for a long time.

I can’t wait to ring Mom when I get home and update her on my day.

This sense of peace will follow me into my dreams, hopefully, as I finally get some rest back in my dorm room bed.