Page 36 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

Shelby

On Wednesday night, Letti and I follow the lights like moths to a flame. It’s a gorgeous afternoon walking through campus as we talk and laugh on our way to the stadium. The vibe is electric as people enjoy some down time, ready for a fun-filled night as we all move in the direction of the arena.

We do the normal shuffle down a metal row of seats and claim our spot.

The lights are bright, and the commentators are speaking over the sound system, introducing the marching band and cheerleaders.

Jasmine leads her squad with precision, guiding them into formation as they execute one of their many routines.

Their timing is effortless, drawing the crowd to its feet in cheers.

The commentators introduce the players, and my eyes are lasered in on Christian as the Raptors exit the tunnel and make their way onto the field as they start their warmup.

“Go, Christian, you got this, babe,” I hear a girl yell behind me.

I resist the urge to look back .

Letti doesn’t have that ability and shoots a death stare to the random girl behind us.

I take a sip of my soda, “Great, just great! Guess I’ll have to put up with that all game.”

“Forget about her, he’s taking you camping tomorrow, not her.” Letti shoulder bumps me as the captains move into the center of the field to do the coin toss.

“I guess.”

“He is interested in you, not her or anyone else.” She taps my forehead even harder than she did the other night, her words holding the confidence I don’t possess.

“Ouch, stop doing that!” I flick her hand away and let out a deep breath, my eyes still locked on Christian. “It’s hard not to…he could have any girl in this stadium.”

She scoffs again. “Not me!” She sips at her soda. “Besides, he wants you, not them. And don’t you forget that.”

***

In the third quarter the Raptors are on the attack, the senior quarterback catches the snap, looking at his options, he throws it down field to Christian.

It spirals in the air, everyone’s eyes on the ball as Christian jumps to catch it at the same time he is tackled mid-air.

The crowd gasps as he lands awkwardly, hitting the ground with a hard thud.

My hand covers my mouth as I watch the training staff and Seth run to where Christian lays.

I cringe as I watch Christian sit up slowly, holding his ribs and talking to the medical staff.

I find myself clutching at my own chest as they help him off the field.

The crowd cheers for him as he’s led off the field and over to the benches, but all I can do is stare in silence.

Letti gasps along with the whole stadium as they show the replay on the jumbotron. “Ouch, that looked painful. I hope he’s okay.”

“Why do they have to keep showing that?” My hands cover my mouth and nose as I watch the replay for the third time. “His ribs are already so bruised,” I add.

I watch Christian take off his shirt, which doesn’t go unnoticed by the crowd. The medical staff grab ice and assess his injuries. The remaining quarter I watch the Raptors lose their first game of the season, as well as the black-haired beauty checking in on Christian in-between her routines.

I feel Letti squeeze my hand in reassurance as the final whistle is blown. I know she was watching the interactions between Christian and Jasmine as much as I was. “Well, that was eventful,” I say as I watch the team disappear into the tunnel.

“Yeah,” Letti sighs. “Travis just texted, their team lost too,” she says, checking her phone as she stands and stretches. “Are you okay?”

I really don’t know how to reply; he’s not officially mine, but damn if that didn’t hurt to watch. “Yeah, I guess so,” I say as we stand and start our shuffle out of the stadium just as my phone pings .

“Christian just texted me.”

“What did he say?” she asks, as we walk again.

“He is making sure I’ll be at the players’ door.”

“There was no other direction I was taking you, babe!”

***

I nervously wait outside the players’ door. It’s crowded and I can barely even see the door from where we stand.

“Stop it,” Letti says, nudging me as I dig my red Converse into the grass. “He didn’t ask you to wait out here and to go camping just to blow you off.”

“Yeah, okay, there’s just a lot of people here.” My eyes scan the crowd, and it’s cute to see all the kids waiting near the door with their parents, merchandise and pens in hand.

“Well, maybe we should stand closer.” She nudges, willing me to act more confident.

“I’m good back here,” I say, not budging from my spot at the back of the crowd.

I see the top of the door open, and the players making their way out.

They stop to sign autographs, then disappear in every direction into the crowd.

Christian walks out and immediately he is talking to a bunch of kids.

Signing autographs, getting photos, and greeting people with that infectious personality of his.

Down, ovaries . The children’s joy is unmistakable, radiating through their expressions, their parents standing proudly behind them.

After chatting to his little fans, I watch him scan the crowd.

His smile is there even though you can see the disappointment from their loss behind it.

He spots me and makes his way over. An obvious discomfort in his walk and a bulge from a strapped ice pack identifiable under his shirt.

“Hey,” he says as he wraps me in a gentle hug and claiming kiss.

“Are you okay?” I ask, looking down as if I could assess any damage.

“Nah, Shelby,” Randy says, coming up behind him and slapping him on the shoulder. “I don’t think he is. I think he might need some special attention.”

“I’m fine!” His eyes narrow on Randy from below his damp hair.

“Just trying to help a brother out.” He shrugs. “Good game last night, Shelby. You earned that win,” he says, walking over to me and wrapping me in a hug. It’s something Randy has always been good at, making me feel welcome.

“I’ll earn the next one too,” I tease.

“Ha.” He barks out. “We will see. We can discuss it while camping, but I’m thinking this Sunday for our next game. Change it up a bit. I’ve noticed since Halloween some people have been predicting our next game, and we don’t want any online interference.”

I nod. “Yeah, that should be fine.”

“Okay, well, what about Sunday morning?” Randy suggests, his Raptors football bag hung over one shoulder.

“Yeah, that should work. ”

“Awesome.” He smiles.

A large crowd of people have gathered behind them waiting to see what their post-game plans are. Seth walks up beside Christian, flashing me a quick look. “I’ll let you guys talk. I just wanna know what your plans are?” Seth asks.

“I’m sore and really not in the mood to be bumped around at Jason’s house.”

“I’ll drop him home, and then come over to Jason’s,” Randy says.

Seth nods. “You have my instructions, so make sure you follow them,” he says to Christian without a second glance as he walks back to the group behind us.

“I’m heading home with Letti. So, I guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” I say.

Christian inches closer to me, his hands falling to my hips. “Or…” He pauses. “You could stay the night with me?” He leans in, taking me in a passionate, claiming kiss resulting in a few whistles around us, and I can’t help but blush as our lips slowly part.

“Well, that’s embarrassing,” I say into his chest. The attention from his friends doesn’t faze him.

“Ignore them,” he says as I look at him.

“You coming?”

“Okay.”

“Good. We will swing by your dorm, drop Letti off, and you can grab a bag…sound good?” He looks at Randy, who gives him a playful salute.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” I reply.