Page 40 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
Christian
I watch Shelby as she sits and talks among our friends. The bottle of whatever girly drink I bought her lingers near her lips before she takes a sip. My friends all seem to like her, but they all know she’s mine…well, not mine, but hopefully soon.
The amber lights from the fire dance across her pretty face as I study her. I catch Seth’s hawk eyes watching me as I watch her. Discreetly I flip him off, knowing exactly what he’s thinking. He smirks and takes a sip of his beer.
“So, Shelby, what made you leave Australia and come all the way over here anyway?” Walsh asks as he pokes at the fire with a stick.
“Oh, umm…” I watch her squirm in her seat, and it makes me frown. She looks uncomfortable as she bites the inside of her mouth. “Well, I had some problems back home, guy troubles,” she mumbles.
I remember back to the afternoon in Shelby’s room when she told me about the real reason she came to America. I stay fixed on the wooden log, but the pull to stand and wrap my arms around her is strong .
He looks at her, still poking at the fire with a stick in one hand, beer in the other. The small log he sits on rocks back and forth. “Guy troubles made you move to a whole new country?”
“Yeah,” she hesitates, takes a deep breath, and continues.
“I dated a guy who got really controlling and it didn’t work out.
When I broke it off, let’s just say that he didn’t take it well.
” She picks at the label on the bottle with her thumbnail.
“It got really bad, actually. My parents had to take out a restraining order on him, and he even had to serve some time,” she says, lifting her head to look back up to him.
“I stopped feeling safe, so I thought some new surroundings would be good for me.” Her shoulders are slumped, and you can see just talking about him has drained all the happy energy from her.
“Fuck, what a freak,” Walsh hisses out.
“You have no idea,” Shelby replies.
“Well, don’t worry, Shelby, the football team is badass, we will protect you. Plus, you’re all the way over here now, safe and secure from the crazy fucker.”
She smiles at Randy’s attempt to lighten the mood. “Thanks, Randy.”
“Speaking of ass, are you ready for me to kick yours in our next match?”
The change in topic makes her ease back to her relaxed state, and I’m not even annoyed that Randy is talking about her ass.
She takes a sip from her drink, her lips parted and curved upward as she nods. “That’s not going to happen,” she replies as I watch the unease leave her eyes. Whether she is still fearful of Justin or worried about what my friends would think of her situation, she is starting to relax.
“I heard the hockey boys talking about it the other day while I was waiting for Travis,” Letti says.
“Really?” Shelby asks, swinging her head in Letti’s direction.
“Yeah,” Travis agrees, nodding his head. “Apparently, since the Halloween party, everyone knows about it.”
Dani leans closer to Shelby. “Yep, all my friends have heard about it, too, and no pressure, Shelby, but every girl on campus is cheering for you.”
“Trust me, I feel enough pressure from the gut-churning feeling of not wanting to sing in front of your teammates. Seriously, what if your Coach opens up your training session to the public?”
“Coach wouldn’t do that this close to the championship…probably,” Walsh says, though he doesn’t sound convinced.
“Either way, someone’s filming it, and you know it’s making the rounds on campus,” Dani grins.
“Every lady wants to see the goods, obviously…, who can blame them.” Randy grins as he stretches his hands out to the side.
Walsh chuckles, shaking his head. “Pfft, every lady on campus has probably already seen it.”
“It will probably be cold, won’t be much to see,” Seth says as he takes a long pull of his drink.
“Hey, I’m sitting right here.” Randy stands and lifts his shirt. “Besides, my abs on the jumbotron…” He points to his stomach. “Man, that is a sight people should pay money to see.”
“Oh God, please tell me they won’t turn the jumbotron on?” Shelby cringes.
“Maybe.” Randy shrugs.
“At least you don’t have to sing. I’m thinking I would prefer stripping down to my bra and undies and running across the Raptors’ turf. It would be far less daunting than singing a song I don’t know,” she sighs.
“Oh, I’m more than happy to adjust the wager.” Randy grins, all confidence. “I would be more then accommodating for that change. It’s just the type of nice guy I am.”
“It’s okay,” Letti interjects smoothly. “You’re not going to lose, babe.”
Shelby smiles back, giving her a determined look. “True, I have to give the ladies at the university what they want!”
Dani laughs as she reaches over for a high five, Shelby slaps her hand back.
Randy throws back the last of his beer and stretches. “I’ll give it to you, Shelby, you are good, but you have met your match.” He yawns. “Well, I’m going for a piss and hitting the air mattress.” He looks over at me and winks. “Don’t keep me waiting, tent buddy.”
I stare at him from across the fire. “Seriously, how did I get stuck sharing a tent with you again? Weren’t all those school and football camps punishment enough?”
“Oh, I couldn’t agree more.” Randy grins before coming to stand behind Dani and Shelby.
“So, I’ll do you a solid being the amazing friend that I am.
I’ll swap. Now,” he says as he bends down and slings an arm around each of their shoulders.
“I could either share a tent with Shelby here, or your sister, which would you prefer?”
I raise my eyebrows and glare back, making him chuckle. “Yeah, that’s what I thought,” he replies as Dani kisses his cheek.
Luckily, I trust my boys with my life!