Page 48 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

Shelby

“Hey,” I say back.

She holds a neatly wrapped blue box with a silver ribbon in her hands. “I have something for you,” she says, waving the box back and forth in front of me.

I’m taken aback. “A present?” I say as she passes me the gift, my body flooding with warmth. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, I’m just the courier; Christian got it for you. Open it,” she gestures as she greets Letti with a hug and takes a seat on my bed.

I feel their eyes on me as I pull at the ribbon and lift the lid on the box. “Oh my God, I can’t believe he gave me this,” I say, holding it up and showing Letti.

Her mouth drops. “Wow, that’s massive,” she smiles.

“I love it,” I say as I look down at the shiny material of a jersey in my hands.

** *

I take in the growing crowd and the sea of blue, white, and silver as Dani, Letti, and I walk toward the stadium.

My steps have an extra spring in them and my ponytail Letti insisted I wear flips back and forth.

Because just like Dani, I have on a Raptors jersey with ‘Stone’ and number 22 across my back.

The only two women to have these shirts, maybe three if his mom has one.

Either way, it’s claiming I’m his and he’s mine and I love it.

I feel people’s eyes on me as I walk up the stairs, following Dani to our usual seats.

The rumors of me and Christian being in a relationship have been circling the university like wildfire, and now the jersey I wear is confirming those rumors.

We stand and cheer when the Raptors run out of the tunnel and take the field.

I’m starting to love this game, and with so many people playing it whom I care about, every moment is intensified.

Controlling my nerves is hard. I feel every play, every throw, and tackle.

I find myself bracing for every hit, my knees constantly bouncing on the bleachers—by the time the halftime whistle blows, I’m exhausted.

“You okay over there?” Letti asks me.

“Yeah, I need a drink, but I’m okay.” My throat is coarse from cheering. “I don’t know how you watch Travis’s games all the time.”

“It’s thrilling! I love it. I can’t miss a game.”

“Tell me about it,” Dani adds. “I’ve been watching my brothers, and their friends play since they were kids. Just wait til it’s a championship! I’m a ball of nerves; I have no idea how the boys handle the pressure.”

Thankfully, the Raptors win their game, and we soak up the cheer of the crowd watching the team celebrating on the field.

The crowd is thick, and we are shoulder to shoulder, standing-room only, gripping each other’s hands so we don’t get separated as we exit the stadium.

“I’m so nervous about meeting your parents on Thursday. ”

“Don’t be, my parents will love you, they are the best. Honestly, you have nothing to worry about,” she says, squeezing my hand.

“I just want to make a good impression.”

“You will. Plus, us three will be there to support you; although, you won’t need it.

I’ve never been concerned about bringing a guy home to meet my parents…

my brothers on the other hand.” She grumbles, “Actually, maybe I should be a bitch to you. Christian needs some payback.” She gives my hand a playful squeeze.

“You guys are so lucky your mom is cooking. My dad is hopeless at cooking, so every year we have an agreement that he buys the food, and I cook the food,” Letti says, holding my other hand.

“Make sure you task the guys to help. Don’t let them get away with watching football all day,” Dani says as she leads the way.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” Letti replies.

The crowd separates and we can finally breathe in the slightly cooler night air. I’m excited to see Christian as we make our way around to the players’ door. I want to thank him for the jersey and tell him how much I love it.

“How are you and Lucas doing?” I ask Dani as we stand outside the players’ door, waiting for the boys to come out. The crowd is building, and as always, there are lots of children hoping for photos and autographs.

“We’re good,” she says hesitantly, biting her lower lip.

“Okay, that didn’t sound reassuring,” Letti says, catching the concern on Dani’s face. She slips her phone back into her pocket. “What’s going on?”

Dani shrugs. “Nothing, everything is fine. I’m just not 100% sure how I’m feeling at the moment. Not sure I want to be locked into a relationship, so we’re just keeping it casual for now.”

She flashes a smile over my right shoulder, and I turn to see Christian striding toward me. His hair is damp, and he’s in his Raptors team shirt, gym bag in one hand. He smiles, wraps me in a bear hug from behind, and presses a warm kiss to my cheek.

“That jersey looks fantastic on you,” he groans into my ear.

“I love it, thank you so much,” I say, turning and hugging him back.

He turns his mouth closer to my ear, and when he speaks it sends goosebumps down my arm. “Maybe getting you to wear it out in public wasn’t such a great idea. All I want to do right now is take you home and do nasty things to you.”

I glance up at him, almost certain he just read my mind. I’d be lying if I said watching him run around in that jersey tonight didn’t turn me on. “I’m ready when you are,” I whisper back. He smiles at my willingness to go home with him. He releases me and wraps an arm around my waist.

“Good win, big brother,” Dani says in greeting.

“Thanks, Dani.”

“Travis not here?” Christian asks Letti.

“No, he had to go back home for the weekend.”

Christian nods his head as Seth comes to stand by his side. “Hey, just wanted to see what your plans are?” Seth asks Christian.

“I plan on heading home, I need to rest my ribs,” he says, giving me a slight smile. “Is that okay with you?”

I read his thoughts that mirror mine perfectly. “Yeah, that suits me,” I say, leaning my head against his shoulder and wrapping my hand around his waist.

Seth turns his head toward Dani and Letti. “And what are you two up to?”

Letti turns to Dani. “I’m not ready for bed yet, you?”

“Nope, let’s go check out this party,” Dani replies, excitedly jumping in the air.

“I’m in,” Letti tells her as she looks at Seth.

“Hey, gang,” Randy teases, swaggering over, his hair still damp. “What’s happening?” he asks as he throws his arms over Letti’s shoulders. “Shelby and I are heading home; these two are going with you,” Christian says.

“Nice,” Randy says, a glimmer of mischief spread across his face. “Let’s roll.”

Seth slaps Christian on the shoulder. “Rest up, man, and Shelby,” he says, turning his dark eyes toward me. “Make sure he ices his ribs.”

“I will.” I smile at him.

Christian holds my hand and then lifts it up and kisses the back of it. “Yeah, yeah, we will get to that.” He winks and I can’t help but blush.

“Ready?” Randy says, gesturing toward Dani and Letti.

“Yes,” they both answer back excitedly.

“Let’s go then! Oh, and Shelby…” he looks at me and winks. “Leave the jersey on, Christian will really like that.”

“Oh my God,” Dani cringes. “Let’s go, I need a drink after that comment!” She pushes Randy in the direction of the parking lot as he chuckles in laughter.