Page 52 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

Shelby

It’s kinda surreal how I’ve gone from ‘no one’ to ‘someone’.

I’m not letting it go to my head, but I’m also not going to lie and say I don’t like it.

Even if it’s a tad disconcerting when everyone knows your name and you don’t know theirs.

I simply nod and wave to the few who say hi.

Actually, rewind, let’s take some of that back, because not everyone has been welcoming.

I would be lying if I didn’t notice the odd, turned-up nose or scowl in my direction.

Because yes, I’ve done it! I’ve taken the highly sought-after Christian Stone off the obtainable list, and like Demi Lovato sings, “Sorry Not Sorry.”

I’m head over heels in love with that man, not that I’m ready to tell him that yet.

I hear footsteps jog up behind me as I turn my head and see Randy’s smiling face.

“Hey, Shelby,” he says through a half-sucked purple lollipop and devilish smile.

“Afternoon.”

“How’s your day going?”

He’s looking at me in a mischievous way. “It’s been good, lots of looks and G’day’s from people; other than that I guess mainly normal,” I reply, still suspicious of him. What is he up to?

“Yeah, well, I thought that would be the case for you this week. I’m guessing you’ve broken the hearts of about thirty percent of the female population on campus.”

“Thirty percent?” I question.

“Yeah, the other seventy percent want me.” He smiles, the white stick of his lollipop dangling between his teeth.

“Really? I thought the remaining seventy chased after Seth!”

He grabs at his heart playfully. “Oh, baby doll, that cuts me deep. So which direction are you heading?”

“Howard Hall, my last class of the day.” I point.

“Great, I’m heading in that direction. I’ll walk and talk with you,” he says, then dramatically starts tapping his finger on his chin.

“Hmm, what to talk about. What to talk about… what could we possibly discuss on our way to class. Do you have any suggestions? No, you don’t.

Oh, I know! What about we talk about that full moon Saturday night? ”

“Oh God,” I say, covering my face. Somehow, I had completely forgotten about that.

“Heard it was quite the commotion.”

“That got out fast,” I say bashfully back.

“Nothing is sacred in our house, but don’t be embarrassed. It happens to the best of us.”

“You know, Christian always warned me to make myself known before I enter your house because, and I quote, ‘you never know who is walking around with no pants on’ . I just never thought that person would be me.”

“Look at it this way, it’s a funny story to tell the grandkids one day.”

“I don’t think that’s the type of example I want to set for my grandkids.”

He shrugs, then high fives some guys walking by. “If I can’t be a good influence, Shelby, I’m happy to be the bad example. I’ll be the first to tell them as their grandpa, Don’t do what I did, Little Johnny…learn from Grandpa’s mistakes and stay in your room if you’re naked.”

“God, your poor grandkids,” I mock.

“Pfft, whatever,” he says as we approach the stairs to my building. “They will have my blood pumping through their little bodies; that will be some gorgeous kids. So, you coming to the game Friday night?”

“I heard it’s the big game.”

He looks at me with a serious look, one I haven’t really seen before. “We are playing the Cyclones; we need to win this game.”

“You seemed fired up already?”

“Oh, I am! Their fucking backup quarterback won’t stop tagging me in his lame ass Instagram posts. I just want to ram his phone down his throat and put my fist in his face.”

“Is that Luke Cole?”

“Yep, that’s him, we have had a few throwdowns before; trust me, the hate is real,” he grits out and I can see the loathing in his eyes.

“I’ll be there, sounds like a game not to be missed.” It’s amazing how I already have that pinch of nerves for their game. They want to win so badly, which makes me want it just as much.

“Our victory against them will be so sweet.” He walks backward and I see him shifting back to his happy self.

“I’ll see you there, if not before. Oh, and Shelby,” he yells louder than necessary.

“Don’t worry, pants are always optional for you at our house,” he says, drawing the attention of people around us.

I shake my head at him and roll my eyes, making my escape through the main door.