Page 55 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
Shelby
After a late-night study session, Tom and I make our way out of the library.
I feel good knowing I’m keeping on top of my studies, and to top it all off, things with Christian are going amazingly.
Thanksgiving was perfect, Dani was right, I had nothing to worry about.
John and Mary were lovely and so welcoming.
The whole family is amazing, and they insisted that if I can’t make it home for Christmas that I am more than welcome to join them.
“Hey, I’m going this way,” Tom says, pointing to the opposite direction to the dorms.
“O-oh, you’re not heading back to the dorms.”
“No, gotta swing by a friend’s place. That okay?”
“Yeah,” I stammer. “It’s fine.” I wave Tom goodbye as he jogs down the front stairs of the library and disappears into the night.
I hesitate, drawing a deep grounding breath as I scan my surroundings.
The paths are well lit, but the grassed areas hang heavy with dark shadows as I take my first nervous step onto the walkway.
My chest tightens. I suck in another breath, locking my gaze on the lights ahead, a small café beside the campus ice cream parlor.
My feet move forward, but my head swings from side to side, tracking the open space.
You got this.
The shadows under the trees stretch and shift like grim reapers gliding across the grass, and fear begins to coil in my throat—it’s thick, suffocating. My hands tremble, my skin turns to ice. The world tilts. Unsteady. Unreal. Panic clamps down. I can’t do this.
I run in sheer terror, my feet slapping against the pavement as the ice cream parlor comes into view. My vision sharpens as I slow down, pushing open the door just as a small bell chimes overhead. I stop, leaning back against it, catching my breath.
Behind the counter, a young woman serves a customer, neither of them paying me any attention.
I sink into a nearby table, my gaze immediately drawn to the front window, scanning outside, searching, hoping Justin isn’t out there.
Don’t be stupid. Of course he’s not . My head drops into my hands as I try to calm myself.
Reaching into my backpack, I find my phone.
“Hey, beautiful,” Christian greets me, his voice sending a wave of comfort.
“Hey, are you busy?” I ask, willing my voice to stay steady.
“Nope.”
“Do you think you could come to the ice cream parlor. ”
“Yeah, of course. Is everything okay?”
I sigh. “Yeah. I just freaked out trying to walk home alone.”
I hear him stand, the faint jingle of keys in his hand. “I’m on my way, just stay there,” he says, then hangs up.
I watch as the last customers filter out, the shop growing quieter.
At the counter, I order two small cups of ice cream, offering a quiet thanks before returning to my table as I watch Christian’s truck pull up outside.
I set the desserts down as he enters the shop and crosses to me with a mix of determination and concern written across his face.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his hands cupping my face, his touch grounding me.
“Yes, I just had a little panic attack.”
His brows knit together. “Why would you try to walk home alone in the dark? Even for someone who hasn’t been through what you have been through, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“I was with Tom, I thought he was heading the same way as me, but he had to meet a friend after our study session. I thought I’d be okay, but… I wasn’t. I panicked,” I say, my eyes searching his, hoping he understands.
Concern still lingers in his expression, but he doesn’t question it. Instead, he pulls me into a hug.
“I got you ice cream,” I murmur into his chest, hoping to break the tension.
I feel the faint rumble of a chuckle against me. When he finally lets me go, we sink into the chairs at the table.
“I didn’t know what you liked, so I just got my favorite.”
“Mint choc chip?” He glances at the cup and grins. “I do like that flavor.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“People find it weird, but it’s just plain vanilla.”
I’ll remember that for next time.
He points. “But next time no walking home alone in the dark, I will come get you!”
I smile, relishing his protectiveness.