Page 59 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
Christian
The Cheetos hits me smack in the middle of the forehead, and I lift my eyes to look up at her.
“I’m trying to cheer you up here and you are making it really difficult.
I skipped class for this!” Jasmine shoots me an irritated look.
“I’m eating carbs and all kinds of rubbish food here in an attempt to make you happy.
” She gestures to the chocolate and chips sprawled out on the outdoor metal table.
News of the breakup got around fast, it hasn’t even reached the twenty-four-hour mark and it’s all everyone is talking about. Jasmine being her fabulous self kidnapped me before lunch to make sure I’m doing okay.
I shoot her an indifferent look.
“Fine, be a grump.”
I reach for some chips and throw a large handful into my mouth as I scan the campus grounds; it’s busy and I feel like everyone is watching us.
“So, a party tonight that should get you nice and distracted.”
“And wasted. You coming?” I say, resting my chin on my knuckles.
“Hard pass. I was your fuck buddy, Christian, mutual agreement. I’m nobody’s rebound.”
I rub my finger under my lip and smile. “Who says I want to fuck you?”
“Please,” she scoffs on an eyeroll, unfazed by my comment, our usual banter in full swing.
I lean closer to her from across the table. “Thank you for this. It wasn’t necessary, but I do love how you look out for me. You’re a great friend, Jasmine, and I would never rebound fuck you.”
She taps me on the nose. “My pleasure. So, have you seen the little tramp around?”
I lean back on a sigh and straighten the Raptors cap on my head, shielding my face from the late-morning sun. I hate that she just called her that, but I’m also not about to say otherwise. “No, not since she called it off.”
“Who the fuck does she think she is!? I let her have you and she goes traipsing off and does that!” She shakes her head in repulse, her voice full of malice.
I jeer at her diva-like antics. “That was so noble of you to step aside like that.”
“I know, right?” She cracks a smile. Her lips are coated in a clear gloss, and I have no idea how she manages to keep it so perfect while she eats.
“THERE HE IS! THE TALK OF THE TOWN!” Randy yells, and I swear everyone in a hundred-yard radius just heard him.
I shake my head in his direction as I watch my best friend walk toward us. He is all smiles and boasting his usual, happy mannerisms. “God, he has a big mouth.”
“He loves you,” Jasmine says in his defense, chewing on a red licorice twist as she turns to me.
Wrapping Jasmine in a bear hug from behind, he bites down on the licorice in her hand.
“Hey!” She shoots him an annoyed looked.
He grins back, the candy hanging between his teeth. Throwing his bag on the ground, he stretches his legs under the table, taking a seat next to Jasmine. “I need this, I’ve earned this. Do you know how depressing he was to live with last night?”
I shoot him my middle finger.
“He moped around the whole night like an abandoned puppy. I’m mentally wiped out.
That’s why tonight we are fixing that depressed face you see over there.
” He points to me. “That smile is going to be turned upside down. Maybe not in the sixty-nine way.” He taps his chin, studying me, determining if I’m ready for that. “But still, it will be an improvement.”
“The sacrifices you make,” I jest.
“My GPA would be off the charts, not unlike my looks, if it wasn’t for all the time I invest in my friends.”
“Uh-huh,” Jasmine deadpans, looking at Randy. “But seriously, don’t let him sleep with anyone tonight—he is not ready for that.”
Before Randy has a chance to answer, I cut in, “I’m not planning on sleeping with anyone. If it was up to me, I would be going to bed at eight…by myself,” I add.
They both just stare back at me. “You see…” Randy points. “This is what I have been living with.”
I exhale a large breath and look up at the blue and white sky.
“This is why we are having a party, and why once he gets home and starts drinking, I’m confiscating his phone.”
“Confiscating my phone? What am I? Twelve?” I say, looking at my friends.
Jasmine removes the bottle of water from her lips and swallows.
“No, I actually agree with Randy on this one. When you are heartbroken and drunk, phones are a bad thing to be around. I’ve seen way too many sorority sisters send drunken messages they regret the next day.
Plus, all the guys who drunk text me…it’s not a good look. ”
I sit with my arms folded, staring at the two of them.
I’m not certain of much at the moment, other than I know I have great friends.
So, switching off my mind and putting my trust in them wouldn’t be so bad.
My brain needs a break with all the overthinking I’ve been doing, maybe time with my friends and no phones is exactly what I need.