Page 68 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)

Shelby

The stadium hums with scattered movement—cheerleaders, band members, and staff rushing around, setting the stage for tonight’s crucial game.

Though the stands are nearly empty, reserved for only a select few, the air buzzes with anticipation.

If the Raptors win tonight, they’re heading to the championships. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

In the front row as the stadium lights flash on around us.

I stand with Christian’s arm wrapped protectively around me, his other resting in a navy-blue sling.

Beside us, Letti, Travis, and Christian’s family sit talking, their conversations mixing with nervous laughter.

We soak in this rare calm, the last moments of quiet before the storm.

I’ve joined Christian and the twins on trips to their parents’ house for every family gathering, including Christmas.

Dani, Mary, and I had the best time shopping, picking out everything we needed to make the holiday perfect.

It feels like home now, and I love heading down there as it eases my homesickness.

I always have the best time learning more about the man I love and his beautiful family, who have embraced me as one of their own.

Every visit I FaceTime my family so our parents can talk and bond.

Both of our moms get on so well and usually end up chatting for ages.

I still share the bed with Dani when I’m there, which frustrates Christian, especially when Tyler teases him endlessly about it.

But I enjoy our girl gossip sessions as we lie in bed talking for hours.

Justin has been extradited back to Australia and is in jail awaiting trial.

Knowing that he’s once again behind bars and will be staying there for a long time is so freeing.

My worries about him have eased, and Christian is to thank for that.

He has been amazing with everything. It’s a shame Christian can’t play tonight; the bullet he took to the shoulder luckily did no serious damage.

He had his stitches taken out and will be able to go back to the gym for light training with the team very soon.

I know he misses the game, and we are both excited for him to get back into training and joining his teammates next season for his senior year.

I insisted tonight he sit with his team on the bench, but he didn’t want to leave me.

So instead, we compromised, and he will join the boys before, after, and between quarters to see what Coach has to say, and no doubt add his own thoughts.

Jasmine has been very supportive of our relationship, and her cheerleader teammates who were nice enough to show me the video of Christian dancing at his party got a good talking to.

She came to visit Christian in the hospital; obviously very concerned for his recovery, but she has been nothing but respectful to me and our relationship.

“Okay, my phone is ready!” Dani says, her eyes sparkling in mischief.

With everything that happened, we had to postpone the fifth and final Call of Duty game and the loser’s performance…but tonight is the night.

“I’m so glad you won the bet, Shelby,” Dani says with a smile and wink.

I give her a cheesy smile back that I can’t help. My smile is nearly hurting my face. I’m just so happy and relieved I don’t have to sing.

“Geez, calm down, Dani, that’s my best friend you’re talking about,” Christian says.

“Oh, come on, I only meant so Shelby doesn’t have to sing the anthem,” Dani replies.

“Just remember, he has seen you running around naked under the sprinkler many times when you were little–”

“Shut up!”

Since winning the final game, it’s all I’ve heard about around campus.

The female population was more than a little annoyed that Coach kept the stadium closed, allowing only a select few inside—and even that was a stretch.

Although, I think having Christian shot definitely softened Coach’s decision.

“Me too,” I add quickly as I stand, happy and embarrassment free. The group of us cheer and laugh as Randy comes running out on the field leading the team out to training in nothing but a white jock strap and cradling a football over his junk.

I would love to say that my win was humiliating for him. Maybe even dampened that huge ego of his, but he seems to be relishing every second, and of course he is. He’s up on the jumbotron, and his teammates are jumping around going crazy, cameras out, and falling into fits of laughter at him.

The next thing I notice is the football he was holding spiraling toward me. I turn my head as Christian catches it with his good arm. He brings it down in front of me, handing it to me and planting a kiss on my cheek.

I watch as Randy winks and points to us, then throws his arms up in the air, enjoying the moment. Christian stands protectively behind me as he points at Randy, cheering him on.

Randy runs back into the tunnel, getting slapped on the ass by his teammates and yelled at by Coach to hurry up as the teams start their warmups.

Two minutes later, Randy reappears fully dressed and ready to get into training.

In an hour the gates will open, and we will find out if we have a ticket to the championship game. I’m as anxious as I am excited.

“That was hilarious, and I feel like this,” holding up the ball that the whole team has signed, “is my trophy.”

Christian wraps his good arm around me. “Yeah, baby, and you’re mine.”

The End.