Campus Hottie (Campus)

Once we’re seated, everyone digs into their lunches. Madison is an if-I-feel-like-a-bacon-cheeseburger-loaded-with-the-works, I’m-gonna-eat-it kind of girl. She doesn’t give a damn. She’s got curves for miles and the boys go crazy for them. Being a nursing student, Sierra is more health conscious. She’s partial to smoothies, wraps, and bowls. Quinoa and grilled chicken breasts are her best friends.

Besides us, that is.

And Kari is a vegan with a bazillion food allergies. So, she’s careful about steering clear of gluten, dairy, nuts, and eggs. Thank god she enjoys a good chopped salad or I have no idea what she would eat. I’m somewhere in the middle. I like to eat healthy, but I also want to splurge when the urge strikes me. I’m luckier than most with a fast metabolism. I can pretty much eat what I want within reason and not gain weight.

“Hey, isn’t that your brother over there?” Madison asks, straightening on her chair as she stares past me. “Have I mentioned how damn hot he is?” A dreamy look enters her eyes.

I scrunch my nose, disgusted by the comment. Especially when I’m trying to eat. “Yes, and I’ve told you not to.” There have been times when she’s gone into graphic detail on the subject.

Doesn’t she realize I can never unhear those words?

Her gaze tracks his movements through the open space. “What are the chances of him breaking up with that girl?”

“That girl has a name. It’s Sydney.” I shake my head before taking a sip of Diet Coke. It’s one of my guilty pleasures. “And to answer your question, I don’t see that happening any time soon.” If ever. I’ve never seen my brother so crazy over a girl before. But that’s exactly the way he is with her.

If there’s a spark of sadness that I’ll never have the same kind of relationship with Carson, I sweep those feelings aside and pretend they don’t exist. It’s something I’ve had a ton of practice doing over the years.

Neglecting her half-eaten burger, Madison sets both elbows on the table and rests her chin on clasped hands. “That’s too bad.”

“No, it’s not. I love Sydney. She’s the absolute best.”

Brow furrowing, she shoots me a dirty look. “But if we were dating, I could be your sister from another mister.”

My lips tremble at the corners. “You’ll always be that. Whether you’re dating my brother or not.”

That comment does exactly what it’s meant to, and she grins before shrugging. “Fine. I suppose I’ll allow that dream to fall by the wayside.”

“It’s probably for the best.”

“It really is,” Kari adds. “You’ve been going on about him since freshman year.”

Not embarrassed in the least, Madison waves the comment away.

“Speaking of crushes, there’s your hottie,” Sierra says.

It’s so tempting to swivel around and take a look. I’m hungry for the sight of him. It’s been a few days since the incident in the classroom and we haven’t run into each other again. It’s almost like he’s deliberately going out of his way to avoid me.

Now that I think about it, that’s exactly what he’s doing.

My brother is the first one to cross my line of sight. His arm is wrapped around his girlfriend as if he can’t bear to be separated from her for even a moment. Just like always, my heart constricts at the sight of them. They’re so good together. Sydney is the perfect match for him. She doesn’t take any of his crap and she’s fiercely loyal. She’s everything he didn’t know he needed or wanted.

A few seconds later, the guy who has held a piece of my beating heart since middle school trails behind them as he talks with his friend. I’m much too far away to hear what’s being said. An easy smile flashes across Carson’s face as he shakes his blond head. The other football player scowls in return. I would be hard pressed not to admit that there’s something appealing about Crosby’s brooding presence. Or maybe it’s the silver lip ring. I’ve never been attracted to guys with piercings, but he pulls it off spectacularly. Even though he’s never been anything but kind to me, I still find his presence intimidating.

He’s the bad boy athlete of the Western Wildcats.

Kari sighs. “Can I just add that Crosby Rhodes is dreamy?”

“I think the word you meant to use is scary,” Sierra says before shoving a spoonful of quinoa into her mouth.

“Scary. Dreamy.” She shrugs. “Same thing.”

“Hardly.”

It’s not difficult to tune out the conversation as I track the group’s movements through the union. I’m certainly not the only one watching. Heads turn as they saunter past. Everyone on campus knows who these guys are.

From where I’m seated, buried at one of the crowded booths in the back, none of them have spotted me. Which is kind of nice. I can stare at Carson to my heart’s content without him being aware of it. Once they find an open table, Brayden drops down on a chair and Sydney settles beside him. Carson and Crosby find places on the other side, giving me the perfect view.