Campus Player

“I guess so.” That’s a lie, but since he can’t prove otherwise, I’m sticking to it like my life depends on it. More like my mental state.

“Hmmm. That didn’t sound very convincing.” His grip intensifies. “Want to give it another shot?”

I swivel toward him, not realizing how close we are. It doesn’t take much to get lost in the various shades of blue that dance in his irises.

Rowan has gorgeous eyes.

It’s one of the first features that snagged my attention. They’re so watchful. As if he sees everything going on around him and there’s no hiding. It’s the directness of his examination that makes my insides tremble. I don’t want him to catch a glimpse of the feelings I’ve buried deep within. I don’t want him to realize how much he affects me. Or how much willpower it takes to fight the magnetic pull I feel toward him.

As we reach the glass doors that lead into the fresh air, Rowan pushes it open before we move down the short stone staircase. We don’t make it more than four steps before he’s swarmed by a handful of girls. As the crowd surges around him, I slip from beneath his arm and hightail it down the pathway that winds through campus.

“Demi,” his deep voice resonates over the chatter of voices.

Unable to stop myself, I glance back until our gazes collide. A surge of unwanted jealousy gnaws at my insides as jersey chasers paw at him like he’s a piece of fresh meat thrown into a den of starving lions. It’s equal measures aggravating and disturbing that he’s the only one able to make my pulse race in this manner. This campus has tens of thousands of people on it. There has to be at least one other guy who can provoke the same kind of reaction from me.

I just need to find him. Then I can stop thinking about the blond quarterback.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

I gulp.

Why does that sound more like a threat than anything else?

Not bothering to answer, I force my gaze away before fleeing from the vicinity like the hounds of hell are nipping at my heels. It’s only when I’m a block away that I’m able to once again find my equilibrium. The only way I’ll make it through the rest of the day is to force all thoughts of Rowan from my head.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done.

3

Demi

A couple of hours later, I shove the key in the lock and push open the apartment door. Even before it swings wide, loud voices assult my ears. Honestly, if I didn’t need to stop at home before practice, I would carefully back away.

“That’s not what I said,” Ethan grumbles. “You’re putting words in my mouth again.”

“Ha!” Sydney snaps. “Do you think I’m deaf?”

Uh-oh.

If Ethan has any sense, he’ll proceed with extreme caution when answering that question. Kind of like a bomb tech handling explosives that could detonate at any second.

Ugh. My guess is that Ethan and Sydney are at it again. They’ve only been dating for four months, and I’ve already lost track of how many times they’ve broken up and gotten back together again. I was over their drama after the first few times it happened. It’s a vicious cycle that neither seem willing to pull the trigger on. Hell, I’d be more than happy to end it for them if they’d let me. They need to go their separate ways and never look in each other’s direction again.

Individually, they’re both great people. I love them.

As a couple?

They are a total nightmare.

“You know what? Forget this,” Ethan yells, not bothering to answer her question which is probably the shrewdest move he could make. “I’m out of here! Call me when you calm down, and we’re able to have a civil conversation!”

I peek around the doorframe before reluctantly inching my way inside. I’m just in time to see Sydney rear back as if she’s been slapped.

Her fists settle on her hips. “Excuse me? Are you implying I can’t hold a civil conversation?” From where I loiter in the tiny entryway, I’m able to see the sparks of anger that flash in her vibrant, grass-colored eyes.

The last thing I want is to be pulled into another one of their arguments. Been there, done that way too many times to count.

Ethan plows a hand through his short blond hair before his shoulders slump. “I’m gonna go. We’ll talk later when we’ve both calmed down.”

Instead of waiting for a response, he stalks toward the door, passing me on the way out. I give him a tentative smile in greeting.

“Hey, Demi,” he mumbles before closing the door behind him.

“Bye.” By the time I raise my hand to wave, he’s gone, already disappearing into the hallway. I turn toward my friend. “Um—”

“Yes, we broke up,” she snaps before I can ask.