Campus Player

She commented earlier that I looked smoking hot. Well, she doesn’t look so shabby herself. I wouldn’t be surprised if she leaves the party with someone. Just as long as it’s not Ethan. Everything she admitted earlier rings true. It would be best for all involved if they went their separate ways.

“This place is packed,” Sydney shouts in my ear, in an attempt to be heard over the pumping music that emanates from inside the house.

It’s like everyone and their mother showed up to help the Wildcats celebrate another victory. So far, they’re ranked number one in their conference. If the team keeps playing this well, they’ll take home another championship. It would be the perfect way for Rowan and the rest of the seniors to end their college football careers. I hope the soccer team can do the same. Unlike Rowan, I have no idea if I’ll go on to play professional sports. My athletic career might be over at the end of this season. It’s a depressing thought, but one I’ve been preparing myself for.

One of the freshman football players loiters outside on the front porch, manning the door. Guess we know who drew the short straw this evening. He straightens to his full height as his drunk gaze crawls over Sydney. She’s got the girls out on full display this evening, and this guy has definitely taken notice. I recognize him but don’t remember his name. Barely is he able to rip his gaze away from my bestie long enough to glance at me. Sydney has that effect on the male sex. After three years of friendship, I’m used to it.

Before I can interrupt his intense perusal, a deep voice shatters the moment.

“Let them in, Sausage. Don’t you recognize Coach’s daughter?”

Sausage?

That’s an odd nickname. Let’s hope that’s all it is. If not, it’s a bummer of a first name.

My gaze slices to the tall, dark-haired football player. At the sound of Brayden’s voice, Sydney stiffens. If I weren’t standing so close to her, I would have probably missed the reaction.

“Hi, Bray,” I say with a wave.

He gives me a chin lift in greeting before his attention deviates to my roommate. A sexy smile lifts his lips as he takes his sweet damn time eyeing her up and down. “Looking good, Sydney.”

It's a well-known fact around campus that Brayden is a huge flirt. And Sydney can be just as friendly. Her normal reaction to a guy checking her out is to turn up the wattage of her charm. So, you can imagine my surprise when she does the opposite and bares her teeth before growling like a feral animal.

What the hell?

She only reinforces the depth of her disdain when she adds in a none too polite tone, “Bite me, Kendricks.”

His smile turns into more of a full-blown smirk. “Is that an invitation, sweetheart? I think we both know that I’d like to do more than bite.” He takes his gaze off her long enough to glance around. “Where’s the boyfriend?”

“He’ll be here shortly,” she snaps. “Now go away.”

My wide gaze bounces between them as I try to figure out what’s going on. There’s a strange combustible energy sizzling in the air. It’s practically choking me alive.

Sydney and Brayden know each other. But not that well. Certainly not well enough for Sydney to want to rip his throat out. Which is exactly how she looks at the moment.

He ignores the last comment and focuses on the first. “That’s too bad.”

With a snort, she attempts to push past him. But Brayden has other ideas. Before Sydney is able to make a clean getaway, he grabs her upper arm and drags her close. Then he whispers something in her ear. There’s no way to hear what’s being said. My brows shoot up when Sydney rips her arm away, practically hisses, and leaves him in her dust. Amusement lights up his face as if that’s exactly the reaction he was going for.

As tempted as I am to give Brayden the third degree, there’s no time. I don’t want to lose Sydney in this crowd. I send him a quizzical look before hurrying after my friend. It takes approximately thirty seconds to catch up to her. She finally slows her pace when I tug on her arm.

“What was that all about?” I shout over the music.

Tension vibrates off her in heavy suffocating waves. She jerks her shoulders before attempting to smooth out her features. It’s not a battle she’s going to win. “Umm, what are you talking about?”

A chuckle of disbelief slides from my lips as I jerk my thumb toward the front door, and the guy she couldn’t get away from fast enough. “What’s the deal with Brayden? Is there a problem?”

“Not really,” she grunts, pressing her lips into a tight line.

“Not really?”