Page 5 of Campus Heat

“Can someone call the nurse, because this freezer burn is insane,” I said loud enough for him to hear me.

The guys burst out laughing and I totally understood why, but deep down I was hurt. He could’ve had a much better approach than that. It wasn’t like I had done something to him that warranted such behavior.

“Don’t mind him. He’s like that with everyone,” one guy quietly said. “I’m Cameron, but you can call me Cam.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Cam. And it seems like you and I have a lot in common,” I said with a smile.

“What makes you think that?”

I leaned in close and whispered, “We’re both a little shy.”

He gave me a massive smile at the same time as a pink hue spread across his cheeks.

“Don’t go anywhere. I’ve got something special planned and I want you to see it,” Lucas said, resting his hands on my shoulders.

He disappeared into the crowd and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was getting up to. Malik nudged me with his massive elbow and motioned to the other end of the living room. I was confused for a moment, but then Lucas got on the table, microphone in hand.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight, and for celebrating our horrible first few training sessions. But you can’t blame us, it’s all Ozzy’s fault,” Lucas said as the spotlight moved over the coach. “I’m kidding, of course. That’s why I made this awesome team hype video.”

The crowd cheered, the lights dimmed, and the music changed to something more ridiculous and upbeat. The projector lit up the wall, and everyone became quiet.

I was expecting to see big hits, touchdowns, and maybe even some tough-guy moments. And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one. But instead we got pictures taken during the training sessions.

The team scratching their heads as the coach explained his strategy. Concerned glances being passed on the field. Receivers slamming into each other. The coach screaming at the guys. And probably the best of all, were the pictures of the arrogant quarterback being slammed into the ground.

Lucas cut the photos to look like a dramatic sports montage, which made it look even better. Everyone laughed their asses off, except for the quarterback. He looked like he wanted to beat someone up.

And of course, the slideshow had to end with a freeze frame of Malik slamming into the quarterback like an excavator on a mission, with the words “Week one. We survived it.”

The crowd went absolutely wild. The drinks were flowing and toasts were being handed out like they were on special. But all I could see was the coach shaking his head.

“Not what you had in mind?” I asked, coming up behind him.

“This is far more raucous than I expected it to be. But boys will be boys, so I guess I’ll just have to go with the flow,” Coach Harris said, grabbing the mic from Lucas.

As the coach made his way to the table Lucas was standing on, Jenna found me. She gave me a wicked grin, and handed me a drink. This could only mean one thing. She was definitely enjoying herself as much as I was.

“Can I have your attention please?” Coach Harris said as he got on the table. “Lucas made fun of my guys with that little prank of his. But the truth is that you guys have come a long way. It’s only been a week, but we’ve all learned so much from each other, and for that I’m incredibly grateful.”

Malik hugged Dylan and Lucas, and I could tell that he fully agreed with the coach.

“I know I’m not what you guys were hoping to get. But I promise you that I’m determined to do right by you guys, even though I don’t know much about football. I might be getting on in years, but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn new tricks. And this team has taught me a hell of a lot in a very short time.”

The guys cheered and Coach Harris wiped a stray tear off his cheek. It was enough to make me want to cry. I had never seen the coach so vulnerable before. He was speaking from his heart, and all I could hope for was that these guys understood what that meant.

“I know there are rumors going around,” Coach went on. “But I want to assure you all that I’m taking this run as seriously as any other, on any court or field. You are my boys now, and I will do whatever it takes to see you succeed. So keep pushing, because the day will come where we will win.”

The crowd erupted in cheers, and as the coach vanished from view, they dispersed into smaller groups. Once again, I was all alone. But I didn’t mind. I needed to get some air anyway. That speech was way too emotional for my soft little heart not to react.

I stepped out into the backyard and was surprised to see the quarterback sitting on the porch, all on his own. Feeling extra brave, I took a seat next to him. I didn’t say a word because I didn’t want to be shut down again, but I did manage to get a glimpse of the beautiful starlit sky.

“I’m sorry for being so rude to you earlier,” the quarterback said, surprising me.

I looked around to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else, but it was definitely just the two of us.

“My name’s Ethan,” he said, extending a hand. “And you’re Elizabeth.”

“I’m surprised you heard the words leaving my mouth,” I scoffed, but I instantly regretted it. “That was rude. I’m sorry.”