Chapter 7
Rachel
The past few days have passed in a blur of happiness. Randy and I haven’t seen each other every day, but we’ve been texting constantly and squeezing in quick lunch dates whenever we can.
He’s been incredibly busy with football training and upcoming games.
College football is no joke. It’s so intense, and I’ve been genuinely amazed by how much work the guys put in.
It’s not just time on the field. There are in-class football sessions, gym workouts, physio treatments, and brutal ice baths that Randy particularly hates.
I’d never realized just how demanding it all is.
The early mornings, nonstop conditioning, and juggling everything alongside regular classes must be physically and mentally exhausting.
But he continues to make time for me, and I have to say it’s been amazing how well we get along.
We always have something to talk about, always playing and laughing, and he genuinely seems interested in Sam and meeting him one day.
The fact that he has a body like a Greek god and face like a Calvin Klein model doesn’t hurt either.
I check my reflection in the car’s passenger-seat mirror for what seems like the hundredth time.
Randy insisted on picking me up, but when I explained that I wanted to tuck Sam in, he understood and agreed to meet me there.
Sam and I are halfway through reading The Wizard of Oz, and I promised him another chapter before bed.
The Raptors won their away game this afternoon, so if they win their next game, they get to play in he Rose Bowl, whatever that means, then into the finals, I think.
I was able to watch another game on TV with Dad, who was trying in vain to explain things to me.
He was questioning my sudden interest in college football, and I briefly mentioned Randy.
He quirked a brow but didn’t ask anything else.
My dad’s a big NFL fan and follows college football just as closely.
He knows of Randy and every other player on the team.
Being our local team, he supports them and was already watching them when I not so subtly joined him and started asking questions.
“You look fine,” my mom says from beside me as she pulls the car to a stop in front of the large white house. I slide my hands over my straightened brown hair and push the mirror back up. To say I’m nervous would be an understatement, “I haven’t been to a party like this in forever,” I sigh.
“I know,” my mom, says rubbing my arm. “You’re a great mom, Rachel; go enjoy some you time. Sam is fast asleep, and we both know he won’t wake. He’s looking forward to going to the zoo with us tomorrow, so enjoy the time off and I’ll be sure to send you photos.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I nod, appreciative of everything my parents do for me. “I might get an Uber home, but if I stay with a friend, I will let you know.”
Mom smiles at me; there’s a look behind it, but no need to preach the birds and bees to me, be careful, blah blah blah. That ship has sailed, and she knows if anyone is careful when it comes to safe sex, it’s me…now.
I take a deep breath as I walk through the doorway and let the warm air touch my skin. The door is wide open, and the place is packed with students.
“What am I doing here?” I mumble, tugging at the hem of my fake leather skirt. It’s not even that short but walking alone into a room full of drunk guys, I feel like a lone impala separated from the herd, open and exposed to whatever predator is lurking.
I make my way past the dance floor and down a wide hallway. This place is seriously massive; how many people live here? Randy referred to it as ‘Jason’s place’ but with how big it is, there’s no way it’s just him. There must be at least several guys sharing the place.
A ping pong ball rolls across the floor behind a group of people who pass by and into my path.
“Over here,” a tall, black-haired woman smiles at me, holding out her hand.
I bend down, picking up the ball and gently tossing it back to her.
“Thank you. Do you want to play?” she says, pointing to a table tucked away in a room that looks like it should hold a formal dining table.
“Oh no, I’m good.”
A drunk guy leans against the table and studies me. “Do you go to college here?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, never seen you before,” he says like he doesn’t believe me.
“I don’t go out to many parties,” I reply, looking around the room and down the hallway in search of anyone I recognize.
Doubtful, very doubtful since you don’t know anyone apart from your three best friends, and I know they are not here.
No dates except for play dates you organize for Sam.
Let’s face it, the trashcans go out more than I do.
“Well, if you don’t find your friends, you’re more than welcome to come back and join us.
I’ll show you the ways,” he says in a Yoda voice.
“It’s easy; just aim straight, keep your eye on the hole, and without too much force, pop it in,” he says that as he releases the ball.
I watch it fall into a cup at the other end of the table.
He grins in jest. “Just the way I do it with Kelvin’s mom,” he says to the guy at the other end of the table.
The guy flips him off, plucks the ball from the cup, and downs the drink in one go.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass for now. Umm… you wouldn’t happen to know where Randy Harrison is, would you?”
At the end of the table, the redhead sinks a shot, the ball landing clean in the cup in front of the guy. “What? A lady looking for Randy?” he says, mock-shocked. “Pretty sure there’s a line somewhere back there,” he adds, gesturing toward the rear of the house.
“Okay, thanks,” I say, already turning to leave.
“Good luck,” the girl raises her brow at me. She looks at me like I’m fresh meat for the slaughter…and maybe I am.
I walk down the hallway toward the back of the house.
Great, what if that guy is right and there is a line?
My step falters as I think about what I’m doing.
What if he was just being nice and never actually expected me to turn up?
What if the way he acts around me is totally different than in public?
My face is starting to heat with every reluctant step I take toward the back of the house.
The back room is huge. It has a large open kitchen that looks out over a dining room table that’s holding an intense game of beer pong at one end and a poker game at the other.
There’s a sitting area on the far right that overlooks the backyard, and behind the sitting area is a large game room.
I can’t see the whole room, but I can see one pool table and at least two pinball machines and a foosball table.
Leaning against the doorway to the game room is the unmistakable Randy Harrison talking to a barely dressed, drop-dead gorgeous lady.
“Great,” I mutter as I shuffle from foot to foot trying not to stare. My brain goes into overdrive figuring out what to do. Do I interrupt, stand here like a statue, or turn and leave?
“Rachel,” I hear my name called from the sitting area. I look over to see Shelby waving to me from the couch and breathe a sigh of relief.
She stands as I approach, wrapping me in a gentle hug. “It’s so good to see you again. Here, come and take a seat with us,” she gestures. “This is my friend Letti.”
“Nice to meet you,” the attractive girl says, offering me a salute with the pink liquid in her glass.
“You too,” I say.
I take a seat across from them as Shelby drops back down beside Letti, and I bask in the feeling of no longer being alone.
“Randy mentioned you’d be coming,” Shelby says between sips of her drink.
“Yeah.” I fidget with my hair and let out a heavy sigh. “He insisted I come, but if I’m being honest, it’s really not my scene and I don’t know anyone.” I scan the crowd—yup, still don’t recognize anyone.
Shelby gestures to Letti. “Rachel stayed over a few nights ago, we talked for hours playing cards. She’s got a gorgeous little man at home. His name’s Sam. He’s four, and honestly, he’s super cute.”
“Oh wow, really? Do you have a photo?” Letti asks, seeming genuinely interested.
I smile and pull out my phone, showing off my wallpaper of a smiling Sam.
“Oh my God, he is gorgeous,” she says, looking at me. “Lucky boy has his mother’s complexion.” She smiles and hands me back my phone.
“Thank you.”
“Oh,” she says, her hands flying dramatically in the air. “And don’t worry about not knowing anyone, you know us, and that’s all that matters,” she says in assurance, then takes a sip of the drink in her hand.
I immediately feel at ease around Letti.
She screams confidence and sass but not bitchiness, like being around her would be spent in tears of laughter.
Her light brunette hair is up high in a ponytail, her brown eyes are stunning lined with dark makeup, she wears black jeans and a black corset, and I have to pull my eyes away from staring at her beauty.
“Have you seen Randy yet?” Shelby asks.
“Yes, I saw him over there,” I say, pointing because I know he’s not looking at me. “He looks… busy, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Shelby sighs as she takes in the blonde rubbing her hand up Randy’s arm.
“Try not to be put off by that. Trust me, I completely understand, and so does Letti,” she says, nudging Letti’s shoulder. “Letti’s boyfriend is also majorly hot and a talented hockey player for the university. They’ve been together since high school, and girls know to stay clear of him.”
Letti nods in agreement, giving off that vibe—like if anyone even thinks about coming near her man, they’d better watch out.