Chapter 14
Rachel
“You're drooling,” Dani teases as she settles beside Shelby, taking a slow sip of water. She smiles from behind her dark sunglasses, her amused gaze drifting toward the quad. I only just met Christian’s absolutely stunning sister, Dani, but so far, we’ve all gotten along effortlessly.
All of us laughing, chatting, sprawled across the quad’s lush green grass, soaking up the afternoon sun.
The girls have made me and Trixie feel welcome, and we have been chatting non-stop since we set up our little picnic.
Our black-and-red-checked flannel blanket is large and comfortable, and in the middle an assortment of fresh blueberries and strawberries sit alongside crisp crackers, creamy dip, and neatly cut carrots, bell peppers, and celery.
Simple, colorful, and perfect for sharing.
It’s picture perfect, but I don’t know if it’s the campus setting, or the impossibly gorgeous, model-like people bringing it to life.
Shelby does nothing but agree with a raise of her eyebrows over her peach-colored aviators. “Yes. Yes, I am,” she says, not once breaking her gaze from Christian.
It’s been just over two weeks since the shooting, and the boys are finally testing Christian’s shoulder, tossing the ball back and forth. They keep the distance short, the passes soft and easy, just like Coach instructed.
Christian’s tattoos highlight the muscles in his arm as his skin glistens in the sun.
Randy’s body is free of ink; he is not as broad as Christian, but he is more defined, especially his abs and obliques cut sharp beneath the golden light.
His legs drive forward, arms twisting as he reaches, catching Christian’s pass with ease.
He steadies himself, then sends the ball soaring back, his hand lingering in the air, tracking the perfect spiral.
His chest rises and falls, rhythmic and hypnotic.
Watching him throw, you’re caught in the effortless mastery of his body, his instincts, his muscle memory, all working in quiet, breathtaking harmony. ”
“I’m just so happy he is back throwing the ball around.”
“How are the nightmares?” Dani asks in concern.
“Getting better,” Letti answers for her, words hopeful and proud of the progress made.
Shelby gives her a weak smile. “Still there, but as Letti says, they are getting less and less frequent. Getting to sleep sometimes is the real challenge with the guilt that consumes me. Not to mention the ‘what ifs’ that race through my head constantly. What if the bullet hit twenty centimeters to the left? It’s terrible… ”
My heart goes out to Shelby and everything she’s been through.
Listening to Randy share what they endured on our date was…
a lot. But it meant something—seeing him open up, letting vulnerability and fear slip through.
It’s a side of him I suspect he rarely shows to anyone, hidden beneath his boisterous, laid-back, party boy exterior.
Letti rubs at Shelby’s arm. “Don’t do that to yourself; you’re fine, he’s fine. LG.”
“Yeah, LG.” Shelby smiles back to her.
“What?” Dani questions.
“Life’s good,” they both reply.
“Oh, I thought it was some silly Australian lingo,” Dani says, causing Shelby to flick Dani’s arm on a frown.
Dani laughs, shifting positions before resting her head on Shelby’s lap, completely at ease. “Someone else is drooling over there,” she adds, lowering her sunglasses with one finger to look at me.
Flickers of sunlight stream across her face as the sunlight breaks through the canvas of the tree as she smiles at me. All of us carefree, relaxed and soaking up the holiday sun.
I blush, shooting a look back to Shelby, Dani, and Letti.
All three of them are showstoppers, drop-dead gorgeous.
Shelby, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Australian bombshell; Letti, the flawless brunette, carries an effortless charm.
Dani is a real natural beauty with her gorgeous features.
Her face is gracefully perfect, tanned skin, gray eyes, and blonde hair.
Top it off with cute jeans and a yellow sweater, and she’s just plain hot.
Once, before I even knew her, I watched a guy walk straight into a pole completely mesmerized by her.
I burst out laughing and had to explain what I saw to Jade.
Once I was introduced to her, the memory came rushing back to me and I couldn’t help snorting a laugh and had to explain myself to the girls. Luckily, they thought it was hilarious.
Then there are the two guys tossing the ball around, both looking like they could be Calvin Klein models—ripped, rugged, and just plain hot.
Christian, with his darker, broader features.
Randy, all blonde hair and sculpted definition.
It’s like the cool table at school, the group you always hoped would invite you over.
People shuffle past us, their glances lingering. The women on campus have no problem blatantly ogling the tight, long-sleeved shirts that show off every curve of muscle.
“So how was your date?” Dani asks.
I catch the smile tugging at Trixie’s lips beside me. She’s already had the full rundown on just how perfect the date was.
Shelby cuts in, grinning. “Am I allowed to tell you how nervous he was before the date? I’ve never seen him like that before, it was adorable. He must have changed shirts at least five times.”
I smile because I can’t help it. “Well, that’s probably still less then how many outfits I tried on.
But I had a great night, he picked me up from my house and we went to a restaurant just out of town.
We were tucked away in a corner and did nothing but talk and eat, it was perfect.
I didn’t expect him to be so well known around town.
On two separate occasions, kids came up to him wanting photos and autographs, it was really cute. He made them so happy.”
Dani chews the last bite of the carrot in her mouth, and wipes at the side of her lips. “It’s hard to imagine that man nervous. He has always had too much ego to let insecurities slip through. Even before big games all the way back to high school he would still drip swagger and confidence.”
Trixie drops her sunglasses to the point of her nose, watching Randy throw his last past perfectly at Christian’s chest. “Well, he’s got the goods.” She smirks.
I smile over at her as she appreciates the man who has brought me so much happiness these past few weeks.
“Oh, did he meet Sam and your parents yet?” Letti asks.
“No.” I shake my head. “My parents took Sam out for dinner. I’m just…
not quite ready for Randy and Sam to meet.
No offense to Randy, I just don’t want Sam meeting anyone unless it’s serious.
” My shoulders lift as I watch the girls nod their heads in agreement.
“Although, I can’t think of anyone I’ve dated who’s been significant since Sam’s dad,” I say, looking at Trixie for confirmation.
“I don’t think you have either, you have gone on a few coffee and movie dates, but nothing serious, and you got them to pick you up from our dorm.”
“Where is Sam’s dad now?” Shelby asks, running her nails through Dani’s blonde hair, which spills across her lap in soft waves. “I mean, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“No, it’s fine. We were both young, both sixteen, and he wasn’t ready to be a dad.
He was going off to college in Chicago and didn’t want the responsibility.
He signed his rights away to Sam. He met him when he was first born, but left for college soon after and hasn’t seen him since.
He calls every now and then but beyond that, he doesn’t have any involvement. ”
Shelby smiles, her words filled with quiet sincerity. “Well, Sam is lucky to have you.”
“No.” I pause. “I’m lucky to have him.” I smile back, reaching for a strawberry. “He’s, my baby. My world. And I would be lost without him.”
Dani lets out a small laugh, catching up. “Okay, I’m a little behind; so you have a son named Sam?”
“Yes,” I happily fill her in. “I do—he’s four.”
“Oh, that’s cool. Do you have a photo of him?”
I open up my photos on my phone then pass it to her, watching the three girls as they gush over my baby.
“He’s beautiful. He looks just like you,” Dani says, passing the phone back to me.
“Thank you!”
“Oh, speaking of baby’s, there’s mine,” Letti states, standing and wiping the grass off her pants.
Following her gaze, we watch as an undeniably attractive man strides toward us.
He flashes a smile, lifting a hand in greeting to Christian and Randy, who casually motion back.
He’s tall, athletic, effortlessly handsome.
Randy sends a long ball his way, and with a few swift steps, he catches it with ease, returning the pass.
“I’ll be at your room at 2,” Letti says to Dani as she picks up her belongings.
“Sounds good,” Dani replies.
“It was really nice to meet you, Trixie!”
“You too,” Trixie replies.
Letti waves goodbye and turns to jog over to her man. He waves to everyone and takes Letti’s hand as they turn toward the parking lot.
“Are you coming over tomorrow for New Year’s?” Shelby asks us. “Us girls are meeting at the guys’ house around 2, we figured we’d get ready together and start the celebrations early. You’re more than welcome to join us.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you, but I already have plans.” Trixie smiles.
“I’ll be there,” I reply, “but I won’t be over till around eight once I put Sam to bed.”
“Oh yes, of course. Well, the offer is there if you can make it earlier.”
“Thank you.” I smile toward her, still appreciative of how welcoming she has made me feel.
For someone who has been through so much the past month, Shelby seems very level-headed, grounded, and humble.
I know she is studying psychology, so she must be as smart as she is beautiful, and I see why Christian fell so hard for her.
“I got you some jewels. I got them for everyone. I thought we could ‘bling’ it up for New Year’s,” Dani says, fully relaxed, her head still in Shelby’s lap, eyes closed enjoying the head massage she is getting.
“What are they?” I ask.
“Just stick-on body jewels. I have ideas for everyone; don’t worry you will look great,” she says her hand motioning in the air as if not to worry.
I watch as Christian throws the ball back to Randy, the two of them exchanging a few words before turning and walking over to us, laughter spilling between them as they step into the shade of the tree.
Randy tosses the ball back and forth between his large hands, the motion relaxed and instinctive.
His every movement spreading a wave of desire over me.
Studying his mouth, hands, fingers and what he can do with them to send pleasure pulsating through my body.
The outline of his dick…I know exactly how it looks, how it feels, my mind races back to all of our intimate moments and I find myself getting wet with desire.
Randy falls toward me on all fours, then leans in farther, placing his head into my lap and groaning as I regain composure.
He looks up to me with a smile, and I love that he feels so comfortable showing affection to me in front of his friends.
Not that I’m surprised, he could walk up to any female in the quad and fall into their lap and they would allow it.
Christian drops down beside Shelby, grabbing the water bottle and taking a long gulp. Then, with a playful flick, he sends a misty spray toward Dani’s face.
“You goober!” Dani grumbles to her brother as she sits up, wiping at her face.
Christian simply laughs in return. “Where’s Tyler?” Christian asks.
“Not sure,” Dani replies as I watch Shelby wipe some of the water off her lap.
“Is he coming tomorrow?”
“Yeah, he said he would be coming to your place early,” she grumbles while continuing to clear her face.
“Cool,” he says, pleased with Dani’s answer as he rolls his shoulder.
Randy’s brown eyes stare up at me, that perfect face covered with a light sweat. “You will meet Tyler tomorrow. He’s Dani’s twin.”
“I’m the hot one,” she says.
I nod. “You guys all grew up together, didn’t you?” I ask.
“Pretty much.” Randy shrugs. “Same suburb, same school, same dedication to making sure the boys stayed away from Dani.” Randy smiles toward her.
She returns the comment with her middle finger, and I can tell they did just that, probably not letting her get away with anything.
“Randy never actually grew up,” she fires back at him.
“Hey, do you remember that time we went to frat row, and you were drinking and chatting with some guys? You were about to get their numbers, and I came over and kissed you on the cheek” Randy asks Dani humorously.
Dani shoots him an annoyed look. “Yes,” she mutters through gritted teeth. “I had a crush on that guy.”
“Yeah, I know…that’s what makes it so funny. When I slapped your ass and asked if you were ready to leave, you should have seen your face.”
“No. Your exact words were, ‘Baby, I have a headache, can you do that thing where you relieve the tension, and then tomorrow remember you have to try on your wedding dress with our moms.”
Randy snickers. “Anyway, it worked. Although, which do you think worked best—me kissing your cheek, or the time Seth threw you over his shoulder and walked you out of the party?”
Dani sighs, then leers, leaning closer to us from the other side of the blanket, like a cat about to pounce.
“Well, Randy… if I’m being honest, neither, because the next day after a quick explanation, I still got that guy’s number.
And the night Seth escorted me out? I already had two.
” She leans forward so Randy can hear her clearly.
“You need to remember I’m a woman, and I hold all the cards.
No matter what you and Christian do, those guys will always find a way to approach me when you’re not looking.
So, you boys can try your best to stop me from getting laid, but just like any dog with a bone, you can’t keep them away for long.
” She clicks her tongue to her teeth. “So really, all you do when you try to protect me is make those guys try harder, and I love it when they go harder,” she says, leaving the double entendre lingering in the air.
“Dani!” Christian chews out.
Randy stares at her in stunned silence, then mutters. “Figures.”
“I’m not some damsel in distress. I don’t need rescuing. This is college, and I can make my own choices, thank you very much.” She shoots him with a determined, if not challenging, smile.
He huffs. “Yeah, well, that’s still not going to stop us.”
“Bring. It!” She mouths each word to him with deliberate precision, because we both know exactly who’s going to win, and it won’t be Christian and his friends.
“Well, I can’t wait!” I interject, hastily changing the subject. “I haven't properly celebrated New Year's in ages.”