Touchdown

Chapter 3

Cold Greetings

Zahirah

I did it. I got the full-ride scholarship to the same university Bentley Coswell has been attending for the last two years. I can’t wait to surprise him. Bentley is my best friend’s older brother.

I’ve had a crush on him for years. When Erica told me she was thinking about going to the same school as her big brother, I worked my ass off to be able to get in too. I didn’t change my mind even after Erica did.

My parents aren’t too happy about it, but they’re not paying for it, so it’s my choice. I earned that scholarship and here I am. I can’t stop smiling and my face is starting to hurt.

So far, so good. I like my roommate and my dorm room is cute. I’ve spent the morning setting up my space and getting to know Arlene.

“What do you say, girlie? Want to head to the student center and have a peek around? I’m starving,” she says as I place away the last of my clothes.

My stomach gurgles in answer for me. “Need I say more?” I laugh.

She’s sitting on my bed, looking through my high school yearbook. My senior year was a blast, but I’ll admit, I spent most of it thinking about Bentley and his reaction once I got here. I’ve missed him the last two summers.

If I wanted to get here on a track scholarship, I had to train my butt off. Unfortunately, that meant missing out on time with Bentley during his summer visits, as he would be off heading back to school for summer football camp by the time I returned from my camp.

“Come on. This room will be here when we get back. I need a nice, juicy burger and fries. If I can get a milkshake with that, I’ll be a happy roomie.”

“Sounds good to me. Is the food really that good here?”

“A-mazing. Come on, you can find out for yourself. Hopefully we’ll run into some of the football team or the swimmers. We’re golden either way,” she says with a bright smile.

“Do the teams hang out there a lot?”

“I’ve only been here two days, but they’ve been there every time I’ve been so far. The teams sort of clique up, but some of the guys have come by to flirt.” She wiggles her brows at me.

Arlene is going to be fun to live with. Her outgoing personality and infectious smile are only icing on the cake. I had been so nervous about meeting my roommate and if we would get along.

“I thought I was going to barf waiting for you to arrive. I’m so happy you’re so cool. I think we’re going to make great friends,” she says as we walk out of the dorm and head for the student center.

“Oh my God, I was just thinking the same thing.”

“See, it was meant to be,” she sings.

We fall into excited chatter as we walk the path to the center. I’m so engrossed in our conversation, I don’t see the guys or the football they’re tossing around until it hits me in the side of the head. I fall over and grasp the side of my face.

“Oh shit, are you all right?”

I look up to find three big guys staring down at me. The one who spoke squats down to check on me and help me up. My face is throbbing, but once my eyes focus and lock with those hazel eyes, I break into a smile.

“Bentley,” I squeal and throw my arms around his neck.

“Hey, he’s the one who tossed the ball, gorgeous. I can take you to get an ice pack and carry you to your dorm,” one of the other guys says.

I look up and find a pair of blue eyes fixed on me. He’s handsome, but I have the only boy I’ve ever wanted in my arms. However, Bentley pulls my arms from around his neck and places them into my lap.

“I’m sorry about that. Are you all right?” he says.

I look at him, confused. He searches my face and then a light bulb goes off. I see the moment shock sets in.

“Zah? Wh … what are you doing here?”

“I go here. I got a track scholarship,” I say excitedly.

“Oh, um … that’s cool,” he says and rubs the back of his neck.

“Bro, what’s wrong with you? Hey, sweetheart, are you okay? Let me help you up,” the third guy says.

Bentley stands and takes a step back. This wasn’t the reception I was expecting. I’m a little thrown off by it.

“Thanks,” I say to the guy who helps me up as I look down at my feet.

“No problem. I’m Corey. Can I take you to get an ice pack or something?”

“She’s a big girl. She can find one on her own,” Bentley bites out.

Corey throws his hands in the air. I look at Bentley, stunned. He’s never been like this with me.

“Hey, babe. I’ve been looking all over for you,” a girl in a miniskirt and crop top sings as she rushes over and tosses her arms around Bentley’s neck.

She plants a big, sloppy kiss on his lips, then turns to look me over. I take a step back and wrap my arms around my middle. With each second, I start to feel like a big dummy.

What in the world did I think was going to happen when I showed up here? Bentley almost kissed me once—the summer before he left for college—it happened so fast, I have to wonder if I made it all up in my head. That would explain why he’s looking at me like I’m crazy.

“Seriously, you should get some ice on that. I’d even say go see the med staff. You look new. I can show you where it is,” Blue Eyes says.

“I’m sure she can find it on her own, Jason,” Bentley snaps. He then looks at me and his eyes widen as I shake my head and take a few more steps back. “If anything, it was my fault; I’ll show her where to go.”

“But, babe, we’re supposed to head out for that movie. I don’t want to miss any of it.”

“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me,” I say and turn to leave.

I grab Arlene by the hand and take off back toward the dorm as fast as my legs will take me. This was all a big mistake. I should’ve never come here.

Bentley

What the fuck just happened? There’s no way Zahirah Nickels is a student here, and when did she turn into a fucking knockout? She’s always been so pretty, but now … how am I supposed to control my feelings?

It took everything in me not to kiss her that summer. I had been so close to pressing my lips to hers, but my phone buzzed in my pocket, stopping me. That was for the best. She’s two years younger than me and my little sister’s best friend.

No matter how much I’ve always been drawn to her, that shit can never happen. Zah is like family. I should see her like one of my sisters.

I’ve been telling myself that for years and still it hasn’t stuck. For two years, we’ve missed each other during summers and holidays. I rub at my chest as I realize how much I’ve missed her.

I snap out of my shock and groan. I was just a total dick to her. Not that I meant to be.

No matter my feelings, Zahirah is still a friend. At least she was before that shit I just pulled. I shake my head clear and tug my arm from Carly’s grasp.

“Zahirah, wait,” I call out.

“Bro, you’re too late. She’s gone,” Corey says.

I clench my jaw as I see Zah and her friend turn the corner as they rush away. My stomach sours. Could this all have gone any worse?

“Which is a shame because she’s super cute. Dude, do you think she’s going to be all right? I hope she doesn’t have a concussion or something,” Jason says.

“She’s fine. I mean, are you sure it really hit her? She could be faking. You guys are all on the football team, you have to be careful, you know,” Carly says.

“Zahirah isn’t like that. She doesn’t care about any of that shit. She’ll be at the Olympics before I ever make it to the pros,” I grumble.

“You know her?” Carly asks bitterly.

“Yeah, she’s my next-door neighbor. My little sister’s best friend. That’s Zah,” I say, but stop myself before I can blurt out more.

No one here needs to know that’s the girl I’ve had a thing for since I was thirteen. Back then, she was all bony limbs with the biggest smile and brightest eyes I’ve ever seen. God, she’s morphed into a supermodel.

I palm my forehead and allow it all to sink in. Zahirah Nickels is on campus. She’s a freshman here at my college.

“What the fuck does this mean?” I say under my breath.

I’m stuck in a daze as I process the fact that she’s here and will be attending the same college. The track program here is phenomenal. With her talent, she’s sure to go far.

I smile as pride fills me. I don’t know why I’m surprised. If Zah puts her mind to something, it’s hers. I just didn’t know she wanted to come here. Erica had tossed about the idea, but for whatever reason, she changed her mind.

“Jason and Corey, why don’t you guys go check on her if you can find her. Bentley, we can go. We still need to get our tickets and make it to the concession stand before the movie starts,” Carly says.

I roll my eyes. Things haven’t been great between us. I don’t know how an us even started.

One drunken almost hookup turned into her clinging to me at every party, every event, and nearly every moment of my life for the last three months. I’ve only kept it going because she scares off the other girls. I’m trying to keep my head focused on the game. I’m not into chasing after girls.

Doesn’t mean they’re not into chasing me. I close my eyes, feeling like an asshole. I had thought Zah was one of these chicks around campus trying to throw themselves at me when she first hugged me. Carly’s thoughts were my own at first.

I had wondered if she had intentionally fallen to get my attention. She had it from the moment she went down, but I shook it off. I mean, she felt and smelled nice, but I didn’t want to fall into a trap set by some pretty groupie on campus.

“Way to go, Bent,” I mutter to myself.

I just fucked that up so royally. For years, since I’ve started to see Zah as more than my little sister’s best friend, I can’t seem to do or say the right things around her. I’m two years older, but I would swear I’m the younger one with how tongue-tied and twisted up I get.

Damn. Nothing I said today came out right. I was stunned to see her and then I was jealous as Corey and Jason tried to come to her aid. The girls here on campus are pretty, but Zah … she brings the light with her.

“You live next door to her, bro? Please tell me you’ve—”

“Finish those words and I’ll put my fist through your face. It isn’t like that. That’s like one of my sisters,” I grind out.

“Sure didn’t seem like it. I would hope you’d treat your sisters better than that,” Corey murmurs. “I’m concerned.

“I know that chick with her. Maybe they’re in the same dorm. I’m going to go check on her. I’ve had enough concessions. I’d feel more comfortable making sure she’s okay.”

“I’d come with you, but I booked a workout. I need to be there in ten minutes,” Jason says.

“I’ll come with you,” I say.

“What? Come on, babe. She’ll be fine. Corey can call you if anything happens,” Carly whines.

I look at her and roll my eyes. Opening my mouth, I go to tell her I’m not going to the movies, and I think we should break things off. However, my phone rings, cutting me off.

Seeing it’s my sister, Erica, I pick up and walk off without another word.

“What have you done, Bentley?” Erica growls before I can get a word out.