Chapter 3
Riley
The game picks up, and I keep up with it.
My breathing comes heavier now, but it feels good.
I need the burn. It’s pretty much back and forth.
They score, and then we run down to the other end and somebody on our team scores.
The guys on my team have been pretty good to give me a chance with the ball every once in a while, but I haven’t done much with it, mainly because these guys are so tall.
But Jay sets me up nicely and I take a jumper, nailing it.
“Good one, Riley,” Jay says, hi-fiving me on the way down the court.
The longer we play, the less hold I have on my competitive spirit.
I’ve always had a drive to win, no matter what it is we’re playing.
But basketball brings it out the strongest. One of the things I have going for me is that I’m fast, and that’s not because of my wolf.
I know how to pull strength and power from my wolf; all shifters do as they grow.
Even though I’ve never shifted, I still have a wolf inside me that I can pull from.
But I’ve played for years without the use of my wolf; I know how to separate myself from my wolf when it’s time to play.
My speed is all just me, and I've used it over the years stealing the ball time and time again and scoring on a fastbreak. I don’t usually do it when I’m playing with guys, but sometimes, my instincts take over.
I’m near the top of the key when a pass goes right past me.
They should have used a bounce pass, but they didn’t.
And I’m going to capitalize on it. I push the ball forward and race down the court.
The hoop is wide open, but I’m not naive enough to not think somebody’s probably closing in on me from behind.
I keep my speed up and go right up for my layup.
One minute, I'm in the air; the next, I hit a wall of muscle. I go down hard, unable to catch myself.
Exavier jumps back hooping and hollering, and I just ignore him. I start to stand, but then Reid is there pulling me to my feet. And then suddenly, all the guys are there. “Dude, you can’t do that. She’s a girl,” Caden says in anger.
Reid is suddenly in Exavier’s face. He says something so low I can’t hear, but Exavier is not backing down. “What’s your problem? If she can’t handle it then she shouldn't be playing.”
Reid steps closer, and I don’t know what’s come over him.
Reid never fights. “Reid, it’s fine.” I put a hand on his arm, trying to stop him.
He glances down at me, and I’m shocked by the way his eyes are flashing, a sign his wolf wants to make a presence.
Now, there’s a whole new problem. I pull on his arm, pulling him towards me and away from Exavier.
“Reid, get control of yourself,” I whisper hiss.
He blinks, and then his eyes are back to normal. “We’re done.”
“No, we’re not.” He stares down at me, and I can easily read the frustration in his eyes. “We leave now, and he wins. I’m not leaving.” His jaw locks, a sure sign that he’s frustrated or being stubborn. He’s good at both those things.
“Fine, but if he comes at you again—”
“I’ve got it.”
I turn away, but he stops me with a hand on my elbow. “You’re bleeding.”
I pull away from him. “It’s fine.” I turn back to Caden, who’s only been a few steps away this entire time. “Ready?” I ask.
He looks between me and Reid and then nods. “Yeah. Foul shots. Riley gets to go to the line.”
“What?” Exavier scoffs.
But the other guys line up, and I take the ball from Caden.
I stand behind the line and let years of muscle memory take over.
I make the first one and then the second.
I feel marginally better about myself, but then it’s time to get right back at it.
The rest of the game is brutal. Ex feels like he’s out to prove something, and he’s rough.
Somehow, I make it through the end of the game.
A few of the guys give me a high-five, and I do the same.
But inside, I’m dying. I realize these are guys, most of them division-one athletes, but I just got my backside handed to me.
Still, I’m the one that agreed to play. I pass Reid.
“Thanks, Reid; I’ll catch you later.” I’m far enough away that I can keep walking without him following.
He looks like he takes a step my way, but one of the guys keeps talking to him.
On the way to my dorm, I pass two girls who laugh as I pass. “That was not pretty.” I don’t even realize at first that they’re talking to me.
“I’m sorry?”
The taller one crosses her arms. “I hope you’re not planning on trying out for the women’s basketball team this year.” There’s a challenge in her eyes that I don’t back down from.
“Actually, I’m here on scholarship to play.”
The girl on the left raises her eyebrows in surprise, while the girl on the right scoffs.
“Seriously?” She turns to the girl beside her and shakes her head.
But when she looks at me again, she’s smiling but there's no warmth to it.
“Well, it will be great to meet you on the court.” They both snicker and walk away.
I watch them go, feeling a little hollow inside.
Two of my teammates? The thought of playing with them for an entire season is too much to process right now.
When I get back to my room, Ashley’s at the desk, working.
She’s got her headphones in, so I don’t bother her.
I grab my stuff to take a shower, hoping I’ll feel better after that.
Zane texts me later in the evening to invite me to Sunday lunch tomorrow, but I decline, saying I have too much to do to be ready by Monday. It’s not a lie. He texts right back.
Zane- okay, we’ll give you this weekend since you’re still moving in, but after that, it’s mandatory
Me- I thought that was only if you lived there
Zane- nope
I can’t help but smile.
Me- okay, next week
I drop my phone on my bed, wondering if maybe I should go tomorrow.
But I feel like I want this weekend to settle in, to get a chance to be independent before I show up as “Zane’s little sister” for the day.
I’m super happy I made the call, though, because I spend all day Sunday getting ready for classes on Monday.
Monday morning, I get up extra early and head out for a run. Reid texts me when I’m on my way back inside.
Reid- what time’s your first class?
Me- first hour
I head up to my room and shower and get dressed for class.
I spent way too much time yesterday deliberating about what to wear today.
I decided on jean shorts, one of my FMU t-shirts, and comfortable sandals since I’ll be walking all day.
Since it’s going to be a warm one, I throw my long blond hair into a high ponytail.
I stay quiet because Ashley’s not awake yet, and I don’t want to wake her.
Once I’m ready, I grab my bag that I made sure was packed yesterday and then leave the room.
I take a steadying breath in the hallway and remind myself that I can do this.
I can figure out where to go and get there on time.
I head down the stairs, thinking there’s a good chance I throw up this morning.
I push open the door and pull my sunglasses down over my eyes.
I come to a stop when I see Reid standing a few feet from my dorm.
He lifts his head from his phone and turns my way.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when I get close.
He holds out an iced coffee. I look down at it and then at him.
“It’s a cold brew with a splash of oat milk and one stevia. I thought maybe you could use the pick-me-up on your first day.”
I stare up at him. “Reid, that was...really thoughtful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Where’s your first class?” I tell him, and he nods. “I’ll walk with you.” I notice that he’s not carrying a bag or anything for that matter.
“Do you not have class this morning?”
“Not until second hour.”
I stop on the sidewalk. “Then why are you here?”
He shrugs and starts walking again, and I catch up to him. “I remember my first day of classes; I was terrified.”
I laugh. “No, you weren’t; you’re not scared of anything.”
He huffs out a laugh. “That’s not true. Anyway, I figured I’d walk with you, so you don’t feel alone and overwhelmed. But by all means, Riley Blackwood, if you’ve got it all figured out, I don’t have to walk with—”
I grab his arm to keep him next to me. “No, I don’t. I don’t have any of it figured out, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to throw up at least once today.”
He grimaces. “Well, if you do, can you turn that way?”
I laugh and feel my heart rate start to slow. I take a sip of my iced coffee. “Ooo, this is good. Did Evie make it?”
“She did. What other classes do you have today?”
I run through all my classes and locations with him.
By the time I get to the building where my first hour class is, I’m much more calm.
I even laugh a few times. I also know exactly where I’m going for the rest of the day.
We come to a stop outside the lecture hall where I’ll be spending my first hour.
I look up at him, realizing I have a smile on my face, a smile he put there.
“Thanks, Reid. I really appreciate you helping me this morning. I know I'm a lowly freshman, and you’re a high and mighty senior. You didn’t have to do this, this morning, but I really appreciate it. ”
“You’re my friend, Riley; and I didn’t mind. You’d better get in there before all the good seats are taken, and you have to sit in the front row.”
“Oh, the horror,” I tease.
He smirks. “I’ll see you later.”
“See you, Reid.”
I turn around and walk into the huge room, feeling overwhelmed but calm.
Reid really helped me to stay calm this morning, and I owe him for that.
I spy an empty seat and move over that way.
“Is this seat taken?” I ask the guy sitting next to the open seat.
He barely looks at me and shakes his head.
Perfect. I start taking out what I need for this class, and it’s not a minute later that the professor walks into the room.
“Good morning, Class. I am happy to see you. This is going to be a great year, but before we get started, I want to change your thinking about this class. This may be English 101, but this is also a class that could change your entire projection for college.” He lets that settle a moment.
“Nah. It’s actually just the basics. It's all the stuff you should have learned in high school but didn’t.
Did you like English class in high school?
Then you are going to thrive in my class.
If you disliked English, well, this may be a long year for you.
Just remember, it’s up to you. You can choose to have a great year in this class, or you can choose to have a terrible class. It’s your choice.”
I blink and try not to shudder. It’s going to be a long year.