“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.”
