Page 1 of Campus Heat

1

Ethan

I let out a deep sigh as my gym bag dropped to the ground and my eyes roamed over the poor excuse of a team they’d put together. This couldn’t be it.

It couldn’t be the reason I left a prestigious college so I could have a chance to play. These guys didn’t look like they could tell the difference between a football and a golf ball.

But this was where I was, and I had to go with it. This was my choice. I wanted to play football, not spend my entire college career on the bench. Which was exactly what would’ve happened if I’d stayed.

So, I’d have to suck it up and make the best out of the situation, if there was such a thing in this team. I sank down on the bench in the locker room and took a deep breath. The smell of sweat and rubber assaulted my nostrils. Something I had gotten used to over the years. But at that exact moment it annoyed me.

“Hi everyone, I’m Oscar Harris, but you can call me Ozzy,” the coach said once I’d joined the huddle. “As many of you know, I’m not actually a football coach. I’m more experienced in basketball, but they needed someone to lead the team, so here we are.”

I cringed internally. They didn’t even put in the effort to get a real coach. And yet they expected us to actually make something out of this newly formed team. How were we supposed to do that?

“Why don’t we take a moment to get to know each other?” Coach Harris continued. “Why don’t we start with the dashing young man who decided to show up late?”

I cursed my watch for being so unreliable. “Hi, I’m Ethan Rose. I’m a quarterback who just transferred in from Stamford.”

“Do you have some experience in the game?” Coach Harris asked.

“My family’s completely obsessed with football so it’s something I grew up with,” I said, wishing I could vanish. “And I was part of the team at Stamford. We were a second division team working toward promotion.”

“Well,” the couch said with a smile. “Looks like we’ve got ourselves a pro.”

The guys cheered, but I felt like a fool. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a pro, especially not in a situation like this one. I’d barely played in one full game. The guys at my old school were so much better. That’s why I’d ended up watching them play instead.

“Can I go next?” The guy was too excited for his own good.

“Sure,” Coach Harris said, stifling a smile.

“I’m Lucas Charmichael,” he said with an exaggerated bow. “And I’m officially your new cheer coach. Go boys go!”

He clapped his hands and spun around, nearly giving himself a concussion. But at least he gave everyone a good laugh.

“Seriously, though… I’m a wide receiver with very little experience and many big dreams. So rest assured, you’re in for a good laugh.”

Coach motioned to the mountain of a man standing next to Lucas, and he shifted uncomfortably before stepping forward.

“I’m Malik Jefferson, linebacker.”

I mean, I never thought I’d be in the competitive league, but this was so much worse than I’d ever thought it could be. And I honestly didn’t know how I felt about that or any of the guys on the team.

It would take a lot of work to get this team up and running, and I didn’t think the coach had it in him. He looked defeated before we’d begun, like the thought of this job would put him in an early grave.

“I’m guaranteed to get you all laid,” someone said, drawing me from my thoughts. “Dylan Feinberg, running back and firm favorite with the chicks at your service.”

My eyes rolled so hard they nearly got stuck. I always hated men who acted like they were God’s gift to women. So I could instantly tell we wouldn’t get along.

“I’m Cameron Ortiz,” the shy-looking guy in the corner mumbled. “I’m just a rookie but have always dreamed of being a kicker.”

“It’s great to meet you all,” the coach said, but before he could continue, I raised my hand.

“Do you have experience playing football?” I asked and instantly regretted it.

Coach Harris shook his head. “I don’t. It’s the one sport I could never get the hang of. But I’m confident that we’ll get this team on its feet. And even though I’m still learning how football works, I’m sure that we’ll make a name for ourselves.”

I felt my hopes crashing down around me and saw my dreams shatter. I was also sure we’d make a name for ourselves, but not in the way he was thinking. We were about to become the biggest joke out of Connecticut in recent history.