Page 4 of Campus Heat

Before I could respond, Jenna vanished into the crowd, leaving me alone and incredibly vulnerable. It would’ve been so much better if she’d stayed with me, but she didn’t, and that made me feel like she was embarrassed of me.

Deep down I knew she wasn’t, but still. I barely knew anyone, and I wasn’t the type people just started talking to. And I wasn’t the kind who would just strike up a conversation with a random stranger either.

“Well, hello there, little lady,” someone said as I walked right into a massive, muscular body. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t see you down there.”

“It’s my fault,” I muttered, fiddling with my shirt. “I wasn’t looking where I was going. I’m actually a bit lost.”

“That’s okay, I’d be happy to be your guide,” he said, offering me an arm.

It took me a moment to find the courage, but I finally looked up and realized that he was one of the new football players. I’d seen him on the field while we were training the other day.

“What position do you play?” I asked, and quickly realized that I had missed a few crucial steps. “Oh, I’m sorry that was so rude of me. My name’s Elizabeth. I’m a cheerleader.”

He let out a thunderous laugh and I could’ve sworn I felt the earth shake. “I’m Malik, and I’m a linebacker.”

“It’s good to meet you, Malik. You seem to be a real gentleman,” I said with a shy smile.

“I try my best.” He gave me an exaggerated bow, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you want to meet the rest of the team?”

I nodded eagerly, and he led me through the crowd to the living room where the rest of the guys were gathered.

“Gentlemen… and Dylan. I’d like to introduce you to one of our beloved cheerleaders. This here is Elizabeth,” Malik said, making me feel like royalty.

The one guy leaned forward and looked me over. It was creepy to say the least and made me feel like he was judging every single part of me. But he quickly got up, grabbed my hand and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles.

“I’m Dylan, and it’s an honor to make your acquaintance,” he said, batting his eyelashes.

“Get your filthy paws off her,” Malik interrupted, slapping his hand. “A girl like this won’t fall for the tricks of a man-whore such as yourself.”

“A whore?” Dylan said, pretending to be hurt. “How dare you? Don’t you know I have standards?”

“And what was that standard called this time? Mary?” one of the other guys asked. “No, no, wasn’t it Julie?”

“Joanne!” someone called from the background.

Dylan’s face changed so many colors I lost count. But they were nowhere near done with him.

“Joanne was yesterday,” Malik responded. “It’s Sandra today.”

“Of course you’ll be the one who remembers,” Dylan said as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Mr. Likable.”

“It’s okay,” Malik said, mocking Dylan some more. “It’s not your fault you have too many chicks to remember. That’s why you’ve got me.”

“Stop hogging all the attention,” the next guy said, slapping Dylan on the chest. “Hello, lovely. I’m Lucas, and you’ll get to know me a lot faster than the lady’s man over here.”

Lucas came forward and gave me a tight hug, but as he was letting go, the tension in the room spiked. A chill ran up my spine, and for a moment it sounded like everyone became quiet. I stepped back, and regretted it the second my body slammed into something rock hard.

I turned around and my breath hitched when my eyes landed on the most beautiful man I had ever seen in my entire life. Tousled dark hair, tall, lean and muscular, with brown eyes so intense they could bring a woman to her knees.

“Don’t you guys have anything better to do than make this girl feel uncomfortable? You should be ashamed of yourselves,” he snapped, and Malik instinctively pulled me closer.

“We’re just having a little fun, man. There’s no need to be so uptight about it. We ain’t hurting anyone,” Malik said, trying to calm the situation.

“Hi, I’m Elizabeth,” I said, extending my hand with the hope that it would help cut through the tension.

His gaze moved over the men before landing on me. “Yeah, and I have better things to do with my time.”

He turned and walked away, leaving me completely breathless and slightly annoyed. Who on earth did he think he was? And did he forget that this wasn’t the first time he’d treated me like I was invisible.