Scoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #3)

by Rebecca Jenshak

spot Felix. I don’t mean to. I always just seem to find him in a crowd. Like my brain is searching for him even when I don’t realize it.

His buddy, Archer Holland, sits across from him and Brogan makes sure to give him enough of his face, so he can read the words. Archer is a tight end, also a sophomore. He’s deaf, lost his hearing when he was a kid. He wears hearing aids and he can read lips really, scarily well. Thanks to him, the entire football team knows how to sign a lot of really inappropriate things. He and Brogan are always together.

“I’m sorry. I’m going to stop talking now.” And continue to pray for the ground to swallow me up.

Nodding, I can’t help but smile. She really has no idea how much I dig her. “And you tracked me down, just to make sure I’m okay? The girl who said she wanted to climb you like a tree.” Her face scrunches up adorably. “Not my classiest moment.”

It’s such a Holly response. I have two sisters, Holly and Stella. They’re twins, two years younger than me, and their favorite pastime is ganging up on me.

“Hey, Felix?” Holly stops me before I can slip out of the house. “I don’t know Dahlia, but I’d be willing to bet that the reason she blows you off has more to do with her than you.” “Meaning?” “If you’re really into her, then you’re going to have to try harder than you usually do.”

“Wild and spontaneous, remember?” He lets his body lean against mine for a second. “You can’t hide forever. Or maybe you can, but you shouldn’t.” “Not forever. Just a week or two.” “No.” He shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that.” “Why not?” I arch a brow at him. “Because I’ll be worrying about you and won’t be able to properly enjoy myself,

“So, it’s about you?” His playful, cocky smile returns. “Always.”

Felix is the last out the door. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” “Thanks, Felix.” “You’re not going to change your mind. Are you?”

“No, you shouldn’t.” I finally peel my hand off of him. “He’s not worth getting kicked out.” “It would absolutely be worth it.” He finally faces me and slowly takes me in. A slow perusal that starts at my lips and scans my basic white tank and Levi cut-off jean shorts then finally settles on the Jordans on my feet. “Nice shoes.” His lips quirk up into a smile. All traces of the anger radiating off him a second ago are gone.

“This one is for the coolest, hottest chick I know. She’d kill me if I said her name up here in front of a busy bar, but if you know her, then you know it’s true. Love you, babe.” Jane leans into the mic stand and winks at me before the guitar and drums start in on “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift. I know the song immediately, even before she starts singing. It’s our go-to song to blast in the car.

“She’s good.” “She’s amazing.” “Why this song? Are you a Swiftie?” “Who isn’t?” He nods. “True, I guess.

Instead, I ask the more important question. “Why?” “I like talking to you. I want to do more of it.”

And when I thought I was going to puke, seconds before we walked out the door, the three of them lied and said everything was going to be fine. The thing is...I don’t feel fine.

“Okay.” I let out a shaky breath. “But what do I say? I need to know what to say.” She laughs lightly. “You’ll figure it out.”

“Wow.” Felix’s voice freezes my movements from head to toe. He steps through the crowd, eyes locked on me. “Dahlia, you look…wow.” He clears his throat. “I’ve forgotten all other adjectives.”

I’m still staring at Dahlia. Every piece of information she gives, I want more.

“She’s pretty.” I follow Dahlia’s gaze across the yard to where Bethany is dancing with Armstrong. Sure, she’s pretty, but she uses it like a weapon. “So are you.”

“You’re a terrible flirt.” “I’m a great flirt.” I move closer and rest a hand on her hip.

“It’s a long story.” “I’ve got time.”

“First of all, just know I am horrified that I told you all that, but since I did, the only way I can think to make it better is to tell you everything, so you know I’m not some sad girl you need to feel sorry for.” “I don’t feel sorry for you,” he says, without missing a beat. “I feel sorry for all the guys that fucked it up.” Damn he’s good with the one-liners. How much he actually means? No idea.

“What if we kept hanging out?” “I would probably fall asleep eventually.” I cover a yawn that I’ve been holding back.

“Think about it. We hang out. I can introduce you to people, and you’ll get more comfortable. Plus, almost no one bothered you about the video when they thought we were out together. I’m good for your image.” I roll my eyes playfully. “Conceited much?” “It’s just facts.”

“Your willpower is astounding,” I say with a dry chuckle. “I dig your sarcasm.” He takes my hand and intertwines our fingers.

“I would never cheat on my fake girlfriend.” He grins. His voice is more sincere when he says,

“Okay, but you could date anyone in this scenario. A girl you actually like.” “I actually like you.” “You know what I mean.”

“I don’t know,” I say, finally. “Say yes, Dahlia.” My body tingles. “No fair using my name. You know what it does to me.” His smile widens. “Say yes, hot stuff.” My brows lift at the endearment.

We both smile as Stella rolls her eyes. My sister and Beau have been dating for almost a year now. He’s a football player at Colorado, a rival college. It was a whole thing when they first started dating, but Stella’s in love, so I guess I’m stuck with him.

Stella laughs. “Earlier today you were watching cartoons and eating cereal out of one of those bowls with a straw.” “Teen Titans is awesome. And the bowl was a Christmas present.” “My bad.” Stella holds up one hand, the other still gripping her phone. “You’re the most mature guy I know.” “Let’s not get carried away.”

I really like when she goes all sarcastic on me.

with? Preferably taller than me, a junior or senior, no piercings—I don’t trust guys with piercings, long story, don’t ask, and he absolutely must know the difference between Taylor in her country era vs Taylor now.”

“One sec.” I release her hand to get my phone out and then stand beside her as I snap a photo. “What are you doing?” she asks as I upload it to my IG stories. “Letting everyone know I’m out with my girl.”

“Do I look okay in it? Maybe we should take another one in better lighting.” “You look perfect.” “Liar. But thank you.”

“No. Go ahead. I’m gonna walk Dahlia home.” “It’s okay. I think I can manage.” “I’m walking you home,”

“Does that hurt?” “No.” His voice is deeper than it was a minute ago. He curls his fingers around mine to stop me from dropping his hand. “Liar.” “It was worth it.”

Stupid butterflies in my stomach did not get the memo that punching people is bad.

“Shut the fuck up.” Felix tries to laugh it off, but his face is a little red. He glances at me and winks. “All true, though.”

“I failed. I don’t like failing.” She laughs lightly. “You don’t control the whole world.” “Real bummer, I know.”

“I have another idea.” “Oh no.” I hold my hands up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Please? You’re about Eddie’s height and build, and it’ll get us out of here quicker.” I hold back a groan, but then she gives me this wide-eyed, hopeful look, and I know I’m going to do it. “Fine, but we are closing down that party tonight.” “How late is that?” she asks, then shakes her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. I’m willing to suffer for my art.” I huff a laugh. “Going to a party with me is suffering?”

“I don’t do well without sleep.” “What time is your first class tomorrow?” “Eight.” “I’ll have you home by three.” She groans. “Two-thirty.” She still doesn’t look pleased. “Two. Final offer.” “Deal.” She beams.

“Walk around in them. I want to see how they look while you move.” “Walk around? Just walk?” “Sashay, prance, whatever floats your boat, Walters.” She crosses her arms over her chest and amusement twinkles in her eyes.

“Now I know you’re fucking with me.” But I do it.

“I don’t dance,” I say. “Just humor me.”

I use any free minutes to start a running list in the Notes app on my phone of things to ask Felix.

“If I don’t know it by now, I don’t think I ever will,” Daisy says. “You know it,” Jordan reassures her. It’s sweet to see how much he hypes her up. Everybody needs a hype man, or woman.

Felix’s brows rise and a smirk plays on his lips. “The pillow fort?” “Oh, it’s epic. You have to see it. Dahlia and I built it.” Jane starts up the stairs, leaving Felix no choice but to follow. “I know what you’re doing,” I whisper-hiss as I pass by her in the doorway. She grins and sing-songs, “You’re welcome!”

Felix walks into my room and toward the many blankets and pillows spread out on the floor between my bed and the window. “Woah,” Felix says. “This is…I don’t even have words.” Jane grins. “Awesome, right?” “Is this for the many guys you lure back to your room, hot stuff?” Felix asks as he sits down in the middle of it. He lies back and crooks a hand behind his head. He looks silly and yet still so hot.

“Just my number one, boo,” I say, then cringe. Did I just use the word boo? “Jane is the only person who’s slept there.” “I get chatty when I’ve been drinking.” Jane smiles. “Dahlia got tired of me fall...

“She’s something,” Felix says, smiling after her. “She really is.” I stand at the edge of the fort, not sure what to do. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want.” “Are you kidding? This might be more comfortable than my bed.” He sits up, but instead of getting to his feet, he takes my hand and tugs me down to the pillows with him.

“Really?” “No.” He laughs. “But the company is better.”