Scoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #3)

by Rebecca Jenshak

“Felix Walters,” she says pointedly, amidst my silence. “The cute QB who is totally crushing on you.”

I’m still me. Dahlia Brady, shy and awkward, destined to never have a boyfriend.

Here’s the thing about Felix. He’s suuuper hot. No question about that. But it isn’t just that he’s a hot guy that throws me so off balance when he’s nearby. He remembers things, asks me personal questions, gives me the type of attention that most guys, hot or not, don’t really give me. I like his voice and the way he smiles at me like he’s happy I’m around. And I admire that he’s this successful football player with big dreams but still likes to kick back and have a good time.

He hands a can to Violet and Jane then to me. The tips of his fingers brush against mine during the hand-off and I nearly drop the can. “Oops. Fumble.” I laugh at my own joke. Then cringe. Felix’s smile just gets bigger.

This year is going to be different. That was my wish for the year. I want to stop waiting for life to happen and put myself out there more. I figured asking the universe for a boyfriend was a little cliché.

“Watch where you’re going, Brogan.” Brogan turns and a lazy smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Sorry about that.” “It’s okay.” Felix crosses his arms over his impressive chest. “It’s not okay. You could have hurt Dahlia.”

I think about my wish, about how this year is going to be different. Maybe it already is. After all, I just spoke to Felix Walters. Go me. Baby steps.

“He just looks at me and I start sweating and my mind goes blank. He’s stupid hot. As in he makes me totally stupid. I lose brain cells every time he speaks to me. I would probably die of sensory overload if he kissed me. Or if I saw him shirtless. Forget about it.” I groan. “I’d like to lick every inch of his body and climb him like a freaking tree. Of course, I’d have to duct tape his mouth because when he says my name, ‘Dahlia,’” I mimic his deep voice, and then fan my face, “I’m two seconds away from orgasming.”

“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.”

Though it’s certainly not as bad as trying to talk to someone like Felix, who makes me feel…everything.

Before I can force my stupid frozen body to turn away, another voice cuts through the laughter and chatter around us. “Hey, asshole. That’s my girlfriend you’re making a pass at, and trust me, you’d be so lucky.”

Felix swivels around to listen to Jane as she croons out the first verse, then he turns to me with a playful grin. “She’s good.” “She’s amazing.” “Why this song? Are you a Swiftie?” “Who isn’t?” He nods. “True, I guess.

ate

“Why?” “I like talking to you. I want to do more of it.” I’m speechless, not that that’s unusual for me.

“I’ve never seen you sweat a girl so hard,” Lucas says. “You must be really into her.”

“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.”

His smile is wide and disbelieving. “That’s me. I’m Felix Walters’ number one fan. If there weren’t so many people around, I’d be climbing him like a tree or licking him from head to toe.” Oh my god, what am I saying? Shut up, shut up, shut up.

“I’m kidding. Consent is important.” The more I talk, the more flustered I feel. I should have prepared a standard response for the many times I expect to be recognized tonight.

“Well, that’s not very enthusiastic, so I’ll take that as a no. What about cards?” This time she shakes her head. “Flip cup?” “Yes!” she screams, a little too eager and with a whole lot of sarcasm.

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

Wouldn’t it be great if you could erase the bite of things said by shitty people, just by acknowledging they’re a terrible human? It should cancel it all out, any negative words or actions. But in my experience, it hasn’t. I still remember all the awful things she’s said and done, and I hate that I can’t shake it off as her flaws talking, instead of wondering if maybe she had a point.

“Have any hot friends you can hook me up 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.”

“What are you doing?” she asks as I upload it to my IG stories. “Letting everyone know I’m out with my girl.” “Oh, god. I’m gonna be sick,” she says. “Do I look okay in it? Maybe we should take another one in better lighting.” “You look perfect.” “Liar. But thank you.”

“Walters mentioned it. He’s all, my girlfriend is so hot, and my girlfriend is the best at flip cup, and my girlfriend is a kick-ass golfer.” As he speaks, Brogan brings a hand to his chest and mimics Felix but in a high-pitched voice.

“Felix,” I say his name as if my brain is still trying to process that it’s really him and I didn’t fall asleep at my workstation, and am currently dreaming he’s here. Felix, or maybe Dream Felix, smiles. A half-smile. He does that a lot. Few things get a full smile out of him. I always smile fully. Happy-looking people get less attention.

Except in Dahlia’s case, I think they’re asking because they like her. Nobody really liked Bethany. Maybe to gawk at, but it wasn’t the same. My teammates actually like being around Dahlia. I didn’t realize how nice it would be to have a girl that fits in with all the other people in my life so well.

“Eddie is a little bigger than you,” she says. “Way to ruin the moment,” I mutter under my breath. That killed any movement south. “I mean taller. What are you, six-two?” “And a half.” That half inch seems super important right now.

“I do like you.” “You know what I mean. Like me.” “I do.” He fingers a strand of my hair by my ear and his knuckles graze my neck. “But…” “I’m not the guy for you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish that I were.”

“If you like me, then why aren’t you the guy for me?” “You need someone to give you all the experiences and fun you’ve been waiting for. Someone that will make you feel special and treat you like the absolute baller chick that you are.” The way his blue eyes focus on nothing but me turns my insides to liquid. “That’s not something I have time for or would even be any good at.” I think he’s wrong. He already makes me feel that way. Just being with him is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me.

She’s not just some girl I can hook up with and walk away. Dahlia could never be that girl.

Any nerves I had about kissing him are doused in the flames his touch ignites. I’m not kissing Felix. I’m being kissed. He is in total control and I’m just along for the ride. A really, amazing ride.

“Do you want to stay over?” I ask, saying the words all at once before I lose my nerve. “I should probably go home and let you get some sleep.” Who needs sleep? I’ll sleep when I’m dead.

I finally give in and hit her up. Me What are you doing? Hot Stuff Jane and I just left Taco Bell. I laugh at her exaggerated use of emojis.

She loves pushing my buttons. Little does she know, she pushes most of them without even trying. Everything about her just hits a little different.

It’s easy to be with Dahlia. Even easier to flirt and play.

During the switch from offense to defense, I lose track of Felix. Blue jerseys cover broad shoulders all down the sideline. I scan names and numbers I don’t recognize until Felix’s dark hair catches my attention. He’s not looking at the field, but at me. My heart skitters and skips as his mouth pulls into a smile, and his gaze drops to my jersey. His jersey.

Shy, beautiful Dahlia wearing my name and number across her back, and everyone knowing she’s mine—hell fucking yeah. I could get used to that.

“Well, I wanted to celebrate by gawking at you wearing my jersey all night.” A hint of something like embarrassment flashes across her face. “You look gorgeous,” I reassure her. “Just, you know, even more gorgeous when people know you’re mine.”

“She doesn’t get to say shit like that to you. Nobody does. Do you understand?” “People talk shit. I’m hardly the only person that Bethany has been a bitch to, I’m sure.” “I don’t care what she says to other people. She’s not saying shit like that to you.”

“Then do them. I know what this is between us.” I know that this is all temporary. Pretending to be together and his feelings for me. Will I be sad when both are over? Absolutely, but it’s not enough to stop me. He chuckles softly. “That’s good because I sure as hell don’t anymore.”

“And your eyes. And mouth. And the way that one piece of hair always falls onto your forehead.” His smile grows. “That’s a lot of things. Sounds like you might like me.” “I do, but not because of any of those things.” His forehead knits in confusion. “You’re a good guy. A great guy, actually. You’re talented and you work hard, but you know how to have fun too. I like a lot of things about you now that I think about it. Want the full list?”

“Are you two gonna keep playing or make out?” Lucas asks. Without tearing his gaze from mine, Felix says, “Make out.”

“To be clear,” he says as he brings his mouth closer. “This isn’t part of the Felix Walter’s experience.” “No?” “Uh-uh. This is the Dahlia Brady effect. Totally different thing. You drive me completely fucking crazy.”

“Wow,” I say, my heart refusing to slow even as the world starts to come back into focus. “The Dahlia Brady effect is strong.” His hands lower back to the top of my shorts and he presses a kiss to my temple. “You have no fucking idea.”

“What is he doing here?” I ask more to myself than Harper. “I don’t know, but whatever it is, I hope it ends with you riding him in the front seat of his car. He is straight-up obsessed with you, and I am so here for it.” “He is not obsessed with me.” “He’s looking at you like a man obsessed.”

And I think, maybe I am the luckiest girl alive.

She smiles. “I guess I get that. Golf is different. We cheer each other on, but we don’t look out for each other the same way that you do for your team.” “Well, I guess it’s a good thing you have me then.” “Why’s that?” “Because I’m always looking out for you. Whatever you need, hot stuff.”

“I’ve heard some of the things that man says to you. He thinks you’re amazing and he gets off on letting you know it.”

“I don’t think any of that would have mattered. Enough time around you and I would have felt it.” “Felt what?” “This.” He motions between us. “We’re the same. Different, but the same.”

“I didn’t do anything.” “But you did.” She rests a hand on the center of my chest. “You changed my life.” I start to protest, but she continues, “It wasn’t just the parties or everyone thinking I was your girlfriend. You changed me. People see me differently, but more importantly, I see me differently.” “You were always amazing. I didn’t do that.” “Well, now I believe it.”

“The last month and some change were a blast. You were the best fake girlfriend I’ve ever had.” My chest aches as I think about the truth of those words. She wasn’t just the best fake girlfriend, she was the best girl I’ve hung out with, period. She smiles. “You were the best fake boyfriend I’ve ever had.”