Scoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #3)

by Rebecca Jenshak

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

“I’d like to climb you like a tree, too.”

“It’s actually pretty funny. Me and you.” I point between us. “You’re the hottest guy on campus and I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

“You could have said I was ugly, and you’d rather ride a cactus than me, and I’d still have been hanging on your every word. It’s the most I’ve ever heard you talk. Until now. You have a nice voice.”

“Hey, asshole. That’s my girlfriend you’re making a pass at, and trust me, you’d be so lucky.”

This is a terrible idea, but I can’t wait.

“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.”

“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’m not the guy for you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish that I were.”

“You look gorgeous,” I reassure her. “Just, you know, even more gorgeous when people know you’re mine.”

“Are you two gonna keep playing or make out?” Lucas asks. Without tearing his gaze from mine, Felix says, “Make out.” My pulse races and my heart is hammering in my chest. “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.”

“Come on. It’s been a long day.” I take her into my room, then grab a water and some Advil. “Take these before you fall asleep.” “I don’t want to sleep yet. I was promised more kissing.” “Okay, then take these before I kiss you again.”

You don’t need to do anything for me. Making you come is the hottest thing I’ve done in a really long time.”

“You’re a fucking goddess. I could worship those tits all day.”

“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.”

“Everything is fine. Don’t worry. She just got a little weak in the knees at the sight of me. Isn’t that sweet?”

“You do have me. I’m basically putty in your hands,”

“Touch her and die, dickwad.”

“Yeah, if it sucks, I might turn you off of sex for life or something.” I sit up, resting on my elbows. “It’s not going to suck. You and I are both too competitive to be bad at anything. Plus, you’re stupid hot, remember? If you say my name the right way, I don’t even need your big dick.”

I don’t just want to be the guy taking her home. I want to be the guy who watches her kick everyone’s ass at flip cup, the guy who makes her ramble and blush, and I want to look up from the field at every game to see her cheering me on (preferably in my jersey). I want her.

“Did you see Bethany?” Lucas asks with a chuckle. “Girl is something else.” I grind my teeth. “Yeah.” “I wonder if she’s going to wipe off your number before she fucks Armstrong,”

I feel his fingers work through my hair. My scalp tingles. Who knew that having a guy play with my hair was such a turn-on?

“What are you thinking now?” I ask, taking in her rosy cheeks and limp body. “There are no thoughts right now. You screwed them out of me.”

It doesn’t make today any less stressful though. I’ve got a diamond ring in my bag, and I need to somehow get permission to marry his daughter, while trying to remember how to swing a golf club.

“You’ve been good for her.” I’m surprised by his words. I tear my gaze away from Dahlia and look at him. “I’m trying. She’s incredible and I like reminding her.” His head nods slowly and he rests his weight on the golf club. This is my shot to ask him while she’s not around, so I take a deep breath. “Actually, sir, I wanted to ask you something before she gets back.” “All right,” he says. “I bought a ring, and before I head up to Minnesota, I’d like to ask your daughter to marry me.” I get it out all at once. I had a much more eloquent speech prepared, but I kinda feel like I want to throw up. “Is there a question in there somewhere?”

“I like you, Felix. I’ll tell you what. You beat me today and I’ll buy dinner tonight to celebrate.” “And if I lose?” He just grins. Fuuuuck.

“You’ve got grit, kid. You just don’t quit, do you?” He laughs again. “Dahlia’s mom and I would be delighted to have you as part of the family.” “You would? But I thought…”

“I love you so much. I know the next year is going to suck being apart, but I don’t want to wait another day to ask you to be mine forever. Marry me?”

“Then they’re both yours. Two rings for the number of lifetimes it’s going to take to show you how much I love you.”