Scoring the Player (Campus Wallflowers #3)

by Rebecca Jenshak

I don’t remember all the things I’ve wished for, but I know the big things have never come true. I’m still me. Dahlia Brady, shy and awkward, destined to never have a boyfriend.

It’s just that being shy and awkward makes it hard to do things like date, or even talk to guys. I like my life, but I’d also like to make out with a hot boy (or many hot boys) on the regular.

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 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.”

“Hey, asshole. That’s my girlfriend you’re making a pass at, and trust me, you’d be so lucky.” Felix steps so he’s in front of me, partially blocking me from the guy still smirking in my direction.

A familiar pang of longing for that kind of intimacy and understanding hits me.

He’s going to take one look at how overdressed I am and say— “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 not the guy for you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish that I were.”

Felix sits up so his face is inches from mine. My heart stops and I hold my breath. Is he going to kiss me? Finally? I move just a fraction closer. Gently, he brushes the pad of his thumb over my lower lip, but he doesn’t bring his mouth to mine. Instead, he says, “Don’t settle for less, okay? You deserve 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

he hooks the bag over one shoulder and then scoops me up, carrying both me and the clubs across the range. “Oh my gosh, put me down. People are staring,” I whisper-hiss. “No can do, hot stuff.” He tips his head toward Harper and a few of my other teammates who lingered after practice. They watch with surprise and amusement. He raises his voice to speak to them. “Everything is fine. Don’t worry. She just got a little weak in the knees at the sight of me. Isn’t that sweet?”

I don’t know what this girl’s done to me.

She wasn’t just the best fake girlfriend, she was the best girl I’ve hung out with, period.

“I’m always thinking about being inside you, babe. Next time I want you in my bed so I can see my name across your back as I pound into you from behind.”

“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.”