Page 9 of Campus Heat

And besides, there was absolutely no way I was going to elaborate on that discussion.

4

Elizabeth

I let out a heavy sigh and wiped the sweat from my brow. The day was hotter and far more humid than we’d expected, and it was taking its toll on all the cheerleaders.

“Did you manage to hand out any fliers?” Jenna asked as she walked up to me.

We’d been walking up and down the streets in town to try and drum up interest in the upcoming game. For now, I needed to give my feet a break. I slumped onto the bench outside Drifters Cafe.

I shook my head, holding up my stack of fliers. “The locals don’t seem to be warming up to the idea of the Highlanders having their first game. Lukewarm water would get a better reception.”

“We’ve been here for hours, and we still have so many of them left,” Jenna said as she took a seat next to me. “I thought the town would be happy for us and show some support. Who doesn’t love football? Or us? Maybe it’s the look. Do you think it would help if we changed the design?”

“I don’t think anything is going to help. They don’t have faith in the guys, and we can’t really blame them. Did you see the last practice? It looked like they were run over by a bus.”

It was really sad to see that nobody was giving the guys the time of day. They had been trying so hard, the fact that they actually had a team to play against was proof of that. But people still didn’t care, and I didn’t know what could be done to change that.

“Maybe we should just go,” Jenna said, sounding completely defeated. “But what should we do with the rest of the fliers?”

“The people won’t take them, but it’s not like the windshields will reject them.” I gave her a knowing smile. “And there are a lot of cars parked on this road. At least we’ll have a chance to get them seen.”

Jenna suddenly had a burst of energy. “You’re a genius. I love it!”

We gathered the rest of the girls and started heading back to school, putting fliers on every single windshield we passed. But as we walked, the girls started breaking away to do their own thing. Until it was just Jenna and me again. We were fine with it as long as they kept spreading the word.

“Hello, ladies,” Dylan said, startling us. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“You’re just finishing practice now?” Jenna said as the rest of the guys came out as well.

“Ran late,” Lucas said, kissing her cheek. “So we’re totally ready to have some fun.”

“Yeah,” Cam said as he peeked out behind Malik. “We’re going to my friend’s house for a backyard bonfire. Would you guys like to come?”

Jenna and I shared a look, knowing that it was something he just made up so he could have an excuse to invite us somewhere. Jenna raised a finger at Cam and quickly pulled me aside.

“I don’t want to take him up on that offer. He totally creeps me out. For all we know, we’ll end up drugged in his dorm room,” she said.

“Come on, he’s not that bad. And besides, Ethan is with them, and I’d really like to see what’s beneath that tough exterior of his. So do this for me. Pretty please.”

“Fine,” Jenna said with a sigh, and we went back to the guys. “But I’m warning you, Cam. If you try anything sketchy, I’ll break your nose.”

“I’d totally pay to see that, and I’m sure I’m not the only one,” Malik said. “So you better come up with something quick because we’re all rooting for her.”

Cam rolled his eyes, even though he looked completely panicked. But instead of losing his composure, he told the guys to share cars and follow him. Apparently the place he had in mind was just outside of town. And hearing that made me wonder if Jenna might’ve been right about him. His idea did sound like something out of a horror movie.

Malik let us ride with him and before we knew it, we were pulling into a driveway. The drive was much shorter than Cam led us to believe. More edge of town than out of it.

As we pulled up, an excited-looking woman, around our age, stepped out and eagerly waved at Cam. My jaw went slack, and I needed a crowbar to get Jenna’s off the floor.

Neither of us expected this friend of his to be that hot. And we definitely didn’t think anyone could be that happy to see him pull up.

“Charlie,” Cam said, giving her a tight hug. “This is the team. Team, this is Charlie Pine.”

Dylan went pale. Lucas pulled back his hand and ran it over his hair. Malik stood a little taller. And Ethan looked like he wished he could vanish into thin air. Then a tall, mean-looking man in a suit stepped out, and everything made sense.

“Cam,” Havenport’s very own athletic director said, patting him on the back. “Charlie didn’t tell me you guys were coming by.”