Page 8 of Front Runner
We didn’t have practice the first day of classes, just that long ass meeting. Coach wanted us to acclimate to our new schedules, but he’d only give up one day of training for the cause. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed some time to myself after being on display all morning.
Mac invited me to lunch, but I declined, intending to spend some time unpacking. My apartment wasn’t far from campus, and I only had a single class in the early afternoon. Our place had one assigned spot, which another car was currently occupying, so I assumed my roommate was finally home.
She’d offered to help me move in, but I told her not to worry about it. The few things I’d brought with me in my car hadn’t taken long to unload, and the rest of my belongings had beaten me to Texas. I’d splurged on movers for most of my stuff since the gap between my contract at the camp and the beginning of school here only gave me a day to travel across the country.
Still, it was sweet of her to offer. Somehow, we still hadn’t seen each other in person despite me living here for almost twenty-four hours. She’d been gone yesterday, and her door was closed when I’d gotten home from the weight room last night. This morning, I’d had fresh coffee, but no roommate. I didn’t drink coffee, but again, sweet.
From the emails we’d exchanged, I knew she was a cheerleader and close with some of the football players. She’d reached out as soon as she’d heard I was transferring here, and once I got over the weirdness of some random girl knowing who I was, I agreed to move in. Honestly, she didn’t give me much of a choice.
I yanked the elastic out of my hair and ran my fingers through the wild length until I felt presentable. Past experience said I was going to make her nervous no matter what my hair looked like. I was a jock who preferred sweats and ESPN to make-up and parties, but she already knew that.
Most of the cheerleaders I’d known were athletes just as much as the people they cheered for. They didn’t all worship eyeliner. I hadn’t put on any make-up this morning out of habit, but that didn’t mean I didn’t know how to use it.
Probably a good call considering the heat. My car had become an oven while I wasted my precious free time procrastinating. I climbed out of the car, thankful for a slight breeze that teased my hair, and resolved to wait untilaftersomething horrible happened to stress about it.
Sweat dotted my brow as I crossed a small patch of grass and paused at the door with my key out. The Midwesterner in me screamed that the polite thing to do was knock, but it felt weird when all my stuff was inside. My hesitation ended when the door swung open before I could decide.
Eva was a blonde, like me, but that was the only similarity. The feelings of being small while sitting beside the giant in the auditorium—Noah, I’d later found out—disappeared while I stood next to this pixie. Her blue eyes widened as she stared up at me, and all the old feelings of inadequacy due to my height rushed back.
Instead of saying hi, I blurted out the first question that hit me. “How did you know I was out here?”
She pointed to a tiny white camera nearly hidden in the eaves. “Mac insisted on a few security measures after last year.”
My brows rose. “Mac?” I had the disturbing feeling I’d been hustled.
Eva grinned, then grabbed my arm and hauled me into the apartment. “Yeah, I’ll explain, don’t worry. I’m Eva, and you must be Riley Jones. Or do you prefer Lorelai?”
My back stiffened at the question. “No one calls me Lorelai.”
“Riley it is.” She sent me a considering look as she closed the door behind us. “Has Mac given you a nickname yet?”
“RJ. How did you know?”
She waved the question away. “I know everything. You’ll pick it up.”
I was having trouble following the whirlwind, but Eva didn’t stop to let me catch up. She shoved me at the couch—she was really strong for someone so small—and curled up opposite me as I sank down onto the cushions.
“Okay, so Mac is my best friend, well other than Stephen, but since he’s not here, Mac gets top billing.”
I nodded even though I had no idea who Stephen was, and Eva kept talking.
“I’ve known Mac most of my life, so I’m pretty close with the football team here. When I heard Coach Gordon had recruited a female football player from Wisconsin, I knew it was time to trade in my old place. I watched some of your film, and I can honestly say I’m in awe of your abilities. Not just that, but your determination to play in a space so dominated by arrogant men.”
She paused for breath, and I held up my hand, slightly overwhelmed. “I have questions before you keep going.”
“Right, sorry. I’ve had a lot of coffee today, and the first day of the semester always gets me hyped. What are your questions?”
“Are you always like this?” The question was borderline rude, but she laughed.
“Yes. Next question.”
“How did you hear about my transfer ahead of the football players?”
She tapped her head. “I know everything, remember? I have spies everywhere. One of them works as an assistant to the head coach, and he couldn’t wait to tell me about Gordon’s choice to recruit you. It was hell keeping the secret all this time, but he swore me to silence. I take my promises seriously. Next?”
I shifted to tuck my leg underneath me and face her fully. “How does that connect to you getting a new apartment?”
“Mac wanted me to move in here anyway because he wanted me closer—he lives across the way—and I thought I could offer you a place to get away from the constant gawking. People can be assholes. You’re doing a really brave thing for women everywhere, challenging the status quo, and I want to support that as strongly as I can.”