Player

Chapter 3

"That was weird," Terri stated, "he's not usually that friendly, unless he's sleeping with someone."

"Must have seen something he liked," Jet, Terri's friend, smirked, glancing at her and Riley.

Having only met the others this morning, Chloe still felt a little uncomfortable, though they had been friendly enough, and didn't really want to broach the subject that he might have been waving to her. Whilst watching them play, she'd recognised him immediately as the guy who'd helped her with her suitcase last night. In the daylight, he was even more handsome than he had been in the dim light of the stairwell, even dripping with sweat.

Tall and muscular, he was a big guy with rugged features, complete with a five o'clock shadow, and dirty-blond hair that was a little too long, the sunlight catching at the ends and making it burn bright.

"He's cute," Riley grinned, "in a rough and ready sort of way."

"Don't go there," her sister warned sharply, "you'll get an STD just thinking about him."

There it was; she should have realized a guy that gorgeous would be a player, but he'd seemed so courteous last night...

After he'd dropped her off at her room she'd gone inside to find her new roommate, Riley, asleep on the bed by the widow. This morning, they'd met officially and instantly hit it off. Bright and bubbly, Riley was easy to get along with – her twin sister less so. The complete opposite of Riley, despite the fact that their features were the same, Terri was sharper, a little bitter, and Chloe sensed a tension between the sisters, at least on Terri's side.

The twins, and their friend Jet, were the same age as Chloe, but while she and Riley were freshman, Jet and Terri were third years and had offered to give them a tour of campus. That tour had started with the sports facilities, which Chloe hadn't been especially interested in, until they'd reached the football field. It looked more like rugby than the sort of football she was used to in England, and she didn't have a clue as to what the rules were, or which positions the men played, but it was fascinating to watch.

"Come on, let's go grab some breakfast before we check out the bookstore," Terri proposed, pulling Chloe from her thoughts.

They went to the canteen, since they were all on the meal plan, and found a table near the windows, so that they could see the sun even as the AC pumped out cold air. It wasn't even midday yet and already Chloe was burning alive. The heat was epic. A bad wardrobe choice – jeans and a t-shirt – meant she was sweating and she was pretty sure her arms were already sunburnt despite the fact that she'd applied sun cream before she left her room. Her pale British skin wasn't used to this kind of weather. Not that she was complaining, the heat was part of the reason she'd applied to St. Joseph's University in South Texas, she just had to be more prepared in future.

While they ate, the twins chatted between themselves. They tried to include her, but Chloe was content just to listen, as was Jet, who kept sneaking glances at Riley every time she laughed, a smile tipping his own lips. When they were finished, they all got up and headed towards the doors, only to find their way blocked as the entire football team trooped in, talking loudly.

Out of the crowd, Parker suddenly appeared standing right in front of her. "Hey guys, what up to?" he asked the group in general, but his hazel eyes were fixed on her.

"We're just going to the bookstore," Terri answered, hands in her shorts pockets, looking a little bored.

"Mind if I tag along, I gotta get some books too."

"Really? I'm surprised you can even read."

"You got a mean streak, Terri," Parker drawled in that thick accent of his, which she couldn't place. "What's got you all bent outta shape today?"