CHAPTER 4: EXCITEMENT

RAVEN

“Yes, three passes,” Teagan's friend answered, looking over at me.

“Good!” Teagan chirped, starting the Jeep with a satisfied hum. “I’m starving. I feel like pizza. What do you guys think?”

Her friend immediately launched into options, thin crust versus thick, favorite toppings, whether we should do white sauce or red. I half-listened from the backseat, my phone already back in my hands.

I opened the saved image again, staring at the frozen moment where Lyall’s strong arms were wrapped around me, his golden eyes locked on mine. The headline made my cheeks warm now, as the sharp edge of embarrassment had started to fade.

I smiled to myself as I quietly saved the picture and the full article to a special folder I quickly created before slipping the phone away.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into the lot at Settebello Pizzeria. The place smelled incredible, fresh dough, garlic, and melting cheese wafting through the air as we entered.

We ordered at the counter, a large Margherita with extra basil for the table, a pepperoni and sausage pizza for Teagan and her girl to split, and a smaller veggie supreme for me.

I got an iced lemon tea, while they both went for sparkling sodas. We carried everything outside to one of the shaded picnic tables.

As we ate, the two of them couldn’t stop talking about the club. From the way they described the exclusive VIP section and the celebrity sightings, it was clear they’d been there many times before.

Whoever had gotten Teagan's friend the tickets was obviously someone important there, either a guy she was currently dating or someone she had dated recently.

I wondered how old he was when she pulled out her phone and showed Teagan something he’d bought her. Teagan’s cheeks flushed bright pink as she leaned in closer, giggling.

I chewed my pizza slowly, feeling more and more like an outsider. These girls moved in a world I’d only glimpsed through borrowed kindness.

So, I kept my thoughts to myself and focused on the food. When we finished, we headed back toward campus and our residence at Escondido Village.

I still thought the place was incredible, with massive high-rise towers of concrete and stucco, clean walkways, and the sense of being part of something bigger.

Teagan, however, made her displeasure known the entire way up in the elevator.

“I still can’t believe Mom made me stay here,” she grumbled. “EV has such a dorm feel, even with the premium apartments. The hallways are so institutional. And don’t get me started on the no unapproved renovations, strict quiet hours, limited guest parking, and those mandatory university inspections.”

I nodded along politely, but privately, I agreed with her mom. The apartment itself was nicer than anything I’d ever lived in, a spacious living area, a modern kitchen, and two bedrooms that gave us all our own space.

It felt like luxury to me. But what did I know? I thought as I unpacked a few more things in my room.

I was just an orphan who had been surviving on God’s graces my entire life. If growing up like that had taught me anything, it was to be grateful and always keep in mind that things could always get worse.

I was at Stanford. I had a roof, food, and a chance at a real future as a medical student. That was more than enough.

I tried to focus on the orientation coming up on Wednesday, thinking about maybe reviewing some materials and organizing my notes, but time slipped away.

Before I knew it, evening had arrived, and it was time to get ready for the club. We had a light dinner at the apartment before diving into preparations.

I changed into a cute green dress that hugged my figure, or at least I thought it was cute, and paired with gold heels I borrowed from Teagan. My heart started beating faster all over again as I stood in front of the mirror.

I turned to Teagan while she adjusted her own outfit. “So… the VIP area. How close will we actually be to the players?”

Teagan dropped the bomb casually as she touched up her lipstick. “Oh, we won’t just be seeing them from a distance. We’ll be sitting with them. Our contact is cousins with one of the linemen, and he hangs out with the team whenever they come through town.”

Holy shit!

I suddenly second-guessed everything, and my stomach flipped. I didn’t not want to go, but after what happened on the field today, could I really handle being that close to Lyall without making a fool of myself again?

“You’re being dramatic,” Teagan said when I voiced the concern aloud. “Just relax and have fun. He probably won’t even notice you.”

We finished getting ready, with Teagan helping me again with my makeup, and I actually felt… pretty. Confident, even.

Just then, a knock came on the bedroom door. Teagan's friend entered before either of us could respond.

She looked stunning in the shortest dress I had ever seen, a barely-there red fabric that showed off her long legs and toned figure.

“Teagan, you look hot,” she said, her eyes sweeping over her. “That dress is killer on you.”

Teagan beamed. “Thanks! And you… damn, girl. That dress should come with a warning label.”

Her friend aughed, dropping into a brief twerk that had Teagan hyping her up, then glanced my way before looking back at Teagan.

“Ready?”

Teagan grabbed her phone.

“Yes.” Then she looked at me. “Raven, are you ready?”

Excitement bubbled up in my throat, and I opened my mouth to respond, a smile forming, when Teagan's friend cut me off.

“You’re not going,” she said flatly, eyes meeting mine, and my heart slammed hard against my ribs before dropping straight into the pit of my stomach.

“What?” Teagan asked, blinking in confusion. “I thought you said you got three passes?”