Page 101 of Campus Heat

I rolled my eyes and said, “Don’t start.”

“I saw those things all over the campus. You’re like our one-woman marketing department.”

“I had some help,” I said, motioning to the rest of the girls.

Behind him, Ethan slowly climbed the steps. He swung his backpack lazily over one shoulder, and his hair was a total mess. It was clear that he ran his hands through it a lot. He must’ve been just as worried as I was, but the moment his eyes met mine, his expression softened. He gave me one of those secretive smiles, and I felt warmth blossom in my chest.

“Did you start this whole propaganda run?” he asked as he finally reached me.

“Motivational campaign,” I corrected.

“Is there a difference?” he asked with a wink.

I gave him a dazzling smile, knowing he was just messing around, but then his demeanor changed. He looked nervous and slightly afraid.

He leaned in closer. “Are you coming tomorrow?”

I took his hand. “I’ve never missed a game.”

“This one is different, though.”

Before I could ask what he meant, the classroom door swung open. He pulled his hand out of mine and quickly turned around, anxious to find out what was happening.

“Okay,” Harris said. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

The guys went in first and took their seats in the front while we followed closely behind. I took a seat next to Jenna in the third row, and the room started buzzing with curiosity. Many questions were thrown at the coach, but he ignored them until everyone was ready and seated.

He stood at the front of the room with his arms folded across his chest, but there was something about him that seemed different. He looked more energized, confident even.

“First things first,” he said as the room settled.

Then he gestured to the back of the room. Two equipment managers rolled in a large rack that was covered by a thick, heavy black sheet. The entire room fell silent.

Cam leaned forward and whispered, “Please tell me that’s what I think it is.”

Harris smirked. “Pull it!”

One of the staff members grabbed the corner of the sheet and pulled. It seemed to be falling in slow motion, but our eyes still followed, hoping to catch a glimpse of what it concealed. Then, as it hit the ground, gasps began filling the room.

Hanging neatly on the rack were brand-new football uniforms. They looked like royalty compared to the worn-out, mismatched outfits the guys had been wearing all season. These were sleek, deep Havenport blue jerseys with bold golden numbers that caught the light as the rack shifted. They had a clean white trim line on the shoulders, and the Highlanders crest gleamed proudly across the chest.

The helmets were even better. They had polished navy shells with a sharp gold stripe down the center. And the Highlander emblem shining on each side. My jaw dropped. It had been a long time since I had seen the school give us something this good. And I was sure that it would have a massive impact on the attitude the guys had been having toward the team.

“That looks incredible,” Jenna whispered.

The guys were already on their feet, crowding around the rack. Cam quickly grabbed one of the helmets and turned it in his hands while Malik counted every single item.

“No way,” Cam said, giving the helmet a good squeeze.

“There’s enough for everyone,” Malik said in a tone of utter disbelief.

Lucas ran his fingers over the fabric of one of the jerseys and gasped. “They’re legit.”

“They smell so… new,” Dylan said, taking a deep breath.”

Harris gave them a good moment to take the new uniforms in, but then he cleared his throat and raised a hand.

“Sit down, gentlemen,” he said, sounding as serious as ever.