Big Shot | ✓

06 | what's your fantasy

I'd strategically arrived back on campus May 31st. The first of June was the day that the NCAA deemed virtual and certain voluntary (non-coached, non-physical) football activities could start. While I most likely wouldn't be needed, my parents didn't need to know that.

The problem with going to a university whose sports teams were in such a public eye was that anyone who paid even a smidgen of attention to college football knew who Reid Donahue was, and by extension expected me to know everything about him. I could only be a certain level of intentionally vague and avoidant with my parents' friends about my internship at our Memorial Day party before it got awkward. Yes I am making a concerted effort to follow our star quarterback around all season and no I'm not particularly thrilled about it. Thanks for asking, though.

"I missed you last week," Kendall said to me as I walked into spin class that Thursday morning.

"I hope that's not your way of saying I'm going to kick your ass today," I chuckled as I situated myself at my usual front row, far left bike.

Kendall twirled her blonde ponytail around her finger and gave me an innocent shrug. "No idea what you mean. Although I did put a couple special bangers on this playlist."

I clasped my hands together under my chin. "Please tell me you've tapped into my desperate need for nu-metal dad rock."

Kendall scrunched her face up as she finished off her Starbucks cold brew. "Not exactly. I took a shadowboxing class at a gym in Greenville this weekend when I was visiting my brother and it reinvigorated my love for 2000s and early 2010s hip-hop."

"Great, so it'll be like freshman year homecoming all over again," I chuckled with an eye roll.

"Of which I have very fond memories," Kendall laughed.

I sighed as I lifted myself up into a standing position on the bike, starting to slowly pedal to loosen up my hips and my knees. Even though I'd only taken a week off when I went home, I could feel the gunk that had built up starting to loosen. Maybe that was just the result of being home.

A few more people began to file in as class was about to start. Although regularly a small class to begin with, the crowd shifted drastically once school was over, from gaggles of sorority girls to mostly middle-aged local moms who didn't really care who was in class - they just wanted their workout in. But the unmistakable sound of people collectively shifting in their seats filled the otherwise idle silence, and my curiosity got the better of me.

I couldn't fully turn around because I was already hooked into the bike, but it wasn't hard to identify his hulking figure as he towered over everyone else, their gazes following him and his tight white cut-off shirt intently as he slid along the far wall towards the front of the room.

The vein in my forehead nearly burst when I zeroed in on his destination: the empty bike next to me.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

"Everything alright?" Kendall asked me as she settled herself into her bike at the front of the room.

I stiffened up as I realized not only had I actually said that out loud, but Reid Donahue was now in my immediate vicinity - close enough that his body heat made the hairs on my arm stand up.

"What?" I shook my head. "I'm fine. Totally fine."

The faintest snicker came from Reid, and it took everything in me not to reach over and pour my entire water bottle on him - mostly because knowing how Kendall taught class, I'd need that water in about five minutes.

"What are you doing here?" I leaned over and whispered at him through gritted teeth.

Reid blew out a breath as he draped a pristine white towel over the handlebars. "Well, I'm not allowed to work out with Coach Riley, I can't just throw the ball to myself, and the treadmill is bad for my knee." He paused and hoisted himself up and onto the bike with ease. "Plus, Kendall likes me."