A Different Side (University Park #4) (15 page)

Great
.

Lexi tossed her pen on the table, clearly perturbed. “Shit. What do you want to do?”

I stared at her for a moment. Ignoring all the warnings that said
don’t do it.
To ask her if she was engaged or had a boyfriend. For one day, I wanted to avoid what I knew was probably true and find out if there was something more to this tutoring relationship. I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat, and said, “We could go up to your room.”

Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Wrong suggestion.

Damn it!

“Um, I’m pretty sure Delaney will be coming home any minute, so we won’t have any peace and quiet. And the study room on my floor is always occupied by a group of foreign exchange students, so that’s out. We could always try the library. Oh, but you said you don’t like the library.” Her eyes darted all over the room as she rambled various options. “Since it’s warm outside, we can head to the book store. There are tables under the awning.”

Clearly, my suggestion made her uncomfortable, which confirmed my intuition. But why didn’t she just tell me? I latched on to one of her flailing hands. “Relax. If meeting in your room makes you uncomfortable, then we won’t.”

“Oh, no… it’s not that.” She eased her hand from mine and then waved off my comment, like it was no big deal. But it was and for whatever reason, she wasn’t divulging any information. There was no sense in pursuing this any further. Lexi was engaged and didn’t want to tell me.

“Why don’t we wait until Tuesday to discuss it? I’ll start thinking about my paper and try to work on the outline.”

“Okay, that works.” She let out a big breath, as if a huge weight had been removed. If I caused her that much stress, it wasn’t good. “Are you sure you don’t want to meet before then?”

I crammed my papers and book into my backpack, feeling like a complete idiot. Josh warned me and I didn’t listen. Like always. “Tomorrow night’s the big game, so I’ll probably be too hungover to meet on Saturday and too tired on Sunday. Are you going to the game?”

“Um, I don’t know.” She cleared her throat. “I think Delaney has to do something with her family…” her words dwindled to a low murmur, and I knew she was making excuses.

“No, you have to go.” I leaned across the table, determined to see if she’d confess. “It’s the biggest game of the season. And, when we’re done kicking UT’s ass, we’re going to party our asses off. It will be one party you don’t want to miss.”

She threw her head back in laughter.

“What?” I ran a hand over my head, confused at her reaction.

“Did you forget…I don’t go to parties?”

“Bullshit.” I slapped the table. “I’m inviting you to this party, even if I have to pick you up myself.”

“Really?” She got up and walked out the door.

I swung my backpack over my shoulder and followed her. “You think I’m joking, Lexi, but I swear, I’ll be here in your lobby after the game, stalking you.”

She laughed harder. “Don’t make promises unless you’re willing to keep them.” She glanced over her shoulder at me, appraising me from head to toe. Why the hell did she keep flirting with me? I was so damn confused.

I rubbed my hands together.
Game on
. “I love challenges.”

“Hold that thought, will you?” She pivoted around, pointing her finger at me. I skidded to a stop, nearly crashing into her. “I have a grammar handbook I’ve been meaning to give you. I’ll run up and get it.” She darted toward the elevator.

“Okay, I’ll wait here.”

The elevator opened and she rushed in. My shoulders dropped and I sighed. I needed to ask her and get it over with before I drove myself crazy. How freakin’ hard could it be? Seriously? When she returned, I would just say it and find out once and for all.

I leaned against a post in the foyer, listening to the glee club or whatever club it was practicing their ensemble of various music pieces. The girl playing wasn’t as good as Lexi and the guy singing sucked. I knew I sounded better than him, but whatever. At least they were trying and weren’t afraid — more than I could say for myself.

I turned when I heard a door slam. Lexi stumbled into the foyer, completely out of breath and wide-eyed.

I rushed to her. “Is everything okay?” I extended an arm, offering to assist her, but she maintained her footing without my help. “Looks like you just saw a ghost.”

“Worse.” She clutched a hand to her chest and gasped for air.

I leaned forward and whispered, “You saw a dead body?

“What?” She shot me a weird look while taking several deep breaths.

“The only thing worse than seeing a ghost, is seeing a dead body.”

She blinked several times, as if trying to comprehend what I said. Her breathing steadied, but a look of shock remained on her face.

“Oh. Well, I didn’t see any dead people or ghosts.” She checked behind her.

“Then what happened?”

With hands on her hips, she said, “I think my roommate’s screwing my brother.”

I cocked a brow. “Screwing as in doing him wrong or fucking him?”

“Um…” she hesitated for a moment, as though not wanting to tell me. “Having sex with him.” She nodded as she continued looking over her shoulder.

I laughed. “Is that a bad thing?”

She sucked in another deep breath. “She kind of sleeps around.”

“Kind of or does?” I needed clarification. Based on the number of guys I’d seen her with, I knew the answer, but I wanted to know her take.

She glanced at the floor and then looked at me. “She does sleep around.”

“If it’s any consolation, I’ve never slept with her.” I shoved my hands in my pockets, feeling proud that I hadn’t crossed that line.

“I can’t believe you just said that.” She thumped me on the arm, but I could tell she wasn’t mad at me. Maybe a little put off, but nothing I couldn’t fix.

“Sorry.” I shrugged.

She covered her face with her hands and shook her head. “Oh my God.”

I wanted to wrap an arm around her, comfort her the best way I knew how, but I wasn’t sure about the fiancé thing. Something told me that might be over. Her head darted up from her hands. “I have to get out of here.” She rushed out the door.

“Lexi, wait!” I called, following her.

She rounded the building and stopped, dropping her backpack. Whatever she saw had upset her. She paced the grass with one hand pressed to her forehead. “How could they hide something like that from me? I don’t care if they are seeing each other or screwing. I just wanted to know.”

“Lexi?” I tried to get her attention, but she continued mumbling incoherent words.

“Did they actually think I’d never find out?”

I seriously doubted her brother was screwing her roommate. More like her fiancé. It was now or never. I needed to be there for her. Help her through this difficult time. It wasn’t about getting in her panties, either. I wanted her to know I sincerely cared that she was upset. Lexi was a good person and it pissed me off that someone had hurt her. “Lexi,” I called one more time.

She stopped and dropped her hand to her side. “Yeah?”

“Can I take you somewhere?”

With a sigh, she said, “No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll just, um, head to the library.” She glanced around campus, looking lost.

“Are you sure?” I finally caught her gaze. “Because we could hang out.” I checked my watch. “I don’t have practice until three.”

“Um…well…”

I refused to take no for an answer. There was no way I was leaving her by herself. “Come on,” I took her by the hand and led her across campus, “sounds like you could use a drink.”

Σ

Chapter 10

I believe in taking chances and living your live. Sometimes doors open and others close

and you have to figure out which one you’re going to take. I’m always for the one that’s challenging.

~Gisele Bundchen

I guided Lexi to the Dragon Shuttle stop, which would take us to my car parked at fraternity row. I left it there because I was taking Shawn to run an errand after practice. His dad had picked up his car earlier in the week to get new tires and maintenance work, and he was bitching about needing to go to the mall. Shawn was almost as bad as Shelby when it came to designer clothes.

Shawn was the least of my concerns. Lexi was in a complete daze, not saying anything. All I wanted to do was hold her in my arms and let her cry or complain about what happened. The girl needed a drink to calm her nerves and I had just the plan. The shuttle arrived and we got on. I sat next to her, but kept a safe distance. The route we were on circled around the entire school, giving me time to think about where to take her. It needed to be somewhere secluded, but not too far since I didn’t have much time. My brain scanned through all of the places in the area before deciding on the perfect one.

Lexi leaned against the edge of the window, staring outside. I sensed the sadness, the disappointment, and the heartache. Her fiancé had cheated on her. She was too nice and innocent to deserve that type of treatment. I didn’t even know the guy, but I was ready to punch him in the face.

“You alright?” I leaned a little closer to her.

She turned toward me and nodded, but it was obvious she wasn’t.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” I rested my arm along the back of the seat, eager to hold her like I had when she nearly got hit by the cyclist. It was best to take things slow. If she wanted to be in my arms, I’d welcome it, but I wouldn’t force her. She wrapped her arms around her body and I knew she wasn’t ready.

The shuttle stopped a block from fraternity row. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” She followed me as we exited the shuttle.

“To get my car,” I told her, trying to put her at ease.

“Oh, okay.”

I sensed the hesitation in her voice. “Relax,” I nudged her, “this will be fun.”

With a raised brow, she said, “If you say so.”

I smiled and her shoulders relaxed. “Just wait, you’ll see.” We walked toward my car and I pulled out my keys, unlocking it.

“Is this your car?” I opened the door for her and she hesitated to get in.

“If it isn’t then I feel sorry for the guy it belongs to.” I shut the door and then jogged around to the driver side. I slid in and started the ignition. The engine roared to life and her eyes widened. It was something about my Dodge Challenger that did it every time. Maybe it was the red stripe running along the top of it or the vibration of the engine. Whatever it was, chicks dug it.

“And what do you mean by that?” She put on her seat belt.

“Because he missed seeing one beautiful girl in his car.” I winked and pulled out of the parking lot.

Lexi didn’t say anything, just kept her lips pressed together as a tinge of red tinted her cheeks. I felt bad — I didn’t mean to embarrass her. I kept quiet and drove to the store, proceeding with caution. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her eyeing my tattoo like she was dying to touch it. If she did, I’d let her. All she had to do was ask.

I stopped at the corner gas station and put the car in park. “I’ll be right back.” I got out and went inside. It took me a few minutes to decide what to buy. I selected a domestic beer, paid for it, and exited the store. This was going to be fun. I opened the car door, placed the bag on the floorboard behind my seat, and got in on the driver’s side.

“What did you buy?” She stretched, trying to catch a glimpse.

The anticipation was killing me. I only hoped she was okay with what I had planned. “You’ll see.”

She seemed a little disappointed, but curious at the same time. I drove toward campus and headed to the football stadium. Lexi twisted in her chair, turning from left to right, as though trying to figure out where I was taking her. I almost told her, but decided to keep it a surprise. Something told me she wasn’t one who got surprises often.

I turned onto the road leading to the stadium and approached the gate. A stadium security guard flagged me to stop. I rolled down the window when I saw it was Mac.

“It’s The Raven! What’s up, man?” Mac leaned inside the car and we bumped fists.

“Nothing much, dude.” I inclined my head toward Lexi, giving Mac a hint. “Just gonna show her around.”

“Sure thing, man.” Mac patted the inside of my car with his palm. “Just make sure you have her out before practice starts.” He backed away from the car. I’d snuck a few girls into the stadium at night, but never tried to get inside the clubhouse level where the owner’s boxes were located. I hoped this worked.

I saluted his request. “Will do.” I drove through the entrance and cut across the parking lot, finding a spot at the very end of the lot.

“You’re taking me on a tour?” She undid her seatbelt.

I was taking her on more than a tour, but she’d have to wait and see for herself. With a raised brow, I said, “I guess you can say that.”

We got out of the car and I emptied my backpack along the back seat. I stuffed the paper sack holding the beer in and zipped it closed. I double checked the front pocket and found the card key that would let us into the clubhouse level. “Let’s go.” I hooked the straps over my shoulders and Lexi followed me.

I crossed the parking lot and sidetracked to a side gate — one I’d used before to get in after hours. I did a quick scan, making sure no one was watching. “You want us to sneak in?” Lexi, whispered, looking over her shoulder.

“Well, yeah.” I pushed the gate as far as the chain would allow and Lexi slid through easily. I wasn’t one for breaking all the rules, but I had to admit this was fun. My heart pounded with excitement and I hoped Lexi would go with it. She pulled on the gate and I squeezed through the opening. Grabbing her hand, I led her in to the stadium, keeping her safely tucked behind me.

“What happens if they catch us?” Lexi bounced up and down, her eyes wide with panic.

I stuck my head into the main walkway, checking for clearance. The area was deserted and quiet. All the food vendors were closed and locked, waiting to reopen on game day. A gust of wind blew through the passageway, kicking up leaves and dirt, but otherwise, no one was in sight. Looking at her, I said, “They’ll ask us to leave.”