A Different Side (University Park #4) (2 page)

Her weight shifted in my direction, despite all the sweat and grime covering me. My type of girl! “Going for it definitely proved to be the right decision.” Despite her hand trembling, she managed to hold the mic to my mouth.

“I definitely like it when I score.” I cocked a brow.

Her hand dropped and she stared at me, as if unable to comprehend my response. A low, “Thanks, Raven,” left her lips. I thought about giving her a little slap on the ass to get her attention, but she finally regained her composure. After a few blinks, she turned to the camera and began her spill to close out the interview. I wanted to slip her my number, but something told me she’d find me tonight. They always did.

I walked off the field, answering a few more questions from other reporters. One thing was certain: I’d never tire from all this hype. It kept me going. The team followed me into the locker room, continuing to congratulate me on the win. Everything was ten times sweeter after a win. The locker room buzzed with a glorious chatter and excitement filtered through every player, including me.

After I got dressed, I headed to the media room for the post-game interview. Talking to the media and answering questions came so easily to me. Football was a part of me. It ran thick in my blood and made me who I was —
The Raven
. The interview lasted under five minutes, but it was my claim to fame. I stayed seated as Coach Anderson answered a slew of questions, reiterating his satisfaction with the way the defense played and giving me several accolades. I had done my job, and then some.

Right on.

I exited the media room and returned to the locker room to grab my stuff. Fans and kids from booster clubs would be waiting for me to sign pictures and various paraphernalia. I didn’t want to let them down.

“Raven,” Coach Anderson called as I finished packing up. “I need to talk with you for a minute.”

“Yes, sir.” I zipped up my bag and threw it over my shoulder.

“Want me to wait for you?” Shawn asked as he sprayed cologne all over his shirt.

“No, man, go ahead. I’ll catch up with everyone.”

Shawn tossed the bottle in his bag and ran a comb over his short hair. “I’ll text you and let you know where we’re going if you’re not out by the time we leave.”

After home games, we typically went to eat at a nearby restaurant. On occasion, we’d end up at an all-you-can-eat buffet, but most of the local eateries gave us deals or fed us for free. Another perk of playing football for PHU.

“Sounds good.” I rolled my shoulders and told myself not to worry. I had been walking a straight path, aside from drinking, so I had no idea what Coach wanted. Shawn obviously noticed the concern on my face.

“Hey, don’t worry.” He patted my back. “You did great on the field today.”

“I know,” I assured him and headed to Coach’s office.

“Shut the door and have a seat.” Coach’s voice sounded serious. Panic hit me.

Shit.

Millions of thoughts coursed through my head. I carefully recounted the past week and everything I had done.

Drinking — none.

Drugs — none. Not since I was expelled.

Practice — on time and at every one.

Working out sessions — hadn’t missed one.

Classes — eh, I was doing okay.

Girls — I banged two this week.

Had one of them claimed I raped her or something? That always scared the hell out of me. One had already blamed me for knocking her up. A hundred bucks later to prove I wasn’t the father, I made sure I bagged my junk each and every time. Many of the girls were part of the Fantasy Wife’s Football club at PHU for one reason: to get their
Mrs. Degree
. You had to watch out for those vultures.

I eased the door shut and set my bag down. “Is everything alright, Coach?”

He placed a piece of paper on the desk in front of us. “Son, did you forget to tell me something?” His fingers pointed to an email from Dr. Phillips, head of the writing center. He pushed it closer to me and my eyes quickly scanned over it. My last tutoring session had not gone so well. I was positive the tutor had requested someone else to help me. I was already on my second tutor, but I honestly couldn’t handle Lisa Jenkins. Her ways were so demeaning and even though she knew her stuff, I didn’t want her help.

“Sorry, Coach.” My head dropped and I sighed. “I should have told you it wasn’t working out.”

“Not working out? You’re supposed to be focusing on becoming a better writer so you can pass your English Comp class, not worried about another notch on your belt.” The coach eyed me and I retracted in my chair.

Damn.

“She said, and I quote, ‘You know you want me to fuck you, so let’s just get it over with.’” The coach inclined his head, waiting for me to fess up to the comment I’d made.

“I’m sorry, Coach.” I stared at the floor, ashamed of my behavior. At this point, lying would be the worst thing I could do. “That was wrong of me. It won’t happen again.”

The coach reclined in his chair and crossed one leg over the other. “Raven, I won’t tolerate this type of behavior. It’s disrespectful and does nothing for your character.”

“Yes, sir. I know.” I sat up straight and interlaced my fingers together. His eyes narrowed, and I silently prayed he wasn’t thinking of pulling me out of the next game. “I promise I won’t make any more remarks like that to her again.”

“Well, there won’t be a next time.”

“What?” My heart quickened to three times its speed. “Coach, please. I-I didn’t mean it. I was just messing with her. She’s so damn serious and hardcore. I thought joking with her would loosen her up.”

“Son, I may be old, but I wasn’t born yesterday.” He inclined his head.

“Okay. I’m guilty.” I threw my hands up in the air. She may have been hardcore, but I thought my charm would change her. I was wrong. Big time. “So, what now?” I waited for Coach to continue, my heart pounding against the inside of my chest. A thin line of sweat formed on the top of my lip, but I kept steady.

“Well, since she refuses to work with you, I guess that means you’re on your own.” He stretched and placed his hands behind his head.

Ah hell.

I might not have wanted to work with Lisa, but the God’s honest truth was I needed help. I struggled to write my papers — at least to my professor’s satisfaction. Since the professor was my grandma’s age, there wasn’t much I could do aside from completing the assignments. I sure as hell wasn’t crossing that line. I shuddered just thinking of sagging, wrinkled skin. Besides, taking a professor to bed was worse than playing with fire. It would surely get me kicked off the team and out of school. No questions asked.

“What about a private tutor?” I rubbed my hands together, squeezing them tighter.

“As long as you’re paying for it.”

My shoulders dropped. I barely had money for living expenses. My mom wouldn’t be able to help, and I didn’t expect her to. I thought about the money I had stashed in my drawer. Money I wasn’t supposed to have. No. That wasn’t the answer. I scratched my forehead. “I can’t pay for a private tutor.”

The coach kept a straight face and I searched it, trying to determine what he was thinking. Coach wasn’t always the easiest person to read, especially when he was deep in thought. He leaned forward, keeping his eyes directly on me. “So, what are you saying, son? That you still need help?”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded. “I’m afraid I won’t pass this class without a good tutor.” I might have been dumb at times, but I was smart enough to know I couldn’t play football if I failed.

“If I call Dr. Phillips, you’re not going to make me regret it, are you?” The coach’s voice was firm. I knew he meant business.

“No, sir. I promise. This time, I’ll be on my best behavior.” I drew an
X
over my heart, even though it wasn’t my heart getting me in trouble. My problem sat below my belt buckle and it was hard to tame. My good looks didn’t make it easy either. Girls practically threw themselves at me. It only made it harder for me — or easier, in most cases.

“I’ll see who he recommends. I think a male tutor might be the best option.” He gave a slight roll of his eyes before slipping on his reading glasses.

“Whatever. Doesn’t matter, as long as they are good.” At this point, I was desperate.

He picked up his phone and then looked at me from the top of his glasses. “I’ll let you know what he says. You had better hope he has someone else. You’re two down and I’m not sure how many tutors are on his staff.”

I stood up, getting the hint it was time for me to leave. “I know my stats aren’t looking that good. I promise that will change.”

“For your sake, it better.” He dialed a number and then motioned for me to close the door on the way out.

“Thanks, Coach,” I said before exiting. I just hoped Dr. Phillips would pair me with someone who could help me. I needed all the help I could get.

***

I glanced at my phone. There was a message from my academic advisor informing the only time the tutor could meet was after my Tuesday and Thursday classes. I slapped the desk, a little peeved I had to switch my workout schedule. Typically, I hit the gym with Josh and Shawn right after class and ate a late lunch. Now, I had to figure a new time to workout.

The girl sitting next me leaned in, trying to glance at my phone. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” I tilted my phone to the side, not wanting her to see my conversation. Receiving tutoring wasn’t something I openly wanted to admit to. It could definitely damage my reputation on campus. I responded with an
okay
, even though I didn’t want to agree to the time. Coach had pulled some strings for me, so I had to be flexible. Why the tutor couldn’t meet in the evenings didn’t make sense to me, but whatever.

“Are you sure?” The girl’s long, painted nails grazed over my forearm, tickling my skin. “Because I’m sure I can make things all better for you.” I glanced at her, wondering if we knew each other. She had pitch-black hair and dark eyes that contrasted against her pale skin. If I knew her, I’m sure I would’ve remembered. She was gorgeous. Bright red lipstick coated her thick lips, and it distracted me when her tongue rolled down the side of her pen.

Oh shit.

“I’m sure you can.” I paused, waiting for her to say her name, but she kept the cap of the pen firmly between her bleach-white teeth. “Unfortunately, I have an appointment, though.”

She pulled the pen away and pouted. “Too bad. All this talk about genetics is getting me excited.” She hiked her leg and pulled up on the edge of her short skirt, giving me a peep. She had nothing on underneath.

Fuck.

I swallowed my gum and coughed. Damn, girls just didn’t hold back.

“In that case,” I coughed repeatedly, and her eyes traveled down the length of my body, “why don’t we continue this later?”

“Don’t forget, lab is canceled tomorrow,” the professor announced and everyone around us got up. Class was over and I hadn’t even noticed.

“What’s your number?” she asked, taking her phone out of her bag. Long gone were the days where I had to ask for a number.

I told her my digits and she immediately responded with a text.

I’m Joni. Can’t wait to see what The Raven’s trap is all about.

I laughed and shook my head. “Alright, Joni. I’ll call you later.”

Girls on campus had given me this silly connotation about getting caught up in me. Honestly, I wasn’t looking to trap anyone, but if it got them in my bed, I didn’t care what they said. It just made it easier for me. I liked easy.

“I’ll be waiting.” She eased out of her seat, making sure to give me another crotch shot. I had to look away before I took her right there in the auditorium. Grabbing my books, I shoved them in my backpack and headed in the opposite direction. The tutor would be waiting, and Joni wouldn’t be a good reason why I didn’t make it. Coach would kill me.

I pushed the door open and inhaled the cool air, forcing my mind to think of something else. The game this weekend. The plays we had just went over yesterday. Anything to get my mind off Joni’s snatch. Josh and Shawn saw me and headed in my direction. Thank God. I zipped my backpack and tossed it over my shoulder.

“Ready to head to the gym?”

“I can’t. I…” I let out a huge breath and ran my hand over my hair. They already knew I’d been attending tutoring sessions so at this point, it didn’t matter whether they knew I was meeting with someone different. “I have to meet up with a new tutor.”

“Another one?” Josh asked, giving me a weird expression. “Dude, that’s like…three.”

“No, it’s not.” I stopped for a moment and realized he was right. “Yeah, I guess it is.”

“WTF, man?” Shawn smirked and scratched the back of his head. “What happened to the last one?”

I hadn’t bothered to tell him about the discussion between Coach and me. I figured they’d eventually find out, even though it wasn’t a big deal. “She ratted me out to Coach.”

“Seriously?” Josh laughed. “You screwed her and she told?”

“Work it!” Shawn raised his hand, but I didn’t meet his.

I gave a slight shake. “No, I didn’t hit it, and she freakin’ told on me for making a pass at her.”

“Raven, why do you have all the bad luck?” Josh shook his head.

“Bad luck?” Shawn huffed. “Girls are throwing their panties at him. I want some of that action.” He slapped his hand together, rubbing them like he was ready to dive in.

“Um, yeah, and not wearing any,” I admitted.

“What?” They looked at one another and then back at me.

“Yeah, this girl, Joni, just flashed me
in class
, and there were definitely no panties.” I hooked my thumb behind me.

“You’re lying.” Shawn shoved me.

“I promise you, I’m not lying.” I turned around to see if Joni had followed me, but I didn’t see her. “She texted me this after I gave her my number.” I whipped out my phone and showed them the message.

They read over it. “You need to lay low, man. The last thing we need is you getting kicked off the team,” Josh said.

“I know.” I turned my head from side to side, popping my neck. “These damn girls won’t stay off me.”