A Different Side (University Park #4) (26 page)

Glancing at the time, I wondered if Lexi was awake. I felt bad for leaving her to take care of Delaney, but she had made it clear that things were under control. Part of me wondered if she really wanted me to stay or was just scared to see what might happen between us. Then I remembered what she said about taking things slow. I was definitely going full speed. I had to get off the fast lane before I caused a devastating crash.

I really wanted to see her today and thinking about the paper I had due made for a perfect excuse. I reasoned I would not be overbearing and let her make the moves. If she wanted to speed things up, I’d let her press my accelerator. Even if it meant flooring it. I chuckled at that thought. There was only one way to find out. I pressed my messages icon and sent her a text.

Me: Are you awake?

I waited a few minutes, watching for her message to pop up. My phone buzzed and I smiled.

Lexi: Barely.

Me: Did you stay up all night with Delaney?

Lexi: No. My brother showed up a little while after you left. Thank God.

It was good to hear she had some help.

Me: He’s a good guy.

Lexi: Do you know my brother?

I thought about it for a moment, but I didn’t even know his name.

Me: I don’t think so. I just meant he was a good guy to take care of his girl.

Lexi: Oh.

Me: How many finals do you have?

Lexi: Four. Two this Friday, one on Tuesday, and one on Thursday of next week.

She had a full load. I kind of felt bad for wanting to ask her to help me, but I knew she wasn’t tutoring anyone at the moment since she’d quit the writing center.

Me: Are you ready?

Lexi: No. I haven’t really given school enough attention the last month.

Me: Me either.

I hated to lie, but I didn’t want to brag about how hard I’d been studying when she was struggling to get by. It just didn’t seem right. I wanted her to know I missed her help and how much I still needed it.

Me: Could I ask for a favor?

Lexi: Of course.

With a deep breath, I tapped out my request.

Me: I know you have to study, but I really need your help with a paper.

Lexi: Sounds serious.

Now she was flirting with me. I loved it.

Me: Haha. It is. I could fail.

Lexi: I guess I better help you.

Oh yeah, she was ready to hit the accelerator.

Me: I promise you won’t regret it.

I propped myself up against the pillows. This conversation was about to get interesting. By the way she was responding, I could tell she was hungry for my teasing. I’d give it to her and so much more. All she had to do was ask.

Lexi: When and where?

Shit. She was starving.

Me: Damn, you’re easy.

Lexi: Crap. I forgot I’m talking to ‘The Raven’. Maybe tomorrow.

Now she was playing hard to get. But it wouldn’t last long. I grinned as if she could see me through the phone and I thought about Facetiming her, but figured she might not appreciate that first thing in the morning.

Me: Don’t make me beg.

Lexi: Maybe I want you to.

Hell yeah! I ran a hand down my face. She wanted me. It was obvious.

Me: I’ve never had to beg a woman for anything.

Lexi: There’s always a first.

If she wanted me to beg, I would. I’d even get down on my knees if that helped. Dying to hear her voice, I dialed her number and cleared my throat. It rang two times before she answered.

“Hey.” Lexi’s soft voice soothed every part of me.

“Hey,” I said in a sexy, deep tone. “So, you want me to beg?”

A slight whimper filtered through the phone and I knew I had her wrapped in my trap. But the last thing I wanted was for her to feel like one of the other girls who got caught up with me. No, Lexi meant so much more to me.

“Well, I do have a lot of studying to do.” Her voice was firm, but the eagerness seeped through, despite her efforts to hide it. “You know I could call Dr. Philips and ask him if Kyler could help you.”

I shook my head. She loved playing this game with me.

“But I don’t want Kyler or anyone else to help me.” I gripped the phone, feeling my own tension increase.

“Oh, well, then I guess you’ll—”

“No, Lexi, that won’t work.” I couldn’t hold back any longer. She needed to know how I really felt. “Because I want you. Only you.”

Aside from taking a beating on the field, I was sure my body was aching for her. It wasn’t something I was used to, but I liked it and was eager for her to soothe it. All she had to do was give me the green light and I’d show her what it feels like to be worshipped in my trap.

“Are you sure?”

I sensed the slight hesitation and that meant one thing. I’d have to prove it to her.

“Definitely.”

∑

Chapter 17

Love is something you find. Love is something that finds you.

~Loretta Youn
g

Lexi and I decided to meet at the student union. I think we both knew meeting at my apartment would’ve been dangerous, her dorm room too tempting, and the study rooms in her dormitory pointless, especially since they had small sofas. Instead, we sat in the dining area of Chick-Fil-A, even though it was closed.

I handed Lexi a tall cup of coffee. After an hour of us working on my paper, we both needed a little pick me up.

“Thanks.” She took the cup from my hand and blew into the slit on top of the lid.

“You’re welcome.” I slid into the booth.

“Are those any good?” Lexi pointed to my silver can of Red Bull.

“I guess.” I popped the top and took a sip. “They seem to keep me awake and give me a boost of energy.” I knew something else that could give me a burst of energy. At the thought, I licked my lips a few times, keeping my eyes firmly on her.

“Stop.” She kicked me under the table.

“What?” I held up my hands in surrender, even though I knew what she was getting at.

“You’re staring at me again.” She scowled at me and it was so adorable. “I can’t study if you keep looking at me like that.”

A grin slipped from my lips. “And how’s that?”

“Um, like…well—”

“The Raven is in the house!” Josh, Marcel, and Quinton marched in, tossing a football.

I got up and we took turns bumping fists, patting each other on the back, and even ramming our chest into each other. We had played a great game yesterday.

“Hey, Lexi, did you have a good time last night?” Josh spun the ball in his hand.

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “I guess.”

“Your friend Delaney sure had a good time,” he snickered.

“Don’t remind me.” Lexi slumped forward and placed a palm to her cheek, sighing. I guess she was embarrassed by her roommate’s behavior of dancing on top of the table with Matt. Or maybe that we had to practically carry her out of there when she fell.

“How’s Shelby?” I leaned against the booth. “She was pretty wiped out last night, too.”

I hadn’t seen Josh after he left the party last night. He didn’t come to the apartment so I assumed he’d stayed at Shelby’s place.

Josh shook his head. “Hung over and crying for me to go take care of her.”

I rolled my eyes. “These girls, they think they can hang with the big dogs, but they can’t.”

“Tell me about it.” Josh continued tossing the ball.

Marcel and Quinton grabbed the ball from Josh. “We’ll be outside.”

Josh motioned for me to join them. “C’mon, let’s go throw a couple of passes.”

I looked at Lexi, hoping she’d give me her okay. After all, I was the one who asked her to meet.

“Go ahead. I don’t mind.” She adjusted the book in front of her. “I’ll be here studying.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yes. Go.”

“We’ll be on the lawn.” I unzipped my backpack and gathered my books and papers.

“It’s okay. You can leave your stuff here.”

“Thanks.” I smiled as I stuffed my books in my bag. “I’m just going to play for a while…ya know, get the blood flowing. I’ll study better.”

“That’s fine.” She smiled and it felt good to know that she didn’t mind.

Josh and I followed the guys to the lawn area. “So, what happened last night?” Josh nudged me.

“Nothing.”

“Yeah, right.” By the sly grin on his face, I knew what he was thinking. “I see the way she’s looking at you today.”

I laughed. “I swear, other than a kiss, nothing happened.”

He rolled his eyes. “I still think you’re lying.”

“Believe whatever you want, but we left the party by midnight thanks to her drunk roommate.”

“Oh shit, really?” He scratched the back of his head. “We went back to Shelby’s because I figured you might want some privacy.”

“That would’ve been nice, but Delaney ruined it for us.”

“Shit, that sucks.”

“Tell me about it.”

Quinton tossed the ball to me as we passed by them. He and Marcel started to hike up the incline, but I motioned for them to stay. “We’ll go to the top. Ya’ll can stay down here.”

“Alright.”

“You got all the girls crying, that’s for sure.”

I turned and glared at him. “What girls?”

“Yeah, dude, it’s all over Twitter and Facebook. Haven’t you seen?” He pulled his phone from his back pocket. In a high-pitched voice, he read from his phone, “‘The Raven’s taken — I’m so sad.’ ‘Who was that bitch with Raven last night?’ ‘I’m so caught up in The Raven’s trap, I don’t know what I’m going to do.’” He shook his head. “And I love this one: “#TheRavensTrap is too addicting. I’m already having withdrawals.’”

“What? Let me see that.” I motioned for him to hand me his phone. I hadn’t bothered to check my feeds — maybe because I was too consumed by Lexi to even care what people were saying. He was right. Girls were apparently really torn up about me being with Lexi last night.

“Oh well, too bad.” I handed him back his phone. “You said a status change would be good for me.”

“I’m not the one complaining. Just thought you’d like to know.” He shrugged and then jogged down the makeshift field. I threw the ball and he caught it, running it in for a score.

We played for a while, throwing the ball back and forth and running a few plays. It was good to get the energy flowing and the soreness worked out of my shoulder. Before I met up with Lexi, I went to the rehab center for cryotherapy and it had definitely helped. If needed, I’d go again tomorrow before practice. Even though the regular season was over, we now had to prepare for the bowl game. We were scheduled to play on January fourth in Arlington, Texas at the Lone Star Bowl. I had played at Arlington football stadium before when I was in high school, but playing there while at PHU would be totally different. It put me that much closer to the pros and I couldn’t wait.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of three girls making their way toward me. Ignoring them, I held out my hands and caught the ball Quinton passed to me. Before Lexi, I would’ve stopped just to catch a glimpse of them, but not anymore.

Funny how a woman can change you.

Just as I was about to throw the ball, one of the girls waved at me.

It took me a few seconds, but I recognized her and her two friends. The Silicone Triplets.

Damn.

“Hey, Raven. We missed you last night. Who was that girl you were with?” Abby asked as she twirled her long brown hair around her finger repeatedly.

I kept the ball in my hands, trying to act distracted.

“It can’t be anyone of importance.” Paige checked her fingernails and dragged her talons along my forearm. “I mean, she’s nothing compared to us.” She rolled her eyes and I wanted to slap her. Instead, I drove the ball down the lawn, past the guys, and it bounced off an iron statue of Blaze.

“What the hell, dude?” Quinton threw his hands up in the air.

“Sorry,” I yelled.

Abby strolled behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “If you need attention, all you have to do is call me.”

I rolled my shoulders, trying to shake off her claws.

The Triplets surrounded me, circling me as if I were their prey they were ready to devour. “Yes, we’re available anytime you want.” Nicole stretched her gum along her tongue and then blew a big bubble.

“Whatever,” I sneered. “I doubt I’ll be calling you girls anymore.”

Abby threw her head back in laughter. “Oh, don’t tell me the rumors are true. The Raven couldn’t be settling down with this nobody.”

I glanced over the Silicone Triplets and saw Lexi headed my way. She was speed walking while hauling two backpacks. I prayed she wasn’t pissed. I was actually relieved to see her.

“Look, it’s really no one’s business who I’m with.” I caught the ball and then slammed it against my hand a couple of times, trying to drive my point before I lost it. They were working my last nerve. “So, you girls you can run along and get your lips and asses pumped up, or whatever it is you do.”

They all laughed. “Oh. My. God. You are serious about this girl.” Abby shook her head. “If what you’re saying is true, then I guess I better get your autograph.” She pulled a black Sharpie from her back pocket and removed the cap.

I eyed her. “I think I’ve signed plenty of things for you.”

“Well, you haven’t signed these.” Abby lifted her shirt and shoved her tits in my face.

What the hell?

The guys started whistling and hooting. I waved a low hand for them to stop.
Even though I’d seen them before, I couldn’t believe she was exposing herself in public, not to mention in front of Lexi.

“Aw hell, if it isn’t the Silicone Triplets.” Delaney shouldered past the girls. “Why the pouty faces? Did you get too much Botox in your lips?”

“Shut up,” Nicole snarled at Delaney. Delaney’s arm tightened and her eyes narrowed. A catfight was definitely about to break out. I shook my head at Delaney, warning her not to start anything and she took a step back.