A Different Side (University Park #4) (45 page)

“Here you go.” I set her toiletry bag on my bed. After checking it, she zipped it up.

“Thanks.” She continued packing her clothes and shoes when I remembered the lingerie I bought her.

I motioned for her to stop. “Please take the things I bought for you today.” I darted to the living room and returned with the Victoria Secret bags.

She looked at the bags and then at me. “I can leave them here. Unless you don’t want me to come back.”

“Of course I want you to come back.” I pulled her into my arms and held her close. I knew she was feeling and thinking the same thing I was. “I haven’t changed my mind, unless you have.”

“No.” She quickly shook her head. “Just because I have to go home sooner than we planned, doesn’t mean my decision has changed.”

“Good.” I smiled. “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”

I could never tire of having Lexi in my arms. She provided a level of comfort that was irreplaceable. I lowered my mouth to hers and her eyes fluttered closed. I put everything into that kiss, as if it was the last time I’d ever taste her lips. My soul connected with hers and it felt like the room spun around us. Nothing in that moment mattered but my sweet Lexi. Honey and peaches filled the air and I inhaled deeply, taking in my fill. The warmth of her mouth and the flicks of her tongue had me ready to toss her on the bed. If it weren’t for the incessant reminder from her phone, I would have.

Our lips parted and she rested her head against my chest. I stroked her hair, running my fingers through her soft waves. I took my time, cherishing this embrace — the beating of her heart, the paced movements of her chest filling with air, the closeness of our bodies. I didn’t want to be away from her.

Lexi’s phone chimed, again, reminding me that my time was up. I kissed her forehead. “Come on, I better get you home before your parents send out a search team.”

A nervous laugh escaped her mouth, putting me on high alert. “I know.” She sniffed and I moved my head back, capturing a better glimpse of her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her eyes were red.

“Don’t cry, baby.” I held her tightly and she wrapped herself around me, as if she refused to let go. “I’ll see you in a few days. Or, if you want, I’ll pick you up tomorrow and we can spend the day together.”

“Okay.” Her crying turned into muffled sobs as she nodded. “As long as you promise.”

“I promise, baby. I promise.”

∑

Chapter 28

The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.

~Gilbert K. Chesterton

I drove Lexi to Dallas and we spent the time laughing and talking instead of being sad and quiet. We reflected on our past week and how great it had been. It was what we both needed to get us through the next few days. The freeway wasn’t as bad as I thought, and we made it there without any problems.

We entered the sub-division and my intuition about Lexi’s parents was right on. High roof pitches, which were typical of expensive homes, were glazed with snow and lined up one after another. Stately front doors and massive arched windows were featured on every house. Even the street names reeked of money. I pulled up to her house and although it wasn’t as big as some of the others, it was something my mom could only dream about.

I put the car in park and left the engine running. Lexi turned to me, her eyes big and filled with worry. “Promise me you’ll go straight home?”

“I will.” I wasn’t sure why she was telling me that, unless she thought I was going to Jared’s. “Don’t worry.”

“It’s hard for me not to.” Her voice trembled.

“Well, I don’t want you to.” I took her hand in mine and kissed the top of it, hoping to ease the fears from her mind. I wanted her to trust me, even though I had done things to prove I wasn’t worthy. Her eyes closed and I reached into my pocket, retrieving the burgundy box from the jewelry store. I turned her hand and placed the square in the center of her palm.

She opened her eyes and they widened in surprise. “What’s this?”

“An early Christmas present.” I smiled. “Open it.”

“Raven.” She tried to hold back her smile and the excitement bubbling up inside of her. “You already bought me enough from Victoria’s Secret.”

“I know, but when I saw this today, I just had to get it.” I urged her to open it.

She flipped the lid and her eyes filled with tears. “It’s beautiful.” She carefully removed the dainty chain with a silver dove attached. The facets from the diamond in the bird’s eye sparkled, catching the rays from the setting sun. “Thank you.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“I’m glad you like it.” I helped her put it on. “It’s a dove, you know.”

“Yes, I noticed that. I guess you have a thing for birds.” She raised a brow.

I laughed. “Maybe, but do you know why I chose it?” I clasped the chain around her neck and touched the wings with the tips of my fingers.

“No, why?” Lexi looked into the vanity mirror, admiring it.

“Because doves are pure and innocent. Just like you, Lexi.”

“Raven…” She closed the visor, fighting another round of tears. “You’re going to make me cry.”

“Don’t cry, baby.” I touched both sides of her face and tilted her head, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Tears seeped from her eyes and gathered along her temples, trickling into her hair. “I’m so grateful to have you in my life.” I’d never stop telling her that. “I just don’t know why you want a guy like me. I’m a raven, tarnished and dark. You’re the exact opposite of me.”

“Look at me, babe.” She lifted my chin, aligning our gazes. “You’re not tarnished and dark. That’s just a name your mom gave you. A pretty cool name, if you ask me. In fact, did you know that ravens mate for life, just like doves, and defend their territory?”

“Really? I didn’t know that.” I wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Yes, so see,” she sniffed, “a dove and raven go perfectly together.”

Leave it to my smart and beautiful girlfriend to know the intricacies of the bird species. “It’s hard to picture that. All I know is that I can’t be without you, Lexi. You’ve trapped me for good.”

She laughed. “It’s about time, because I got caught in The Raven’s trap a long time ago.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. “And there’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

It was the only place I wanted her to be. I captured her lips once more, savoring the last few moments with her. I slipped my hand behind her neck, positioning her just right. Having full access to her mouth made me hungry for her. A low growl escaped me and she shifted closer to me. Damn, I wanted her. Now. As I lowered my hand to her breast, a sudden knock pulled me back to reality. I separated my lips from hers and noticed two people standing outside my car.

Shit.

I quickly adjusted myself and wiped the evidence of her from my lips with the back of my hand.

The passenger door opened. “Hey, Mom…Dad, um this is Raven and—”

“Get out now.” Long arms extended inside my car, like alien tentacles, yanking Lexi from her seat.

“Mom!” Lexi screamed as she fell to the ground.

“Lexi!” I reached for her, but her mother slammed the door shut.

What the hell was wrong with these people?

“Take her inside!” Lexi’s mom yelled. Before I knew it, Lexi’s dad was towing her away. I started to get out of the car, but stopped when Lexi’s mom was standing in the way.

I rolled down my window. “Look I’m sorry—”

“I don’t know who the hell you think you are,” she leaned into my car, shaking a finger in my face, “keeping our daughter hostage. You better be glad I didn’t call the cops on you.”

“Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute.” I held up my hands in surrender. “Lexi’s a grown woman. She wanted to stay with me. I didn’t force her to do anything.”

The last thing I needed were her parents accusing me of rape or abduction.

“No, you listen here. We know our daughter,” she gave me a once over, “and she would never,
ever
, be with a guy like you. You’re nothing but a low-life, druggy who won’t amount to shit. You’re not fit to pull the gum off the bottom of my shoe. How can you even stand to look at yourself in the morning, knowing girls only want you for one thing? Lexi’s only caught up in your fantasy. I promise you, she doesn’t care about you like you think. There’s only one guy that could ever meet all her needs and be good enough for her, and I think you know who that is. And I will not stand by and allow you to influence her to your way of life. Oh, no.” She shook her head, her face reddening. “She will not see you anymore. If I—”

“Excuse me.” My head darted back. Who did this woman think she was? “You can’t tell Lexi who she can and can’t see. She’s an adult.”

“True.” A sardonic laugh echoed inside my car. “But if you come within six feet of her, I’ll have your ass in jail quicker than a ball snapped to you.”

This woman was bat-shit crazy. No wonder Lexi wanted to escape her parents controlling behavior.

“Mrs. Thompson, I really care about your daughter, and nothing’s going to keep me from seeing her.”

“Oh, no you don’t.” She gripped the edge of my door, her knuckles turning white. I leaned back, waiting for fangs to appear. “You two will not be allowed to see each other. Ever again!”

“Whatever.” I placed my hand on the gear. I didn’t want to disrespect Lexi, but if I didn’t get out of there, I was going to tell her mom off and I wouldn’t hold back.

“You think I’m playing, don’t you?” she hissed. “All it takes is a phone call to Coach Anderson.” She inclined her head. “I’m sure he’d love to hear about some of your extra-curricular activities with Jared Harrington.”

Fuck.

I wasn’t sure what she’d heard, read, or knew about, but I couldn’t take any chances. Before we got busted in the spring, I had made a few drug runs for Jared and earned a hefty sum of money. Money I had stashed away at my apartment. Money that could get me in serious trouble. Money I shouldn’t have.

I took my hand off the gearshift. “Alright, Mrs. Thompson, you have my attention.”

A sly smile covered her face. “That’s what I thought.”

“What do you want me to do?”

I couldn’t believe I was bowing down to this bitch. She was the most irrational, controlling person I’d ever met, just like Lexi had described, but what could I do? I didn’t trust her and I couldn’t take a chance knowing she had access or knowledge to something.

“Simple, you’ll tell Lexi it’s over and never see her again.”

“And if I do that, how can I be sure you won’t take me down?”

She laughed, the sound making my skin crawl. “You can’t. But what choice do you have? After all, I’m the one calling the plays, not you.”

***

The entire drive back home I battled with the demons in my head. One voice was telling me to turn around and have an adult conversation with her parents. Explain to them I wasn’t perfect and had made some serious mistakes but I was getting my life back in order. Share my goals and ambitions with them. Tell them how I really felt about Lexi. How I couldn’t be without her. How I needed her to survive. How we needed each other. And how much I really did love her. I just wished I would’ve told her.

The demon voice quickly flooded out the other one. Reminding me of what Lexi’s mom said. I was a low-life, druggy who wouldn’t amount to shit. And she was right. My chances of going pro were slim. Not every quarterback lands a contract, especially not one with off-field issues. I was a risk to any team and not worth the chance. But what could I do? What was done, was done.

Besides, Collin was the one for Lexi. I knew it all along, just refused to acknowledge it. Maybe because I wanted to know what it felt like to be in a relationship with someone who cared about me. Liked me for who I was and didn’t judge me based on what I’d done or the reputation I’d earned. Then I remembered what she’d said. Lexi didn’t care about me like I thought she did. It was nothing but a fictional illusion, like a good high — that euphoric thrill, making me feel invincible…like I could conquer the world. Only to find out I’m still the piece of shit no one cared about.

I pounded the steering wheel with my fist. Why was it every time I had a good thing going for me, it had to go to shit? Why couldn’t I have a normal life like everyone else? Why did I have to battle these constant voices determined to get the best of me? I’d been traveling with them for too long. I was so sick and tired of hearing them. The battle was over. They could have me. I was done.

I spent the remainder of the night on the couch with a bottle in my hand. My chest hurt, like I had on a super tight compression shirt threatening to squeeze me to death. Then again, maybe it would’ve been a good thing since I couldn’t get the pain to stop. With every swallow, my throat tightened and my eyes watered. Unable to hold in my emotions, I allowed the tears to seep from my eyes. I had to let go of Lexi, but I didn’t know how. How was I supposed to tell the woman I loved we were done? It just didn’t add up. My phone chimed and I glanced at it. Lexi’s name appeared at the top and my heart thundered.

Wiping my eyes, I focused on the message:

Lexi: Raven, it’s Lexi’s mom. Let this serve as a second warning. You need to break up with her or face the consequences.

“Bitch!” I flung my phone across the room. It hopped across the carpet and bounced off the wall. I laughed. I couldn’t even throw a fucking phone for crying out loud. Her mom was right — I was a piece of shit. I wasn’t sure what she knew, but I couldn’t take any chances. If she alerted Coach, my football career was over. The Thompsons were obviously a family you didn’t mess with. Lexi was out of my league and as much as it hurt to come to terms with what I needed to do, I had to do it.

The night faded into day and I still couldn’t get off the couch. I watched the lights from our Christmas tree flash, reminding me of every minute Lexi and I had together. Even in the silence, I could hear her playing the piano. I could see us singing together. Pouring our souls into each other’s hearts, filling every hole. No one would ever replace Lexi. Ever. She was the only soul mate for me.