The Same Side (University Park #2) (2 page)

“It’s kind of nice to get special treatment.” I dipped another chip in the cheese sauce.

“I won’t deny that.” Raven loaded a chip with everything. “But right now, I want to give you all the special treatment you need.” He winked and I nearly choked.

Kill me, why don’t you?

“You alright?”

“Yeah.” I gulped down my water and patted my chest. “Just went down the wrong way.” After the food cleared, I said, “If I seem a little hesitant or tell you I’d like to take things slow, you’d understand, right?”

He swallowed and then took a drink. “Of course I do. I just want to get you to know you, Lexi. Explore everything about you. From the sweet dimple that forms on your right cheek when you smile, to the curl in your pinkies when you play the piano and the little shake you have when you walk.”

“I wiggle when I walk?” I bypassed all the sweet talk and focused in on the last part. “Is my butt that big?”

“Relax.” Raven laughed, allowing his head to tilt back. “Baby, your ass isn’t fat. In fact, it’s tight,” he growled low in his throat, “and looks too damn good.”

“Oh, well, um… thanks.” His gaze lingered on me and the air suddenly became thick, making it hard to breathe. I saw a new warning sign telling me to proceed with caution, but I zipped past it. Why did his words strike a fire in me? The muscles in my rear tensed and I made a mental note to tell Delaney I wanted to try that Yogalates class with her. If Raven was checking out my butt, I had to make sure it looked good. Saggy cheeks dotted with hail damage would surely scare him off.

He leaned back in his chair and rested his arm along the top of the booth. “But don’t worry. Like I said, I won’t do anything unless you ask me to.”

Would you take me right now, on this table?

“Lexi?”

“Huh?”

“Did I say something wrong?”

I shook my head, trying to think past the tempting thoughts that cluttered my mind. “I promise you, I’m good. In fact, I’m better than good.”

The waiter appeared with our food and I was glad. I felt like an emotional train wreck. One moment, I was excited about being with Raven, and the next, I was mad that Collin didn’t fight for me. But after a month of not hearing from him, I knew I had done the right thing. He didn’t love me enough to marry me. Despite knowing that, it still hurt and the pain told me that I wasn’t over Collin, at least not completely. But I couldn’t deny how I felt about Raven. There was something about being with him. Not only did I feel happy with him, I sensed a connection like I’d never felt before.

We ate our food, chatting a little more about my overbearing parents and how they ruled my life as well as my brother’s. Raven sympathized with me and assured me that I didn’t need to feel guilty about wanting to live my life. It made me feel confident that I had made the best decision.

I placed my fork and knife across my plate and relaxed against the seat. “We’ve been talking all about me and I really haven’t asked you anything.”

Raven scraped the last of his beans from the plate with a tortilla. “Go ahead, shoot. I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

“For starters, how was your Thanksgiving? Does your mom make a big feast?”

“Actually, my granny does. My mom and her sister help with the side dishes and pies. She lives in New Orleans and we usually go there every year. This year I missed out because of the game.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

With a slight mouth full of food, he said, “It’s no big deal.” He cast a flinty expression, but I could tell it bothered him. “I actually went to my friend Josh’s house.”

“That’s good. So you were able to have turkey and all the fixings.”

“Yep. His dad makes fried turkey, it’s the best.”

“Hmm. Never tried it.”

“Well, you’re missing out.”

The waiter appeared again and took my plate. “Can you bring the check when you get a moment?” I pulled out my wallet from my purse, prepared to fulfill my promise of paying for the next meal.

“The manager said it was on the house.”

“Wow, thanks.” I was slightly disappointed that I wasn’t able to pay but grateful for the act of kindness.

“Thanks, man. Tell him we appreciate it.”

“Will do. Can I get y’all anything else?”

“I’m good.” Raven turned toward me. “Do you want any dessert?”

Only if it’s you.

I let out a small giggle and they both gave me a weird look. “I think that will be it for now.” The waiter loaded up his arms with the dirty plates and scurried toward the kitchen.

“I hear you talk a lot about your mom, but I’ve never heard you mention anything about your dad.”

“Oh, yeah, um…” Raven rolled his shoulders a few times and took a deep breath.

I sensed that I’d crossed the yellow caution tape and needed to take several steps back. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer that question.”

“It’s cool. You’ve shared your issues with me, it’s only fair I do the same.” He stalled for a moment and then said, “I’ve never talked about my dad because I don’t know who he is.”

“Oh.” My heart dropped to my stomach. I wanted to tell him how horrible it must have been not to know who your father was, but I didn’t. “I’m so sorry.”

His eyes traveled to the table and he picked at the edge of his napkin, shredding it in the process. He inhaled a deep breath and then released it in a slow, steady stream. I felt the emotion building like a sturdy brick wall and watched as he struggled to tear through it. I almost told him never mind, but he spoke again. “I’m the result of a gang rape.”

My hand instantly flew to my mouth and I wanted to punch myself in the face for asking. “Oh, Raven, I-I don’t know what to say.” My insides twisted at the revelation and I couldn’t imagine growing up knowing that.

“It’s okay.” He looked up momentarily. “There’s nothing you can say that will change the fact.” His mouth twitched to the side and his shoulders caved in. He appeared a bit relieved, like sharing his secret with me had removed some of the bricks in his way. “It’s was tough growing up… knowing that my mom really didn’t want me. She thought about aborting me,” he snickered, “even tried to, but I guess God had bigger plans for me, because here I am.”

He held out his arms and I wanted to leap across the table and hold him tightly. Take away the hurt and pain etched deep into his eyes. Let him know how wonderful and special he really was and to not believe or accept anything different. Tears gushed from my eyes as I placed my hand on top of his and held on tightly.

“You’re right, Raven. God does have bigger plans for you. And don’t you ever forget it.”

“Don’t cry.” He reached across the table and wiped my tears away. “Especially for me.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that… I feel your pain. I really do. I know you’ve been through a lot and although I don’t know if the rumors are true—”

“They are. It’s no secret. I’ve had a drug problem off and on.”

I swallowed the thick lump in my throat. “But you are so talented, Raven. Don’t throw it away for a good high or buzz.”

“Sometimes it’s easier said than done.” He wadded up the napkin and tossed it aside. Was that how he felt about his life? Like it was a piece of a paper that wasn’t worth anything? Did his mother care about him or bother to show him any love?

“I’m sure it is.” I grabbed his other hand. “Do you remember when we sang
Lean on Me
that day at my dorm?”

“Yeah, why?” He cocked his head to the side.

“If you’re ever feeling that down…” I paused, searching for the right words, “to the point where you feel you have to resort to the unthinkable, I want you to call me. I’ll be there for you.”

“Lexi,” he shook his head, “I don’t expect you to help me with my problems.”

“Look, Raven, I know we haven’t known each other that long, but I won’t allow you to destroy your life when I know there is something great and big planned for you.”

“Thanks, but the truth is… I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. Sure, I have dreams of going to the pros, but that’s what they are — dreams. I’m just taking everything day by day. If I make it, great. If I don’t, it’s no big deal.” He relaxed against his seat nonchalantly.

I gripped his hands tighter. “You will make it to the pros. I know you will. You have a special talent and when you’re on that field, it comes to life. So, if you need someone to help you battle those demons, I’ll be there for you. I swear on my life, Raven Davenport, I will be there for you.”

Σ

Chapter 2

“So what do you want to do next?” Raven turned on the car as I fastened my seat belt.

My body knew what it wanted to do, but I reminded myself to take things slow. “I don’t know. There are so many things I haven’t done.”

Raven’s head turned quickly in my direction. “I think you need to make a list.”

“A list?”

“Yeah, you know, like the top ten or twenty things you want to do before you graduate.”

I giggled. “You know, that sounds like a great idea.”

“And you can already mark one of them off.” He grinned.

I shot him a questioning gaze. “I can?”

“Yeah, you said you’ve never had a beer and we already took care of that.”

“Oh yeah.” I smiled as I recalled that day in the stadium suite. It was one of the best moments we’d shared. “I’ve always wanted to sneak into some place while it was closed, so I guess I can check that one off, too.” I wiggled in my seat, trying to contain my excitement. This was beginning to sound like a fun challenge. Especially, since it was with Raven.

“See, you already have two down.” He put the car in reverse. “I know one more you can check off tonight.” He stretched his arm across the seat, resting it behind me. My checks burned as his stare turned knowing.

I know several I could mark off by midnight if you’d let me.

“Really? What’s that?”

“A party.”

I pressed my lips together, trying to hide the huge smile dying to escape from them. “Let’s go.”

Raven headed toward the university and turned on a street a few blocks away from my dorm. He parked on the grass near the front of the house after one of his fraternity brothers directed him to a spot saved especially for him. I guess being the star quarterback had its perks.

“Are you sure I’m okay dressed like this?” I looked down at his jersey I still had on from the game.

“You bet you are. In fact, no one will mess with you because they’ll know you belong to me.”

My hand stopped on the door handle. “Belong?” Even though the idea of being with Raven thrilled me, I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to belong to anyone. Not yet.

“I’m sorry.” An apologetic look softened his eyes. “That came out wrong. I guess what I was trying to say was, guys will know you are with me and won’t try to hit on you.”

I pushed the door opened, relieved at his explanation. “Okay, I think I can handle that.”

Music blared from the house, reminding me of a movie Delaney and I watched a while back. Empty beer bottles and red plastic cups cluttered the yard and it was only nine o’ clock. I couldn’t imagine what the place would look like by midnight. Several people hung around the porch, talking and drinking. Some were dancing and it was hard not to join in with the beat of the music. I took a deep breath and climbed the steps. If this party was anything like the one in the movie, I was either going to love it or be ready to get the hell out within the first ten minutes.

“Relax. Just stay next to me and you’ll be safe.” Raven grabbed my hand and I clasped my fingers tightly around his as we walked inside. We entered the living area and several people did a double take.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” Raven greeted a couple of guys standing by the pool table.

I looked around, wondering if Delaney was here with Shelby or anyone else. “Whose place is this?”

“One of my fraternity brother’s lives here with several guys,” Raven answered as he shook hands with a few more guys.

“It’s a nice house.” I noted the dark mahogany staircase and bookshelves in the craftsman style home. The floor squeaked as we walked through the great room and it reminded me of Collin’s parents’ house. I sighed and fought to push those memories out of my head.

“Yeah, but after tonight, it’ll look like shit,” Raven said as he continued to guide us through the house.

“Lexi!” Delaney scurried toward me and I felt a bit relieved that she was there. “You made it.”

“Yep, I’m here.” I shot a quick glance toward Raven and he smiled.

“I can’t believe it!” She flung her arms around me and a strong whiff of liquor hit me. “We’re going to party all night long,” she hollered in my ear and I quickly jerked my head away to avoid hearing loss.

“Damn, did you down a whole bottle or what?” I hugged her quickly before pushing her away.

“Uh, no.” She rolled her eyes. “Just took a few shots. C’mon. You have to try this.”

Grasping my hand, she pulled me away from Raven’s side. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’m going to see who’s here and then I’ll come find you. Flip your phone to vibrate in case I can’t find you,” Raven said as he headed off in the opposite direction.

I reached in my back pocket for my cell phone and switched it to vibrate as Delaney dragged me into the kitchen.