Teach Me (College Daze Book 2)

by Danielle Burton

  After a few calming breaths and cursing myself out inside my own head, I went back to my search. I didn’t need my mother’s money, or anyone’s for that matter. I could do this on my own.

  Resting my cheek on my fist, I continued to scroll down on the screen. Assembly worker for $8.00 an hour, no. Night janitor at a high school...eww.

  “Morning, Cam.”

  I froze and turned slowly toward the door. I’d been so lost in my search I hadn’t even heard Gabi come in. “Um–Wh–I–” After a few seconds of stammering like an imbecile I finally managed a cohesive sentence. “What are you doing here?”

  She tossed her bag on the bed and frowned. “The correct response is ‘Good morning, Gabi. How are you today?’”

  “Um, hi…what–I thought you were staying at Jay’s.”

  “I was, but now I’m back.” She took a seat and narrowed her eyes. “If I didn’t know any better I’d think you didn’t want me here or something.”

  “No, it’s not that. It’s just–”

  The locked clicked on the bathroom door and a second later it swung open. My life morphed into a movie, moving in slow motion as Benji stepped out with a towel around his waist and another over his head while he dried his hair. “Hope you don’t mind, Cammie, but I used some of your shampoo. Kinda girly, but who says a man can’t smell like strawberries.”

  Gabi’s mouth hung open as her gaze swept from me to him. “That’s my shampoo.”

  He snatched the towel from his head and looked at Gabi for all of two seconds before backing into the bathroom and slamming the door.

  Gabi folded her arms and faced me. Instead of the anger I’d anticipated, she raised a brow and there was a smirk on her lips.

  I stood from my seat with my hands raised in front of me. “This is not what it looks like.”

  She continued to stare me down, her smirk lifting a tad. “Benji’s your protocol?”

  I waved my hands in front of me and shook my head. “No. Eww, eww. No! He just–and I–” Trying to explain myself was a challenge with that look she had on her face. “I was just helping him out. After what he did for me, I felt like I owed him.”

  Her face straightened and she pulled me down next to her. “What do you mean what he did for you?”

  I avoided her eyes then dropped my gaze. “Remember when Benji disappeared after the remembrance?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I knew where he was. I mean, not at first, but we sort of crossed paths.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “He asked me not to.” I finally gained the courage to meet her gaze, and still I found no anger in her expression. “I stupidly got myself into a bad situation, and he… Gabi, he basically saved my life. I owe him.”

  She reached over and took my hand. “And that’s why he’s here now?”

  I shook my head. “No, that’s for a different reason.” I wasn’t sure how much information I should divulge. Gabi was my best friend and I didn’t want to lie to her anymore, but I also owed Benji a level of loyalty as well due to our new and…odd friendship. “He’s going through something right now, and he needs someone. He’s all alone, Gabi. No one should be alone.”

  She squeezed my hand and smiled at me. “Do you like him, Cam?”

  “No. Not like that, but maybe he’s not as awful of a person as I thought he was.”

  I was caught by surprise when she leaned over and hugged me. “I’m glad you’re there for him.”

  I pulled back and searched her face. “You’re not mad?”

  “Well, I am kinda upset that you lied to me,” she said, slapping my leg. “But I’m also proud of you. Not many people would do what you’re doing, but I’m not really surprised because even though you’re still finding yourself, I know exactly who you are.”

  I reached over and pulled my best friend into a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re not mad at me. I was scared you’d hate me, especially after what happened last week.”

  She pulled away and rubbed her arms. “You mean him molesting my mouth? I was pissed at him, but I’m trying not to hold it against him considering he was drunk off his ass and clearly going through something after that thing with his mom.” She sighed while pulling her hair back into a ponytail. “Jay’s still mad though. I’ve been trying to convince him to talk to Benji but his only response is looking at me like I’m crazy and repeating that he has nothing to say to him.”

  “Think he’ll ever come around?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe. It might help if Benji apologized.”

  I shook my head. “Tried that already.”

  She rolled her eyes and stood. “Men. I swear they are so stubborn.”

  “Right? And they talk about us.”

  We shared a laugh while Gabi pulled clothes from her bag and threw them on the bed. “They need to kiss and make up already so we can go on double dates.”

  “Eww, girl. Are you trying to make me throw up? Benji and I are friends and barely that.”

  “Whatever you say...Cammie.”

  We talked for a few more minutes while she repacked her bag and decided on a girl’s night out for the coming weekend.

  After she left I knocked on the bathroom door to let Benji know the coast was clear.

  He went to the side of the bed where his bag was a grabbed some clothes. He’d finally gone and retrieved some the past Sunday when Jaybrielle went to dinner at the Adams’s. After rummaging through the bag he brushed past me and went back into the bathroom without a word.

  Oookay then.

  ~ ♥ ~

  Benji released yet another heavy sigh from his spot on the bed. He’d come back out of the bathroom ten minutes ago, flopped down on my bed and had been laying there pouting ever since.

  “What, Benji?”

  He remained silent until I turned from my computer to face him. His fingers were laced behind his head as he looked over at me with a frown. “Barely friends?”

  My eyes rolled before I could stop them. “Really? That’s what’s wrong with you?”

  A blank stare was the only answer I received. God, he was a child.

  “It’s been a week. So yes, barely friends. We still hardly know each other.”

  “Whose fault is that? Every conversation we have you find a way to steer it to something trivial. And don’t let me try to talk about you. You be ducking my questions like I’m a bill collector.”

  I covered my mouth with my fist to stifle a laugh.

  “And why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Act like it’s a crime to laugh at my jokes? You can’t stand the fact that I’m starting to grow on you, can you?”

  I rolled my eyes then faced my desk again. “Whatever.”

  He was silent for a while, but I could tell he was watching me. I could always feel his eyes on me. “Come here.”

  I chewed on my pencil and shook my head.

  “Girl, you better get over here.”

  I looked over my shoulder and found him grinning. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

  “I’m talking to you, Cammie. Get over here before I come get you.”

  I gave him a long eye roll as I turned back to my computer.

  “Oh, you gon’ make me get up?” He smacked his lips and the next thing I knew I was being lifted in the air bridal style.

  I screamed and slapped his chest. “Put me down!”

  “I thought you liked being picked up.”

  “Not by you. Now put me down.”

  “Whatever you say.” He dumped me on the bed and I bounced almost toppling over the edge. Luckily he caught me and pulled me back.

  I swung at him but he caught my hand. “Ughh, you get on my nerves,” I said, snatching it away.

  He chuckled then winked. “I aim to please.” He manhandled me some more by sitting me up against the headboard and then plopped down next to me. “Now, tell me all about Cammie.” His gaze lingered on mine expectantly.

  I shrugge
d and crossed my arms. “Nothing to tell. There is nothing at all special about me or worth sharing.”

  His brows knitted together and small frown formed on his lips. “I very much doubt that, Camryn.”

  “I’m serious. I’ve never done anything worth talking about.”

  “You saved a tormented soul, are still actively saving it. So there’s that.”

  I tried to fight my oncoming smile but failed. “Yeah, there’s that.”

  “And what about that camera you’ve been toting around with you lately? You telling me there’s nothing important about that.”

  My gaze stayed on him for a long moment as I tried to determine when this new Benji had emerged. Not once since our meeting had I seen him behave like a normal person. I wasn’t aware he was capable of such a level of decency and authentic interest.

  I scooted off the bed and went to get my laptop. I opened the folder with my recent pictures then sat the computer on his lap.

  “Wow, these are amazing,” he said while scrolling through the photos on my computer. “Have you taken classes?”

  “No, I was really just playing around with it.”

  He looked over at me and smiled. “If this is you playing around, I’d love to see what you can do when you’re serious.”

  I tucked both my lips into my mouth and pulled my knees to my chest while wondering why my stomach was upset when I hadn’t eaten yet.

  I watched as he continued to flip through my photos using the arrow keys. He flipped to one of him and I prayed he didn’t notice and would keep going.

  No such luck. He stared at the screen for a long time and I thought I’d get some type of off the wall comment about me stalking him or something. Instead he slowly closed the screen and then moved the computer to my nightstand.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head but looked to be lost in thought. “Never seen it from the outside.”

  “Seen what?”

  “What I look like without my mask.”

  We sat in silence for a while, both staring at nothing. I hated silence. It made me feel vulnerable and exposed. “I don’t like talking about myself because I never know what to say. I hate dates and small talk when people ask questions about me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, how can I tell someone else who I am when I don’t even know?”

  A smile spread across his face. “And you said we didn’t have anything in common.”

  Leaning away from him, I lifted a brow. “And what exactly is it that we have in common?”

  “We both wanna know who you are.”

  My words failed me as I tried to come up with a snarky comeback.

  He smiled wider and eased down onto his back. “So, let’s get to know you. First question, what’s your favorite position?”

  I grabbed the pillow from behind me and whacked his face with it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ~ Benji ~

  “Are you ever going to answer my question?”

  Cam scrunched up her face while handing me a box. “No.”

  “Come on, it’s been a week.”

  “Exactly, and a normal person would’ve stopped asking by now.”

  “We both know I don’t fall into the normal category, Cammie. I don’t see what the big deal with answering the question is.”

  “It isn’t a big deal. It’s just none of your business.”

  I sat the box on the table and grabbed up a box cutter.

  She snatched it and looked at me like I was crazy. “Peel the tape off. You could accidentally cut something and then no one will buy it.”

  I stared down at her and licked my lips. “Damn, I love it when you boss me around.”

  To my surprise a smile formed on her lips. “Well, then today should be really fun for you. Get to work.” She turned away from me and started looking through a box she had already opened.

  My gaze swept down her body. No matter how many times I looked I just couldn’t get over how fine she was. When it came to her there was no competition. Baby had it going on. Thin waist, just the right amount of thickness in her hips and thighs, and an ass like nobody’s business. All of it nice and toned. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she worked out. Just thinking about it damn near had me saluting.

  She turned, giving me the front view. I followed her shapely denim covered legs back up, stopping at her full C’s. A thirty-four if my calculations were correct. Man, what I wouldn’t give to bury my face between–

  “Benji!”

  My gaze lifted to her face. Etched on it was her ‘I’m about to slap you’ look. I studied her small features and pretty mocha skin for a moment before speaking. “Yes, Cammie?”

  “Keep your perverted eyes to yourself. Friends don’t stare at friend’s breasts.”

  I chuckled and licked my lips. “Trust me, any man with a friend like you, with the exception of a gay one, couldn’t help but stare.”

  She narrowed one eye at me and slapped a bundle of hangers to my chest. “Work.”

  “Yes ma’am.” I gave a wink then got to work hanging clothes on the garment rack that sat on the grass.

  Halfway through my second box a car door slammed shut. I glanced over my shoulder and my blood ran cold.

  Jay and Gabi made their way up to the gate where Jay reached in and opened it.

  I hurried to Cam and pulled her to the side. “You didn’t tell me they were coming.”

  She glanced over at them and waved then faced me again. “Gabi’s my best friend; you knew weeks ago she was helping me with this. And when do you ever see one without the other?”

  I kept my head down as they passed then started to back away. “I don’t think me being here is a good idea.”

  The corners of her mouth turned down and she folded her arms. “You promised you’d help.”

  “I know, but–”

  “So you’re just gonna break your promise, because you’re scared?”

  I glanced at the door where the couple had vanished behind then pushed my fingers through my hair. When I looked back at Cam she was still frowning. Then her eyes locked onto to mine and I found myself agreeing to stay.

  She smiled then started to turn away but I grabbed her arm and pulled her to me. She wiggled, trying to free herself from my hold. “Benji, what are you doing?”

  “I’m hugging you.”

  “Well stop it.”

  I chuckled and squeezed her tighter. “No, Cammie. I will never stop hugging you. Get used to it.”

  She growled and gave in. “You’re so annoying.”

  “But you still like me.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  Cam laughed and danced in her seat while shuffling the cards. “Wow, you are really bad at this game.”

  It was a few hours later and we’d finished the yard sale for the day. Working around Jay and Gabi with an awkward silence hanging over everyone hadn’t been easy. Jay wouldn’t even look at me and Gabi kept making up excuses for us to have to be near each other. Thankfully they’d left, now Cam and I were playing spades in the basement. “Alright Lil bit, don’t go getting cocky.”

  She reached over the table and smacked my arm. “No height nicknames and I’m not cocky, I’m confident. You just suck.”

  I reared back in my seat then crossed my arms. “Oh, I suck?”

  “Yup.”

  “Okay, we’ll see. Deal the cards, giant.”

  I bit my tongue to keep from laughing at her glare as she slapped my card in front of me.

  She kept a straight face while rearranging her hand then leaned back in her chair and gestured for me to take my turn.

  I picked up my cards but didn’t look at them. My gaze locked on hers then roamed down to her breasts, her cleavage to be exact, the reason for my distraction and therefore losing. I licked my lips and met her eyes again. “Why don’t we make this interesting? A wager perhaps?”

  “Fine by me. What are the stakes?”

  “I win, I get a peek at those
,” I said pointing to her breasts. “Bare.”

  She frowned and readjusted her shirt, trying to lessen the amount of skin showing. “Hell no.”

  “Scared? I suck, right? So you shouldn’t have to worry.”

  “I’m not showing you my breasts.”

  I shrugged and picked up my hand. “Okay…coward.”

  Her eyes darkened a shade. “Watch it.”

  “Hey, just callin’ it like I see it.”

  She smacked her cards on the table and stood. For a minute I thought she was about to hit me over the head with something. Instead she leaned over the table and narrowed her eyes. “And if I win?”

  I leaned back in my chair fighting a smile. “You can see whatever part of me you like, baby.”

  “Don’t call me baby, and I don’t want to see anything of yours.”

  “What is it you want then, Cammie?” I sat forward, bringing my face closer to hers.

  A sly grin spread across her face and my confidence faltered just a bit. She stood straight and placed her hands on her hips. “If I win, you have to abstain from sex. For a month.”

  My shrug caused her smile to drop. “Okay.”

  “That means all forms.”

  “Alright. We playin’ or what?”

  She narrowed her eyes the plopped down in her seat. “Yeah, and you’re gonna be playing with yourself for the next thirty days.” She picked up her hand and we got the game started.

  ~ ♥ ~

  “A deals a deal.” I leaned down near her ear. “Unless you’re scared.”

  She ducked away from me and smacked her lips. “Boy please. Ain’t nobody scared of you.”

  “Then show me.”

  She crossed her arms, obviously unaware that doing so pressed the twins together, making them look even bigger and me more eager to see them. “Fine,” she huffed. “But you sit over there.”

  I went over to the La-Z-Boy and got comfortable even though I knew she’d never do it. Messing with her was still fun though. “Do you need some music?”

  Her eyes narrowed at me. “Do I look like a stripper?” She leaned against the pool table and lifted her shirt, exposing her very sexy hot pink bra.