A Different Side (University Park #4)

by C. M. Doporto

  Our voices lowered and with our eyes fixed on one another, we sang, “just call me, call me, call me” repeatedly as the song ended. We exchanged something more than music at that piano. By the look in her eyes and the closeness of her body to mine, I knew we had bypassed the friendship status. Never had I felt this way about a girl before. Josh would definitely have to help me with this one.

  I searched every part of her face, looking for a sign. I needed to know if she felt the same way about me. And if the gaze in her eyes was any indication, she had to. Everything around us came to a complete standstill. The only thing existing in the room was Lexi. I tilted my head to the side, dying to kiss her. My heart raced like I had seconds on the clock, but I had no idea why I felt so damn nervous. I’d kissed hundreds of girls before, but this kiss...this was the one I wanted most. I wanted Lexi’s lips on mine. As I drew my mouth to hers, my stupid phone buzzed.

  Lexi immediately jumped back.

  “Sorry.” I smiled as I fumbled to pull my phone from the pocket of my jeans. I glanced at it quickly before flipping it to silent. Two messages: one from Beth and one from Macy. And then the demon voices started, reminding me I was the biggest dumbass ever. Lexi had a ring on her finger and she was way out of my league. She was innocent and I was far from good for her. I got girls like Macy and maybe Beth, if I were lucky, but Lexi…girls like her were well beyond my reach.

  Lexi’s eyes darted to my phone before I could stuff it back in my pocket. Her shoulders dropped and she looked away. She didn’t want anything to do with me. I was the biggest fuck up there was in this school, probably this state.

  I shoved the phone in my pocket. “I need to go.”

  “Booty call?” Her snarky tone had me confused.

  Was she jealous or disgusted? I laughed, dragging a hand over my face. This was getting a little too complicated for me. I needed to forget about this and just let her be my tutor.

  I stopped laughing when her stone-cold face said it all — SHITHEAD. “Do you really want to know?” I just laid it on the table. I had nothing to hide. My reputation superseded me and I knew she’d heard what I was all about. Why avoid it?

  “Hey, whatcha doing?”

  Lexi’s head spun around at lightning speed. “Delaney, I, um…was just, we were…”

  “I was just leaving.” I stood up.

  The girl looked at me and I recognized her from the frat parties. I never forgot a pretty face, especially one as pretty as hers. The last time I saw her was with some baseball player, and it wasn’t Luke. Delaney turned to Lexi, wide-eyed and mouth slightly ajar.

  “This is Raven Davenport,” Lexi said. “Raven, this is my roommate, Delaney.”

  I shook her hand and watched the transformation go from surprise to flirting. It never stopped. She batted her lashes at me, teasing me with her electric blue eyes. I studied them, trying to determine if she was wearing colored contacts. Not many girls had eyes like that.

  “Oh, you’re Raven.” She finally spoke. “The football player.”

  I inclined my head. “Yes, among other things.”

  “So I’ve heard...” she appraised me from head to toe with a girly giggle.

  The girl was a knockout, but if she was Lexi’s roommate, I definitely wasn’t interested. I put on my jacket and fixed the collar. Turning to Lexi, I said, “See ya Tuesday?”

  She smiled and I hoped she was over the text from Macy. “Yeah, see you then.”

  Lexi and Delaney waved at me in unison, the looks in their eyes and their pressed lips telling me they would be talking about me all night long. That was okay. I knew I’d be thinking about Lexi all night.

  Σ

  Chapter 8

  Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or

  present are certain to miss the future.

  ~John F. Kennedy

  I drove back to the apartment and thought about what had happened. Never had I’d given a girl this much thought before. That had to say something, didn’t it? Regardless of the voices in my head, I felt something between us. The question was: did she feel it too?

  I walked into the apartment and Josh was sitting on the couch, strumming his guitar.

  “Still up?” I asked, shutting the door.

  “Yeah, can’t sleep.” His fingers plucked at the strings.

  “Fighting with Shelby again?” I tossed my backpack on the floor and plopped down on a chair across from him.

  “No. Just thinking about next year.” The tune turned from upbeat to slow and weary.

  I took a deep breath and relaxed. “What about next year? You’ll be gone, dude.”

  He stopped playing. “That’s just it. Aside from a few scouts I’ve talked to after games, I haven’t had any really good prospects contact me. I’ve been talking with my agent and I don’t know, man.”

  “Just be patient. The Combine is the last week of February—”

  “Yeah, I know. And I haven’t been invited.”

  I threw my hands up in the air. “It’s still early. They usually don’t announce that until the first week of February. You know that.” Josh was a damn good player, but his desire to go pro was pretty intense. Too much for me. It wasn’t worth stressing over. If it happened, great. If it didn’t, life went on. But not for Josh. His whole life depended on landing that contract. Aside from his own ambitions, his parents, along with his high-maintenance girlfriend, laid enough pressure on him.

  Josh’s head dropped and he raked his fingers through it repeatedly. “You’re right. I guess I’m still pissed about Saturday’s game.” He looked at me. “We needed that win.”

  “I know and I hate blaming anyone, but, shit, Shawn really screwed us.”

  “Don’t even go there.” Josh removed the strap from his neck and set the guitar beside him. “I still want to kick his ass.”

  “What’s done is done.” I rested my arms against my thighs. “We just need to focus on this next game.”

  “Why the hell do they keep scheduling Friday night games? This isn’t high school.”

  I shrugged. “Coach said it had to do with TV programming or something like that. Who knows?”

  “Whatever.” Josh started to stand and then sat back down. With narrowed eyes, he said, “What’s going on with you? You look worried about something.”

  I waved off his comment. “Ah, it’s nothing.”

  “You know, you’re a shitty liar.”

  I laughed and then rubbed the scruff on my chin, realizing I hadn’t shaved in a few days. Did Lexi like this look or clean-shaven? “It’s nothing really, just stupid girl stuff.” I knew I needed his advice, but I was too embarrassed to ask for it.

  Josh rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, that tutor chick?”

  I’m not sure why that irked me, but it did. “She has a name, you know. It’s Lexi.”

  “My bad.” Apology filled his voice. “Were you with her tonight?”

  “Yeah, she helped me with a blog post.” I shook my head. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I…I can’t stop thinking about her.”

  “I told you what to do. Just get to know her, show her who The Raven really—” Josh twitched his lips to the side. “On second thought, maybe that’s not a good idea.”

  I pinned him with a death stare. “What?”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “I mean, you’re a great guy, awesome football player, but let’s face it, you’re not exactly dating material.”

  My head dropped to my hands. Could he have said anything more on point? “I know that. I have a rep and that’s no secret.”

  Josh picked his guitar back up. “You can change that, you know.” He dragged his fingers along the strings. “If you want.”

  “I know.” Did I? I’d never given much thought to that part of my life. In reality, I had made some significant changes. I’d spent time with a rehab counselor and cleaned up my act. That was because I loved playing football and didn’t want to get kicked off the team or suspended from
school again. Coach had drilled the team about respecting girls and I did — when they deserved it. How can you respect a girl who makes it her mission to get in bed with you? I respected those who respected themselves.

  “And when you meet the right girl, it’s time to start considering that.”

  “Easy for you to say.” I laughed. “You have Shelby and you can get pussy anytime you want.”

  Josh inclined his head. “It’s more than just pussy.”

  I shook my head. “I forget you have Shelby glasses on and you see nothing else.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” He continued playing a few chords to a familiar country tune.

  “I guess not.” I shrugged. “Besides, Shelby’s good for you.”

  “What if Lexi is good for you?” He cocked a brow.

  It was hard to consider that statement. Yes, Lexi had caught my attention and I liked being around her, but did I really want to give up the lifestyle I’d been living? Then again, what did it really offer me? A bang, a good suck, some attention, but after that, what was left? Nothing. Could things be different with Lexi?

  “You’re smiling, dude.” The corner of his mouth turned up and I couldn’t help but widen my grin. “You know what that means.”

  “Whatever.” Maybe I was scared to think about what that signified.

  “You like her.”

  “Maybe.”

  Josh eyed me.

  “Okay, I admit it. I like her and tonight was awesome, dude. The girl can play the piano like no one else.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. She played Lean On Me, and we sang to each other like we’ve been friends since we were kids.” That familiar rush of adrenaline hit my veins and I swore Lexi’s scent filled the room. Maybe it lingered on my jacket, or maybe it was my head playing stupid tricks on me, but Lexi was taking over and I liked it.

  Too much.

  Josh slowed his fingers. “Sounds intense.”

  “It was fun. We had a good time together.”

  “Sounds like you’re on the right path. Showing her your good side. You love music and you like to sing. Keep building on that.”

  “I know, but…”

  Josh moved to the edge of the couch. “But, what?”

  The sparkle from the ring on her finger kept reappearing in my mind and I couldn’t ignore it. “I have a bigger problem than my reputation,” I openly admitted.

  “What’s that?”

  I hesitated before blurting, “I think she’s engaged.”

  Josh stopped playing and pressed his palm to the strings, forbidding any sound from escaping. “What makes you think that?”

  “She has a ring on her left hand.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Is it an engagement ring?”

  I shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

  Josh’s mouth twisted to the side and he shot me one of his come on, don’t lie to me looks. “Does it have a diamond in the center?”

  “Yeah, a little one.” The silver band and small, round diamond were clear in my memory.

  Josh went back to playing. “Maybe it’s just a promise ring. Girls typically want a big ass diamond.”

  I chuckled. “You’re talking about Shelby.”

  He shook his head. “Girl doesn’t want anything unless it has a designer name on it or comes in an aqua-blue box.”

  “That’s your fault,” I reminded him.

  “How’s that?”

  “You feed her addiction.”

  “I know.” His eyes lowered and his shoulders caved. “But I love her.”

  I held up a finger, warning him. “I’m telling you now. She’s going to break you when you get that contract.”

  “Shit. Don’t say that.” Josh looked up. “How did we start talking about Shelby? This is about Lexi. You just need to ask her. Find out whether she’s engaged or not.”

  “I don’t know.” I stared at the floor. “I think she would’ve said something by now.”

  “Maybe. But you need to know.” Josh hit me in the head with his guitar pick. “Don’t be a chicken shit, just ask her.”

  I picked it up and ran my thumb over it. Blue streaks shimmered in the dim light, and then, it hit me. “I know someone I can ask.”

  “Who?”

  “Her roommate.” Using my index finger, I flicked the pick back at him like a football.

  His hands fumbled, trying to catch it. “What?”

  “That girl Luke was with at the Sigma Chi party — that’s her roommate.”

  His eyes wandered to the ceiling. “What girl?”

  I pulled my phone from my back pocket and went to Luke’s Facebook profile. I found a picture of him and Delaney. “This girl.” I got up from the chair and showed him my phone.

  Luke set his guitar down and then took the phone from my hand. He studied the photo, trying to recall whether he knew Delaney. “Oh yeah,” he pointed at the screen, “I’ve seen this girl. She’s hot.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  Josh punched me in the stomach. “Roommates are off limits.”

  “Ow.” I rubbed my center. “I know that.” Delaney might have been gorgeous, but I wasn’t crossing that line. I took my phone back and went to her page. Her news feed showed several pictures of Luke and her, and I continued scrolling until I found two with her and Lexi. “This is Lexi.” I held my phone up for Josh to see.

  “That’s her, dude?” He stood up and claimed my phone again. “You didn’t tell me she looked this good.”

  I shoved him as he walked toward the kitchen. Stumbling, he flipped on the fluorescent light. “Damn. No wonder you’ve got the hots for your tutor,” he snickered.

  “What can I say?” I held my hands in front of me. “Can you blame me?”

  “No.” He handed the phone back. “I don’t know why I pictured her as a nerd with glasses.”

  I busted out in laughter. “You think I’d go after a geeky girl?”

  “You do like comics and shit,” Josh quickly reminded me.

  “So?” I took off my jacket and threw it on the dining room chair. “There’s nothing wrong with that.” I surfed my way back to Delaney’s page. “I’ll just send her a friend request.” I hit the invite button.

  “To Lexi?” Josh poured himself a glass of milk.

  “No. Delaney.”

  Josh slammed the carton on the counter, splashing milk from the opening. “What? No, dude, don’t do that.”

  “Why not?” I shot him a puzzled look. “Too late now.”

  “Aw, you messed up.” Josh shook his head. “If she finds out you friended her roommate, she’s going to be pissed.”

  “Relax. I’ll send Lexi an invite, too.” I quickly went to her page and sent her a request. I also blocked anyone from posting pictures on my page, even though they’d probably still tag me.

  “I’m telling you, not a good idea, man.”

  “She’ll be alright.” I waved off his comment and went to my bedroom.

  “If you fuck this up, don’t come crying to me,” Josh yelled from the kitchen.

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” I said, closing the door.

  I kicked off my boots while pulling off my shirt. After a quick trip to the bathroom, I plopped down on the bed, not bothering to button my pants. I slipped on my headphones and crossed my hands behind my head, thinking about Lexi as I listened to the sounds of Hozier. Damn, she was the poster child of a preacher’s daughter. Was her dad a preacher? She didn’t mention that — just said her parents were really strict. Maybe that was why she’d lived such a sheltered life. Hell, the preacher’s daughters I knew were far from saints, and that wasn’t Lexi.

  Shit. I’d let her take me to church and wash me clean of my sins. If she’d let me, I’d happily worship her in the bedroom. Like a dog on all fours, howling and licking my wounds. Damn, I was one sick person — just like the guy in the song. There definitely was no sweeter innocence than Lexi Thompson.

  ***

  Tuesday came quickly and I did the unthinkable.
I sent Lexi a text telling her I needed to work on my paper before we met. It was the truth and I wanted her to be proud of me. See that I was working hard to learn what she was teaching me. A part of me was also nervous to see her again. Maybe I dreaded asking her what that ring on her finger meant.

  I checked my Facebook page again. She still hadn’t accepted my friend request. Why? Did she have something to hide? Maybe. Delaney had accepted my request an hour after I sent it. I considered asking her, but decided to play it safe. I didn’t want Lexi pissed at me.

  The next day seemed to drag as I hauled my butt to the field for practice and then to the gym. Josh, Shawn, and I met up with Luke on Wednesday night and I considered telling him I’d met Delaney, but when I saw him talking to another girl, I withheld. I didn’t need to get in the middle of anything. I had enough problems.

  Thursday morning snuck up on me and I stressed all through class, thinking of how I’d ask Lexi about her ring. No matter how hard I tried to phrase it, it didn’t sound right. I needed to get it together. This was never a problem before. The professor dismissed the class and I shuffled out, hoping no one stopped me. I needed some time to think about what I wanted to say.

  I exited the building and my phone buzzed. I pulled it from my pocket and held my breath when I saw Lexi’s name flash across the screen. Was she canceling on me?

  Lexi: Hey, Raven, the writing center is flooded so we have to find another meeting place. How about the library?

  I exhaled a deep breath and clenched the phone. She wasn’t canceling. Yeah! I really didn’t want to meet in the library again. Beth was probably working today and since I’d been avoiding her, that spelled disaster. I cracked a smile, considering my apartment as an alternative meeting place, but I knew that would be a really bad idea.

  Me: No problem. But I don’t like meeting in the library.

  Lexi: Okay. We can meet at my dorm, there’s a study room downstairs.