A Different Side (University Park #4)

by C. M. Doporto

  She lifted the bottle to her mouth and closed her eyes as she took several gulps. “No, not really.”

  I could tell she was holding back. Maybe she wasn’t ready to talk about it, or maybe she wasn’t comfortable telling me. I’d try my hardest to put her at ease. “You seemed pretty upset. Are you sure she’s with your brother and not someone else?” I coaxed her as my eyes drifted to her ring, determined to know the truth. Using her thumb, she spun the diamond around toward her palm. She might as well have taken it off at that point.

  Game on!

  I didn’t have to ask, I knew the answer. She was engaged and he had cheated on her with her roommate. I really didn’t want to be the rebound guy, but if it were my only shot at being with her, then I’d be whatever guy she wanted me to be.

  “I’m pretty sure she’s with my brother.” She nursed the bottle, seeking a soothing I wished I could give her instead. “I saw his keychain and backpack in our living room.”

  My cell phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket, flipping it to silent.

  “Do you need to go?” She tilted the bottle to the ceiling.

  I tucked the phone away, not bothering to check who was calling me. “Nope.”

  She didn’t say anything, but her face had thank you written all over it.

  I popped another beer open for us and we continued drinking. We chatted about school and I shared my dreams of going pro, telling her how I planned to buy my mom a new house if I did. I also shared my true love of football and how much it really meant to me. By opening up to her, I hoped she’d do the same. I refrained from mentioning anything about my drug charge — I didn’t think she ready to hear all that. I also didn’t ask her anything else about her fiancé or roommate. She would tell me when she was ready.

  I finished my third beer, dropped it into the cardboard holder, and turned my head in the opposite direction. I covered my mouth with my fist, trying to stifle the sound, but I burped loudly.

  “Nice,” Lexi said as she lifted the bottle and finished her second beer.

  I was a little embarrassed, but what could I do? At least I didn’t fart in front of her, though I was sure that would eventually happen. Lexi placed her hand in front of her mouth and let out a huge belch — louder than mine. All shame was gone. We were even.

  “Damn, Lexi.” I shot her a quick glance before turning and burping again. “I thought you said you didn’t drink beer.”

  “Sorry,” she muttered. “It just slipped out.”

  “Relax.” I waved a hand. “I’m just messing with you.” I took the empty bottle from her hand and gave her the last beer, contemplating whether it was a good idea. Her eyes were glazed over and her cheeks were a nice pink. I couldn’t tell whether she was buzzed, but I didn’t want to get her drunk — at least not today. Any other girl, I would, but not Lexi. That would kill any chance I had with her.

  “You like doing that, don’t you?” She stood and walked to the wall of windows overlooking the football field. As I watched her stand there, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be with her and no one else. And I couldn’t believe I was actually thinking this.

  Shit!

  I sounded like Josh, but I didn’t care. Lexi had done something to me and I liked whatever it was. She tilted her head back and allowed the beer to fill her mouth. Damn, she looked so freakin’ hot. I got up and approached her, anxious to see if she was ready to change our friendship status. I reminded myself to take things slow, read the signs carefully, and not do anything stupid. Lexi gripped the bottle tightly and kept her body facing forward. I sensed the nervousness radiating from her. I need to put her at ease.

  “Depends on what you’re referring to,” I whispered in her ear, knowing I wanted to do other things besides tease her.

  Hold her.

  Kiss her.

  Cherish her.

  Make her feel good in every way possible. Not only emotionally, but sexually.

  Picking at the label on the bottle, she refused to turn around and look at me. She was scared — no question about it. I hated that I made her nervous. Then again, my heart was ready to explode in my chest.

  She turned to walk away and instinctively I raised my hand, keeping her in place. I pressed my palm against the glass and inched closer to her. Our gazes connected and I felt myself slipping into Lexi territory. I hoped she was ready to play, because I’d let her slip through The Raven’s trap too many times. I was closing the door so she could experience what it was really like to be in my presence. Completely in my presence.

  “If you’re saying I like to make fun of you, then you’re wrong.” I appraised her face, noticing every freckle dotting her high cheekbones and every beauty mark accenting her features. From her perfect, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled a beautiful golden-brown when she spoke, to the tip of her cute nose, and down to the curves of her luscious lips. Lexi was gorgeous and I couldn’t stop staring at her.

  She bit down on her bottom lip and I about lost it. “Then what would you call it?”

  I took the beer from her hand and tipped it back for a drink. This girl had sparked a new flame within me and I wanted to show her the beauty of it. “Harmless flirting.”

  A laugh escaped her mouth. “Is that what Marcie…I mean, Macy would call it?”

  I shook my head and stared at the floor as I was reminded of the type of girls I attract. Not the Lexi type. The Macy type. I was the world’s biggest loser. I looked at her, dying for one shot. “No.”

  “No?” Surprise laced her voice.

  I shifted from one foot to the other, knowing I was pushing it. She wanted me, I could tell. But how bad? I need her to make the first move, but with the way she was fighting it, I knew I might have to be the one to kiss her first. I hovered inches from her, inhaling the honey and peaches covering every inch of her body. Her body pressed against the window and her face flushed a bright pink. The heat radiating off her body had my mind burning equally as hot.

  “No.” I lowered my lips to hers. “She’s the one that flirts with me. I just play along.”

  Her breathing was ragged and she sucked in a quick breath. “Oh, I see. And you don’t call that flirting?”

  I shrugged, not paying much attention to what she was saying. I just wanted her lips on mine.

  “So, the rumors are all lies?”

  I cracked a half smile. “I didn’t say that.” There was no denying girls loved being caught in my trap.

  She narrowed her eyes, confusion clouding in. “Then what are you saying? You don’t have to flirt with girls because they philander with you?”

  “Basically, yeah,” I said with indifference, drunk on her sweet smell. Couldn’t she tell I was flirting with her?

  Damn, just kiss me, Lexi!

  She tossed her hair over her shoulder and tilted her head back. “Then why are you flirting with me?”

  “Because... I like you, Lexi Thompson,” I blurted, unable to hide it any longer.

  Please say you like me, too!

  Instead, she threw her head back in laughter. “Stop your foolish antics. You really don’t like me. I mean…I’m nothing compared to the girls you’ve had. Usually, guys want to upgrade, not downgrade.”

  Man, was she wrong.

  “Believe me,” I raised a brow, “you are an upgrade.”

  She didn’t blink or move. Just stayed frozen to the glass. I took one more swig of her beer before I gave it back to her. Lexi gasped as droplets of condensation fell to her chest. My bad. Then again…what a perfect opportunity.

  “Sorry about that.” Using the tip of my finger, I traced the trail of water leading down between her breasts. If that didn’t entice her or show her I wanted out of the friend zone, then I clearly needed more lessons from Josh.

  Her breathing hitched and she swayed, looking almost faint. I prepared to catch her, but she straightened, regaining her balance. Maybe I was going about this the wrong way.

  Shit!

  She grabbed the beer fr
om my hand and heaved a gulp. Using the back of her hand, she wiped her lips. “Why me?”

  Maybe I hadn’t screwed up.

  “Let’s see, because you’re not like the other girls, for one, and two, you’re chaste, and that drives me crazy.”

  She blinked rapidly and bit down on her lower lip again. Her breathing was erratic and she looked like a hot a mess.

  My hot mess.

  “Um, okay. You know, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to continue tutoring you.”

  My head snapped back. “Really, why?”

  “Because I’m supposed to keep a professional relationship with my students and I…um… can think of fifteen other reasons why I shouldn’t be helping you.”

  “Only fifteen?” I asked, surprised she didn’t have more. Clearly, if I wanted our status to change, I was going to have to push harder. Slowly, I placed my other hand against the glass, trapping her between my arms.

  We stood eye to eye, mere inches between us, breathing in each other. My need to taste her lips grew insistent, but I wanted her to make the first move. I had to know she wanted this. I wasn’t going to screw up our tutoring relationship or my chance to be with her. She placed her hand on my chest and pushed me away. “Give it time and I’m sure I’ll have twenty more.”

  I chuckled. Was she serious? “Then I guess I better be on my best behavior since you’re keeping count.”

  With her hand still lingering on my chest, I wrapped my fingers around her wrist and dragged her palm down the length of my torso. Heat seared through my polo shirt as her hand appraised the rough terrain. I wanted to rip off my shirt and allow her to explore every block of my six-pack. Her eyes widened with delight. She was fighting to resist me.

  “If you think I’m going to let you screw me like all of those other hoes, you are sadly mistaken.”

  That was it. She was scared I was going to use her, but I couldn’t blame her. I had to erase my past actions and prove to her this new flame burning inside of me was capable of so much more. With my finger, I caressed the top of her hand and lifted it to my lips, reveling in the softness of her skin. She was so silky smooth.

  Staring deep into her eyes, I said, “Lexi, I’d never do that to you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

  The honesty behind those words hit me hard, but I wasn’t giving up. “Girls like you are very rare.” I turned her hand over and placed soft kisses on her palm. She had me doing all types of weird stuff, but I liked it. I didn’t want to stop.

  I’d kiss her.

  Caress her.

  Love her.

  Worship her night and day.

  Anything to make her feel like the queen of my world.

  I continued pressing my lips against her skin, making a path up her arm. “You must be treated with dignity and respect.”

  “Are you even capable of that?” Her breaths shortened.

  Turning her hand over, I kissed the top of it. “What do you think?”

  “I…I don’t know.”

  I released her hand and cupped her face with both hands. “I guess I’ll have to prove it to you.”

  “If you say so.”

  My lips lingered on the edge of hers, waiting for her to make the next move. I had done everything I could possible think of to prove I was serious about not taking advantage of her. I was freakin’ dying for her to kiss me. It didn’t even have to include tongue. I stared deep into her eyes, releasing my soul into hers. “But know this, Lexi, I won’t do anything, unless you ask me to do it.”

  A whimper escaped her throat. She was struggling with her decision. As much as I wanted to kiss her, I wouldn’t do it unless she asked me to. I refused to screw up our relationship. Lexi had to give me the okay. I had to know she wanted this. Otherwise, things would be messed up between us. The need to have her clawed at my insides, threatening to rip me apart if I didn’t satisfy my desires. I fought them one by one. These demons had gotten the best of me and I wasn’t going to let them fuck this up. Not this time.

  “Raven.” My name was a soft whisper across her lips.

  I held my mouth steadily to hers. “Yes?”

  “Take me back to my dorm, please.”

  Damn!

  Σ

  Chapter 11

  The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it,

  move with it, and join the dance.

  ~Alan Watts

  “Shit!” I hit the steering wheel and my head fell against the headrest. Lexi was driving me crazy. In a good way.

  I hadn’t tried to tempt her anymore, and I wouldn’t. Her message was clear. She wasn’t ready to change our status — at least, not yet. I had done and said everything to indicate I wanted more. Either she was scared I’d use her, like she’d said, or she needed to resolve what happened at her dorm. Whatever her hang up was with me, I’d be patient and do what I could to put her at ease.

  I did a U-turn and headed back to the stadium with ten minutes to spare before practice started. My parking spot in the front was open and I pulled into it. Even though it didn’t have my name on it, everyone knew it was mine. I quickly shoved a few pieces of gum in my mouth, sprayed cologne all over me, just in case I smelled like beer, and ran toward the locker room, watching the second hand on my watch. The last thing I wanted was to be late for practice. Coach would have my ass.

  I opened the door, immediately greeted by Coach Stevens.

  “Davenport.” He looked at his clipboard, tapping his pen to it. “You did make it to my workout session today.”

  I shouldered past him and tossed my duffle bag on the bench in front of my locker. I let the air out through my nose, trying to keep calm. Stevens was wearing me out. Every week he accused me of missing practice, telling Coach I hadn’t turned in my workout logs when I had. Apparently, he had something against me or was suffering from severe brain farts.

  “Did you forget I have tutoring on Tuesday and Thursday?”

  “And some tutor she is!” Shawn hollered. I wondered how he knew about Lexi. I looked around for Josh, but he was nowhere in sight. I made it a point to ask him later. A few of the other guys joined in, yelling and hooting.

  I flipped Shawn off and he turned around, showing me his bare ass.

  “See what you started now?” I shook my head and kicked off my shoes.

  Coach Stevens pressed his palm to his forehead. “Sorry. I keep forgetting.”

  “No worries.” I shrugged off his pathetic excuse. “I’ll make sure to get my workout in after practice.” I pulled off my shirt and hung it on the hook.

  A hand clasped my injured shoulder. “You’re excused from your workout session today. I don’t want you aggravating anything.” Coach Anderson said, a firm resolve echoing in his voice.

  “Thank you, sir.” I turned around and shook his hand.

  “How’s the shoulder?”

  I rotated my arm a few times. “Feels okay. I haven’t had any problems.”

  “Good. Just what I want to hear.” Coach gave me a firm pat and then removed his hand. He walked to the center of the locker room and looked around as everyone finished getting ready for practice. “We’re going to change it up today.” He circled the room, his eyes narrowing in thought, causing a uni-brow to form.

  “No field practice?” Quinton asked with a big smile on his face.

  “No,” Coach replied.

  Some of the guys cheered and others moaned.

  “What are we doing then?” I asked, unzipping my shorts.

  “You’ll see. I have something special planned for y’all.” Coach hit his clipboard on the back of his hand, getting everyone’s attention. “Suite up and be on the field in ten minutes, guys.”

  We all looked at each other, curious as to what Coach had in mind for us, and started dressing in our practice uniforms. I only hoped it didn’t include a lot of running. I was clearly dragging ass after three beers. Instead of having a buzz, I was ready for a good nap. As soon as my shoes
were laced and my helmet was in my hand, I headed to the refrigerator and grabbed a Red Bull.

  I needed all the extra energy I could get today. Lexi had left me not only emotionally drained, but somewhat physically, too. And I wanted more.

  “Hey, man, hand me one.” Josh came up behind me.

  I grabbed two cans from the shelf and handed him one. “Thanks.”

  “Yeah.” I shut the door and pulled the tab. “Hey, do you think your dad can get me a ticket to the suite?”

  Josh shrugged. “Yeah, probably. I can ask, why?”

  I took several gulps. “I thought about inviting someone.”

  “Oh.” Josh twisted his lips slyly. “Is that someone named Lexi by chance?”

  With a slight nod, I lifted the can to my lips.

  Josh slugged me on the arm and I nearly choked. “I knew it.”

  I coughed and pounded on my chest. “Just ask him, will you?”

  “You know I will.” A large smile spread from ear to ear. “I can ask Shelby to keep her company.”

  In between coughs, I managed to say, “Yeah, that’d be great.” I leaned closer to him. “I took her up in the suite earlier today and she loved it.”

  “You did?” Josh’s head jerked back. “What happened?”

  My head tilted toward the floor. “Not much. We just drank a few beers.”

  “Whatever, dude.” Josh pushed me. “Admit it, you screwed her.”

  “Screwed who?” Shawn asked, putting on his helmet.

  “I swear I didn’t.” I made an X over my heart and then held up two fingers. “Scouts honor.”

  “You weren’t even a boy scout.” Josh laughed.

  I shrugged. “Does that matter? I promise I’m telling the truth. I just took her up to the suite, we chatted, had a few beers, and that was it.”

  “Who’s he talking about?” Shawn turned to Josh and then to me.

  Shawn and I had been good friends since our freshman year. He and Josh were the only two guys I could trust. We all had each other’s backs no matter what. We were tight like that, and without these two, I wouldn’t be playing for PHU. They’d saved my sorry ass on more than one occasion.