A Different Side (University Park #4) (60 page)

Josh winced and I shrugged. “Yeah. I just picked it up.”

“So, you still thinking about doing it on the island?”

I patted my chest, making sure it was still in my pocket. Leaving it in my car was too risky, so I had no other choice than to keep it on me. “That’s the plan.”

Shelby huffed. “Would someone tell me what the hell you two are talking about?”

I laughed out a sigh and glanced at Josh. He shot me one of his it’s-up-to-you looks. There was no way to hide this, not even from Shelby. “I’m going to propose to Lexi.”

Shelby screamed and then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God! You are? On the beach?”

“Well, I don’t know if it will be on the beach, but that’s a good idea.”

Her cheeks formed perfect little pink balls and her eyes watered. “How romantic.” She latched on to Josh’s arm and I could see the hate in his eyes. I had opened a can a worms for him. Shelby wouldn’t stop pestering him until he proposed to her. “You have the ring?” she asked inquisitively.

“Yes, I just picked it up.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, can I see? Please?”

I shifted my weight. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to get your opinion.” Reaching into my jacket, I pulled out the box, even though I knew what Shelby would say about it. It was probably more her style than Lexi’s.

She clapped her hands in small, fast movements. “I’m so excited for you two.”

“Thanks, I’m pretty damn hyped, too.” Concealing the square box in the palm of my hand, I did a quick glance to make sure Lexi wasn’t around. I took a few steps back, away from the door, and Josh and Shelby followed my pace. Keeping one eye on the doors to the student union and the other on the box, I opened it.

“Wow!” Shelby gasped. “It’s beautiful.”

“Is it too big?” I stole a quick glance before returning a watchful eye.

“Uh, no.” Using the tip of her finger, she touched it. “It’s exactly what I would want.” She elbowed Josh. “Are you taking notes?”

“Most definitely.” Josh looked directly at me, and mouthed a sarcastic, “Thank you.”

I gave a half shrug, and mouthed back, “Sorry.” Closing the box, I slipped it back in my pocket. “I’m glad you like it. I just hope Lexi will.”

Shelby gave an approving nod. “Trust me. She’ll love it.”

I opened the door to the student union and we walked in. “Are you two eating here?”

“Yeah, I heard the new cafeteria is open,” Josh said, heading to the stairs.

Shelby pouted and pulled Josh in the opposite direction. “I really want Chick-fil-A.”

“Alright. Let’s go get your chicken sandwich.” Josh shook his head and trudged behind her.

“I’m meeting Lexi upstairs, so you guys come up after Shelby gets her food.”

“Okay, we’ll be up in a few minutes.” Josh gave a two-finger wave as Shelby towed him to get her favorite fast-food fix.

People packed the cafeteria, leaving no open tables or chairs. I searched the room and spotted Luke and Delaney. Lexi sat in front of them with her back facing me. I snaked my way through the crowded room toward the table where my friends sat. Luke and Delaney caught sight of me and I held my finger over my lips, telling them to be quiet.

“I guess. I don’t have any plans for Spring Break.” Lexi said, stabbing her food with a fork.

“We do now,” I whispered in her ear, feeling her body shiver. I kissed her on the cheek, inhaling her sweet scent.

“We do?” She leaned back, looking at me with a questioning gaze.

“The Raven’s in the house.” Kyle Reeves, along with Cage Rutherford, Marcel Johnson, and Tony Rodriguez chanted from the table behind us. It didn’t take long for the students in the cafeteria to repeat the phrase, including Lexi. I bowed, showing my appreciation for their support.

Once the applause dwindled, I took a seat next to Lexi.

“What’s up, man?” I reached across the table and exchanged a fist-bump with Luke.

“Busy as shit.” Luke shook his head.

“I understand. You’re three for three, right?” Baseball season was in full-swing.

“Yeah. We are.”

“Cool. By the way, that protein drink you told me try,” I gave him a thumb up, “I like it. Better than the other stuff I was drinking.”

“I told you,” Luke reiterated. “So, where are y’all headed for Spring Break?”

“South Padre Island.” I smiled and pulled Lexi close to me, looking at her. “Like I promised you.”

She half-smiled, half-frowned as though not knowing whether to be excited or worried. I understood where her concerns were stemming from — my probation. “But, I—”

“Now that just sucks. What am I going to do?” Delaney huffed, crossing her arms and slouched in her chair. I felt bad for the girl. I wasn’t sure what Luke had planned for them, but knowing baseball didn’t stop during Spring Break, I guessed nothing was on the agenda.

“You can come with us. We have a big group going. Josh’s parents have a huge condo on the beach. We’re going to party it up and celebrate my baby’s birthday.” I planted a kiss on Lexi’s lips. She didn’t respond, remaining freakishly still.

“I can?” Delaney’s attitude did a three-sixty.

Lexi started at her and then turned to me. “Raven. I think—”

“The Marshall’s in town!” Cage’s voice roared and the entire cafeteria turned their attention to the front entrance. Students broke out in a cheer, repeating, “The Marshall’s in town!”

“Josh!” I stood up and motioned to where we were sitting. “Dude, get over here.”

With one arm hooked around Shelby and the other high in the air, he waved to his fans. Josh didn’t suck up the attention like me or Shawn, preferring to stay on the down low. Shawn swaggered behind him, flirting with Jenna, the stalker-reporter that just couldn’t stay away from the football team. To make matters worse, the Silicone Triplets trolled their way in my direction and then quickly averted their mission.

“That’s right, bitches. Turn your skank asses around.” Delaney yelled, pointing at them.

Covering my mouth, I laughed under my breath. I had to give it to Delaney, she wasn’t afraid to take up for her friend.

“They don’t give up, do they?” Lexi glanced over her shoulder and they shot her go-to-hell looks.

“Can you blame them?” Delaney asked, eyeing them back.

Lexi turned in my direction, her eyes appraising me. Without warning, she grabbed my face and shoved her tongue in my mouth. It was hot, sexy, sloppy, and so out of character for her. I dove my fingers into her hair and kissed her fervently, loving every minute of it. Feeling the rise in my pants, I pulled away slowly. Dazed and out of sorts, I rolled my tongue across my lips, relishing her sweetness. “Damn, you should do that more often.”

Lexi ran her fingers through her long strands while holding on to her lip. Shit! I was ready to lay her on the table right there. “Don’t worry, I will.” She winked and I about came undone.

“You go, girl!” Delaney reached across the table. “Show them who he comes home to at night.”

“You’ve got that right.” Lexi laughed and slapped her hand against hers.

I shook my head, grinning at my woman and her crazy friend. “Trust me, you have nothing to worry about, baby.”

She smiled at me and then shot them a don’t-mess-with-my-man look. No doubt, my woman had grown a pair. But she didn’t have to worry. I had the best catch and I was never releasing her.

“Luke, my man.” Josh high-fived him. “I’m ready for another workout session. When are you free?”

“It wasn’t enough for you?” Luke smiled, and then made a hand gesture, hinting they had done more than exercise. We all laughed at his jesting.

“Shit, you kicked my ass, but I want more.” Josh gave him a playful slap on the back.

“What? You were crying like a baby.” Shelby nudged his arm. “Complaining how much you were in pain.”

“Shel.” Josh shot her a sharp look. She rolled her eyes and sat next to Delaney.

“Damn, I’m that good?” Luke rubbed the scruff on his chin. “Maybe I should open up my own gym.”

“Sign me up, man. I’m there.” Josh and I both raised our hands. He knew what he was doing when it came to training athletes.

Delaney pressed against him. “I told you you’re awesome.”

He cocked a brow. “Yeah, but I thought you were talking about something else.”

“Ha-ha. You can show me later.” Delaney traced his lower lip with the edge of her nail and then licked her finger. “You had some wasabi.”

“I wouldn’t want that getting on you.” Luke gave her a once over and Delaney slapped his arm playfully. Turning to Josh and me, he asked, “You’re ready for some more torture?”

“Bring it on, man.” Josh motioned with two fingers. “Yeah. Stevens just isn’t doing it for me. I mean he’s good, but I get so much more out of my workouts with you.”

I rested my arms against the table. “Coach just needs to can Stevens. I mean, he needs to get with the times. His workouts are so old school.”

“No kidding.” Kyle leaned back in his chair, catching some of our conversation.

“Guys, I’d like to help you, but my schedule is pretty tight with baseball in full swing.” Luke’s face twisted in apology.

“And don’t forget me.” Delaney reached under the table and Luke jumped. His eyes bugged out and she laughed before turning to Lexi and Shelby.

“Uh, I got first dibs, bro.” I elbowed Josh.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya.” Josh waved me off. “Let’s talk.” Josh grabbed a chair and sat at the end of the table. “So there’s no way we can workout on the weekends?”

I overheard Lexi, Shelby, and Delaney talking about plans for Spring Break. I glanced at Lexi and shot her a smile, excited about our getaway.

Luke held up his hands. “I’m traveling, and with practice and classes, it makes it hard. Y’all can come to the gym when I’m working and I can try and help you guys.” He paused for a moment. “We can meet up one night and I can make y’all a workout plan to follow.”

Josh and I looked at each other and nodded. “That works.”

Luke scratched his temple. “I’m not sure Raven can keep up with Josh, so it might not work.”

Lexi latched onto my arm and tugged. “Hey, you’re not seeing Dr. Galen next week?”

I broke away from my conversation. “No. He’s going out of town for Spring Break.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I turned back to Luke. “Yeah, man. Whatever!” I slapped the table and it shook.

Josh pushed me and I bumped Lexi. “He said it, bro. Not me.”

“Raven.” Irritation laced Lexi’s voice.

“Yes? Sorry, baby.” I quickly gave her my full attention. “What did you say?”

Her face softened. “Why didn’t you tell me about this trip sooner?”

“I’m sorry.” I wrapped my hands around hers. “Josh found out this morning that we could get the condo for the week. Josh, Shelby, and I were talking about it before class today.” I reached behind me and grabbed Josh by the shirt. “Isn’t that right, dude?”

“He’s telling you the truth, Lexi.” Josh reassured her. “My parents were having some work done on the place and they weren’t sure everything would be finished by next week. My dad called me this morning and said we could use it if we wanted to.”

“You were already in class so I couldn’t call to tell you.” I ran my hands up her arms and then down to her waist. I pulled her close to me until our knees were touching. “And that’s why it was the first thing I said when I saw you.” I made sad, droopy eyes, pleading for her forgiveness. The last thing I wanted was her mad at me.

“And since you didn’t stay with me last night, like I wanted you to,” it was low for me to throw that in there, but I couldn’t help it, “you weren’t there for the conversation.” I gathered her into my lap and cradled her like a baby. My baby.

“Raven.” Her eyes glazed over and she pawed at my chest. I adorned her with kisses, not caring if the entire cafeteria saw. “Stop,” Lexi squealed, laughing uncontrollably, which told me she wanted more.

“Stop? That’s not what you said the other night,” I teased. Her cheeks reddened and my arms warmed from the heat rolling off her body. “I kind of remember you begging for more.”

She clamped her hand over my mouth. Her eyes widened and I knew I’d embarrassed her. “What? You don’t want everyone to know that we’re officially a couple?” I mumbled through her small hand. “You weren’t afraid to suck face with me just a minute ago.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that…well, you know.” She eyed me and I caught her drift. If she wanted her brother to think she was still a virgin, I was okay with that.

I removed her hand. “I’m not afraid to tell everyone how I feel about you.”

“Neither am I.” She cupped my face and our gazes connected. “But I’d rather you just show me instead.”

If Lexi wanted me to confess my love for her in public, I was more than ready to do that. The ring in my pocket was burning a hole; I couldn’t wait to slip it on her finger. “Alright. I can do that.” I stood with her in my arms. “I was going to wait until your birthday next week, but what the hell. I’ll do it right now.”

“Right now?” A visible lump formed in her throat. She squirmed and I sensed her unease.

“Yes, right here.”

“Wh—at?” Her voice rattled as I placed her on top of the table. “Raven…what are you doing?” I held on to her hands until she had her balance.

“Woohoo!” It didn’t take long for Josh to catch on to my impromptu idea. He jumped up, giving us some distance. Luke and Delaney vacated their chairs as they waited to see what I was about to do. Shelby yelped and then dashed to Josh’s side.

My heart thrashed against my chest and I broke out in a cold sweat. The room spun around us and I took a deep breath. There was no doubt I wanted Lexi to be my wife, I just hoped she wanted the same thing. I ran my fingers through my hair and cleared the frog from my throat. “Excuse me. Can I have everyone’s attention?”

The talking dwindled to faint whispers and all eyes landed on us. Lexi remained cemented to the table, her eyes growing wider by the minute. The demon voices threated to break through my new barriers, but I managed to keep them at bay. A frightened smile emerged from Lexi’s lips and her knees shook. I considered abandoning my unromantic plan for fear of causing her to pass out, but my heart refused to wait until next week.