The Same Side (University Park #2) (5 page)

Raven: Could I ask for a favor?

Me: Of course.

Raven: I know you have to study, but I really need your help with a paper.

Me: Sounds serious.

Raven: Haha. It is. I could fail.

Me: I guess I better help you.

Raven: I promise you won’t regret it.

I bit my lip and sucked in a deep breath. Raven knew exactly how to tease me. I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to resist him, but then again, I didn’t want to. I rested against the pillow, eager to see where our conversation was going.

Me: When and where?

Raven: Damn, you’re easy.

Me: Crap. I forgot I’m talking to ‘The Raven’. Maybe tomorrow.

Raven: Don’t make me beg.

Me: Maybe I want you to.

I wanted to call him and continue the conversation, but I figured writing it was easier than saying it. At least, for me. I was new at this and I didn’t want to sound like a rambling idiot or mess up our connection.

Raven: I’ve never had to beg a woman for anything.

Me: There’s always a first.

I waited for his next message to appear but my phone rang instead, the picture of Raven and me appearing on the screen. The one Delaney had taken of us last night that I saved in his profile. I guess I’d be continuing this conversation instead of typing it. I cleared my froggy throat and answered the phone, putting on the best sexy voice I had.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” I could hear him breathing steadily through the phone. Had I worked him up or got him excited? “So, you want me to beg?”

Oh shit!

He didn’t have to beg me, but I at least needed to pose a challenge for him. If I agreed, then I’d just be another one of his hoes. That was the last thing I wanted to be to Raven.

“Well, I do have a lot of studying to do,” I stated matter of fact. A sigh escaped from his mouth and I knew he was dying to see me. “You know I could call Dr. Philips and ask him if Kyler could help you.”

“But I don’t want Kyler or anyone else to help me.”

“Oh, well, then I guess you’ll—”

“No, Lexi, that won’t work.” His voice wrapped around my name and I loved it. “Because I want you. Only you.”

Every happy endorphin released, making my entire body ache in a way that I wasn’t used to. I was definitely ready for whatever he had to offer. I was completely lost in his trap and loving every minute of it. “Are you sure?”

“Definitely.”

Σ

Chapter 4

Raven and I decided to meet in the student union. I think we both knew that my dorm room would be too tempting, his apartment too dangerous, and the study rooms in my dormitory pointless, especially since a small sofa was in there. We sat in the dining area of Chick-Fil-A, even though it was closed.

“Thanks,” I said as he handed me tall cup of coffee. I wasn’t much of a coffee drinker, but after last night, I really needed the caffeine to get through the day of non-stop studying.

“You’re welcome.”

“Are those any good?” I asked, pointing to the silver can of Red Bull he held.

“I guess.” He popped the top and took a drink. “They seem to keep me awake and give me a boost of energy.” His tongue darted out, licking his lips and circling three times while looking at me.

“Stop.” I kicked him under the table.

“What?” He held up his hands in surrender.

“You’re staring at me again.” I glared at him, wishing I could sit next to him and cuddle up to his chest while I gazed into his hypnotic eyes. “I can’t study if you keep looking at me like that.”

A sly grin formed on one side of his lips. “And how’s that?”

“Um, like… well—”

“The Raven is in the house!” A group of guys trampled in, tossing a football between them.

They exchanged their typical teammate greeting that included fist bumps, pats on the back, and even slamming their chest into each other. There were no low ‘T’ problems within this group of guys.

“Hey, Lexi, did you have a good time last night?” Josh spun the ball in his hand with a flick of his wrist.

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “I guess.”

“Your friend Delaney sure had a good time,” he snickered.

“Don’t remind me.” I sunk down in my chair, slightly embarrassed by her behavior. She had made a total ass of herself, dancing on top of the counters and tables with Matt. I was all for having fun, but not at the cost of being sick all night long. When I left my dorm, she was still lying in bed.

“How’s Shelby?” Raven sat down in the booth. “She was pretty wiped out last night, too.”

Josh shook his head. “Hung over and crying for me to go take care of her.”

With a roll of his eyes, Raven said, “These girls, they think they can hang with the big dogs, but they can’t.”

“Tell me about it.” Josh continued tossing the football.

“We’ll be outside.” One of the other two football players informed Josh and Raven.

Josh nodded. “C’mon, let’s go throw a couple of passes.”

Raven looked at me and then back at Josh as if he wanted my approval.

“Go ahead. I don’t mind.” I adjusted the book in front of me. “I’ll be here studying.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Yes. Go.”

“We’ll be on the lawn.” He unzipped his backpack and started to gather his books and papers.

“It’s okay. You can leave your stuff here.”

“Thanks.” He smiled at me as he placed the contents in his bag. “I’m just going to play for a while… ya know, get the blood flowing. I’ll study better.”

“That’s fine.” Through the windows, I watched as he exited the student union. I turned around in my seat, my eyes following him up the hill to the campus commons area. I considered moving to the other side of the booth so that I could watch him play, but I knew he’d be a permanent distraction. And since I really did want to pass my classes, I fought the temptation by pulling my headphones on and pulling my book close.

Thirty minutes later, my phone chimed. A message from Delaney flashed on the screen.

I swiped the screen and put in my passcode.

Delaney: Where are you?

Me: At the student union studying. Did you get my message about Luke?

Delaney: Yeah, thanks. Sorry about last night. Thanks for taking care of me.

Me: No problem. Is Luke still mad at you?

Delaney: A little.

Me: Hopefully he’ll get over it soon.

Delaney: Thankfully, your brother doesn’t stay mad very long. Not like Collin.

I stared at the message for a moment. Why did she have to bring him up?

Delaney: Sorry. My bad. I’m still not thinking very clearly. I’ll be over there in a minute.

Me: Okay.

I set my phone on the table, trying not to think of the last spat Collin and I had and how long it took him to get over it. And it was over the same thing — alcohol. But I was nothing compared to Delaney. How would Collin have reacted if I had been that drunk? It wouldn’t have been pretty, that’s for sure.

I turned around for a quick peek. From afar, I saw Raven still playing football. At least with him playing, I was able to study. With him sitting across from me, I couldn’t think or focus. At least not on my school work.

I drank the last of my coffee and picked up my phone again. I scrolled through the pictures I had downloaded to my phone from Delaney’s Facebook page. When I came to the picture of Raven and me, I examined it carefully.

Was this too good to be true? Did Raven really like me enough to want to be with me, and only me? Even though he’d told me I was upgrade from the Silicone Triplets and Macy, and I knew I was from an intellectual and moral standpoint, it was obvious I couldn’t even compare to them when it came to their looks. I was like Ugly Betty and they were prime candidates for American’s Next Top Model.

“How many times are you going to look at that picture?”

“What?” I quickly pulled my phone to my chest. “I was just checking to see how I looked… next to him.”

Delaney smirked. “Yeah, whatever.” She sat her camera on the table and slid into the booth.

“Sorry. I can’t help it.” I held my phone a few inches from me. “He’s so pretty to look at it.” I pawed at my phone like I was petting him. The Raven’s trap was sickening. Like a fever that wouldn’t break, giving you hot and cold chills at the same time. I only hoped the contagious epidemic stopped with me.

“Let me see.” She took the phone from my hand. “Mmm. He sure is.” She handed the phone to me and slumped across the table. “Oh God. Why did you let me drink so much last night?” she moaned.

I laughed. “Are you asking God or me?”

She peeked through the strands of hair hanging in her face. “Uh, you.”

My hand hit the table and it shook. She cringed as if her head had just bounced against a brick wall. “I tried to stop you, but you said you were going to party until the sun came up.”

“Punch me next time I say that.” She closed her eyes and moaned.

“The sad thing is you didn’t even make it to one in the morning. Your head was hanging over the toilet by twelve-thirty.”

With a hand held up, she said, “Please don’t remind me.”

“Sorry. Hey, what’s the camera for?” I gathered the strap that was hanging off the table. She’d die if her camera fell on the floor. Her parents had paid nearly a thousand dollars for it and she made sure to take extra care of it.

“I have a project that’s due next Tuesday. I’m so screwed.”

Tucking my phone in my backpack, I asked, “What’s it about?”

She ran her fingers along the pages of my textbook. “I have to put together a life story using the elements of photography. I have a hodgepodge of pictures but I can’t seem to pull it together.”

“I’m sure it will come to you. You’re great with telling stories through pictures.”

“I know.” Her head lifted. “The problem is I have no idea whose story to tell. I’m sure as hell not telling mine. It’s all effed up, if you know what I mean. Besides, it’s not like I have some great success to talk about.”

“Don’t look at me.” I brushed my hair away from my face. “Mine’s not any better.”

“I need like this awesome person. You know, someone who’s been through hell and back.”

I tapped my finger to my lips. “Why don’t you ask Luke? My mom has tons of pictures from childhood.”

“I already did.” Her shoulders dropped. “He said no. He didn’t want anyone getting in his business.”

“That sounds like my brother.”

“Oh, hell no!” Delaney’s eyes widened. “Are those the bitches from the game?”

I whipped around to see the Silicone Triplets
hovering around Raven. “What are they doing?” I stood, trying to get a better view.

“You need to get out there. Like now.” Delaney put the strap of her camera around her neck and hooked her backpack over her arm.

I wasted no time shoving my stuff into my backpack. Grabbing my and Raven’s bag, I headed out the door, following Delaney. The weight of both backpacks pulled me down, but I hauled my heavy ass up the hill as fast I could. Despite the cool air, I was sweating like I just ran a 5K. I really needed to get in shape. Raven gave me the perfect excuse.

He caught my gaze when we were about twenty yards apart. The relieved expression on his face told me he was glad to see me. The Silicone Triplets
were laughing and hanging on his body. I was ready to rip them off. I didn’t want their toxic hands all over him. Hell, I hadn’t even had the chance to do that yet. I’d never been the jealous type, but every muscle in my body tensed and I prayed for restraint.

Several of the guys continued playing football while Raven attempted to ward off his fan-girls that looked like they were ready to pounce and suck his blood. Hunger circled in their eyes and I wondered if they were half-vamp and working for Victoria from
Twilight
. The girl with the long, brown, wavy hair held a marker in her hand and I could tell she was asking him to sign something. Without any shame, she lifted up her shirt, exposing her chest to him. Raven’s eyes went wide. Super wide.

“Aw hell, if it isn’t the Silicone Triplets.” Delaney shouldered past the girls. “Why the pouty faces? Did you get too much Botox in your lips?”

“Shut up.” One of the girls snarled at Delaney.

Dumping our bags on the ground, I prepared to take off my shirt. “Hey, can I get my breast signed, too?” I wasn’t afraid to show him that I was ready to play with the big girls, even though I had no intention of exposing my breasts in front of them. The embarrassment would have been torture since I was barely a C cup and she had to be a D or larger. Compared to her, I looked like I had on a training bra. I seriously needed to go shopping for some prettier under clothes.

“Hey, now.” Raven quickly wrapped his fingers around my hands, preventing me from taking off my shirt. “This isn’t a topless show.”

The girl huffed and then pulled down her shirt. “She had to ruin it for us.”

“Calm down, Abby. If you want, I can sign your T-shirt or backpack.”

Great, he knows her.

Before I could get mad, Raven wrapped his arm around me. A tingle of excitement hit my toes. He wasn’t afraid to show these bloodsuckers that he preferred me over them. That had to mean something, didn’t it?

Feeling the rise of bravery filter through my blood, I cocked a brow and let out a sneering smile. I was The Raven’s
main catch now. But… for how long? This was definitely new to me since I’d never had to fight for Collin. The rivalry tainted my blood and I kind of liked the challenge. The only question was, would I have to keep fighting for him? Did I want to?

“I guess.” She rolled her eyes.

Raven took the marker from her hand and she stuck out her chest, shaking her boobs at him. I wanted to laugh, but refrained. Was she really that desperate for his attention?

With a quick flick of his wrist, Raven signed his name across the left shoulder of her shirt. The other two girls quickly wiggled their way closer toward him and he signed theirs as well.

“Maybe next time you can sign my ass when we’re alone.” Abby eased the marker from his fingers.

“Um… I don’t think so.” He took my hand and started to lead us away.

The three girls laced their arms around each other. “Oh, come on, Raven. You didn’t fight us last time. In fact, I recall you handling all three of us just fine.”