The Same Side (University Park #2)

by CM Doporto

  He held out his arms and I wanted to leap across the table and hold him tightly. Take away the hurt and pain etched deep into his eyes. Let him know how wonderful and special he really was and to not believe or accept anything different. Tears gushed from my eyes as I placed my hand on top of his and held on tightly.

  “You’re right, Raven. God does have bigger plans for you. And don’t you ever forget it.”

  “Don’t cry.” He reached across the table and wiped my tears away. “Especially for me.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just that… I feel your pain. I really do. I know you’ve been through a lot and although I don’t know if the rumors are true—”

  “They are. It’s no secret. I’ve had a drug problem off and on.”

  I swallowed the thick lump in my throat. “But you are so talented, Raven. Don’t throw it away for a good high or buzz.”

  “Sometimes it’s easier said than done.” He wadded up the napkin and tossed it aside. Was that how he felt about his life? Like it was a piece of a paper that wasn’t worth anything? Did his mother care about him or bother to show him any love?

  “I’m sure it is.” I grabbed his other hand. “Do you remember when we sang Lean on Me that day at my dorm?”

  “Yeah, why?” He cocked his head to the side.

  “If you’re ever feeling that down…” I paused, searching for the right words, “to the point where you feel you have to resort to the unthinkable, I want you to call me. I’ll be there for you.”

  “Lexi,” he shook his head, “I don’t expect you to help me with my problems.”

  “Look, Raven, I know we haven’t known each other that long, but I won’t allow you to destroy your life when I know there is something great and big planned for you.”

  “Thanks, but the truth is… I don’t know what I’m doing with my life. Sure, I have dreams of going to the pros, but that’s what they are — dreams. I’m just taking everything day by day. If I make it, great. If I don’t, it’s no big deal.” He relaxed against his seat nonchalantly.

  I gripped his hands tighter. “You will make it to the pros. I know you will. You have a special talent and when you’re on that field, it comes to life. So, if you need someone to help you battle those demons, I’ll be there for you. I swear on my life, Raven Davenport, I will be there for you.”

  Σ

  Chapter 2

  “So what do you want to do next?” Raven turned on the car as I fastened my seat belt.

  My body knew what it wanted to do, but I reminded myself to take things slow. “I don’t know. There are so many things I haven’t done.”

  Raven’s head turned quickly in my direction. “I think you need to make a list.”

  “A list?”

  “Yeah, you know, like the top ten or twenty things you want to do before you graduate.”

  I giggled. “You know, that sounds like a great idea.”

  “And you can already mark one of them off.” He grinned.

  I shot him a questioning gaze. “I can?”

  “Yeah, you said you’ve never had a beer and we already took care of that.”

  “Oh yeah.” I smiled as I recalled that day in the stadium suite. It was one of the best moments we’d shared. “I’ve always wanted to sneak into some place while it was closed, so I guess I can check that one off, too.” I wiggled in my seat, trying to contain my excitement. This was beginning to sound like a fun challenge. Especially, since it was with Raven.

  “See, you already have two down.” He put the car in reverse. “I know one more you can check off tonight.” He stretched his arm across the seat, resting it behind me. My checks burned as his stare turned knowing.

  I know several I could mark off by midnight if you’d let me.

  “Really? What’s that?”

  “A party.”

  I pressed my lips together, trying to hide the huge smile dying to escape from them. “Let’s go.”

  Raven headed toward the university and turned on a street a few blocks away from my dorm. He parked on the grass near the front of the house after one of his fraternity brothers directed him to a spot saved especially for him. I guess being the star quarterback had its perks.

  “Are you sure I’m okay dressed like this?” I looked down at his jersey I still had on from the game.

  “You bet you are. In fact, no one will mess with you because they’ll know you belong to me.”

  My hand stopped on the door handle. “Belong?” Even though the idea of being with Raven thrilled me, I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to belong to anyone. Not yet.

  “I’m sorry.” An apologetic look softened his eyes. “That came out wrong. I guess what I was trying to say was, guys will know you are with me and won’t try to hit on you.”

  I pushed the door opened, relieved at his explanation. “Okay, I think I can handle that.”

  Music blared from the house, reminding me of a movie Delaney and I watched a while back. Empty beer bottles and red plastic cups cluttered the yard and it was only nine o’ clock. I couldn’t imagine what the place would look like by midnight. Several people hung around the porch, talking and drinking. Some were dancing and it was hard not to join in with the beat of the music. I took a deep breath and climbed the steps. If this party was anything like the one in the movie, I was either going to love it or be ready to get the hell out within the first ten minutes.

  “Relax. Just stay next to me and you’ll be safe.” Raven grabbed my hand and I clasped my fingers tightly around his as we walked inside. We entered the living area and several people did a double take.

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” Raven greeted a couple of guys standing by the pool table.

  I looked around, wondering if Delaney was here with Shelby or anyone else. “Whose place is this?”

  “One of my fraternity brother’s lives here with several guys,” Raven answered as he shook hands with a few more guys.

  “It’s a nice house.” I noted the dark mahogany staircase and bookshelves in the craftsman style home. The floor squeaked as we walked through the great room and it reminded me of Collin’s parents’ house. I sighed and fought to push those memories out of my head.

  “Yeah, but after tonight, it’ll look like shit,” Raven said as he continued to guide us through the house.

  “Lexi!” Delaney scurried toward me and I felt a bit relieved that she was there. “You made it.”

  “Yep, I’m here.” I shot a quick glance toward Raven and he smiled.

  “I can’t believe it!” She flung her arms around me and a strong whiff of liquor hit me. “We’re going to party all night long,” she hollered in my ear and I quickly jerked my head away to avoid hearing loss.

  “Damn, did you down a whole bottle or what?” I hugged her quickly before pushing her away.

  “Uh, no.” She rolled her eyes. “Just took a few shots. C’mon. You have to try this.”

  Grasping my hand, she pulled me away from Raven’s side. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’m going to see who’s here and then I’ll come find you. Flip your phone to vibrate in case I can’t find you,” Raven said as he headed off in the opposite direction.

  I reached in my back pocket for my cell phone and switched it to vibrate as Delaney dragged me into the kitchen.

  Several people gathered around the center island as they chanted, “Abby… Go, Abby.” I stood on the tips of my toes, trying to get a better look, but I couldn’t over the hordes of people surrounding her. Delaney squeezed through the people, pulling me along behind her. My eyes immediately drew to the long, slender legs sitting on a stool. Legs that belonged to one of the Silicone Triplets.

  Great.

  The brunette’s long fingernails curved around a small glass that she held up to her mouth. She lowered the glass for a quick second, as though hesitant to take the shot, and caught my gaze. A snarky grin spread across her lips and she rolled her eyes at me. Abby tilted her head back and downed the reddish-brown liquid in one gulp.
Everyone clapped and screamed as she held up her hands in victory.

  “Shit! That was hot.” She fanned her mouth as she placed the glass on the counter. “Give me another one.”

  “You have to do one.” Delaney pushed me toward the bar.

  “What?” I tried not to shove the guy standing in front of me, but plowed right into him as she yanked me forward. “Sorry,” I apologized as I pushed past him. “Laney, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Maybe I should start slow. Like with a beer.”

  “Don’t be a puss.” She wiggled us through the people until we had front row access. “I’ll do one with you.” Delaney danced to the beat of the music as she kept a watchful eye on Abby.

  “Go right ahead.” Abby stepped aside as she gave both of us a once over. Delaney huffed and waved her off with a dismissive hand.

  “Delaney!” someone called out. We turned, seeing Shelby dance her way toward us.

  “I wanna do one,” she yelled in a singsong voice. Pushing through the crowd, she made her way to the island. When she saw me, she gave me a big smile and threw her arms around. “Hey, um, don’t tell me… Lexi.” A mixture of beer and cinnamon fanned over my face and I had to hold my breath so I wouldn’t puke all over her.

  “Hey, Shelby,” I said with a restrained voice. Between the pre-party back at the stadium and the house party, I was certain they had drank their share of whatever they came across.

  A short, thin guy wearing a white T-shirt with a Kappa Sig logo on the pocket was manning several bottles of liquor. He turned over three glasses and filled each one of them. “Bottoms up, girls.”

  “Can I drink it slowly?” I pulled the glass toward me, unsure if I really wanted to drink it.

  He laughed. “I don’t think you want to drink this stuff slowly. Unless you enjoy your tongue burning like it’s on fire.”

  Delaney tossed her long, dark curls over her shoulder. “Just swallow it all at once and you’ll be fine. I promise.”

  I eyed her, not believing one word she said. But, I was there to have a good time. Straightening, I picked up the glass and brought it to my lips. A hint of cinnamon layered with a strong infusion of alcohol infiltrated my nose. When the crowd around us started clapping and egging us to take the shots, I forgot all about how it would feel once it hit my tongue.

  “Wait! Wait!” Shelby yelled. “On the count of three, okay?”

  Delaney and I nodded. The crowd started the countdown. “One. Two. Three!”

  I titled my head back as I dumped the ounce of liquor in my mouth. A burning sensation scorched my tongue as the warm liquid slid down my throat. “Ugh! What the hell was that?”

  “A Fireball. Haven’t you tried one before?” the bartender asked, giving me a weird look.

  All eyes navigated toward me and I shrugged.

  “She just transferred here from St. Mary’s. Ya know, the Catholic university down in San Antonio,” Delaney told the group of people gawking at me.

  “Yeah, I was studying to be a nun, but it didn’t work out so well,” I quickly blurted, not wanting to look like a prude.

  “Oh.” The group all nodded and I wanted to laugh at how pathetic my excuse sounded.

  “Do you want to do another one?” The bartender held up the bottle in his hand.

  “No, that’s okay.” I started backing up. “I better start slow.”

  “One more! One more!” the crowd started yelling, but I ignored them, determined to do things on my own accord.

  “C’mon, Lexi!” Delaney called, but I continued pushing through the crowd.

  “Don’t back out now,” Shelby added. “This party is just gettin’ started.”

  I held my hand up in the air and waved bye to them. Shoving past a few people, I finally broke free, but not without stumbling.

  “Whoa. You alright?” Raven reached forward and caught me before my face met the floor.

  “Yeah, I just… um.” The words died in my throat as he pulled me closer toward him. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and my body tensed. I silently took in a deep breath and relaxed against his strong, muscular chest.

  I could definitely get use to this.

  “What’s Shelby complaining about now?” Raven’s scent swept over me and my knees weakened once more. I stared deeply into his eyes and felt myself instantly being pulled in. My mind drifted off as I became infatuated with the curve of his full lips, imagining them kissing me until I couldn’t breathe.

  Raven tilted his head from side to the side, breaking my hypnosis. “How many shots did you do?”

  “Just one.” I smiled. “Now I can check that off my list.”

  “Good. But what did you take?”

  “A Fireball.” I straightened, feeling proud that I had done it.

  He gave a slight nod of approval. “I’m glad you only did one. That shit’s like sixty-six proof, it’ll knock you on your ass.”

  “Is it stronger than tequila?” I placed my hand on his chest and it took all my strength not to rub the hard muscles under my fingers.

  “Depends on the tequila. Cheap tequila isn’t as strong, but a good bottle is about eighty proof.” Raven sounded like he was a pro when it came to liquors and I couldn’t help but wonder what else he specialized in when it came to his reputation.

  “I guess a Fireball was a good choice to start with.”

  “We’ll see.” He had a sheepish grin on his face. “Just wait awhile before you do another one, okay?”

  I nodded and my body relaxed even more. The liquor was taking effect quickly and I liked how it brought out a different side of me. I felt flirtatious and daring.

  “Hey, have you seen Shelby?” A guy with short, blond hair placed a hand on Raven’s shoulder.

  “Yeah,” he pointed toward the kitchen, “she’s over there doing shots.”

  “Aw, hell.” The guy shook his head and his eyes narrowed.

  “Hey, Josh.” Raven grabbed his arm before he took off. “I’d like for you to meet Lexi.”

  Josh stopped and turned toward me. “Lexi? The tutor?”

  “Yes, the tutor.” I shook his hand and felt a little happiness filter through me at knowing that Raven had been talking about me to his friends.

  “Nice to meet you, Lexi. I’m Josh Marshall.”

  Raven wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “This guy here is not only my teammate, but my best friend.”

  “And don’t forget roommate.”

  “Oh, yeah. That, too.”

  “Let’s go dance!” Delaney crashed into us, flailing her arms in the air, and shaking her body wildly.

  “Damn, girl. Take it easy on the shots. We’re going to be carrying you out of here if you don’t stop.”

  Delaney threw her head back as a laugh bellowed from her. “I can hang with you guys. Trust me.” Her eyes drooped. I’d never seen Delaney act so carefree.

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Josh waved her off. “Where’s Shelby?”

  “Right here.” Shelby shimmed up next to him, rubbing him up and down like he was a pole she was ready to swing on.

  “And how many have you done?”

  Shelby hiccupped and then giggled. “Enough to make this one wild night.” She winked at him. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, as if no one else was around them.

  “Damn, go back to the apartment.” Raven pushed them aside and they stumbled out the front door, lip-locked the entire way.

  “C’mon. I wanna dance.” Delaney started gyrating to the beat of the music and I couldn’t help dancing along with her. Latching on to my hand, she pulled me to the great room where the music blared. I gripped Raven’s hand and brought him with us.

  “No, that’s alright,” he protested, but didn’t stop me from leading him toward the makeshift dance floor.

  The floor shook beneath our feet as the lyrics to Moves Like Jagger filled the air. We huddled in a group, dancing like we were trying out for a music video. Delaney sang and I didn’t have the heart to tell her to s
top, even though she sounded horrible. Raven laughed as he watched Delaney sing with her eyes closed and I shook my head at her silly impersonation.

  It didn’t take long for the cute guy with spikey blond hair that we’d seen after the game to make his appearance. With finite moves, he worked his way across the dance floor until he was dancing behind her. Delaney turned when he neared the side of her face. I waited for her to push him away, but instead, she started moving against him.

  I looked away, not wanting to know what she was going to do. Did my brother know she was here? Not wanting to get involved with their complicated relationship, I turned my focus to Raven.

  His skin shimmered under the array of disco lights flashing across the room, mesmerizing me. Our eyes locked and he grabbed my hands, raising them high above our heads.

  His body rocked against mine and my body claimed his instantly, moving in perfect sync.

  Oh dear God.

  The friction of his body against mine caused my breath to hitch in my throat. The room began to spin to the point where I thought I was going to faint. The movements from his hips told me that if I would’ve asked him to go home with me, he would’ve cradled me in arms like a football and sprinted to his car. I sucked in a deep breath, filling my lungs because I refused to pass out. The experience was too damn good to miss.

  He pulled me closer, rubbing his cheek along the side of my face. A strangled sound escaped from my throat and I was glad the music covered it up.

  When he started singing to me, my heart totally freaked out. The entire room froze as Raven lured me in, one line at a time. The words described our situation perfectly. I was broken and scared, ready for him to make me believe that he had that key.

  I was definitely a member of The Raven’s trap. No questions asked. We exchanged another silent understanding, like the day outside the library, and I had to remind myself that handing over my virginity might end it all. Ignoring the warning, I decided to tease him. Lacing my fingers around his neck, I sang in his ear, telling him that I wanted him to take control. I was ready for him to own me tonight. I was ready for him to rub me right from head to toe. But dare I share my secret and tell him I was a virgin?