The Same Side (University Park #2)

by CM Doporto

  “Fuck. Seven more days?” The large football player stomped his foot on the ground, reminding me of a big baby Huey. He pouted and sighed like he couldn’t wait that long.

  “Sorry, man. We don’t open until nine, but I’m sure you can camp out at Game Stop if you want it that bad.”

  “Nah, that’s okay. They don’t give student discounts.”

  “Let me check on something.” Rimmy went to the computer and typed in some information. “Hey, Cage, I can preorder it if you want.”

  Cage. Calvin ‘Cage’ Rutherford.

  The name was familiar and based on his build and size, I knew he was probably a defensive tackle.

  “Alright, let’s do it.” Cage’s voice instantly transformed into a deep, husky tone that matched his large, stoutly built. With each step he took, the floor shook and I couldn’t imagine being tackled by something that size. Raven was about two sizes smaller than him and for me, he was still a big guy.

  “Hey, man, why don’t you stop by tonight? We’re gonna’ play some Madden and have a few bitches over,” Jared told Raven and my ears shot up like a hunting dog on high alert. I quickly stepped from behind the aisle, making myself present.

  “Yeah, uh, well…” Raven stumbled to answer Jared. Raven shot me a quick glance and then turned to his friend. “I, um…” His friend ignored him and instead, locked his eyes on me. He scanned me from head to toe in a slow and deliberate manner. A chill shot up my back and my stomach clenched. A devious, dark smile covered his face and I inwardly cringed.

  “Who’s this?” Jared kept his gaze on me, but I didn’t flinch. I wasn’t sure what went on between Raven and Jared, but I wasn’t one of the hoes made for sharing and I wanted to make sure he knew that.

  “Hi.” I kept a straight face and stuck out my hand. “I’m Lexi Thompson.”

  Jared’s brows arched. “Oh, you’re Lexi.” He shook my hand in a polite manner. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” I said, keeping a watch on him. I didn’t trust him and something in the pit of my stomach told me he was bad news. I recalled some of the articles I had read in the newspaper and swore I saw his name listed. I made a mental note to check when Raven wasn’t around.

  “Yeah, so I don’t know, man. Lexi is staying with me and—”

  “Oh, you are?” Jared continued shaking my hand and I finally had to tug to get him to let go of it. I wanted to wipe the sweat from his hands on my pant legs but refrained.

  “Yes. I am,” I said, matter of fact.

  “Then you should come.” A sly smile played on the edge of his lips and I shuddered. “We’re gonna hang out, play video games, and drink.”

  Raven placed his arm around me and pulled me close, as if showing Jared that I was with him. It eased the tension going through me and reassured me that he would protect me at all cost. “Okay. We’ll stop by.” He picked up his sack from the counter and the tree that Rimmy had wrapped up. “Ready?”

  “Yeah, I just need to pay for this and we can go.” I walked to the counter and paid for the figure. The entire time I stood at the register, I felt like Jared was watching my every move. When I turned around, my intuition proved right as Raven’s friend kept an unsettling gaze on me.

  “Excuse me,” I said as I shouldered past him.

  “Sure.” He barely moved and I felt his hand brush against mine. A sickening shiver rushed down my back and I quickly jerked my hand away. Everything about this guy screamed trouble. Jared smiled at me. “I guess I’ll see you tonight.”

  Uh, no.

  Even though the comment was directed at me, Raven responded, “Yeah, man, see you later on.”

  “Let’s go.” I grabbed Raven by the hand and quickly bolted out of there as fast as I could.

  Σ

  Chapter 15

  After we put up the miniature Christmas tree, Raven and I had a slight argument about going to his friends’ apartment. I truly felt that it was a bad idea. At first, I told him that we shouldn’t drive because the roads were still iced over and he could wreck his car. But he retorted with the fact that his friends’ apartment was just on the other side of the circle and he’d drive slow. When that didn’t work, I told him that Jared made me feel really uncomfortable. Again, Raven discounted my comment by telling me that Jared flirted with every female he came across. Since I didn’t want to be the girlfriend that told her guy that he couldn’t hang out with his friends, I agreed to go. I just hoped that my decision wouldn’t be one that I’d later regret.

  We drove to a fairly new apartment complex on the other side of the park. I remembered my brother checking in to them at the beginning of the semester, but my parents refused to pay the monthly rent because it was about five-hundred dollars more than most apartments. Cautiously, Raven entered the parking garage and drove to the top floor.

  We got out of the car and walked to the entrance of the apartments. The sound of hip-hop music echoed through the top floor as we approached Jared’s apartment, reminding me of some of the frat parties I’d been to. We passed a really nice workout facility and a rooftop lounge that was obviously closed because of the weather. There were a few apartments along the way and I noticed that each door was somewhat distant from each other, telling me that these apartments must be fairly large.

  “Did I tell you that you look really beautiful tonight?” Raven commented as we reached the door.

  I unzipped my jacket and gave myself a quick look over. I wasn’t wearing anything special, just an oversized sweater and leggings. My typical attire during the winter. “Thanks.”

  “If things get too crazy, we’ll leave, okay?” Raven raised his hand and I tried to stop him, wanting to know what he meant by too crazy, but it was too late.

  The door to the apartment opened and Cage stood in the doorway with a huge glass stein filled with beer in his hand. “What’s up?” He smiled and his cheeks puffed. He had on a football jersey, sporting the number forty-five on the front.

  “Hey, man.” Raven exchanged a fist bump with him and then led us into the huge loft apartment. It looked like a mini-penthouse decked out in shaggy rugs, modern furnishings, and bright colors. Canvas painted art of naked girls lined the walls along with neon lights, trophies, and football paraphilia enclosed in glass. A football player’s dream with a playboy accent.

  Great.

  And I had willingly walked into it.

  To my surprise, the place didn’t reek of cigars, liquor, or any other funky smell, but something turned my stomach and I instantly got another bad vibe. Several girls were playing a dance video game in the living room, screaming and yelling as they shimmed against each other. Two guys, who looked like football players, were sitting on the couch with a couple of trampy-looking girls surrounding them. They nodded their head at Raven, exchanging a typical guy hello. The girls wore short skirts and tiny shirts that barely covered their stomachs. I looked homely compared to how much skin they were showing. How the heck could Raven think I looked beautiful?

  Past the living room was the kitchen where Jared sat at a glass dining table with a girl on each side. A silver pipe hung out the side of his mouth and he took long draws, puffing on it as a small billow of smoke swirled above his head. I couldn’t help but question what was in the pipe. His eyes were red and he had a sly smirk on his face. In a slow, deliberate fashion, his eyes surveyed me from head to toe and my skin crawled, remembering what it felt like when he touched me.

  “Glad you guys could make it.” Jared pulled the pipe from his mouth and smiled at me. His large, gold tooth sparkled and it looked like a diamond was in the center of it. Was Raven was involved in any illegal activities with him? Based on his pad and the red Corvette I saw parked outside the comic book store, I was confident this guy was more than a student and football player.

  “Don’t even think about it, Jared,” Raven quickly replied, pulling me closer to him. “She’s not for sharing.”

  “Ah, hell.” Jared slapped the glass and the table shook benea
th his large hand. “I thought I’d get to try a piece of her tight ass.” He snickered and my blood boiled. Who the hell did he think I was? One of Raven’s ex-hoes? Clenching my jaw tightly together, I held my tongue, knowing that he was trying to get a reaction out of me. I’d be damned if I gave him that pleasure. For all I cared, he could go eff himself.

  “Trust me, Jared, I’ve already tried.” The girl on his left side ran her slender hand down his arm and across his chest. Her gold bangles clanged against each other and her long, pointed fingers trailed a path to Jared’s mouth. Her nails razed his thick lips and his tongue swept across her finger, as if he were licking a lollipop. She released a low moan while keeping her eyes directly on Raven. “For whatever reason, Raven’s really hung up on this one.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Macy,” Raven barked as he rolled his eyes at her.

  I did a double take, realizing that it was Macy from the restaurant. Her hair was jet black and pulled into a high ponytail with braids on each side that trailed down her back. A huge contrast from the blonde hair she had a few months ago. She had on a black, silky tank top with no bra, paired with a cheetah print micro-mini skirt. She was an animal ready to rip apart her prey. I held on to Raven’s arm tightly, because there was no way in hell I was letting that puma pounce on my man.

  “Do you want something to drink?” The girl hanging on the other side of Jared’s arm stood. She had a big afro that was highlighted with a gold color on the tips that made her almost as tall as Raven. Her smooth mocha skin radiated under her bright, peachy blush and glossy lips. Her eyes were light green, almost like Raven’s, and I noticed how she caught his attention.

  “Yeah, sure.” I tucked my hair behind my ear, wishing I had fixed myself up more. There was too much skin and too many head-turning girls, making me feel totally out of place. Danger lurked in the air and I knew then that we shouldn’t have come.

  “I’m Reece,” she smiled and it was mesmerizing. The girl was absolutely gorgeous. I feared that Raven had hooked up with her and by the way she studied him, I knew the answer.

  “I’m Lexi Thompson, nice to meet you,” I said, remembering to keep my enemies close. Raven and I followed her to the kitchen. She towered over me in her four inch stilettos and I promised myself to buy a pair of stacked heels the next time I went to the mall. I seriously needed a wardrobe makeover. Where the hell was Delaney when I needed her?

  “What do you want to drink?” Reece showed me a few bottles of liquor and I immediately zoomed in on the one that I was most familiar with — Malibu Rum.

  “How about Rum and Coke?” I pointed to the white bottle among a few other liquor bottles.

  “Sure.” She turned around and said, “What about you, Raven?”

  My stomach dropped when she said his name in a familiar tone. It confirmed my theory. She was probably one of his tramps.

  “I’ll just get a beer.” Raven opened the fridge and took out a bottle.

  I watched her make my drink, but hesitated to take it from her, knowing that I shouldn’t. However, I really needed something to take the edge off.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking it from her.

  Raven sat at the table with Jared and I reluctantly stood behind him. Macy was still clinging to Jared’s side, petting him while maintaining one eye on Raven. It made me sick.

  “Let’s play some poker.” Jared picked up a stack of playing cards and shuffled them several times in his hand. I tried not to watch his skillful hands, but it was hard not to. The cards fluttered through his fingers with precision and speed, like a professional dealer at a casino. I wondered how many times he’d been to Vegas and if that’s how he earned his money or if my intuition about drugs being involved was true. “Come on, Lexi, don’t be shy.” Jared winked at me and I cringed. “Sit down and play with us.”

  “I’ll play.” Macy’s voice was seductive and her body language expressed what she truly meant by her words. Pulling the empty chair next to Raven, she eased down on it while purposefully sticking out her behind for everyone to see. She whipped her long ponytail to the side and then leaned forward, giving everyone a clear shot of her cleavage. Her fingers wrapped around a dark purple glass and she took a sip.

  Why the hell did I agree to come here?

  “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” Jared placed the cards in the center of the table. “Well, what’s it going to be, Lexi?” He took another puff from his pipe and motioned at the cards. “Are you going to cut them?”

  “Jared, leave her alone.” Raven shook his head. “You don’t have to play if you don’t want to.” He eased his hand around my waist and pulled me close to him.

  “Um, I guess…” I cast a doubtful look at Raven but before I could sit down, Reece grabbed my hand.

  “Let’s have a dance off.”

  “What?” I looked at her and then at Raven. Was it safe to leave him with Macy? I didn’t trust her and even though I wanted to trust Raven, I wasn’t sure if I should. I reasoned with myself that I would be in the next room with a clear view of what was going on in the kitchen. If things got out of control, I could end it quickly. With that, I hesitantly followed her.

  “Come on, it’ll be fun.” Reece pulled me toward the living room where two girls were dancing with each other as Cage humped one of them from behind. The only time I had danced in that way was at the frat party with Brian and I was somewhat drunk.

  “I guess.” I downed half my drink and decided to make the best of it while I was there.

  “Cage! Get your ass over here,” Jared yelled.

  “Shit.” Cage’s smile quickly turned into a frown and he sighed. “I guess.”

  Cage dragged his feet past us toward the kitchen and I felt slightly relieved. Maybe he’d take Macy up on her offer and she’d forget about Raven. I sat on a white leather chase and looked around for the other two football players that were sitting on the couch with the girls that were hanging on them. My eyes navigated down the hallways and I listened for any signs that would tell me if they were in a room with them or if they had left.

  I watched Reece get down with the two girls. I laughed as they fought to keep up with the video game while continuing to sip the remainder of my drink. The door to the loft opened and another football player walked in, carrying a bag. The girls stopped dancing for a moment, eager to see who had entered. One of them exchanged a silent look with him and he cast a crooked smile, giving her a quick wink.

  “Shawn, my man,” Jared greeted him from the kitchen.

  “What’s up?” Shawn slammed the door behind him. He walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door, placing his brown paper sack inside. When he shut the fridge, he had a beer in his hand.

  “Have a seat,” Raven placed his cards face down on the table, “we’re just getting started.”

  “That’s okay.” Shawn patted Raven on the back. “I’m gonna chill and drink my beer.”

  “Alright.” Raven tipped his beer to Shawn’s. “I get ya.”

  Shawn took off his letterman jacket and tossed it on a chair near the patio doors. He had on a short sleeve polo-style shirt and jeans. His bicep muscles cut into the sleeves of his shirt making his tattoos stick out more. He sat on the couch and propped his feet on the leather ottoman in front of us. I tried not to stare but I wanted to know what the annotation on his arm spelled. When he caught my gaze, he leaned forward.

  “Hi, I’m Shawn.” He held out his hand. I shook it, not wanting to be rude. His thick, warm hands swallowed mine and the callous from his palm scraped my skin.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Lexi.”

  “I’ve never seen you around before.” He cast me a dubious stare as though trying to place me. He ran his hand over his short hair and reclined against the couch.

  “That’s because you haven’t,” Raven yelled from the kitchen.

  Shawn looked over his shoulder. “Oh, okay.” His brows lifted as though he knew what Raven meant. I was his girl and hands off. It made me feel good
but also cheap when he rubbed the stubbles on his chin a few times as if contemplating what Raven was doing with me.

  “And she’s a really good girl,” Jared sneered.

  I rolled my eyes and sighed. Eventually I’d break and tell Jared how I really felt about his comments, but I knew right then wasn’t the time.

  “How do you know Raven?” Shawn held the beer bottle up to his mouth.

  “I used to tutor him,” I admitted, hoping that set the record straight for every football player in the room.

  Shawn cut his drink short. “No shit.” He turned around toward Raven. “This is the girl you were talking about?”

  Raven shot a quick glance in our direction. “Yeah.”

  A flutter swirled through my body. Raven had told Shawn about me? How many of his friends knew about me?

  Shawn leaned forward and whispered. “Keep him in line, okay?”

  I smiled and was glad to see that Shawn wasn’t like the other football players in the room. “Don’t worry, I will.”

  “I heard that,” Raven commented and I held up my hand, trying to cover my giggle.

  Shawn pointed to himself and then to me, while mouthing, “It’ll be between you and me.”

  I nodded and shot him a quick wink. Returning my focus to Reece and the girls, I observed the huge TV on the wall. I had never seen a screen so large with a picture so crisp and clear. My dad would’ve loved it. I continued watching the girls dance and made a conscious effort to check on Raven every chance I got. Thankfully, Macy had taken a keen interest in pleasing Jared and left Raven alone.

  Two drinks later, I finally began to feel the effects of the alcohol and relaxed enough to start dancing. The girl who was eyeing Shawn when he walked in sat next to him on the couch when I asked Reece if I could join the fun. For the next hour, Reece and I danced with the other girl, laughing, and having way too much fun. The good thing about playing the game was it taught me some good dance moves. I couldn’t wait to show Raven.

  “Lexi.” Shawn got my attention and I stopped dancing. He motioned with his head down the hallway.