by Cari Quinn
“Do you think he owns these seats?” Delaney waved to a group of people behind us that I didn’t know. “Hey! What’s up?”
“I doubt it. Someone probably gave him the tickets.” I looked around, wondering if Raven’s mother and brothers were nearby. Since I had never met them, I had no idea if they were there. An older lady and man shuffled past us and sat in the empty seats next to me. Based on their blondish hair color and fair skin, I knew they weren’t his family. Raven had a creamy, light brown skin color and dark hair indicating he was probably a mixed race. Maybe Hispanic or African American with some Anglo. Whatever his parents were, it made him one damn hot guy.
“It probably works the same way it does for baseball. They designate certain seats for the players and their family.”
Pressing my fingers to my temples, I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to think about Collin.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to bring that up.”
After pushing him to the furthest recesses of my mind, I opened my eyes. “It’s okay.”
The sun was directly overhead and warmed the air to a nice sixty-five degrees, proving it would be a great day for football. A train horn blared and smoke filled the south end zone. The big screen flickered with lights and the announcer spoke over the loud speaker. The game was starting. The people around us stood and immediately began clapping as the spirit team entered the field, carrying large purple flags that spelled PHU. Delaney and I joined the crowd, cheering as the football team made their grand entrance. The band played as guys in black jerseys and tight spandex pants with chrome purple helmets sprinted across the turf. I scanned through all of them, looking for Raven.
“There he is!” Delaney pointed. “Almost in the center of the field.”
His number called to me, drawing my eyes directly to him.
“Yep, that’s him.” I pressed my lips together, holding back a smile that fought to release itself. Seeing him brought back all the memories, especially the most vivid one that took place in the stadium several weeks prior. There was no denying what I felt with him and what I was experiencing in that moment. A silent calling that moved my body, shaking it to the core.
I watched him track to the side in front of the forty-yard line along with several other players as they waited for the referee to start the game. He huddled with several of his teammates and appeared to be reviewing plays. A whistle blew and the players clapped their hands before breaking apart and running to their positions on the field. Raven looked into the stands and I immediately raised my hands in the air. “Raven! Raven!”
His eyes searched the crowd. When he noticed me, he pointed a finger at me and winked.
I pointed at his jersey I had on and a huge smiled covered his face. I smiled back, glad that I had decided to go to the game. I couldn’t fight my desire to want to be with him. It was strong and forceful, propelling me toward him once again. I released the breath I was holding and prayed that I was doing the right thing, even though my head warned me it was too soon.
Delaney elbowed me. “And you didn’t want to come.”
With a slight roll of my eyes, I said, “I know. I know.”
“Did she just wave to Raven?” A voice dripping with jealously whispered and I cringed. The girl who said the comment was directly behind us. She either had a thing for Raven or knew someone who did. I reminded myself of whom Raven was and that there was no way to escape the world he had created around him. Did I really want to be a part of that world? I eased into my seat, ignoring the remark.
“Hmm. Whatever,” the girl continued, as though waiting for me to turn around and say something.
Delaney tucked her phone in the inside of her boot and leaned close to me. “Did that girl behind us just say something about you?”
“Yeah, I think so,” I whispered.
“Don’t worry. She ain’t got nothing on you,” another girl spoke. I inched down in my chair. I didn’t think wearing the jersey would have drawn attention to me, but apparently it had.
“I shouldn’t have come.” I frowned when I heard a slew of laughter bellow from their high-pitched voices. It reverberated through my ears, reminding me of the types of girls he was known for hooking up with.
“That’s it.” Delaney sat her drink in the cup holder and flung around.
“No! Don’t.” I grabbed her arm and tried to stop her, but she pulled away.
“Do y’all have a problem?” Delaney stood with her hands on her hips, eyeing the three voluptuous girls behind us.
Great.
I stood to get a better view of whom my new enemies were. A girl with dark, wavy hair and long, tanned legs reclined in her seat, ignoring Delaney. She wore a tight baby doll T-shirt with Raven’s number on it.
Perfect. Another one of his hoes.
The two other girls sitting next to her giggled and then looked away. One of them stared at their fingernails, admiring her purple and white nail polish, while the other one played with her long, blonde waves as she stared into the crowd with a clueless expression. They were all so pitiful looking that I couldn’t help but shake my head.
“Because if you do, you know you can leave.” Delaney stood her ground, waiting until they caught her gaze. I gripped the edge of my seat, praying that these girls wouldn’t want to fight. I knew that Delaney wouldn’t have thought twice about hitting them, but I would’ve been useless, having never fought a day in my life.
“I’m sorry, did you say something?” The long-legged brunette cocked her head to the side, feigning ignorance. The other girls continued to ignore Delaney and I was confident they wouldn’t want to mess up their pretty hair and nails. I took in a deep breath and allowed my shoulders to relax. Raven was right. I really was an upgrade in comparison to those ditzy hoes. I had no reason to feel inferior to any of them. They might have had bigger lips and boobs than me, but I was glad to be silicone free. Even though I was in the peewee league, I knew that I could learn what I needed to know to advance me.
If only I had the courage to do it.
“Forget about it, Laney, they’re not worth wasting our breaths over.” I placed my hand on her shoulder and turned us around just in time to see Raven score a touchdown. The stadium erupted in to applause and the train horn blared. Raven high fived his team mates and did a little dance across the end zone.
“All right, Raven!” I yelled, not afraid to show those skanks and everyone else whom I supported. After all, he was the reason I had come to the game.
* * *
To my relief, the girls sitting behind us left with a few frat guys during half time and never came back. I assumed they had lured them into their hoe-trap and went to take care of business. I was glad they were gone because it made the game more enjoyable, especially when Raven threw the winning touchdown. We waited until the players cleared the field and then followed the remaining crowd out of the stadium.
“That really was a good game, despite those stupid biotches nearly ruining it for us.” Delaney pushed her way through the herds of people, dragging me along with her. “I thought I was going to have to plant my boot in their pretty little faces.”
“I know,” I huffed as I dodged a group of guys painted in purple without shirts.
“Damn! Can’t you wait?” Delaney yelled as she stumbled to catch her footing.
“They’re probably drunk.”
We wiggled our way through the congested walkways until we were able to squeeze through the gates that led to the front of the stadium.
“Whew.” Delaney fanned herself. “I hate being that close to people. I’m so glad the base—I was thinking we should probably go to the store and buy some Coke. We can mix our own drinks before the party tonight.”
I stopped, causing the people walking behind me to make a trail around me. Delaney looked over her shoulder when she realized I wasn’t following her.
She tracked back toward me. “What’s wrong?”
Keeping my eyes trained to the ground, I said, “I don’t know. Aft
er what happened in the stands, I’m not sure I should go.”
“Don’t be silly—”
“Hey, Delaney, great game, huh?” A cute guy with spiky blond hair and a tight Kappa Sigma T-shirt stepped in front of us. Two of his friends waved at her as they darted across the parking lot to a huge white tent with their fraternity’s name on it.
Delaney smiled, giving a small wave and then tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Definitely. We kicked the Bears right in the ass.”
The guy laughed and then shoved his hands in his pant pockets. “Why don’t you come on over?” He motioned to the tailgate party that was happening at the tent. “We’re starting the party early.”
She pressed her lips together and looked around as though checking to see if Luke was anywhere around. I could tell that being around this guy made her really nervous. “Yeah, I don’t know. Um—”
“Delaney! Are you going tonight?” A girl with curly blonde hair wearing a short purple dress and cowboy boots rushed toward us. The girls that were with her headed straight for the tailgate party. It seemed like everyone was going to this pre-party except for us.
“I’ll see ya later?” The guy tilted his head to the side, trying to get her attention.
“Um, yeah.” She nodded and then turned to her friend.
“Shelby, what happened to you? I saw you in the stands and then I couldn’t find you.”
Her long eyelashes fanned across her painted lids and when she smiled, two little balls formed at the top of her cheeks. She resembled Anna Sophia Robb from the Carrie Diaries. “Oh, Josh’s parents have a suite, so I went up there to join them.” She turned toward me. “Hi, I’m Shelby Scott.”
“Oh, sorry.” Delaney thumped her forehead with her hand. “This is my roommate, Lexi Thompson.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook her hand.
“Come on.” Shelby laced her arms through ours as if we had been life-long friends. “Let’s go see what’s going on with these Kappa Sigs while I wait for Josh.”
“Shelby’s dating Josh Marshall,” Delaney shot me quick glare, “you know, the running back.”
I had to be the biggest idiot because aside from Raven, I really didn’t know all the players. Then, it dawned on me. That was Raven’s friend, Josh. It was his parent’s suite we were in when he snuck me into the stadium. “Oh yea, number thirty-seven.”
“Yep, that’s my guy.” She giggled and her blue eyes sparkled. Without even seeing them interact, I was willing to bet they were one happy couple. I waited for that familiar pain to return to the center of my chest, finding myself surprised when it didn’t come. Had my heart grown that cold? Or was it so broken that it forgot how to feel?
Shelby introduced Delaney and me to her girlfriends and in turn, they introduced us to their boyfriends that were all Kappa Sigs. Delaney managed to stay away from the cute blond guy and I made it a point to ask about him later.
“Drink anyone?” Shelby appeared with two red Solo cups in hand.
“Sure.” Delaney took the cup and immediately took a sip.
“Thanks. What is it?” I stared into the orange Kool-Aid looking liquid.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged as she picked up her drink from the bed of one of the trucks backed up to the tent.
“Taste like Gatorade mixed with Vodka, if you ask me.” Delaney swirled her drink around.
I laughed. “Seriously?”
“Yep, I think you’re right.” Shelby rolled her tongue across her lips. “I see you’re wearing Raven’s number. Do you know him or are ya just a fan?” Shelby eyed my jersey while sipping on her drink.
Delaney shot me a quick glance.
“Um…” I bit down on my lip and wondered what to tell her. There wasn’t anything to hide since I was no longer engaged, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share my business, especially with someone I barely knew. If I planned on going to the party, people would see me talking to him. What the hell.
“I know him and I’m also a fan,” I openly admitted.
“Oh.” Her brows lifted as she took a drink. “Raven and my boyfriend, Josh, are roommates.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.” She probably thought I was hoping to get a chance with him, like every other girl. Sadly, that description kind of fit me in a twisted sort of way. The more I tried to convince myself that I had no business getting involved with him, the more I wanted to.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I’ve never seen you around before.” Her eyes darted to a group of girls standing in the corner, the Silicone Triplets that were sitting behind us in the stands.
Great.
“It’s okay.” I smiled at her, assuring her that I didn’t take offense to her comment. “We’re just friends.” I hesitated to tell her too much, but I wanted her to know that I wasn’t one of them. “Actually, I was his writing tutor,” I leaned forward and whispered, “but don’t tell anyone.”
“Oh my God!” She pulled her drink away from her mouth, spilling some in the process. “You’re the girl?”
“What?” Breathless, I looked at Delaney and she gave me a clueless stare. “What do mean, I’m the girl?”
She pressed her lips together and then let out a breath. “Josh said that Raven mentioned you a few times. That’s all.”
“Seriously?” My stomach lifted and released the nest of butterflies that had been trapped for the past several weeks. Raven talked about me to his friend? Had he said good things or bad things about me?
“Oh my God.” Delaney drew us in closer. “You have to tell us.”
“I don’t know much.” She had a dubious expression, like she was scared to tell us what she knew. It was obvious that she was withholding some vital information.
Information that I was dying to hear.
Information that I had to have.
“Please?” I clamped my hands tighter around my cup, making it pop.
I guessed my pleading made her give in or maybe she felt sorry for me. She quickly traded glances with us and then said, “Well, okay. All I know is that he told Josh he was working with this tutor, which is you,” she pointed at me, “that he really liked. He also said she was very pretty and extremely smart.”
My mouth fell open and I took a step back. With a hand on my chest, I tried to steady my heavy breathing. “He said that? About me?”
She nodded. “That’s what Josh said. Which says a lot because Raven never talks to Josh about girls.” She rolled her eyes when the head Silicone Triplet laughed loudly. “At least not ones he really likes, and I mean, really likes.”
“Oh, wow. That does say lot.” Delaney chewed on her nail as though the comments were about her.
“There’s my guy!” Shelby held out her arms, welcoming Josh. “Excuse me.” She ran to him and jumped into his arms. With her legs and arms wrapped around him, he swung her around. That proved my theory was right about them being in love. It was more than obvious. They kind of reminded me of Forbes and Jordan.
How does one find a guy that doesn’t even think twice about showing their girl how much they mean to them?
As they moved to the side, lip locked with each other, I turned and saw Raven stroll into the tent. My body wafted in the air as the butterflies took flight again. I hadn’t been that close to him in weeks and my body hummed in delight. I shamelessly took in every inch of his well-defined body. From his damp hair to the jeans that sat low on his waist. My eyes traveled up the ripples of muscles that stretched underneath his purple and white polo style shirt, making my fingers tingle as they remembered what it felt like to hold on to him. The more I remembered, the more I wanted to touch him and never let go.
He caught my gaze and his lips parted into a perfect smile. A smile that warmed every part of me, including my heart, which instantly remembered what it felt like to beat again.
“Hi.” He appraised me for a moment, making every muscle and fiber move inside of me. How did he know how to make me move like that?
“Hey.” I rose up on the balls of my feet as I wrapped my arms around me. I could have stared at his perfect smile forever. “Great game.”
He neared me until we stood face to face. “I’m glad you came.”
“I couldn’t miss seeing you play your last game of the season.” I warded off the heat consuming my cheeks.
“You look good in that jersey.” His eyes settled on my chest and I shifted my weight to the side.
“Thanks. Although, some of the girls didn’t like that I was wearing it.” I glanced over to the Silicone Triplets that were gawking at us.
Raven smirked. “Don’t worry about them, okay?” He tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear and then dragged his finger along my jawline. Hot and cold shivers spread over my body as it begged for more of his sweet affection.
“Great game, Raven.” A guy patted him on the shoulder.
“Thanks, man.”
The people around us cheered and congratulated him every few minutes, barely allowing us to talk. Raven thanked them, shook their hands, and even fist-bumped those that supported how he had played. I tried to subdue the happiness that gleamed from me, but I couldn’t hold it back.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and whispered in my ear, “Do you want to get out of here?”
Tingles spread from my head to my toes and I froze. Raven was actually asking me if I wanted to leave with him? I waited for every warning light to go off, but only one flashed in my mind.
Trust.
Could I trust him?
I wanted to trust him, but my past interactions with him reminded me that his reputation and actions weren’t worthy of my trust. Yet, he hadn’t done anything for me not to trust him. The weight of my fear lingered, distorting my mind and making it hard to distinguish what I really wanted. But deep down inside, I knew what I wanted. Biting down on my lip, I nodded, not caring if anyone saw me leave with him.
He took me by the hand and led me through the crowd. The Silicone Triplets huffed and muttered incoherent words as we passed by them. Instead of reacting to their childish remarks, I ignored them. I handed Delaney my cup as we exited the tent. “I’ll see you later.”
