Caught In You: A BWWM Romance (The Token Black Friend Series Book 2)

by Nia Arthurs

  MORGAN: Where’s your section?

  I glance up and find him looking at me, waving his phone.

  My heart skips a beat.

  Lifting a hand, I point to the tables on the far left. His lips quirk up in a crooked smile and he canters there, taking a seat in a booth and crossing his arms confidently over his chest like a king on his busted vinyl throne.

  He’s waiting.

  For me.

  Why does that make my stomach flutter?

  Ashley bends down to hiss in my ear. “No offense, girl, but I hate you.”

  I grab a menu. “Really, Ash?”

  “You’re already engaged.” She pouts. “Why do you get him too?”

  “We’re just working together.”

  “On what?”

  I shuffle back. “Something you don’t need to know about.”

  “Mm-hm.”

  “It’s not that. Trust me.”

  “Maybe not yet. But it’s a matter of time before you jump him.”

  I laugh. “You’re way off.”

  “I can sense these things.” She taps her chest. “Right in here.”

  “Your left boob?”

  “My heart.” She gives me a stop playing dumb look.

  I shake my head. Tuck the menu to my side with my elbow. “Please go check on your tables.”

  Ashley sticks her tongue out at me.

  After shooting her an exasperating smile, I skate to Morgan’s table. He sets his phone down when I approach and looks up.

  The sun glints in his green eyes.

  Turns them to pure glass.

  Crystal.

  Jade.

  I jerk my gaze away before I get lost in them. “You could have called if you wanted to talk to me.”

  “And missed…” He slides the menu from my hands and skims the front, “the famous spaghetti meatloaf? Come on.”

  I laugh. “It sounds weird, but it’s pretty great.”

  “Believe that when I see it.”

  “Spaghetti meatloaf.” I brandish my pen and make a show of scratching on my notebook. “Will that be all, sir?”

  “Hold off on the meatloaf. Let’s start with coffee and I’ll work up the courage.”

  I smile. “Seriously, what’s going on?”

  “We—”

  I jump in before he can answer. “Fixed the machine?” My pulse quickens. “Are you done?”

  “No.”

  “Oh.” My shoulders sag. Figures. It’s only been a couple days.

  “Pavel and I are working on improving the code and McCarthy’s reinforcing the molecular structure so it can withstand the dimensional thrust from the fabricated mini-earthquake.”

  “I understood all those words.”

  “Liar. Your eyes are glazing over.”

  “No, I”—muffling a yawn, I lie through my teeth—“I love hearing all the details. Coffee you said?”

  He smiles.

  Literally.

  Freaking.

  Smiles.

  Morgan’s ‘somber scientist’ expression is already a level of hot that I should not be appreciating. But when he smiles? It’s enough to steal every thought.

  I clear my throat to keep my tongue inside my mouth. “I’ll… be right back.”

  He nods.

  I speed away and grab the coffee pot. As I hook my fingers on the handle of the ceramic, I try to steady my breath.

  “See what I mean?” Ashley whispers in my ear.

  I jump. “Girl, are you part-ninja? I never hear you coming.”

  “Chemistry.” She points between me and Morgan. “It’s so obvious you’re gonna bang—”

  “I’m engaged.” I pour the coffee into a mug.

  “You keep saying that like it moves me.”

  I roll my eyes and skate away from her.

  Setting Morgan’s cup on the table, I dip my head politely. “There you go.”

  “Wait.” He snatches my hand before I can run away. When I stiffen, he drops his fingers, but his green eyes keep me rooted to the spot. “Pavel shared some concerns the other night. He said you complained about being tired more than usual lately and he thought we should look into it.”

  “I work a demanding job and go to school at the same time.” I shrug. “There’s no need to overreact.”

  “He wants you to get checked out at a hospital,” Morgan says.

  “That’s unnecessary. I just have to go to sleep earlier and—”

  “I agree with him.” His tone is firm. “I’ve already made an appointment.”

  “I guess you’re not asking for my opinion this time.”

  “You can always say no.”

  I sigh. “Why do I feel like you’ll nag me everyday if I don’t go?”

  “Probably because you have great instincts.” He rests his chin on his fist.

  The bell above the front door jangles and a group of customers migrate to a table in my section.

  “I should go.”

  “We’ll continue this argument when you get back.” He tips his coffee at me.

  “It’s not an argument.”

  “Yet.” He smirks.

  I shake my head as I skate away from Morgan. Stopping in front of the party of five, I pull out my pen and notebook. “Hi, welcome to…” My voice cracks when I glance up and lock eyes with a familiar face.

  Howard.

  Shaken, I finish my greeting with a strained smile. “Can I get you anything?”

  “We need a little time to decide.”

  “Sure.” I turn to leave.

  Howard grabs my skirt and tugs on it so the waistband slips to reveal the band of my panties. “Hey, beautiful. How have you been?”

  “Fine, Mr. Howard.” I ease away from his grip. “How’s your nose?”

  He laughs and presses short, stubby fingers to his crooked nose. There’s an extra little bump from where my roller skates slammed his face. “It’s good. Not as good as you though.”

  I grip the extra menu in my hands, but I keep my voice even. “I’ll be right back to take your orders.”

  Howard says something else, but I pretend not to have heard it and skate to the kitchen. Ashley meets me there.

  Angry brown eyes take Howard in. “I thought the manager banned him?”

  “He still drops by now and again.” I haul up my skirt to cover myself. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him though.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine.”

  “Should I take over your table?”

  “No.”

  “Kaz…”

  “He’ll make a fuss if I don’t serve him. You know he’s had it out for me ever since I broke his nose.”

  “It was an accident.”

  “He had to get five stitches.”

  “That wasn’t your fault. He was trying to cop a feel when you bent down to pick up the fries. That’s the only reason you hit him. He’s lucky he didn’t get charged for sexual assault.” Ashley glares in Howard’s direction. “The pervert.”

  “Please.” I touch her shoulder. “I’ve got this.”

  She huffs. “Okay. But the minute he tries anything…” She throws up pale fists. “He’ll catch these hands.”

  I laugh shakily. Howard makes me uncomfortable, but I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself. To protect my job, I just have to grin and bear it.

  Change what you can. Accept what you can’t.

  I return to the table.

  “Hey, baby. We’re ready to order.” Howard lifts his hand and rubs it against my back.

  My skin crawls. “What’ll it be?”

  The other guys make their orders, laughing and joking with each other. Howard doesn’t take his eyes off me through it all.

  I scribble furiously on my notepad to keep my hands busy and then, with dread creeping into me, I turn to him.

  “And for you, sir?” I ask.

  “When does your shift end?”

  “That’s not on the menu.”

  “Ar
e you on the menu?”

  I shift in discomfort. “Should I come back to get your order?”

  “I think,” he slides his fingers down my lower back, “you owe me a drink for breaking my nose.”

  Bile rises in my throat as his scaly fingers roughly caress my skin.

  “S-sir…”

  I feel him progressing lower and it makes me want to scream.

  But I keep my mouth shut.

  I think about my rent.

  My tuition.

  It’s not like I can change this.

  Just accept it.

  “Maybe,” Howard’s hot breath travels to my face, “you and I can—”

  Suddenly, Howard shrieks in pain. A glance over my shoulder reveals Morgan staring Howard down. His strong jaw clenches and there’s fire in his green eyes as he wraps his fingers even tighter around Howard’s wrist.

  “Touch her one more time,” Morgan snarls. “I dare you.”

  13

  Morgan

  I make a concerted effort to keep my eyes off Kaz.

  I sip my coffee.

  Check my phone.

  Pretend I’m not aware of every pink and brown blur that skates by my table.

  It works. I mind my own business. Answer a few emails.

  I’m normal.

  Unmoved by her.

  After a few minutes, I reward my restraint by glancing up.

  And there she is.

  Black curls fluffy around her head. Eyes on the ground. But what’s with her expression? She looks squeamish. Uncomfortable. Like she’s holding her breath.

  My gaze travels down. I see a big hairy hand sliding over her bottom. Cupping her perfect behind.

  There’s some guy touching her.

  Groping her.

  I grit my teeth. The one freaking time I take my eyes off her, she gets felt up by some prick with a sweaty grin and a bad comb-over?

  Rage builds inside me as her discomfort becomes more obvious. Her eyes squeeze shut, mimicking how tightly he’s squeezing her. I feel myself standing. Walking. Running.

  My brain hasn’t quite caught up with my movements.

  This is instinctual.

  It’s primal.

  Overwhelming.

  Dangerous.

  He needs to get his hands off or I’m going to tear it right off his shoulders. I’m going to break every bone in his pathetic carcass of a body. And when I’m done, I’m going to strap him to a Mars Rover and watch him explode.

  My fingers wrap around his wrist and wrench it back. Veins pop out of his head. A short tongue gargles the air as my fingers dig in and I hear something crunch.

  Deadly intent rings in my voice. I don’t know what I say. Only that his eyes bug out of his face and his fish lips part in a silent gasp when I’ve said it.

  Kaz whirls around. “Morgan…”

  “Get the hell off me.” Fish Lips wobbles to his feet.

  “Apologize for touching her.”

  He laughs, thick lips pulling back to reveal big, yellow teeth. “She your girlfriend or something?”

  “Is she yours?”

  “Mind your own business.”

  “Morgan, stop it,” Kaz hisses. “People are watching.”

  I focus on Fish Lips. “Apologize now or I’m going to make you.”

  His friends get up. They’re biker types—motorcycle jackets, black leather, bushy beards, bandanas. I wouldn’t be surprised if I peeked out the window and saw a line of Harleys.

  “Make me what?” Fish Lips laughs.

  I glance between him and the other men.

  It’s five against one. Terrible odds.

  I’m too busy to hit the gym. Too much of a pacifist to hit a person. Bullies used to tear me up when I was a kid and I get the feeling that these guys have more practice punching people than I do.

  I fist my hands.

  Ready.

  Even if it kills me.

  A short man shuffles over before any punches are thrown. He gestures to me. “Is there a problem here?”

  “No.” Fish Lips arches an eyebrow. “Is there, Morgan?”

  “Everything is fine.” Kaz grabs my arm and tugs. “Please.”

  I’m breathing so hard my chest feels like it’s about to explode.

  No.

  This isn’t okay.

  He freaking touched her. He needs his face rearranged.

  Kaz’s grip tightens on me.

  “Yeah.” I spit it out. “We’re good.”

  Those words feel bitter on my tongue. Every muscle in me wants to take Fish Lips outside. Just him. His friends can watch while I beat him to a pulp. If they wait their turns, I can show them the same attention.

  But Kaz looks like she’s on the verge of tears. She’s probably feeling embarrassed and unsettled. As much as I want to do what’ll make me feel better, she’s the one I need to worry about.

  “Good.” The manager gives Kaz a stern look. “Get back to work.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Fish Lips smirks at me.

  A snarl tightens my mouth.

  Kaz pushes my side. “Go back to your table.”

  “But—”

  “Go.”

  I stumble away but, before I get too far, I hear Fish Lips mumble under his breath, “Whore.”

  I whirl around.

  Kaz sees me coming and tries to get between me and Fish Lips. “Morgan… no.”

  It’s too late. I grab Fish Lips by the collar and smash my fist into his face. His head goes careening back. He loses his footing and crashes into his friends, knocking them down like bearded pinballs.

  Plates clatter to the ground.

  Glass crashes.

  While they’re all temporarily stunned, I grab Kaz’s wrist. “Run!”

  “What?”

  Instead of answering, I drag her away from the table. Her roller skates make it easy for me to pull her and she manages to remain on her feet. I hear a commotion behind me and glance back to find Fish Lips and Friends rushing our way.

  Panic builds in my chest as we crash through the door. Kaz starts lagging behind. Her legs are pulling apart. The skates can’t handle the tarmac outside.

  “Morgan!” she screams.

  Moving on instinct, I swoop Kaz into my arms and run to the Jeep. She bounces against me, her hair letting off the scent of coconut milk and her skin carrying the fragrance of coffee.

  I wrench the door, dump her inside and jump the hood to get to the driver’s seat.

  Fish Lips is close, practically breathing down my neck.

  Adrenaline shoots through my veins and sends my hands rattling like an addict going cold turkey.

  I jump into the car just as Fish Lips descends. He and his friends crowd the car, banging on the windows.

  Kaz shrieks, covering her face.

  I’m shaking too much. I can’t get my freaking keys in the ignition.

  “Get out here!” Fish Lips screams. “Face me like a man!”

  Yeah, I’m not going to do that.

  His friends start rocking the car. Damn. Are they going to turn us over?

  Finally, I get the key in the ignition. Slamming my foot on the gas, I grab the wheel. Tires squeal against tarmac. The Jeep lurches forward and then gets into gear. Fish Lips jumps back, narrowly avoiding getting run over as we take off.

  My heart is about to jump right out of my ears. I keep my sneakers on the gas pedal, not pulling back until we’re a good distance away.

  I glance over at Kaz.

  She’s sitting limply, a hand over her chest and an I can’t believe that just happened look on her face.

  “You okay?”

  Brown eyes turn to me. “No.”

  “Kaz—”

  “You punched him in the face.”

  “He deserved it!”

  She frowns.

  “I’m sorry. Am I missing something? Did you want to be groped by that guy?”

  “Of course not!”

  “Then why didn’t you say somethi
ng? You just stood there.”

  “Maybe I didn’t want to lose my job. Which at this point is a given since I ran away with a customer in the middle of my shift.”

  “You let that guy grope you because of that stupid minimum wage gig?”

  Her nostrils flare. “It might seem stupid to you, but to me it was my light bill, my food for next week and my tuition for school.” Her eyes sharpen. “What I did back there was accepting what I couldn’t change and surviving.”

  I have to accept the things I can’t change, Morgan.

  I hear the words in my head.

  It’s her voice.

  It’s Grace.

  And it’s tearing me up from the inside.

  Taking deep breaths, I dig my fingers into this steering wheel and try to keep myself calm. Kaz is acting just like she did that night after the amusement park.

  She’s intentionally trying to start a fight.

  But I won’t let her.

  She’s too important to me.

  Too precious.

  I need to tackle this problem from the root rather than feed the flames.

  I let out a breath though my mouth. “I understand how it must feel to be in a completely different world, not knowing anyone and feeling like you have to cling to the things that are available to you.”

  Her eyebrows relax.

  She didn’t expect me to be calm.

  She expected a fight. Maybe a few insults. A couple minutes of shouting.

  Damn.

  Is that what her ex did? Is that what she’s used to?

  I need her to know that it’s different with me. The things that matter, the people who are valuable to me—I don’t abuse them. I don’t mistreat them. I make mistakes.

  I do.

  I did with Grace.

  But I never raised my voice at her. Or belittled her feelings.

  Kaz needs to know that.

  “It might feel like there are things you can’t change, but that’s not the case. There are rules in place in this world too. You can speak up for yourself and you don’t have to accept crap because you think you’re powerless. I’m not trying to tell you what to do with your life. I’m just saying that you don’t have to be this way. Not in this world or any other world.”

  She says nothing.

  I reach out and take her hand. “Okay?”

  A smile trembles on her lips and she nods. “Okay.”

  14

  Kaz