She looked at me quickly before fixing her eyes back on the road. “When I met him, things weren’t like this. I wasn’t first on his list. I was the awkward friend. Then something happened between him and me. While he was fighting his demons, he sent me here, where I met my mom and dad. So, Paige, I do understand. Whatever it is you're going through, I’m sure I can relate. All thismaterialstuff you see is new to me.”
I said nothing more as I sat back and enjoyed the ride to school. A notification came in on my phone, and it was my bank letting me know I had money in my account. When I saw the amount, I smiled because if Pierre did nothing else, he was going to make sure I was good. I scrolled to the Orange app as I thought about the person who sent me a message. I wanted to know who they were, but after last night's little shenanigans with Braylen, I needed to put my energy elsewhere.
My finger circled the phone's keyboard.Fuck it.I thought and sent my tag.
By the time I looked up, we were in the campus parking lot. Samara killed the engine and glanced at me. “If you cannot find a ride, call me. I will pick you up,” she paused as she placed her phone next to mine. The alert to share contacts popped up, and I accepted.
She shrugged. “I figure since we’re both talking to someone from the Zoo, we should be friends.”
I quickly shook my head. “I-I don’t talk to him like that.”
She stared at me, confused. “What do you mean? He’s not your boyfriend?”
I shrank, I felt so dumb. How did I end up trapped in Braylen’s world without being with him? Again, stuck in the forest with no way out. Samara placed her hands on mine. “I can tell you like him a lot. He knows, trust me. I’ve met Beans a few times. He seems closed off, but I bet that inside is soft and warm like a summer day. Remember, I know what it’s like.” She winked before she got out of the car.
Samara seemed like the opposite of her man; maybe that was Braylen and me. Part of me wanted to hold on to a little hope, but she didn’t know him as I did. Our friendship with a bit of flirting was the most I was going to get, much like the game. I had been trying for years and still haven’t captured the beast.
BEANS
My eyebrows raised as I closed my phone and set it next to me. I barely slept as I thought about how Piggy’s and my night went from good to bad. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, but I couldn’t. I was afraid that when she found out how fucked I was, I would lose her, which was a hard pill to swallow. She wanted me to leave her alone, and as sick as it sounded, I couldn’t.
It was the crack of dawn, and I needed to get up. Not only did I have a course to teach today, but I also had a Chi Kappa Chi meeting and a podcast recording. I got out of bed and made my way to get ready. Today was going to be a cold one, not only because of the winter weather but also because of how I was going to approach this Papi person. Shit was going to be brisk and cutthroat. If what Peanut and Chev said was true, that he was a part of NTR and a student here at Toussaint State, then I’m sure he had gotten word that I whooped his brother’s ass last night.
“Fuck!”I shouted, thinking about the additional shit I added to the Zoo.
The sound of my phone going off alerted me to a message. I walked over and picked it up. A tiny grin eased onto my face when I saw that Piggy had sent her gamer tag. I stared at her profile picture for a long time. Seeing her all dressed up in her sexy-ass elf outfit did something to me. I nearly wanted to place the phone to my lips and lick the screen, hoping to taste how sweet she was.
The simplest approach would have been to ask her out, take her to have a nice dinner and drinks, because I think that’s what she was waiting for. However, after last night, I had to find another way to keep her around. Being over five years younger than me, she couldn't fully handle everything I was dealing with. From the Zoo, my family issues, my music, to my darker desires and appetite. I had many layers that couldn’t be easily uncovered. With each layer revealed, she would discover something dark and monstrous about me.
She saw me as Braylen, but not as Beans, and that’s where the problem lay. I wanted her, yes, but like all ominous beasts, we wait, watch, learn, build intensity, and then show ourselves. Piggy, she wasn’t ready for that, and until she was, my unorthodox ways would remain the same. When the time was right, her little chocolate ass was going to get devoured.
I tried to put her in the back of my mind as I got dressed. Once I was done, I headed out of my house, got in my car, and took the five-minute drive to campus. When I arrived, I made my way through the Quad. I was almost at the music building when Clark Mercier stopped me. “Braylen,” he called out.
I dropped my head before I turned his way. “Dean,” I replied dryly.
Clark was a muhfucka you looked at sideways. Not only because of what I heard about him and Chevy, but also because of what I knew about him, given who my parents are. He tuggedat his suit jacket as he gave me a grin that said he was going to be on that good bullshit. “I wanted to chat with you about an opportunity. One, I think you may find a financial uplift. I know that currently you have your hands full with the on-campus music program and being the advisor for Chi Kappa Chi. However, I think you should consider running the tech program at Hawkins University. I know some people over there who will welcome you with open arms.”
Wrinkles formed in my forehead as I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What makes you think I want to do that?”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Braylen, I know you graduated with a double major. One in music and the other in computer science. Yes?”
“Software engineering, but continue.”
He pointed his finger and shook it. “Ah, such a smart guy. They have an opening and would love to have you. I mean, it’s more hours, a bit more work, so it won’t allow you tofind trouble. I think you should say yes. Your parents—”
I held my hand out. “The answer is no, Mr. Mercier. I have a course to teach. Are we finished?”
He stared evilly. “That music program won’t last long. It is not technically a part of the university. So maybe you need to figure it out or consider my offer. Besides, dealing with June Calloway is bad for TSU press. Think about it,” he finished as he walked away.
Chevy’s problems somehow leaked into my world, and that alone pissed me off. My waiting until the weekend to chat with him was going to speed the fuck up. By the time I reached my class and entered the room, the faces I saw around me told me that today was going to be one I wouldn’t forget.
SCOOTER
Her leg entangled with mine as we lay in bed. I watched as the hours passed, and Morgan had yet to wake up. Being in her bed and stroking her back on some romantic shit was new to me. However, if I couldn’t offer the luxury she was used to, at least the comfort could do. As much as I wanted to spend the day with her on some puppy love shit, I knew I needed to come out of her fantasy world and back to my reality.
My brain wouldn’t shut off the entire night, and sleep had yet to find me. I had made up my mind that I was going to Bop to tell him what was up. Did I feel like a fucking snitch, yes. However, I knew if I did this, it would at least save Keith’s education. I kissed Morgan’s forehead as she started to awake. “I got to go, Rich Girl,” I whispered.
She rolled over and wrapped herself further into peachy-colored silk sheets. I sat up and grabbed my phone, which I had grabbed from my clothes after our second round, and Morgan went to sleep. My head flew back when I saw a payment to my phone from Beans for ten stacks. “What the fuck,” I muttered.
