“If that’s what you think, we’ll go with that,” he says noncommittally. “How’s campus treating you so far? Are you finding your way around?”
“It’s been okay. My schedule is keeping me busy.”
“I hear you’re like a bullet out there. I can’t wait to see you in action. You’re keeping off the injured list, I hope.”
“Haven’t taken a football to the face, if that’s what you mean.”
“I guess that’s easy to do when you’re avoiding the quarterback.”
I sigh and rub my hands on my jeans. I don’t want to talk about Bentley, but it seems his friend is hell-bent on getting me to. That kiss has been plaguing my thoughts and dreams.
I left that party confused and so conflicted. I decided that night that it would be best to steer clear of him to keep from embarrassing myself anymore. Although he kissed me, I can’t help feeling like everything that went wrong that night was my fault.
Erica told me their dad bought him that car. I know how much it means to Bentley. If it weren’t for me, his jealous girlfriend wouldn’t have ruined it.
Then there’s the fact that he was about to cheat on her with me. I never would have forgiven myself if I had allowed it to go any further. I still feel a little guilty.
“Now this looks like the place to be,” Jason calls out as he comes to take a seat.
Our table is beginning to fill up with members of the football team. I had hoped to be able to come here and eat in peace. However, it seems I’m a little more popular than I thought I was.
Everyone begins to joke around as conversations spark around the table. Corey and Jason sit talking to me animatedly.They are hilarious. I get a big brother vibe from Corey, and Jason is like a big, goofy teddy bear.
I’m doubled over in laughter when the energy around the table shifts. I swipe at the tears leaking from the corners of my eyes and turn to see what has changed the atmosphere. Bentley is standing over me, glaring down at me and Corey, who’s sitting next to me.
I stare back at him, wondering what all the tension is about. The way he’s looking back at me, you would think I was the cheater. I’m so confused when it comes to him.
I don’t know what happened to my friend and I’m not sure why I ever had a crush on him. I should be happy that he was my first kiss ever. However, that moment will forever be tainted by the fact that he had a girlfriend. A girlfriend who trashed his car after he made out with me.
“Can we talk?” he asks with that scowl on his face.
“No, we can’t,” I reply and turn back toward my food to pick at it.
I’ve completely lost my appetite. The laughter around the table has died down as well. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us.
Bentley doesn’t seem to care as he places his hands on either side of me on the table, caging me in, then leans into my ear. My heartbeat picks up and my hands start to sweat. I scoot forward a bit in my seat, trying to put some space between us.
“Don’t make me do this in front of everyone.”
“Do what?”
“Have a conversation that should be just between me and you. You have everything wrong, Zah, and I’m not giving up until you see that.”
Bentley
She smells so nice,like cocoa butter and peaches. It’s taking everything in me not to tilt her head back and take her lips. For two weeks, I’ve been thinking about that kiss. Longing to duplicate it.
Zah has been the only thing on my mind. I haven’t been focused at practice or class. I’m useless. That’s why we need to have this conversation so I can keep my head clear.
It frustrates me that she has this so wrong. Technically, Carly was never my girlfriend. So it’s hard for me to even think of her as my ex. This shouldn’t even be a problem.
“You can come take a walk with me, or we can have this conversation here in the cafeteria in front of everyone,” I say into her ear as I keep her caged in with my arms.
She cranes her neck to look back at me and narrows her eyes. “I’ll take a walk with you, but I don’t know what for. I’m not going to change my mind.”
“Coswell, give the girl some space. It’s bad enough you’ve warned half the team off,” Henry G calls out from the far end of the table.
I stand up straight and glare at the asshole. I overheard him the other day talking about Zah to some of the other guys. Damn right I told them all to stay away from her.
