Her blush drove me crazy. It trumped over all of the angry reasons I held for hating her, and made me feel warm on the inside. No other girl I’d dated—slept with—whatever, made me feel like Josie.Even with the knowledge that she stood in her room getting ready to go out with another guy. I knew Keith King wouldn’t make her feel like me, even if she didn’t want to admit it, the sparks I felt with her couldn’t be one-sided.Jordan tossed a pillow at my face, knocking my game controller from my hand. “What are you doing? We lost! Are you paying attention?”“It’s just a dumb game,” I said, tossing the pillow back at him.Jordan grumbled when someone knocked on the door. The sun sank low in the sky, which told me it was time for the crawfish broil. Josie spent most of the day locked in her room. It’d been torture waiting on her to come out to pee, just so I could get a glance at her. Jordan stood up to get the door, but I beat him to it.The irrational part of me wanted King to see me, ev
“Work on the last sentence to make sure there isn’t a preposition at the end and you’re finished.”Chad, my first tutee, gave me a lazy smile and worked on rewording his sentence. A sense of pride swelled in my chest at the sight of his accomplishment. I’d always loved to write, but I never thought about helping others.When he finished, he thanked me, signed out and left me in an empty writing center. India groaned while she leaned back and stretched in her corner of the room. She’d dyed her hair pink this week, but it suited her.Her pore-less, coffee colored skin worked with anything it seemed like.“Good job today, Lee. You’re a natural.”“Thank you. It feels good.” I glanced at the clock. “I guess it’s time for me to go.” I grabbed my bag from the floor.India stood up when a guy walked into the room. “You have lunch plans?” she asked.“No, I was just gonna grab something somewhere.”“Matt is taking my spot, want to grab some with me? I’m gonna go to City Pork, they have a killer
I won. It felt hard to believe I’d won against experienced students. The card Professor Mark Duke gave me sat heavily in my pocket. When he asked my major, and I replied with undecided, he smirked, saying, “I think you’ve decided.”I bit my lip on the way to my Honda, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride. Not only for winning, but also standing up to Maverick. Even when his breath hit my mouth and the thought of a talented set of lips driving me up the wall lingered, I didn’t let it.Too many questions remained for me to give into him. Besides the obvious, why did you torment me for four years, but why would Frankie turn out so much different from you, and why does my feelings not matter when it comes to treating girls with respect?Maverick wouldn’t tell me, but Frankie would, if he knew, which I wasn’t sure if he knew or not, but he could help me figure it out.I sank into the driver’s seat of my car, putting my canvas in the passenger seat carefully. My hands shook with excitement
This isn’t going to work. I don’t think I give off a gay persona, but who am I to say? Josie texted her parents, and started pacing the room, picking up random cleats, the aluminum cans from the table and pulling down her dress.Jordan gave me a worried look. “Are we meeting the president, Josie? I mean—your parents can’t be that bad.”She stopped, hands on her hips and frowned. “It’s not my dad, it’s my mom, and she’s strict and never believes you.”“You want to sit on my lap, bro?” Jordan asked from the couch.I slapped the back of his head. “Cut that crap. I’m not sitting on your lap, maybe you should just go into your room and pretend you’re not here—,”“No!” Josie shouted. “She’ll want to see his room. Just be quiet and go along with what I say, please. I have nowhere else to go, and if they catch on, they’ll force me to move back home to Zachary.”I’d never met Josie’s parents, because I never had a reason, but it shocked me to think her parents were so strict. Josie walked over
The chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream slid down my throat but didn’t wash away the thick regret resting there.My mother couldn’t just take a hint and leave. She had to prepare dinner for a guy I’d only hung out with a couple of weeks. No, excuse me, the first guy I’ve ever hung out with.I groaned, letting my head rest against the warm passenger side window of King’s pickup. He chuckled. “I told you not to worry about it, Josie. Your parents aren’t the first parents I’ve met.”I sighed. “I know, but we’ve only hung out a few times, the woman doesn’t listen, and when she does, it goes in one ear and out the other.”King smiled—that lopsided one—and reached over to squeeze my thigh. Since he’d basically inhaled his ice cream cone before we made it back inside his truck, he had a free hand.“You can’t be surprised,” he said, turning his cap around backwards, showing his bright eyes. “I’m sure she’s done this before.”I took a bite to give myself a second to think. I didn’t want him t
The chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream slid down my throat but didn’t wash away the thick regret resting there.My mother couldn’t just take a hint and leave. She had to prepare dinner for a guy I’d only hung out with a couple of weeks. No, excuse me, the first guy I’ve ever hung out with.I groaned, letting my head rest against the warm passenger side window of King’s pickup. He chuckled. “I told you not to worry about it, Josie. Your parents aren’t the first parents I’ve met.”I sighed. “I know, but we’ve only hung out a few times, the woman doesn’t listen, and when she does, it goes in one ear and out the other.”King smiled—that lopsided one—and reached over to squeeze my thigh. Since he’d basically inhaled his ice cream cone before we made it back inside his truck, he had a free hand.“You can’t be surprised,” he said, turning his cap around backwards, showing his bright eyes. “I’m sure she’s done this before.”I took a bite to give myself a second to think. I didn’t want him
My brain pounded against my skull, dehydration danced along my tongue, begging for water. Coach didn’t need to know I’d drank the night before, so I sucked it up and pushed through the pain.When he called practice, I nearly guzzled the entire gallon of water on the sidelines. Jordan snorted, shoving his shoulder into mine. “Looking thirsty, Booker. What’s wrong?”Jordan laid down on his back, hands behind his neck while stretching. “You looked pretty cozy with Josie last night. Do you break all your girlfriends’ furniture?”I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “She’s not my girlfriend.”Jordan rolled his eyes.“Speaking of girls,” I said, grabbing my bag. “Why was Waverly in our apartment? She’s not worth your time.”Jordan wiggled his brows. “She was a pretty good waste of time last night.”I huffed. “Whatever—,”Jordan sat up on his elbows. “You jealous, Booker? Maybe if you’d treat Josie nicely, she’d give you some—,”“Piss off,” I said. “I can get Josie if I want.” Which wa
I’m awake when my alarm goes off. Everything from the night before swirled in my head like a hurricane. I knew I had a quiz in Chapman’s Algebra class today, and I needed the rest, but my body refused to shut off.Nothing a giant cup of Joe couldn’t conquer.I peeled myself from bed, grabbing my clothes to make it to the bathroom before the boys. Most days they had football practice before class, but with the game only a day away, I figured they had a day to rest.I walked past Maverick’s door, listening to the silence. I couldn’t sleep in silence, I needed a box fan or rain sounds to get through the night. I slipped into the bathroom, stripped and stood in the hot water.Thoughts of the night before floated in and out of my reach. Besides the obvious make-out session that still had my blood pumping wildly, I’d witness Maverick have a mini panic attack.This wasn’t the person I knew in school. He most likely hid it from everyone. Being the King of campus didn’t come to people that had
His fingers slid against the inside of my thigh, beneath my flimsy black thigh-length skirt and up to the lacy panties, I wore just for him. It’d been four years of this and it still felt like the first time he touched me in the hallway of our old apartment.The warmth of his breath tickled my neck but it felt too good to care. Everything about his rough hands and hardened body pressed against my back taunted me. I leaned forward, catching myself against the doorjamb, leaning my neck to the left for better access.Maverick chuckled darkly into my ear, his left hand rested against mine, his wedding ring shining in the lighting of our bathroom. “Someone didn’t get enough last night,” he whispered.I closed my eyes, knowing I’d never get enough of Maverick Booker, not in one year or forever. My body responded so effortlessly to his touch.After years of looking over our shoulders, and graduating, Maverick drafted into the Kansas City Chiefs and we moved to Missouri. It took a lot to agre
The dingy gas station stood attached to an abandoned garage and sat back from the main road meant for truckers at one point in time. After stopping by a drive-thru, India raced down the swirly road out of town toward a forgotten about and hidden garage. I kept my distance so she didn’t get suspicious and parked on the side of the road by the driveway.I only had seconds before she’d be inside, so I hauled ass toward her. A million different scenarios played out in my head, none of them ended well, but I had to try.She heard the crunch of the rocks beneath my shoes, turned and I sideswiped her. I’d never hit a woman in my life, but this cunt needed more than a tackle.“Oh my God!” she squeaked, but stopped when she realized who hit her. Her eyes rounded, and her lips opened in a surprised look.Keeping her beneath me, I entrapped her wrist above her head and noticed her struggle to get a stun gun from her purse scattered beside us. Perfect, now I have some leverage.I snatched it and
Hope slowly disappeared as the minutes turned to hours. Never in a million years did I think I’d be in a situation like this, but who does, really? The girls across from me didn’t, or the other girls he had chained to some dingy basement elsewhere.My wrists began to burn from the cuffs of the chains, and my shoulders cried out in agony from their position. I didn’t feel like someone that needed to complain considering the shape of the girls across from me. So, I kept my mouth shut, and listened for any activity outside of the room.“Do you think he’ll call the police?” Melody asked.Rain pelted against the roof suddenly, causing my nerves to grow, and my heart rate to spike. “I’m not sure,” I said softly. “If he catches wind of the cops he’ll—I don’t know what he’ll do.”Melody sniffled. “Do you love him?”I smiled despite the feeling of dread in my stomach. “Who Maverick?” I asked. “I do.”Melody shifted, the heavy chains rattled when she moved. “I’ve never been in love,” she whispe
The dark demeanor that hung over Derek followed him as he walked into the room. A fear I’d never experienced danced along the walls, down my spine and it seemed to consume the other girls. They knew what was coming—I didn’t.It reminded me of the fear Maverick held for him.It cemented me to the floor. I didn’t try to move or jolt as he neared me, and squatted down to get a better look. “You have a little black eye. I’ll get some ice for it. We want you pretty for tomorrow.”My gaze traveled toward the two girls cowering on the other side of the room. They looked feral like Melody who hadn’t said one word since Derek walked inside. I figured I needed to take the hint and not speak, but I couldn’t help it.“Funny seeing you here,” I said. “I guess Maverick was right, you are a piece of shit.”Derek chuckled, reaching out to pinch my cheek tightly between two fingers. “I’ve been looking for someone like you. We’ve had tons of interest in different ethnicities over the last year, and whe
Something is wrong.I felt it in my blood before the hour passed and students began to trickle out of the buildings and into the quad. I stood up from where I sat around the fountain, searching overheads for Josie but she didn’t show.Sweat began to build on my hairline from the Louisiana sun, drenching my t-shirt and hindering my breath. Five minutes passed before I walked toward the writing center to find India sitting at her desk.“Where is Josie?” I asked.She snatched an earbud from her ear. “She left about fifteen minutes ago.”I dug my phone from my pocket and called her. It went straight to voicemail. “She isn’t answering.”India gave me a strange look. “She probably went to the cafeteria or ran into someone—,”“No,” I barked. “She was supposed to meet me at the fountain.”India stood up. “She did say she was meeting you to exchange notes. I’ll try campus security, but it’s only been like twenty minutes and she’s an adult—,”I barreled from the room, knowing India was right. I
Monday morning rolled around, and my nerves fluttered when I walked into the writing center. Even with Maverick walking me to the door, the fact he had to walk clear across campus scared me.“You okay?” he asked.I nodded. “Of course.”Maverick leaned down and kissed my mouth softly. “I’ll meet you at the fountain after this class, okay?”“I’ll be there,” I said.I hadn’t been scared until I saw the fear in Maverick’s eyes. The fear he held for Derek showed me how much I should be scared. I wasn’t there for the beating but I’d seen how he left a thirteen-year-old boy.India slapped her palm down beside my computer and I jumped. “Girl, what happened to your internship with Professor Swoony? It’s all over campus that he’s looking for a new intern.”Great.I started my computer and signed in. “I just couldn’t keep up with the workload.”India eyed me suspiciously. “You couldn’t keep up, Josie? Do you expect me to believe that? Was Boyfriend jealous?"“No,” I said with a laugh. “Maverick
The bittersweet taste of the truth hung heavy on my tongue the next day. After Josie confessed to wanting to bring justice down on Derek, my head spun during all of my classes. I couldn’t let her risk her life for me.I hadn’t seen Derek since that night. He disappeared from my mother’s life and my own. I’d spent most of the next two years looking over my shoulder, scared that he’d try to come back and finish the job. It was the reason I decided to start football and begin working out. To be able to defend my family and myself.After a while, I stopped thinking about him coming back. Which meant I didn’t know what he was into, or what he would do now to Josie or Frankie. If she started digging around in his life, he may hurt her—or kill her. Look what he did to a thirteen-year-old boy who asked too many questions.I pressed my eyes closed on the bus ride back to campus. Most of the guys were sleeping since it was after ten, but sleep hadn’t come as easy to me this time. Every time I c
Of course, I remembered that night. The one and only time I’d gathered up the balls to sneak out of my house, I found him. I’d been mad at my mom for telling me I couldn’t take an art class downtown, so I decided to sneak out and bicycle to an abandoned alley where I could spray paint on a vandalized wall. It was stupid, and impulsive, but it saved a kid’s life.The dark night felt heavier than usual, humid and muggy, but I didn’t care. I peddled so fast, tears raced down my cheeks as I dumped my bike and hopped off. The alley was behind a bar that I knew better than to near, but my mood made me angry and careless.I shook the paint I’d found in our garage with my hand, mumbling obscenities I’d never have the nerve to say to my mother in real life, before I heard a trash can lid fall and I dropped my paint.Feeling brave I said, “Hello?”No one answered. It must have been a stray cat. I bent down to pick up my spray paint when I heard a moan. I stopped. Being young, I didn’t think it
The art studio was bright, with large glass windows and art hanging on the walls created by Derek’s students. I’d been happy to get an email about helping out with one of his classes during the week.I felt giddy sitting at the front of the room painting for everyone to see. After what my mother said, and how Maverick spent the entire morning holding me, I needed something to lift me up.Unlike Derek’s classes at the university, the ones at the studio were more diverse in gender. I hadn’t realized the hour passed so quickly when Derek tapped me on my shoulder. I glanced up from the distorted mess I’d created based around my mother’s harsh words and into Derek’s dark eyes.“I’m so sorry,” I said. “What time is it? Has everyone left?”Derek chuckled as he grabbed a stool and sat down. “This is different from the ones before. The ones about your … friend,” he said. “Are you two fighting?”I swiped a bead of sweat from my forehead. “No, actually it’s from my mother. She doesn’t understand