Noah
Chapter nine
The Brotherhood
D-Money: You're meeting up with that girl again?
D-Money: What's that, like the third time this week?
I frown. What does it matter how many times a week I meet up with Awa? And why do my brothers care?
I tug my backpack higher up on my shoulder and narrowly miss running into a cyclist as I round the corner to Webb Tower.
The Brotherhood
It's only the second time, not that it's any of your business.
We have a big assignment coming up before Thanksgiving break.
Cory: Sure, sure. And you just have to work on it alone. In her dorm room. AT NIGHT.
D-Money: Ha ha! Gotcha!
I scowl at my phone. I should never have told them about my private study sessions.
They're getting the completely wrong idea.
Yes, I moved our meet-ups to her room, but that was to get away from those chairs that could double as torture devices.
Plus, having to whisper when we're trying to reason out an argument is a pain in the ass.
And you're hoping she'll let you jump her bones—unlikely in a public library.
I push that thought back into the vault where it belongs, since it sounds suspiciously like I might like this girl.
And I can't like this girl, not when my brothers and I have a pact to stay single, sticking to hookups only.
Awa is not a hookup. I can tell by the prim little buttons on her shirts and the way her eyes dart away from mine at the slightest hint of innuendo.
If we got physical, she'd latch on like the chick from "Wedding Crashers", and then what would I tell my brothers?
That you found a girl you like and maybe it's time to call off the pact? my brain supplies. He and I are going to have a chat later, because my dick is supposed to be the one running the show, at least when it comes to women.
The Brotherhood
Cory didn't GET anything.
We meet at her dorm 'cause it's convenient and right near Crystal's spot.
Baby Bro: Heyoooo! Who's Crystal?
I smile at Adam's antics. He was psyched to finally be allowed into the group chat, though now we have to watch what we say since he just started junior high, and Dad would probably kill us if we went into details.
The Brotherhood
A cutie I met at the gym a few weeks ago. She's on the women's volleyball team.
I laugh out loud when Adam sends back a sweating emoji. I'm outside Webb Tower now and get a few looks from passersby.
The Brotherhood
Baby Bro: Do you have any pics?
Narc: Try not to be so thirsty, Adam. And you never want to send a girl's pics to your boys. That's tacky.
I roll my eyes at Henry. He's always so patronizing, policing our group chat like he's the only one of us with sense. He's not wrong, though; sending a girl's pics without permission crosses a line.
The Brotherhood
I'll tell you all about her later, baby bro. Right now, I've got to meet my study partner.
I flip my phone closed and try to ignore the buzzing that continues as I step onto the elevator. My guess is my brothers have a few choice emojis about my study date. Session! I quickly correct internally. Man, what the heck is going on with me tonight.
"You're early!" Awa says with a smile as she opens the door. "I was just about to grab a muffin or something from Parkside."
"Parkside?" I pretend to whine, moving into her place to lean against the small kitchen counter. "I had that for lunch. Can't we grab some burgers or something?"
She puts her hands on her hips, pursing her lips at me, but she can't hide her smile.
"Oh you had that for lunch, did you? Well, by all means, where should I eat for dinner, since you've invited yourself along?"
I smirk at her playful teasing. In the weeks I've known her, she's opened up from the reserved woman who was careful with every word to reveal glimpses of the sometimes silly, often hilarious woman beneath her curated facade.
Last Tuesday, she flicked her pen at me when she caught me checking out a girl instead of revising my paper on how cinematic portrayals of Asians have evolved from the 1980s to today.
Two weeks ago, she passed me a note in class, gloating over the teacher's praise of her insights on Shrek 2's record-breaking promotional strategy.
It was adorable knowing it was likely the first note she'd ever passed in her life.
From what her roommate, Sybil, has told me, Awa's been coming out of her shell more than ever this year, and I'm just cocky enough to believe I have something to do with that.
"I'm thinking Indian—samosas, chana masala, and saag paneer."
She laughs, and the throaty, almost sensual sound does something to me.
"We'll need a nap right after if we eat all that heavy food. I would let you crash on the couch, but Sybil reserved the living room for her date tonight."
"I could always sleep in your bed with you," I suggest, waggling my eyebrows. She just rolls her eyes, assuming I'm joking.
"How about sushi instead? It's light but still filling, and we won't end up with sauce all over our books."
"If you insist," I sigh, acting pained. I honestly don't care what we eat.
I'm just happy to share a meal with this woman who's quickly becoming more than just a study partner.
Could she be…a friend? I've never had a female friend before, not with my reputation.
I also have very non-friend thoughts about Awa whenever I sneak a peek at her ass, or when some small comment she makes surprises a laugh out of me.
Thank God I never told my brothers about that.
"You sure we shouldn't meet one last time before the deadline? I feel like my paper's almost there, but it's missing something."
She flops onto her back to stare at the ceiling, and I'm glad I had the foresight to stay sitting at her desk instead of joining her on the bed.
Every muscle in my body is straining to touch her, even more so because she's strictly off-limits.
Crystal, however, has already texted twice to see if I'll be by tonight.
"You don't need it," she reassures me. She arches her back in a stretch that tests my resolve. "What you have is good, but if you're really worried, email me your draft and I'll look it over."
"Yeah?" I ask hopefully.
Switching majors—hell, switching whole colleges!—has done a number on my confidence. Pre-law wasn't my passion, but it was known. Now I'm trying to find my footing in uncharted waters.
Awa turns on her side to face me, her dark eyes shining with understanding.
"Of course, Noah. I'll read your draft, tell you it's perfect, and then wait on the phone while you submit it to the professor. Tu gères."
I raise an eyebrow at her in question, and she sighs good-naturedly.
"It means you've got this. You have to let me teach you French someday. At least some basic phrases."
I grin at her while packing up my things.
"I already know the most important phrase. Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?"
My risqué words have her biting her lip and averting her gaze. I chuckle in response.
"Making you blush is way too easy, Awa. I'm barely trying."
She flicks me off, and there it is, that unexpected laugh.
I'm still laughing when I close her bedroom door behind me and head to the elevator. I'm smiling when I reach the ground floor and the cool November air hits me, slipping inside my light jacket. It's not until I take my phone out to text that my grin finally fades.
Crystal
U up?