Chapter 5
Jealousy
Bentley
“So wait, you brought me up here to dump me?” Carly seethes, tossing her long hair over her shoulder as she sits on my bed.
The tight red dress she has on barely contains her breasts and is short enough to expose her ass if she bends over. Heck, I think it might be visible without her bending. I’m getting quite the view from where I’m standing. Honestly, it’s not how I would want my girl to dress.
Other guys might find it hot, but not me. It’s one of the reasons I’ve never slept with her. I sobered up before I made that mistake.
“Would you have preferred I had done it in front of everyone?”
“I would have preferred you not try to dump me at all. Is this because of that new bitch? She’s a fucking freshman.”
“Don’t call her a bitch. This has nothing to do with her. I haven’t been feeling it for a while,” I bite out.
“Whatever,” she huffs and stands. “If that’s what you want. Just remember this is your loss.”
“I’m sure,” I mumble.
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. I hope you have a good time tonight. I don’t want this to ruin your vibe,” I say and force a smile.
She stomps her way to the door where I’m standing and shoves her way by me. I don’t even care when she slams the door behind her. Leaning my back against the door, I close my eyes and exhale.
I already feel like I can breathe. I don’t know how I get myself into shit like this. Now that it’s over, maybe I’ll enjoy this party tonight.
I blow out a breath and push off the door. First things first, I need a beer. I’m not trying to get shit-faced, but a good buzz is welcome for sure.
I jog down the stairs. The party is now in full swing. Carly is in her usual spot with her friends, twirling her hair around her finger as she glares at me. I ignore her and her friends and head for the keg in the kitchen.
I fill my cup and turn to people-watch. A couple of my buddies surround me and start to chat. We’re in the middle of a conversation when the air in the room shifts.
“Dude, where has she been hiding? I’ve always wanted to hook up with a Black chick. She has to be the one,” Terry says, causing me to look toward the door.
Zah and Arlene have just walked in. Zahirah looks amazing. Her hair is down from the ponytail she was wearing earlier.
Her thick locks are now in deep waves, framing her pretty face as they fall down around her shoulders. She has on a pair of short shorts that show off her shapely, sexy brown legs, which I know come from years of running track and swimming.
On her feet are a pair of wedge heels that tie up her ankles, drawing attention to her toned and defined calves. The blue short-sleeved button-down she’s wearing clings to her breasts in a way that’s appealing but not a turnoff. Zah is effortlessly sexy.
Terry takes off in her direction, but I grab him by the back of his collar and lift him off his feet. He turns to look at me in shock. I don’t take my eyes off Zah as I speak my next words.
“Don’t even think about it. She’s off-limits,” I growl.
“What the hell, bro?”
I drop him as Jason walks over to her and tosses his arm over her shoulder. I bare my teeth and finish my beer. It’s when Corey walks over—pushing her hair back from her face, before pinching her chin between his fingertips to lift her head—that I’m in motion.
Jealousy courses through me, making me feel like I’m going to explode. I should probably take a moment to breathe and think, but I can’t get my feet to stop.
I walk over and tug Zah from Jason’s hold. Corey drops his hand away from her face and looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I turn to look down at Zah, she’s looking up at me with knitted brows.
“What are you doing here?” I say without thinking.
“Arlene was invited. I’m with her,” she says.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Why not? I don’t plan to drink. I’m not a liability.”
“Why would you want to be here? You should—”
“Bentley, I don’t know what I did to you, but you can back off. I’m not here to tag along or be up under you. I’m not going to kill your vibe and I would hope you’d do the same for me. Enjoy your night,” she says, tugging from my hold and storming off with her friend in tow once again.
I stand staring after her for the second time today. I close my eyes and groan as I think over what all I just said to her. None of it came out right.
What I meant to ask was why she was here after getting hit this afternoon. She should be home resting. I keep putting my foot in my mouth.
I start to go after her to clear things up, but my frat brothers come and surround me, dragging me into a drinking game. Not wanting to make this worse and ruin her first college party, I go with them and try to ignore the fact that she’s here.
“There’s more going on there than you’re saying, am I right?” Jason says in my ear as I down a shot.
“I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not trying to be an asshole. It’s just when she’s around, my brain-to-mouth function never works right.”
He laughs and pats me on the back. I look at him and scowl. I’m not sure what the hell is so funny.
I shrug his hand off and turn to look around for Zah. My blood boils as I notice a group of my teammates has surrounded her and her friend. However, my head explodes as I watch Carly toss a drink on Zah’s shirt then try to act as if it’s an accident.
“Well, damn,” Jason breathes in shock as we watch what happens next.
Zahirah
I can’t believe Bentley. I mean, who does he think he is? Corey and Jason don’t even know me, and they’ve been so nice to me and shown me so much concern.
If not for wanting to show him I can go to any party and enjoy myself with or without his permission, I would have left. However, I’m not going to allow him to ruin my first college party. My head is fine and I’m having a good time.
Arlene did a great job curling my hair and helping me pick out an outfit. I was surprised by her knowledge of how to work with my hair until she told me she’s from a blended family and has a stepsister who’s African American. I totally lucked out when it comes to my roommate.
She’s making this party fun and has taken my mind off the big idiot across the room. I’ve been doing my best not to look in Bentley’s direction even as his friends make a ruckus while tossing back drinks and horsing around.
“So you’re going to be on the track team?” a guy whose name I can’t remember asks.
“That’s the plan. I’m excited to meet the team and throw myself into the new routine,” I reply.
“You guys have a great program. I look forward to seeing you compete,” he says as his gaze rolls over me.
I turn to the guy on my right to keep from sending mixed signals. He seems like he might be a nice guy, but I’m not interested. He’s been undressing me with his eyes since he came over here.
To be honest, most of the guys here seem to be more interested in hooking up than anything else. I’m not taking this that far. I’m offered another beer and decline.
“Come dance with me,” Arlene says as she leans into my ear.
I nod and go to turn with her to head to one of the open areas where everyone is dancing. There are a lot more people than I was expecting. Which is why I’m not that surprised when someone’s drink ends up on me and my shirt. I jump back and shake my hands out.
When I look up, Bentley’s girlfriend stands looking back at me with a nasty grin on her face. She gives a fake gasp and covers her mouth with her hand.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there,” she says dramatically.
I see right through her. Her friends snickering around her only confirms what I already know. I ball my fists at my sides. The last thing I’m about to do is allow this chick to bully me.
“I’m sure it was an accident,” I say dryly.
“Those seem to be happening a lot around here. How’s your head?” she says in the snarkiest tone I’ve ever heard.
“My head is fine.”
“So you admit you’re a lying, boyfriend-stealing slut,” she hisses at me.
“Excuse me?”
She pulls a face and steps closer into my space. I refuse to step back. She’s not about to intimidate me.
“I said you’re a liar, a boyfriend stealer, and a nasty-ass slut. Look at you all up in our star players’ faces. You skank-ass bitch,” she says and goes to push me.
The next thing I know, my hand is stinging from slapping the shit out of her before she can put her hands on me. Corey is at my side right away. He gets between us before this disrespectful heifer can try something else.
I look down at my clothes and groan. My white shorts are ruined, and my thin top is now see-through and stained red. I peel the top away from my front.
A yelp leaves my lips as I’m suddenly picked up bridal style. I look up into the angry face of Bentley. He starts for the stairs that lead to the second level of the house.
I’m in shock at first. Then annoyance runs through me. Is he angry because I slapped his girlfriend after she attacked me?
“Where are you taking me?” I hiss.
“Your top is see-through. You need something to cover you up.”
“Bent, put me down. I can walk on my own.”
“Your bra is as thin as this shirt. I can see your nipples. I’m not putting you down for anyone else to see,” he says tightly.
I look down at how he has me pressed tightly to his chest. My cheeks heat. I am wearing a thin-panel bra with no padding. Instead of protesting, I wrap my arms around his neck.
He walks into one of the bedrooms and kicks the door closed behind him. Then he places me on my feet. His chest is heaving as he looks down into my eyes. My shoes are giving me a bit of height, but I still have to tilt my head back to make eye contact.
He opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something, but clamps it shut and shakes his head. Turning, he then heads for the closet. He peels the shirt he’s wearing off.
His back comes into view. The way it flexes and ripples with the motion causes me to pull my lip between my teeth. He’s so much bigger than the last time I saw him—more muscular and bulky.
He reaches into the closet and takes out a dress shirt. When he turns to face me, my mouth drops open. His body never used to be this sculpted.
He comes over to hand me the shirt. I take it as I eat him up with my gaze. He flexes his pecs, breaking me out of my trance.
“Put that on and I’ll take your things down the hall to clean them.”
“Thanks. Why did you take your shirt off?” I say just above a whisper.
“The front is covered in red shit from where you were pressed against me. I need to change it. Why? You see something you like?” he says with a cocky grin on his sexy lips.
Bentley has a nice white smile and a wide mouth. His lower lip is fuller than his upper one, but his upper lip makes the perfect bow. He would make a great male model.
“No, I … I … I um, can you turn around so I can change?”
He looks me over lazily. I bring the dress shirt up in front of me, clenched tightly in my hand. He lets out a small laugh and turns to head back to the closet.
Nervously, I place the dress shirt down on the bed and start to undress. I strip down to my panties and slip the dress shirt on. It swallows me, so I pull the belt from my shorts and wrap it around my waist.
“Zah, we should talk,” he says as I turn to find him staring back at me.
“Were you watching me, asshole?”