Chapter 7
We Need to Talk
Zahirah
The student center is alive and buzzing with chatter as Arlene and I walk in. I look around nervously. I haven’t been around this large a group of the student body since the frat party.
My classes have been small, but more students are filling them up each day. The campus has been lively, but nothing like this with such a concentrated group in one area.
This is my first time having dinner in the student cafeteria. I’ve been eating takeout in our room to avoid running into Bentley. I didn’t tell Arlene what happened up in his room. In all honesty, I’m still processing that entire day for myself.
“Let’s get our food and find some place to sit,” Arlene says.
“Sounds good,” I murmur.
“I wonder if they have that pasta dish I was telling you about. That was so good. I wouldn’t mind having that again today.”
“I hope they have some fresh fruit. I need to get back on my diet. I felt a little sluggish out there yesterday,” I reply.
“Girl, if that was sluggish, I need to think about my life and my diet. I’ve broken wind slower than that.”
I burst into laughter and shake my head. “You’re a mess.”
We grab our food and go to find a table to sit at. There aren’t many options. A group gets up from one of the larger tables and we rush to take it.
“Hey, look. There’s Terry. You remember him from the party, right?” Arlene says as she waves him over.
“Not really.” I shrug.
It’s been two weeks since I arrived on campus and went to my first frat party. Totally overrated in my opinion. I’m in no rush to go to another.
Though Arlene hasn’t stopped trying to talk me into going to several parties over the last two weeks.
I haven’t had time for that. Between orientation and learning my way around the campus, as well as training with my new team, I haven’t had much time for anything else.
Which is how I’ve avoided Bentley since the party.
There are several rumors flying around about what Carly did to his car. Some say she did it out of jealousy because he was at the party flirting with others. Others say they broke up and she wanted revenge because he hooked up with someone else.
I don’t know what to believe and at this point, I honestly don’t care. Bentley is allowed to do whatever he wants to do. I’m done with my stupid crush; he’s not at all the person I thought he was.
“Nickels,” Corey croons as he comes over with Terry to sit with us at our table.
“How do you know my last name?”
“One of my best bros is interested in you. I made it my business to find out everything I could,” Corey says.
“Your best bro? Who’s your best bro?”
“Coswell, of course.”
I groan and roll my eyes. “Bentley is not interested in me. We grew up together, that’s all.”
“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.
Like I don’t know they play for points when it comes to girls. Zahirah isn’t a toy for anyone to play with. I’ll put my fist down their throats if they try me.
“Mind your business, Henry,” I bark back.
“You’ve been warning guys off?” Zah snaps, grabbing my attention.
“Yeah, I have and will continue to.”
“You’re an asshole. You have no right, Bentley,” she says and stands to push me out of the way.
I stumble back as she marches off, dumping her trash as she stews in her anger. I place my hands on my hips and shake my head as I watch her go. She’s still as stubborn as ever.
“Bro, you’re still striking out. Why not step aside and let someone show you how it’s done?” Henry taunts.
I point a finger at him. “You and I have a problem. I suggest you steer clear of me.”
With that, I turn and head out to the weight room to blow off some steam. It’s been a long day. I got the news that Carly will not be expelled. She’s only going to get a slap on the wrist.
They’re blaming it on the alcohol and giving her a pass because her father is a big donor and an alumnus. Total bullshit if you ask me. If I had trashed her car like that, I would have been out on my ass and in a jail cell.
However, her father did write a check to cover the damage to my car and then some. After getting the news about Carly, I received a call from my dad. He wants to come for a visit.
I haven’t decided whether or not I will tell him about the car, so this isn’t the greatest time for that.
Now I have Zah pissed off at me for another reason.
And all I want is to pull her into my arms and tell her how much she has always meant to me.
I know I said no girls, and this is why. However, this is Zah.
***
“Coswell, calm the fuck down,” Coach barks at me as I beat the shit out of Henry G.
I told him to stay out of my way. Coach already warned the team not to touch me in practice. However, Henry decided to sack me like the grade-A asshole he is. I tore my helmet off and stripped off my pads, then ripped his helmet off his head and started to beat his ass.
I lick my lips in satisfaction as I watch blood pour from his nose. The asshole deserved it. He’s been taunting me since practice started.
“You two, in my office after practice. You’re done for the day,” Coach bellows.
“I think he needs a medic first,” I snort.
“Bentley, I’m warning you.”
I throw my hands up in the air as I walk backward. “I’m only stating the facts, Coach. My teammate needs some medical attention. He looks pretty banged up,” I say with a smug grin.
“Fuck you,” Henry snarls.
I lift my arm and flex my muscles then kiss my bicep before I turn back to Henry and wink. He growls and tries to lunge at me.
Coach grabs him by the shoulders and shoves him back.
“You didn’t get enough? Want him to close the other eye?
I told you not to touch him in the first place.
You’re lucky I didn’t let him beat your ass some more.
You’ve lost your starting spot. Make me sit you down for the season,” he says to Henry.
I laugh and blow Henry a kiss from behind Coach’s back. Jason and Corey come to grab me by an arm each, tugging me off the field. I shrug them off and start for the locker room.
“Bro, he’s an asshole. We all know that, but are you sure it’s wise to mess with the chemistry in the locker room?” Corey says, always the voice of reason.
“It’s my locker room. If anyone wants to get behind him, they can all find another team to play for. He broke the rules. I showed him the consequences. Fuck him,” I say and shrug.
“I kind of agree with you both on this one,” Jason says. “Coach clearly stated not to touch Bentley or the receivers in this practice. If he can’t show self-control now, I can point out who will cause all our penalties during the season.”
“Exactly.”
I freeze in my tracks as the word falls from my lips. Standing across the field watching me is Zah. Fuck, I can’t catch a break.