Chapter 9
Happy Birthday
Zahirah
It’s early morning and I’m at the football field waiting for Bentley to arrive. The morning chill on campus is real and something I’m not used to. This is a different type of cold.
Bentley and I spent last night texting back and forth. It started with a birthday text at midnight. We continued to text until I couldn’t see straight and nearly dropped my phone on my face.
I woke up this morning wondering if I dreamed it all. That’s when I saw the text from Bent telling me to meet him on the field. So here I am.
I exhale deeply and watch my breath mist in front of me. Needing to stay warm against the morning chill, I begin to bounce from foot to foot. Bringing my hands up to my mouth, I blow on them.
“Good morning, birthday girl,” is breathed into my ear, causing me to jump and turn.
Bentley is smiling back at me as he holds out a cup to me. I take the cup, and it warms my hands up right away. I take a sip, and the warm, sweet flavor bursts against my tongue.
“Thank you. It’s my favorite. Carmel hot chocolate,” I say and give him a little goofy grin.
I can’t believe he remembers what kind of hot chocolate I like. It’s perfect too. He places his hands on my hips and kisses my forehead.
“I remembered and thought you would want something to warm you up. We’re not in Arizona anymore. This cold will get to you,” he replies.
“So what are we doing out here? I thought our date was for tonight.”
“It is, but can you blame me for wanting to spend the day with my girl on her birthday?”
“Not your girl yet. You haven’t won, or did you forget already?”
“I haven’t forgotten at all. That’s why we’re here.” He nods to the stairs. “Challenge number one. First one to quit is the loser.”
I smile wider. I should have known. This is our thing. Our game is to challenge each other mentally and physically.
“Oh, you’re on.”
I finish my hot chocolate and toss it into the bin a few paces away. I begin to roll my neck from side to side and then start to stretch. Bentley is already stretching as he watches me with a smile on his lips.
Once we’re done, we move to the bottom of the stairs and stand side by side. I don’t need my speed for this, I need my endurance. Bentley has always been full of energy. All I have to do is match that.
“I win this round, I get another date this weekend,” he says.
“We haven’t even gone on the first one. What if it’s a bust?” I tease.
He bumps me with his hip. I laugh as I dodge him. He reaches for me and pulls me into him.
“I have the perfect date planned for tonight. I’m confident you’ll want another.”
“If you say so. What do I get when I win?”
“I never thought about that because you’re not going to,” he says.
“Is that right? Fine. I win, I get to pick the next two challenges, and you have to show me all the need-to-know spots on campus. I still haven’t gotten around to exploring much.”
“Deal, I would do that anyway. Let’s go.”
He turns and starts to run up. I’m right with him. It only takes a few seconds for me to get where I went wrong with this one. Bentley has been here for two years. He’s used to the altitude here. I’m not.
My lungs are burning, and we’ve only been up and down once so far. I want to curse and fuss, but I suck it up and keep going. I’m no quitter.
“You okay, baby? You ready to quit?” Bentley taunts as we start up again.
I frown at him and keep going. How the heck is he talking while doing this? At this point, I’m no longer feeling the cold.
I push through and keep going. However, exhaustion from not sleeping much begins to catch up with me as we get to round four. Once I turn and get back down to the bottom, I’m ready to throw the towel in.
I stop and place my hands on my knees. I grind my teeth as Bentley hoots and fist pumps. I’m so mad I could spit, but my body is telling me I can’t go any further.
“You cheated,” I pant.
“Come on, baby. Don’t be a sore loser.”
“Don’t baby me. It’s my birthday. You should’ve let me win.” I pout.
He laughs and tugs me into him. “I’ll take you to breakfast at my favorite spot. You can get some strawberry French toast and corn beef hash.”
I’m smiling so hard right now. That’s my favorite thing for breakfast. Bentley is definitely showing how much he knows me.
“Sounds good to me.”
A huge smile comes to his face. He leans in and takes my lips, kissing me breathless. When he pulls away, I can’t stop smiling up at him.
He cups my face and runs his thumb across my lips. “Then we can hang out in my room at the frat house until we need to get ready for our date,” he says.
“At the frat house, huh?” I say teasingly and lift a brow.
“Or we can hang in your dorm room.” He shrugs.
“No, your room sounds good. As long as I can get some reading done.”
“It’s your birthday and you still want to do homework. Nothing has changed. You’re still the same old Zah.” He shakes his head at me.
I scoff. “As if you’re not going to be watching film. I just gave you an out to do so.”
He gives a little laugh and holds his hands up. I love how natural this feels. When he wraps his arm around me and begins to lead me away from the field, I can’t help feeling like something has changed between us that will never be the same again, but I like it.
Bentley
We’re sitting on my bed in my room at the frat house. I have my AirPods in as I watch film on my tablet. I glance up from the screen, and a smile comes to my face. Zah has a highlighter in hand and a textbook in her lap. However, I don’t know how much she’s retaining.
Her head is lolling to the side as she nods off. She jumps as she almost falls forward off the bed. I chuckle, causing her to turn and look at me with a frown.
Pulling one of my AirPods out, I then lift my arm out at my side. I do feel bad for waking her so early this morning after keeping her up all night texting. I just hate when I’m not with her.
“Come here,” I say and wave her to me.
Zah sets her book aside and crawls her way to me. She turns and sits beside me, snuggling into my side. I palm her forehead and tug her head against me.
“Get some sleep, baby. You can finish studying later,” I murmur.
She turns her face up and gives me a sleepy smile. I lean in to kiss her lips. When I go to pull away, she cups the back of my head and holds me to her, so I deepen the kiss.
My tablet forgotten, I grasp her waist and lower us onto the bed. She moans into my mouth as I drink from her lips. I’m growing so hard as I nestle between her legs.
Wanting to test the waters, I finger the hem of her shirt then brush the skin just above the waist of her leggings. When she doesn’t protest, I reach beneath her shirt to cup her breast in my hand.
“Bent, wait,” she calls as she breaks the kiss.
“Too much?” I ask and go to lift up.
She sits up and looks back at me worriedly. I return to my place against the wall and sit. Zah tucks back into my side.
“It’s just … well, I’m tired. I want to enjoy my first time, but I don’t think I will like this.”
“No problem, baby. We don’t have to rush. Go ahead and rest.”
I kiss the top of her head. I can’t say I’m disappointed. I’ve waited this long for Zah; I’m willing to wait so much longer.
“Bent?”
“Yeah, Zah.”
“Thank you.”
I look down at her. Her eyes are already closed. She’s such a beautiful girl. I can’t believe she’s mine.
“Anytime. I always want to make you happy,” I say.
I release a laugh as her snores start to fill the room. Replacing my AirPod, I go back to watching film. A few moments go by, and I begin to realize I don’t miss home. For two years, I have missed home every day.
I glance down at Zah and my heart swells. You can’t miss home when you’re there. I kiss her lips and allow mine to linger for a few moments.
***
“Thanks, buddy,” I say to Corey as he hands over the keys to his pickup truck while we’re standing in my room.
I wanted to make this date special. I spent hours online watching videos for inspiration as I thought of the things Zah loves. I think I have a nice balance of something romantic, something Zah will love, and something that will be special for us both.
I’m excited to make new memories with her. I’m still kicking myself for rushing things earlier. Zahirah deserves better. I want to give her better.
That’s why this date is so important. It’s our first and I get the feeling it might be her first as well. The thought of being all her firsts makes my chest swell with pride.
“No problem, we put everything you asked for in the truck bed. I even found a tent in case it rains. I hooked it up. The remote is in the glove compartment,” Corey replies.
“I’ve been watching the forecast. We should be all right. Seriously, thanks. I couldn’t have pulled this off without you and Jason.”
A smile comes to his face, and he nods. Corey and Jason have become my closest friends here on campus. I get the feeling we’ll be friends for life.
“It was my pleasure, bro. It’s good to see you like this. Carly never seemed right for you. Zahirah is different. Your eyes light up around her.”
I can’t help but smile. It feels right to have Zah here. When she woke up and left to get ready, I felt an ache in my chest seeing her go. I know we’ll be together again soon, but my heart left with her.
“Listen, I better get ready. I’ll see you later,” I say.
“Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t and if you do, be safe.”
I laugh and shove him in the shoulder. I’m not doing this to get into Zah’s pants. I genuinely want to see her happy. I can’t wait for her to look up at me with that big old smile.
“Whatever,” I murmur.
Corey pats me on the shoulder and nods before he walks out of my room. I turn to look at the stack of clothes on my bed from before Corey knocked on the door. I still don’t know what to wear.
This feels like my first junior high school dance all over again. I blow out a breath and settle on the blue button-down and a pair of blue jeans. I race to hop in the shower and get dressed.
Once dressed, I look in the mirror and question myself. I’m questioning the outfit, the date, everything. I groan and palm my forehead.
When it comes to Zah, I always fuck things up. What if I’m screwing this up too? I cut my rambling thoughts off and take a deep breath the way I do before every game.
“You’ve got this, Bent,” I mumble to myself.