Chapter 32 BEANS
BEANS
My eyebrows raised as I closed my phone and set it next to me.
I barely slept as I thought about how Piggy’s and my night went from good to bad.
There were so many things I wanted to say to her, but I couldn’t.
I was afraid that when she found out how fucked I was, I would lose her, which was a hard pill to swallow.
She wanted me to leave her alone, and as sick as it sounded, I couldn’t.
It was the crack of dawn, and I needed to get up.
Not only did I have a course to teach today, but I also had a Chi Kappa Chi meeting and a podcast recording.
I got out of bed and made my way to get ready.
Today was going to be a cold one, not only because of the winter weather but also because of how I was going to approach this Papi person.
Shit was going to be brisk and cutthroat.
If what Peanut and Chev said was true, that he was a part of NTR and a student here at Toussaint State, then I’m sure he had gotten word that I whooped his brother’s ass last night.
“Fuck!” I shouted, thinking about the additional shit I added to the Zoo.
The sound of my phone going off alerted me to a message.
I walked over and picked it up. A tiny grin eased onto my face when I saw that Piggy had sent her gamer tag.
I stared at her profile picture for a long time.
Seeing her all dressed up in her sexy-ass elf outfit did something to me.
I nearly wanted to place the phone to my lips and lick the screen, hoping to taste how sweet she was.
The simplest approach would have been to ask her out, take her to have a nice dinner and drinks, because I think that’s what she was waiting for.
However, after last night, I had to find another way to keep her around.
Being over five years younger than me, she couldn't fully handle everything I was dealing with. From the Zoo, my family issues, my music, to my darker desires and appetite. I had many layers that couldn’t be easily uncovered.
With each layer revealed, she would discover something dark and monstrous about me.
She saw me as Braylen, but not as Beans, and that’s where the problem lay.
I wanted her, yes, but like all ominous beasts, we wait, watch, learn, build intensity, and then show ourselves.
Piggy, she wasn’t ready for that, and until she was, my unorthodox ways would remain the same.
When the time was right, her little chocolate ass was going to get devoured.
I tried to put her in the back of my mind as I got dressed. Once I was done, I headed out of my house, got in my car, and took the five-minute drive to campus. When I arrived, I made my way through the Quad. I was almost at the music building when Clark Mercier stopped me. “Braylen,” he called out.
I dropped my head before I turned his way. “Dean,” I replied dryly.
Clark was a muhfucka you looked at sideways.
Not only because of what I heard about him and Chevy, but also because of what I knew about him, given who my parents are.
He tugged at his suit jacket as he gave me a grin that said he was going to be on that good bullshit.
“I wanted to chat with you about an opportunity. One, I think you may find a financial uplift. I know that currently you have your hands full with the on-campus music program and being the advisor for Chi Kappa Chi. However, I think you should consider running the tech program at Hawkins University. I know some people over there who will welcome you with open arms.”
Wrinkles formed in my forehead as I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What makes you think I want to do that?”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Braylen, I know you graduated with a double major. One in music and the other in computer science. Yes?”
“Software engineering, but continue.”
He pointed his finger and shook it. “Ah, such a smart guy. They have an opening and would love to have you. I mean, it’s more hours, a bit more work, so it won’t allow you to find trouble. I think you should say yes. Your parents—”
I held my hand out. “The answer is no, Mr. Mercier. I have a course to teach. Are we finished?”
He stared evilly. “That music program won’t last long. It is not technically a part of the university. So maybe you need to figure it out or consider my offer. Besides, dealing with June Calloway is bad for TSU press. Think about it,” he finished as he walked away.
Chevy’s problems somehow leaked into my world, and that alone pissed me off. My waiting until the weekend to chat with him was going to speed the fuck up. By the time I reached my class and entered the room, the faces I saw around me told me that today was going to be one I wouldn’t forget.