Untitled #2
The next few days I keep a low profile, trying to avoid Chris. I eventually suck it up and walk my normal route to the English building.
“Serenity,” Chris calls out, jogging across campus to catch up with me.
One thing I love about college is dressing comfortable. I’m wearing black jogger shorts, a gray Creekwood t-shirt, black ankle socks, and black athlete slides.
He falls into step with me. “It feels like you were trying to avoid me.”
His cologne hit my nostrils. It smells good, but it doesn’t hit that spot between my legs like Nico’s does.
I squint from the sun blaring down on us. “Maybe a little bit,” I chuckle.
He peeks over his shoulder, then back at me. “So the security detail is yours. Not as many as the night we went on our date. But I recognize two of those guys from the other night.”
“Yes.” I don’t mention half of the men were Nico’s. It’s not Chris’s business.
My father paid a lot of money to the school to have my fake name, Sara S. Baker, added to my records. It’s for my safety and everyone on this campus.
“Why do you have security?” he asks.
“To keep me safe. That’s all I can say.”
“How can I get to know you if you don’t share a part of you with me?”
“We had a good time the other night. Thanks again,” I tell him.
“I’m not looking for anything serious. My studies are important to me. But we can hang out. If you’re worried about your safety and don’t want to hang, I understand.”
“Damn, you’re going to write me off that easy, huh?”
I peer into his handsome dark eyes and shrug. “I know it’s dangerous to be in my presence.”
“That psycho doesn’t seem fazed,” he adds.
That psycho is in the mafia. Of course, I don’t say that.
I arch a brow. “Is this a dick-measuring contest?”
He chuckles. “Naw. Nothing like that. I’m just saying I’m not scared to hang out with you. May I have your phone number?”
“Yes,” I reply.
We halt at the steps of the building and exchange phone numbers.
“Phi Si Ky is throwing a party this Friday night. You should come along.” I smile. “Okay.”
Three weeks later, I stand on the sidelines at the football game against Penn State.
The party I attended with Chris was fun. He tried to kiss me, but I pulled back. I’d only been intimate with one man. To be honest, I didn’t want to run around fucking every guy. I liked only fucking Nico. It had nothing to do with connection. And everything to do with him, knowing my body.
Chris and I hung out a lot. Mostly, sharing meals in the cafeteria.
Chris called Nico a psycho because of his over the top theatrics.
Flying in a helicopter to spy on me. The sick part of me loved that he was so jealous he had to interrupt my date.
Not one Penn State cheerleader touched Nico again after I sent the mice.
I smile at the thought. Okay, I admit I have a problem with women fucking Nico.
I say I don’t care if he has sex with other women, but then I secretly punish them.
The Penn State football team swarms onto the field. Nico, wearing number thirty-five, sends a kiss my way.
“Wow, he’s so hot! Did he really just blow me a kiss?” Barbara exclaims.
I’m certain that kiss was meant for me. Still, I throw myself fully into cheering.
With our families watching, Nico and I need to be on our best behavior.
As soon as the game kicks off, our team, the Wild Bills, scores its first touchdown of the night. Nico sacks Chris not once or twice, but an impressive four times.
He’s deliberately roughing Chris up. They break into a scuffle on the field.
Everyone assumes the fight is about the plays. But it’s really about me.
Penn State claims victory. The crowd erupts. Nico charges toward me, waving to the roaring fans. He rips off his helmet, his jet-black hair plastered to his forehead.
Beneath the bright field lights, Nico sticks out his tongue like a wild man.
Grinning, he chants, “Penn State,” as he scoops me up, my ass resting on his strong forearms. I clutch his shoulders tightly as he spins me around.
Nico locks eyes with me. “I’m two seconds from snapping your wannabe boyfriend’s neck.”
“Nico, mind your own business,” I warn with a poised smile.
“You are my business, Serenity.”
Why bother arguing?
Once I’m back on my feet, Barbara shakes her pom-poms, beaming from ear to ear.
I can feel my ex’s gaze burning into me.
She leans in and whispers, “Way to go, girl. Your boyfriend’s hot.”
“We aren’t together. We’ve known each other for years.”
Nico laughs softly at my reply. One of his teammates approaches and chats with him as they walk down the field.
Barbara licks her lower lip thoughtfully. “So, he’s like a brother to you, then?”
“I wouldn’t put it that way,” I reply quietly.
Without hesitation, she sidles up to him, wrapping an arm around his and striding away. Nico glances back at me with a sly smirk.
Chris storms across the field, yanking off his helmet. “What the hell was that?”
If my bodyguards caught him raising his voice, they’d tear him apart. I’m doing my best to act like a regular college student, not a mafia princess.
Why the double standard, Serenity?
You had no problem unleashing your wrath on Nico in high school. That was different.
“He did that to entertain our families,” I say.
“Great game,” I deflect, hugging him.
“That fucker is going to get fucked up tonight.”
I step out of his hold. “The fight’s over, Chris. Let it go.”
“I’m not a chump,” he sneers.
“I know you’re not. Put the fight behind you.”
“Fuck that.” He kisses my cheek. “I’ll see you at the pizza joint.”
There’s no way Nico will leave knowing Chris touched me. Nico didn’t see the kiss, but someone here is feeding him information. How else would he have known I was on a date with Chris?
Hopefully, Nico won’t show up there. If he does, all hell will break loose.