The lines around his mouth tighten. "If I have to kick your ass because you—"
I bark out a laugh. "Go home to your woman. Kasey's made it her mission to get under my skin. All I'm doing is returning the favor. Stop reading into nothing. We’re good.”
He doesn't look entirely convinced, but finally nods. "Fine. You going back to ADPi?"
I should, but if I go back now, it'll give Roman the wrong idea. "Nah. I'm heading home. Gotta ice my shoulder and shit. I'll catch you later."
"Later, cabrón."
I flip off my best friend as I climb into my Escalade, put it in reverse and head for home. I pass by Greek Row and tighten my grip on the wheel until I make it to my street, three short blocks from where Kasey is living now.
Fuck. I need to get my head on straight. I’m not commitment material, and there are too many obstacles in the way, so why is it that the idea of getting past them all makes my dick twitch and brings a smile to my face?
Chapter Five
“Mom, I have to go.”
“Oh, and did I tell you about the time when I was in college and—” She rattles on as though she doesn’t hear me.
“Mom,” I try again, shifting my bag to my other arm to avoid dropping my phone. “I’m late for class. I’ll call you later. Okay?”
“Oh. Just one more thing—”
I grind my teeth together. “Mom!”
“Oh, alright. But before you hang up, can you at least tell me if you’re making friends? I worry about you, sweetie.” Obviously not enough since you decided to move halfway across the country.
I sigh. She means well and at least she’s checking up on me. “Lots of friends. All the friends. Have to go now. Love you. Bye.”
“Love yo—”
I hang up and all but run to my last class of the day, my sneakers squeaking as I race down the hallway. My phone buzzes in my hand but I send Mom to voicemail. I’ve talked to her three times already, and she just left for Florida yesterday. I think she’s bored. It’s a long drive and she still has probably a day and a half before she’ll get there, assuming she doesn’t stop to shop along the way.
I chance a look at the clock on my screen.Shit.I’m going to be late. I’m almost to the door when another figure turns the corner on my right and crashes into me.
I drop my bag and my books tumble out onto the floor. My body sways with my momentum, but the stranger reaches out, grabbing me with an iron grip before I land face first on the linoleum. “Ow. Crap.”
“Watch where you’re going,” the guy snaps.
Asshole.I jerk my arm free and ignore him, not bothering to look up. This is just my luck. I drop to the floor to grab my things, conscious of the time as I rush to put everything back in my bag. I’m so screwed. It’s only the second day of school and I’m going to be late to my english class for the second day in a row.
His feet edge closer. Black Beast Mode sneakers come into my line of vision, making me think of the red ones Dominique wears.Urgh, and now I’m thinking about Dominique.
The guy crouches down and retrieves my last book before handing it to me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. You just came out of nowhere. I’m late to my English class and my professor is known to be a real hardass. I didn’t mean to take you out like that.”
I accept the book, rising to my feet and finally look up at the stranger beside me. Honey-colored eyes framed with dark brows meet mine. I suck in a breath, my heart skipping a beat. I’m taken aback by my response to him, but the longer I stare makes me realize I’m not that surprised.
He’s gorgeous in a devastating way. Medium brown skin, full lips. I wouldn’t say he’s light skinned, but he’s not as dark as Dominique. He’s wearing slim-fitting jeans that are torn in the knees and a long white crew shirt that molds to his body. Add to that the black sneakers and a black ball cap turned backwards and he’s stunning. I’m not sure how else to describe him.
Most of the skin I can see on him is covered in ink. Two forearm sleeves disappear beneath the long sleeves of his shirt that he’s pushed up to his elbows, and he has a cross tattoo on the left side of his neck. A scroll design filled with script on his right.
But despite looking like Kelly Oubre Jr’s doppleganger, there’s something about the way he’s studying me that sets me on edge.
"It's fine. Sorry for slamming into you,” I say.
The corners of his mouth curl into a calculated smirk. He licks his lips and rubs his palms together, almost like a prayer. “Nothing to be sorry about.” His eyes roam over me, sliding down from my face, lingering on my chest, and then returning to my face again.
“Alrighty then.” I move to step around him but he mirrors my steps, effectively blocking me.
