Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Jason and Corey, why don’t you guys go check on her if you can find her. Bentley, we can go. We still need to get our tickets and make it to the concession stand before the movie starts,” Carly says.
I roll my eyes. Things haven’t been great between us. I don’t know how an us even started.
One drunken almost hookup turned into her clinging to me at every party, every event, and nearly every moment of my life for the last three months. I’ve only kept it going because she scares off the other girls. I’m trying to keep my head focused on the game. I’m not into chasing after girls.
Doesn’t mean they’re not into chasing me. I close my eyes, feeling like an asshole. I had thought Zah was one of these chicks around campus trying to throw themselves at me when she first hugged me. Carly’s thoughts were my own at first.
I had wondered if she had intentionally fallen to get my attention. She had it from the moment she went down, but I shook it off. I mean, she felt and smelled nice, but I didn’t want to fall into a trap set by some pretty groupie on campus.
“Way to go, Bent,” I mutter to myself.
I just fucked that up so royally. For years, since I’ve started to see Zah as more than my little sister’s best friend, I can’t seem to do or say the right things around her. I’m two years older, but I would swear I’m the younger one with how tongue-tied and twisted up I get.
Damn. Nothing I said today came out right. I was stunned to see her and then I was jealous as Corey and Jason tried to come to her aid. The girls here on campus are pretty, but Zah … she brings the light with her.
“You live next door to her, bro? Please tell me you’ve—”
“Finish those words and I’ll put my fist through your face. It isn’t like that. That’s like one of my sisters,” I grind out.
“Sure didn’t seem like it. I would hope you’d treat your sisters better than that,” Corey murmurs. “I’m concerned.
“I know that chick with her. Maybe they’re in the same dorm. I’m going to go check on her. I’ve had enough concessions. I’d feel more comfortable making sure she’s okay.”
“I’d come with you, but I booked a workout. I need to be there in ten minutes,” Jason says.
“I’ll come with you,” I say.
“What? Come on, babe. She’ll be fine. Corey can call you if anything happens,” Carly whines.
I look at her and roll my eyes. Opening my mouth, I go to tell her I’m not going to the movies, and I think we should break things off. However, my phone rings, cutting me off.
Seeing it’s my sister, Erica, I pick up and walk off without another word.
“What have you done, Bentley?” Erica growls before I can get a word out.
CHAPTER 4
Here for Myself
Zahirah
My head was throbbing by the time we made it back to the dorm room. I didn’t know if it was from being hit with the football or from the tears I tried to hold back. I almost didn’t answer Erica’s call because of it.
However, she’s the only one I can talk to about this. Arlene was kind enough to go get us something to eat while I took the call. I was grateful for that.
I don’t want my roommate to know how stupid I’ve been. Now, after crying into my phone—telling my best friend what happened between me and her brother—I get how huge this mistake is. I don’t know what made me think this was going to be some great love story.
“Hey, I’m here for you if you need to talk,” Arlene says as she devours her fries.
“Thanks,” I murmur and run a hand under my nose.
I’m still curled up on my bed, sniffling and feeling too pitiful to eat. I just don’t understand. The Bentley I know would have treated me with kindness and made sure I was okay.
This Bentley felt so cold and distant. Why was he so rude? He was even curt with his friends.
Okay, he has a girlfriend. I can’t really be upset about that. Bentley Coswell is gorgeous. All that thick chocolate-brown wavy hair, those hazel eyes, and that sexy grin.
At six-four, he has always towered over me. Every time I would have a growth spurt, I used to pray to be taller like him. Only for him to shoot up several inches. When I capped at five-six, I gave up hope of at least getting to six feet.
I’m not too hopeful for that last four inches. That girl had to be at least five-nine with her long legs. If she’s Bentley’s type, I really am delusional and should have gone to the school my parents wanted me to go to.