Four's Game (SEU, #1) [ SAMPLE + UNEDITED FULL VERSION]

SAMPLE - CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

TOSHA

Southeastern's star athlete was giving me a ride home in the pouring rain after our second encounter. I didn't really know how I felt about him. Mixed emotions, but nothing terrible. Athletes had a reputation across campus. That life came with lots of parties, girls, and popularity. It was a glorified version of high school but on a broader spectrum. Since I wasn't oblivious to that life, I knew to keep my guard up and not let anything, whether big or small, progress into something I would later regret.

Although I didn't want Four to know where I lived, I hadn't checked the weather earlier to know it would rain tonight. The last transit would come in an hour from reviewing my navigation app, leaving me with two options: get drenched and ruin my hair or take the ride and endure more time with the infamous football player.

Tonight, the football player option didn't seem too bad.

Now I sat in his truck, with the radio on low, playing an old hit from the 90s. My eyes were glued to the window as pellets of rain coated the laminated glass. I slowly traced shapes in the fog to distract me from the awkward silence.

"So what's your deal? I don't recall ever seeing you at any parties or games." I heard him ask.

Keeping my focus on the rain and the road, I answered, "I highly doubt you'd remember every face you've seen at parties or games."

"I'm sure I'd remember your face."

My finger halted from tracing the glass. I wasn't sure if Four was flirting with me or if I was reading too much into it. At the diner, I'd caught his gaze wandering up and down the length of my body, and he did nothing to hide it. This wouldn't be my first experience with a male student who tried to flirt with me during a session, but this was definitely my first time of it being a white boy.

"What high school did you go to?" He brought me out of my thoughts.

"Lakeshore High," I answered. It was a school in the heart of the south side, in the hood.

"You're from the south side?" I nodded as we came to a red light.

"Hmm, a southside girl that decided to attend Southeastern University?" He kissed his teeth.

I looked at him. "What's so wrong about that?" I asked.

"I didn't say anything was wrong with it; simply rare." He added.

"Around here, it's mostly kids from the east, north, or out of state."

"The rich and wealthy," I stated. "I'm guessing you're either eastbound or from the north." From the encounter with his parents, I knew Four came from money; there was no denying it.

"My parents are from the north side." Finally, the red light turned green, and it was our turn to go.

"Why'd you say it like that?"

"What?"

"You said your parents are from the north side. What about you?" I questioned.

Shrugging, he tightened his grip on the wheel, leaning casually in his seat. "I traveled a little bit everywhere." Then, making a sharp turn, he continued. "I apologize for what you witnessed a few days ago with the dean."

"No need; I know how difficult some parents can be." We were getting closer to my apartment complex finally. I gathered my things to prepare for my departure. It appeared that Four wanted to say more, but he didn't. Still, I could feel his eyes on me again. "You're doing it again."