Sophisticated Sophomore (Love 101 #2) Page 17

  “Right. Out of sight out of mind.” Jennifer wraps her arm around my shoulders. “You’ll be back home with Josh soon enough.” Jennifer grins knowingly.

  I gasp. “What are you talking about?”

  “Did you forget Tanya was in Miami with us while you were hugged up with her brother in Fort Walton Beach?” She cocks her head and narrows her eyebrows.

  Nicole frowns. “Guess there goes my chance with him.”

  Laughing, I motion towards Monica. “Will one of you give her a ride home? I need to get home to study.”

  On my walk back to the car my phone vibrates.

  Josh: I wish we lived closer to each other.

  Laila: Oh yea? Why is that?

  Josh: Busy? Can I call?

  I press the call button on the message and Josh answers before the second ring. “I’m not interrupting you am I?”

  "I believe I called you." My heartbeat quickens and I almost forget about my non-run-in with Chris. "What were you saying about living closer?"

  He laughs. “I was just thinking how great it would have been had you chosen the better HBCU.”

  “Just when I was thinking you had something sweet to say, you throw out this nonsense.” We both laugh and I wish I could drop by his house. Wish he were close enough to wrap me in his arms and make me completely forget about Chris.

  “But seriously, I had a rough day and I know exactly what would make it better.”

  Before realizing, I moan in response.

  “Already I’m feeling better and you are a few states away.” He breathes heavy for a minute. “Think you could do that again?”

  I look over my shoulder, and then whisper, “I’m new to this long distance seduction.”

  “Unfortunately, we have time to learn.”

  Digging in my bag for my keys, I run into someone. I look up into Jason’s face. He yells, “Yo! Laila.”

  I’m glad he didn’t bump into me a few seconds earlier or he would have overheard my horrible attempt at phone sex. I tell Josh I’ll call him back and I reach out to Jason for a hug. “How are you?”

  “Counting down days till summer.” He turns and leads me to my car. “How are you?”

  “Summer is calling my name.” I avoid eye contact as he glares at me. “This has been one helluva year.”

  “So…” He leans on my car as I unlock the door. “I heard about you and Chris.”

  “You did?” I throw my hand in the air. “Of course you did.”

  He bobbles his head. “Ever since ol’ girl went off in front of the frat house we’ve been kinda all in y’alls business.”

  I groan. “Great. Just what I wanted to hear.”

  Jason places his hand on my arm. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not that serious. But have you heard anything else about that chick?”

  “No, actually I haven’t.”

  "Well, you should probably get going. Whoever you were seducing on the phone is probably waiting with his dick hard for you to call back."

  My eyes buck and my mouth hangs open. Jason laughs and hugs me before walking away. Over his shoulder he yells, “Holla at you later, Laila.”

  Jason is probably right. Josh is probably waiting with his dick hard. I practice my sexy phone voice in my head a few times, but to me I sound like an undersexed pre-puberty teenage boy.

  What the hell? What do I have to lose? At the least it will be an entertaining ride home. I call Josh back and it doesn’t take long for him to answer. “Glad you called back. Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just ran into a classmate. Like literally ran into him.” Josh laughs and then returns to his seduction.

  In a deep voice he murmurs, “Before you rushed off the phone you were about to tease me with that sexy moan again.”

  Trying to focus on the road becomes difficult as my clit begins to throb, thinking about Josh making me moan. I trail a hand down my thigh between my legs and I release a soft moan.

  “Damn, Laila. I have a list of things I want to do with you, but mostly making you moan like that would be my priority.”

  “Did I mention I’m driving, and talk like that will have me up a tree?”

  “We can’t have that. This is what I want you to do. Focus on driving, and put me on speaker.” He waits until I confirm I’m listening. “Now make sure you have both hands on the wheel.” He pauses for a minute then he whispers, “Now imagine me laying you on the bed and spreading your legs wide open.” Involuntarily, another moan escapes. “I’m kissing you from your toes up each leg and caressing your breasts as I approach your mound. I lick between those thighs and you taste amazing.”

  “I’m finding it very hard to keep both hands on the wheel right now. My nipples are going to burst out of my bra and I’m pretty sure my panties are soaked.”

  “If you come up for my graduation I’ll be sure to live up to everything I’ve described.”

  “Sounds like an offer I can’t resist.” Finding time away from our families will be tricky but I hope he can work magic. When I finally pull up to my apartment I hang up with Josh but tell him to wait patiently by the phone.

  Throwing off my shirt when I get into my room I take a picture of my chest with cleavage on display making sure to crop out my head. Never can be too careful when sending sexy photos.

  Josh responds to my text with a shirtless picture showing his ripped chest, six-pack, and that special v-shaped groin area. I came home early to study but now I’m worked up. I lock my door and climb between the sheets. Imagining his promises I stroke myself into a quivering orgasm. Studying can wait until morning.

  I awaken to the girls shouting in the living room. When I emerge from my room they bombard me with their thoughts. Monica looks at me with a huge grin and says, "We are planning another party."

  As if our last party wasn't exciting enough. Hopefully, this time around Courtney will not be able to crash and attempt to ruin my night. Jennifer squeals, "We have to celebrate the newest junior class president!" I don't think I've ever seen Jennifer this excited. She didn't even show this much enthusiasm when she made the dance troupe.

  Nicole chimes in, “And we are almost done with our sophomore year that’s reason to celebrate.”

  My excitement is minimal as I consider the next couple of weeks. Chris will be leaving Tallahassee and I may or may not ever see him again. To avoid the oncoming assault of questions, I play coy. “Sounds like a plan. I’m down for a party, but maybe we should just hit up a club. Who wants to clean up after folks right before we leave for the summer?”

  They all agree and decide they will help with finding a worthy year-end party to attend. I grab a couple of snacks from the kitchen to aid in my last minute studying. Monica clears her throat, gaining our attention. “Of course, since my platform is geared towards internships I made sure I had a steady stream of them lined up for this summer.”

  I give Monica a side-eye as she continues, "The connects were mainly in preparation for next summer but a few didn't fill all their spots for this summer."

  Jennifer sits taller on the couch and says, “I wouldn’t mind having an internship this summer. Beats going back to Texas.” She cocks her eyebrow. “Is it paid too?”

  “Most of them are paid, and I’ll pass you the information. If you are interested you’ll have to act soon.”

  Monica sends the internship information and I flag the email to read after my study session.

  Our pre-game party preparations include a few of Nicole’s infamous shots. Over the past year, her ability to find someone ready and willing to buy us alcohol has been impressive.

  “Here’s to Monica!” Nicole holds her shot glass in the air and we all throw our shots back, slamming the glasses on the counter.

  Monica rubs her chest and says, “Okay, I think I’m good for a while. We should get going before the line gets too long.”

  We decided on a non-Greek, non-dance troupe year-end party. My first party as a single woman, I didn’t want to be reminded of Chris and
we didn’t want to share Jennifer with her dance troupe.

  Arriving at the club, we see the line isn’t long and we make it into the club after a short wait outside. Jennifer pauses as we make our way through the crowd. Turning to us she says, “Laila, we are here to have fun. No matter what, just remember we are here to have fun.”

  Looking through my painted lashes, I arch my brow and wait for Jennifer to explain her cryptic message. Jennifer looks to Nicole, and after staring her down for a minute Nicole looks from me to the dance floor and sighs. “We should have another shot. Let me find someone.”

  Monica puts her hand in the air, stopping Nicole. “Nothing for me. I should stay under the radar. Can’t have the future junior class president drunk in the club.” Monica straightens her dress, smoothing it out over her curves. “Should keep my public persona pristine.”

  We all laugh at her sudden sober attitude. Nicole smirks. “You’re right.” She shimmies to the bar and calls out over her shoulder. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun.” She stops to scan the crowd of guys waiting for their orders.

  As she waits for her guinea pig to buy us drinks I try to look past Jennifer to the dance floor. Jennifer obstructs my view, moving in front of me each time I try to look past her. Whatever, exams are over, I have an internship this summer. I’m celebrating tonight.

  Nicole returns with a couple of drinks in her hand and passes one to Jennifer and I grab the other. Jennifer takes a sip then looks to Monica. “Cheers to you.” She looks to us and says, “And to us, another year down. Two more to go.”

  After we finish our drinks we head to the dance floor with Jennifer leading the way. The crowd seems to part as we make our way through. Jennifer finally moves out of my way and I see who caused her pause. Courtney is in the middle of the dance floor grinding against her next victim.

  Rolling my eyes, I shake my head and find a spot on the floor away from her. A few guys surround us and I find myself paired up with a dance partner. I maneuver him in between Courtney and me and try to avoid any eye contact with her.

  My dance partner leans in and asks for my name. He towers over my small frame, and as he speaks, I stare at his wild hair. He reaches up and laughs as he twists a few strands of hair together. “You alright?”

  I force a smile and say, “Yeah. My name is Laila, yours?”

  “My friends call me Tre.” Tre isn’t the sexiest man in the room, but I entertain him anyway. It’s not like I have to marry the man. We dance through a few songs with him leaning in, whispering in my ear every few minutes, and I forget about Courtney on the other side of the room.

  The DJ switches it up and plays a line song. I ditch my dance partner and join the girls. We laugh through the song as Monica dances over her own feet. Jennifer tries to teach her the steps as we keep up with the crowd.

  Monica throws her hands in the air when the song finishes and says, “I think my feet need a break.” I follow her to a nearby table.

  I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around. Courtney is grinning from ear to ear. “Glad you finally got the message and moved on.”

  Curse words sit on my tongue but I decide that this interaction will go smoother if I just keep it simple. “Guess you got what you wanted. Maybe you’ll move on now.”

  She smirks. “I can leave you alone. As long as you stay out of our way.”

  She turns, but before she walks away I say, “Our?”

  She spins around with a wide smile on her face. "Chris came running back as soon as he broke up with you." She walks away and I feel my stomach turning and tears burning my eyes.

  Monica grabs my hand. “Enough fun for one night. We should get out of here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  From my goodbyes to the girls to our arrival in North Carolina my thoughts have been a blur. I’ve typed and cleared countless texts to Chris. I can’t find a single reason why he would go back to Courtney.

  “Laila, I’m glad you’ll be doing an actual internship this summer.” My father’s voice breaks through my mindless thinking and I erase another text I started for Chris. I am excited that Monica’s connections came through but I’m not as excited about the location. Jacksonville for the summer without anyone I know.

  “Yeah dad, it should be a good experience.” My lack of enthusiasm causes my dad to start one of his lectures about money and a career and I look out the window as we pull up to the stadium. Blue and gold adorn the stadium, and as the people pile in, I think about Chris’ graduation last year. Tears threaten to fall but I take a deep breath and step out of the car before my parents notice my mood.

  “I’m glad you are here, and I’m sure Josh will be overjoyed to see you after he walks across that stage.” My mom smiles as she pats my back.

  Josh has already sent a few suggestive text messages to me this morning. He’ll be lucky if he can cross the stage without a hard dick. I smile at the thought of him shaking hands trying to hide his bulging manhood.

  Tanya and I take turns occupying Ava. Tanya passes me a few side-glances throughout the ceremony. We haven’t made nice since her return from spring break.

  Tanya leans over and whispers, “I heard you have been chatting it up with Josh lately.” She rocks Ava to keep her from crying. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”

  “Too soon?”

  She rolls her eyes at me and sighs. "Obviously he's your rebound guy. But you know he likes you."

  My mom cuts her eyes in our direction and I lower my voice. “He’s not my rebound guy, Tanya. I’m not over Chris yet. But I’ve always liked Josh. You know that.”

  We meet Josh in the front of the stadium after the ceremony and I stay back as his family surrounds him. He hugs his grandmother then makes his way towards me. Wrapping his arms around me, he picks me up off my feet and says, “Thanks for being here.”

  “Wouldn’t have missed it.” I’m tempted to kiss him on his cheek but I see everyone watching.

  He puts me on the ground, and turning to everyone, he says, “I have to get out of this gown. I’ll meet y’all at the restaurant.” Looking at me, he says, “You can ride with me if you want.”

  Tanya speaks up and says, “I want to see your place too, Josh, can I ride?” His mother offers to take Ava to the restaurant and everyone separates. Josh describes the campus as we drive to his apartment. He doesn’t resist bragging about their facilities, professors, and students.

  Tanya says, “I haven’t told mom and dad yet, but I think I’m going to come to A&T in the fall.”

  In unison, Josh and I say, “What?”

  “Obviously my two years are up and I have to move on to a university.” She looks at me, then away, and says, “L.U. is my alternative, but I think you’ve convinced me that A&T is a good choice.”

  “Think mom and dad will want you that far away from Ava?” Between Tanya and Randy’s parents, Ava will have plenty of caregivers, but I thought Tanya would want to be nearby.

  “I don’t think they would mind as much if they knew I was coming here.”

  “I’d be happy if you picked A&T over L.U., but wasn’t it always in your plans to be at L.U. with Laila.” Josh smiles at Tanya. I’m sure he can sense the tension between us.

  She ignores the question as we pull up to Josh’s apartment. Josh leads us to his door, and Tanya and I sit on his couch as he changes in his bedroom.

  “Tanya, listen, I’m sorry that I left you hanging in Miami. I’m also sorry that your brother was home while I was there. It’s not my intention to hurt him. He has been a great distraction from my heartbreak.”

  Tanya puts her hand in the air to stop my rant. “I’m cool about Miami. I’m sorry Chris broke your heart.” She looks towards Josh’s door and continues, “I just don’t want to see my brother hurt. Both of you should move slowly.” She smiles. “Believe me I’ve told him the same.”

  I reach over and hug her. “I promise.” I slap her arm and say, “But A&T over L.U.? For real?”

 
Josh walks out and says, “Aw looks like the two of you have made up.” He winks at his sister. “Now can you stop blocking?”

  After Josh's dinner he walks me back to my parents' car. "How about I take you to dinner in Fort Walton? How long will you be in town before your internship starts?"

  “I’ll be in town for two weeks, and I’d like to go out to dinner with you before I leave.” I glance at my parents waiting in the car and although they are acting like they aren’t watching I know their eyes are on us. I reach up and give Josh a quick hug and he kisses my cheek.

  “Thanks again for coming to A&T I know it had to be hard for you to step on enemy territory.” He laughs and opens the door for me. Leaning in he says, “Thank you both for coming to my graduation.” My parents look back at him. “Thank you for the gifts too. I’ll put the gift card to good use.” They say congrats again and we are on the road back to Florida.

  “Hello, Laila?” The man’s voice sounds familiar. “This is Bryan.” I run through my memory, trying to recall any guys named Bryan. Just as I remember he says, “Chris’ brother.”

  "Hey, Bryan. Is everything okay?" I take a seat on my bed, taking a break from unpacking my luggage.

  “Oh, yeah. I know Chris and you aren’t together right now.”

  “Right now? Unless you know something I don’t, Chris and I are done.”

  "Chris didn't tell us what happened. But I know whatever it is it's eating him up. We were hoping we could see you this weekend. I was calling to let you know his dinner will be at Marie Livingston's tonight."

  "I'm not in Tallahassee. I came home last weekend."

  “Damn. Listen, David and I are helping him drive his furniture back to Tennessee tomorrow. If I remember correctly your house is on our way.”

  Before Bryan can suggest anything, I interrupt him. "Maybe you should ask Chris what his deal is because I honestly don't know. I heard he was back with Courtney."

  Bryan laughs, then apologizes. “I highly doubt that, Laila. He can’t stand that girl, and after all she has pulled I doubt they are together.”