"What're your plans for tonight?" I ask while attempting a new sip of coffee, hoping she doesn't say anything that causes me to strangle again.
Then she has to go and stare at my mouth, making my cock battle with
the unforgiving zipper. Bastard metal teeth.
"Um... study?" She... I think she asked that. That means she's thinking something completely different, and I almost groan. Maybe her looking at me like that is a bad idea.
I refuse to meet her eyes as I study the TV. I couldn't tell you a damn thing that has been on that screen.
"Change your mind and go with me to Silk tonight. It's a club that's only open to the public once a month. Tonight's the 'once a month.' It'll be packed, and it'll be fun. No offense, but you need fun."
"I need a scholarship to stay in school, so if I go to the club and the party tomorrow, I won't have very much study time this weekend. I need to maintain my GPA. Maybe some other time."
Why does that disappoint me so damn badly? She's dedicated, which is something I completely respect. She's too young to seem so mature. But after being around her so much today, I realize Raya has a life I don't understand. Scholarships, a need for a fresh start, and a bad breakup. But she's still here. And she's working for what she wants. Impressive. I wish I wasn't affected by that.
I need to get away from her for a while. My proximity to her is what I'm blaming for the internal war going on inside my body.
"Fine. Rain-check. You ready?" I ask while standing up.
The waitress runs over to take my card as Raya starts digging in her pocket. Like I'm going to let her pay. That's insulting.
"I've got it," I say, not really giving her an option as the waitress takes off with my card. "I invited you."
She thinks about it for a second, seeming hesitant. I hope she doesn't cause a scene over a cup of coffee. Some of the guys in the corner are waving me over, but I just smile and nod in acknowledgment instead of moving toward them. Then I make sure to toss my arm over Raya's shoulder just to drive the message through.
"Kade!" Craig yells while laughing. "You shittin' me?"
Raya turns pale, and I try to play dumb instead of losing my temper. I don't need her to know what's going on.
"Huh?" I ask, feigning confusion.
Craig grunts when he takes a hard elbow to the ribs by Jamie, and I offer Raya a shrug, ready to haul her ass out of there while there's a chance. The last thing I need is her to be pissed at me for helping out.
Chapter Five
The source of the fishy smell is tuna. I found the cans today. The pantry has dozens of them. That's disgusting.
"Kade?" Mel prompts.
Ah, hell. What'd I miss?
"Yeah?" I say, acting as though I'm distracted by the club dancers instead of tuna cans.
"We're discussing the pilot program for Brock's..."
All I hear is blah blah blah. I just nod and pretend to be listening. My input will have to wait until a night when I'm more focused.
The party is just getting started, but I can't seem to think about anything other than the fact Raya is at home alone. There's really no point in me being here if I have no interest in joining the conversations being had all around me.
Dane Sterling has made his way to our table, offering me a cold greeting. I offer him one just as cold, considering I'm not too fond of the guy. My cousin Rain was his best friend for years, and now she shudders at the mention of his name. There's only one reason for that, even though she won't say it. He fucked her and fucked her over. Point blank.
But he's a Sterling, and the Sterlings run this town, so I keep my mouth shut. Admittedly, I'm happy when he finally leaves. I'm not sure why he's even here.
"I'm out," I say to the guys who are just starting on their first drinks.
"Dude, you're joking," Brock scoffs, not seeming pleased with my announcement.
I toss down a few twenties to cover my untouched drink and tip. I should have just stayed home.