University Park Series Box Set: Books 1-3 (37 page)

I turned around to see my mom remove my
laptop. “Why are you taking my computer?” I cried out as I crawled across the
living floor, trying to stand.

“And her tablet, too.” She extended her
hand to my dad and he placed my Kindle in her palm.

I stumbled into the kitchen as my mom
gathered all my electronics, including my phone. “You can’t do that.” I wiped
the tears from my face and tried to think of a plan. I’d be damned if she was
going to take away every method of contact I had with Raven.

“I’ve got her wallet,” Dad commented as
he walked out of the kitchen.

“No! You can’t do that,” I called, but
he ignored me, as if on a mission. “Mom, give me back my phone,” I demanded,
following her as she left the kitchen. “Mom, don’t do this.” Cords dangled at
her feet as she walked straight to her room. “Mom!” I yelled as she slammed her
bedroom door in my face.

***

I spent the remainder of the night
crying and regretting returning home. Even if I would’ve come home earlier, it
wouldn’t have stopped my mom from going berserk. Talking to my parents about my
relationship with Raven couldn’t be done in a rational manner like I’d hoped.
Why couldn’t they act like grown-ups? Their reaction was beyond insane and the
worst I had ever seen from them. No wonder Luke had warned me. I cursed him
silently for not being there to help bail me out of the situation, as I had
done for him on so many occasions. But like he said, he wasn’t getting
involved. I guess I couldn’t blame him.

I couldn’t help but wonder what my mom
had told Raven. I had to call him and find out, but most of all, I needed him
to pick me up. I refused to stay there and I didn’t care if my parents disowned
me. They were the most stubborn, irrational, controlling people I knew and I
hated them. I searched through my drawers for my old cell phone and cussed when
I realized it was at my dorm.

Covering my face, I fell onto my bed.
Trying to clear the fog from my brain, I thought of several different ways to
get of my house. I couldn’t believe that I was a twenty-year-old woman running
away from home. It was ridiculous that my parents had treated me like a child
and stripped everything from me.

 I considered taking one of the cars and
driving to the store to call Raven. That idea failed when I couldn’t find the
spare keys. They probably had them locked in their room. Running to the store
was another idea that popped in my head, but I snubbed it when I saw that it was
raining outside. I’d freeze to death by the time I got there since the nearest
store was at least a mile away. I told myself I’d leave as soon it stopped if
no other options presented themselves.

Burying my head in my pillow, I raked my
mind and raised it when I thought about Luke’s room. Surely, he had an old
phone in there somewhere. He hadn’t returned home and I figured my parents had
sent him to his apartment or to a friend’s house. I waited until the middle of
the night when my parents were in a deep sleep and crossed the hall to Luke’s
room. I shut the door and flipped on the light. I searched through his drawers
and closet, praying that I’d find his stash of old phones, but I couldn’t find
anything. I was out of luck.

Damn!

Chewing on the edge of my thumb, I
continued to think of how else I could get ahold of Raven. Then, it dawned on
me to go to the office downstairs. My parents had a desktop computer and I
could log into my Facebook account and message Raven. I flipped off the light
and pressed my ear to the door, making sure it was still quiet. Silence filled
the air and I carefully opened the door. The wooden floor creaked as I tiptoed
through the hall. I treaded carefully with every step I took. The planks moaned
against my weight, forcing me to stop every few feet to make sure my parents
remained asleep. I finally made it down the stairs without waking them.

I shut the office door and sat down. A
cream colored envelop from my sister’s law firm caught my attention. I picked
it up and slowly opened it, pulling out the thick bundle of papers stapled
together. As I unfolded the papers, my eyes scanned the report that had court
hearing information and charges. My eyes drifted to the top and my stomach
dropped. Raven Renee Davenport was listed in bold. I flipped through the pages,
noting the drug charges that had been filed against him at the beginning of the
year.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Even though I knew Raven had been suspended from PHU because of drug related
charges, it sucked to see the actual paperwork laid out in front of me. But I
didn’t care. He meant too much to me and I didn’t want him to return to the
lifestyle that had nearly destroyed him. He needed me and I needed him.

Folding up the papers, I stuffed them in
the envelope. The disappointment quickly transformed into anger when I knew my
mom had asked my sister, Ashley, to obtain the reports. I started to rip the
envelope, but instead, placed it next to me so I wouldn’t forget to take them.

I turned on the computer and cringed
when the motor spun and the monitored beeped as it powered up. The familiar
tune of Windows sounded and I quickly turned down the volume on the small
speakers. I prayed my parents didn’t hear it and waited in terror for the door
to spring open. After several long minutes, I was convinced they were still
asleep and it was safe to continue.

The screen flashed through several
booting protocols before it landed on a log in screen. I clicked on my profile
and was prompted to enter a password. I didn’t recall setting one up and I was
certain that my parents had done it. I tried a few options, but none of them
worked. I switched to Luke’s profile and cursed when it asked for his password.
I guessed until it locked me out. Desperate to get in touch with Raven, I
selected my mom’s profile. I was ready to punch the screen when it said the
same thing.
Password incorrect.
I flipped to my dad’s login as a last
resort, screaming internally when I got the same response. My parents had
password protected the computer, purposefully. I had no way of contacting
Raven.

Shit!

I stayed in my room for the next two
days, away from my parents and the rest of the world. Looking out the window, I
cursed the cold rain that beat against the glass. Another winter storm had
rolled through north Texas, bringing cold, freezing rain which made it
impossible for me to run away from home. Every night, I sat by the window,
holding on to the dove around my neck, waiting for Raven to show up, but he
didn’t. I prayed that Delaney would come over so I could take off with her, but
she never did. I was sure she’d already left with her parents to Arizona for
Christmas.

Life totally sucked. I had never felt so
alone. I had gone from Raven’s warm bed and his comforting arms to a cold,
brutal home that showed me no hope for a better future. A knock sounded on my
door and it startled me. I knew it was either my mom or dad, so I didn’t bother
to respond. They’d come in regardless, since my door didn’t have a lock.
Another one of my parents controlling mechanism for ‘keeping us safe’
.
Everything was pointless while I was living under their roof.

“Lexi,” my mom called as she opened my
bedroom door. “Can I come in?”

I snickered under my breath, wondering
why she was asking when she would do whatever she pleased. I continued staring
out the window, hating life more with each passing second. How could the
holidays go from the best to the worst ever?

“Are you going to come and eat some
lunch? It’s after one and you really haven’t eaten anything since you came
home.”

A sour taste filled my mouth and my
tummy sunk in from the emptiness of my stomach, but I didn’t care if I ever ate
again. I wanted nothing from my parents. Food, water, shelter, you name it. I
was done.

“I brought you back your things.” I
watched her set my laptop and Kindle on top of my dresser. I eyed her
suspiciously, wondering what had prompted her to return them to me. She eased
onto my bed and held my phone in her hands. A somber look draped across her
face, making her appear older. A tiny part of me felt bad for making her worry
about me, but I let it go, reminding myself that she’d brought it on herself. I
had done nothing wrong. And if they weren’t willing to accept the fact that I
was with Raven, then we would continue to be odds with one another.

I continued to keep a tight lip. Not
having anything to say to her. When I didn’t move away from the window, she
said, “I thought you might want to read this.”

I turned when I saw her hand my phone to
me. Had something changed in her heart? Was she willing to accept the fact that
I had chosen to be with Raven? A flutter of hope lifted my spirits and I slowly
crawled toward her. I extended a shaky arm and took the piece of equipment I
had been dying to get a hold of the past two days. The phone displayed a
message from Raven and I blinked a few times, making sure my eyes weren’t
playing tricks on me.

Sitting on the back of my legs, I began
reading his text message:

Raven: Lexi, I’m so sorry that I got you
in trouble with your parents. I never intended for anything like this to
happen. That was the last thing I wanted and I definitely don’t want to come
between you and your family. That’s why it’s best if we go our separate ways.

My throat tightened and a lump formed at
the back of my throat. My eyes stung and quickly filled with tears. Was Raven
breaking up with me? I scrolled through the message, making sure it was from
him and not some trick my mom was playing on me. After verifying what number it
came from, I returned to reading the message.

I knew all along that you were too good
for me and it would never work out for us. I’m sorry I strung you along but the
truth is, I can never walk away from the lifestyle I miss and love. You’re
better off without me. Like I said, I’ll destroy you and I don’t want to be
responsible for that, so go back to Collin because he’s the one for you. I hope
you have a wonderful life and take care.

The weight of the phone increased and my
hand hit the floor. My shoulders slumped forward and the tears poured from my
eyes. The words repeated in my head, clouding over me and causing me to go
completely numb. Everything I had been holding on to was completely gone. Raven
wasn’t coming for me. He didn’t want to be with me. With one message, he had
ended our relationship.

Raven and I were no more.

He had left me, again.

“I’m sorry, darling. If there’s anything
I can do for you, let me know.” My mom gave me a gentle smile as if saying she
knew it all along.

I stared past her, not knowing what to
do or say. Everything Raven and I shared together — was it a lie? Was it all
make believe?

The promises.

The memories.

The love.

Were they even real? I hated myself for
being so vulnerable and reckless. And to think, I gave my virginity to him. But
he tossed it out the door, as if I were another one of his hoes.

The Raven’s trap had destroyed me and
I’d never be the same again. Ever.

Σ

Christmas came and went and I was in
complete and utter shock. I barely ate, barely slept, and cried day and night.
I hated life and truly wanted God to take me. But I had no one to blame but
myself. I knew what Raven was about and that he was trouble from the first day we
met at the writing lab. I fell for his contagious smile, his charming
personality, and his hot and sexy body, just like every other girl he seduced.
I was no different than Macy, the Silicone Triplets, or Reece. We were all
victims to The Raven’s trap and addicted to him like a drug we had to have and
couldn’t live without.

“Lex, are you going to get dressed? It’s
already five.” Delaney struggled to zip up her dress. I motioned for her to
come to me so I could help her. My parents were having a big New Year’s Eve
party so I invited her because I knew she wanted to spend time with Luke.
However, all I wanted to do was stay locked up in my room forever. I didn’t
even care to go back to school because I knew that everything would remind me
of Raven and Collin and that was the last thing I wanted or needed.

“Put it on so we can go and eat.” She
handed me a black jumpsuit with a velvet top that my mom had bought me.

“Okay, I’ll get dressed.” I tossed my
long waves over my shoulder. If it weren’t for Delaney, my hair and makeup
wouldn’t have been done and I would’ve settled for the au natural look with a
messy bun. I had no one to impress and didn’t care how I looked.

“Have you tried to call him?” Delaney
handed me my brand new stacked heels. I sighed when I looked at them. They were
the ones I had bought when I went Christmas shopping with Raven. Why did everything
have to remind me of him?

I nodded and pressed my lips together,
trying to repress the tears that once again, threatened to take over my life.
“Yeah, but he doesn’t respond.” I stuffed my feet in my shoes, hoping that I’d
break a heel and have to trash them. “I text him daily, but I get nothing in
response.” I sighed heavily and closed my eyes, knowing what I had to do. “I
just need to move on, that’s all there is to it. It’s over.”

Delaney dug around in my jewelry box and
handed me a set of gold bangles and a long necklace that had a tassel on the
end. “I just find it hard to believe that he’s willing to end it… just like
that.” she motioned for me to turn around, “I think there’s more to it.”

“I doubt it.” I tucked the silver dove
underneath my clothes, refusing to remove it, and adjusted the long chain
against my velvet top. She handed me a pair of earrings and I put them on. “I
mean, this is the second time he’s told me that we don’t belong together.” I
sighed, trying not to recall the conversation at the football stadium and the
text message. “I just need to accept the truth and forget about him.”

“But why are you still wearing the
necklace he gave you.” She cocked a brow. “Huh?”

I shrugged and turned away, slightly
regretting that I’d told her everything that happened while I was with him.
From the great sex to us playing in the snow, to our little Star Wars Christmas
tree, and the near drug incident, I’d spilled my guts to her and cried and
cried until there was not a drop left in me. And she held me, like a good
friend was supposed to until I was somewhat better. Raven had definitely
brought me and Delaney closer, even though I wished it was him instead of her.

“Hey, I’ve got a surprise!” She shuffled
to her bag and pulled out the familiar white liquor bottle. “This will help
take away all your sadness.”

I looked at the bottle and turned away.
Even that reminded me of Raven. “Maybe I like feeling sad. Let’s me know I’m
still alive.”

“What? You gotta be kidding me.” She
plummeted to my bed. “No one likes feeling depressed. And I definitely miss my
new roommate.”

“Yeah, I miss her, too.” I checked my
phone, hoping that maybe, just maybe, Raven had sent me a message. As expected,
nothing had been received. What he was doing? Was he getting ready to go out?
Had he already been drinking and partying with his friends? Had he resorted
back to screwing his hoes and snorting his drugs? The thoughts sent shivers up
my back and I didn’t want to think the unthinkable.

“I think we need to find her again.”
Delaney showed me the bottle through the mirror, hugging it like it was sacred
or golden to her.

I let out a half smile. “Maybe later.
But you better hide it in my closet. If my parents find it, they’ll kick you
out.”

Delaney jumped off the bed and darted to
my closet.

“Damn, that was fast.” I turned around
as she closed my closet door.

“What do you expect?” She adjusted her
skirt and fixed her hair. “I haven’t seen your brother since the week before
Christmas. I’m dying for a piece of his ass.”

“Ewww.” I covered my ears and said, “I
can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.” I repeated it over and over again, not
wanting to hear what she wanted to do with my brother.

She shook her head. “Okay, I’ll stop.”

I uncovered my ears. “Thank you.”

She grabbed my hand and led us out of my
room. We went downstairs and were promptly greeted by a room full of family and
friends. Soft holiday music played in the background and the room sparkled with
tiny white lights strung around the stairwell, arches, and posts. Garland
decorated the house and several Christmas trees in a variety of sizes were
still up. The smell of rich, food wafted in the air and a wave a nausea hit me.

“Oh, wow. That smells so good.” Delaney
inhaled deeply like she hadn’t eaten in days.

My stomach tightened and bile rose in
the back of my throat. I covered my mouth and swallowed a few times, trying to
dissipate the sick taste. A waiter appeared and offered appetizers along with
alcohol free punch.

“No thanks.” I turned my head when he
held the tray up to me.

Delaney took several crackers with
slices of smoked salmon that had white stuff speckled with green. The look of
it made me want to barf. I grabbed a glass of punch and downed it just in time.

“Is it that good?” she teased as she
picked up a glass and sipped the light colored liquid. “How boring.” She rolled
her eyes. “But I know how to make it ten times better.”

The waiter looked at both of us
suspiciously before walking off.

“What’s wrong with you?” I elbowed her.
“Do you want someone to hear you?”

“Sorry.” She put on a fake smile and
then walked to the living room where my parents lingered among the crowd of
people. I knew she was trying to make a good impression so when she and Luke
finally told them they were together, they’d accept her. Based on the comments
my mom had made, I knew she had some work cut out for her if they were going to
be okay with her dating their son.

I visited with a few of my aunts and
uncles, catching up with them. Most of them lived in California, where my dad
was originally from, and some lived in the area. I steered clear of my sister’s
husband, Ryan. He held a captive audience as he bragged about his law firm. It
was sickening, to say the least. After an hour of torture, I finally decided I
had had enough. Luke and Delaney had magically disappeared and I didn’t want to
be forced to say anything in case my parents caught them.

I walked up the stairs but instead of
going to my room, I headed to the game room. My niece and nephew were in there,
along with several of my younger cousins and a few other kids from my parent’s
friends. My sister’s nanny and another girl were playing games with some of the
kids, while the older ones competed with each other on one of Luke’s video
games. And again, it reminded me of Raven. Why couldn’t I stop thinking about
him? Why did everything have to be a trigger?

I collapsed into the recliner and kicked
off my shoes, pulling my feet underneath me. It didn’t take long for my niece,
Payton, to crawl into my lap. Her curly blonde hair and stark blue eyes made
the four-year-old girl simply adorable. As I watched her play with her baby
doll, my mind conjured up images of Raven and me with baby. Who would they look
like? Would they have dark, wavy hair like him? Would their eyes be brown like
mine, or hazel like his? My eyes watered and I quickly reminded myself that
would never happen. I held on to my niece, rocking her until we both fell
asleep.

“Lexi,” my mom called and I slowly
opened my eyes.

“Here, I’ll take her,” the nanny said,
taking Payton from my arms.

“Are you feeling okay?” My mom touched
my forehead and I placed the back of my hand on my cheek.

“Yes.” I blinked a few times. “Just
tired, that’s all.”

Her lips parted in a perfect smile, but
I knew it wasn’t genuine. I could see it in the depths of her eyes and feel it
in the pit of my stomach. “Its ten-thirty. We decided that we’re going to bring
in the New Year early.”

I stretched and shifted, trying to work
out the stiffness in my back. “Why would you do that?”

“There are a few people who want to
leave early.” She rearranged my hair and I eased to the side, trying to get
away from her hand. I didn’t want her touching me. “No to mention, the streets
are dangerous after midnight.” Mom really wasn’t a big fan of driving on New
Year’s Eve after she’d been in an accident when we were younger. I didn’t
remember much since Luke and I were only eight at the time, but it left a big
scar on both her and my dad. They didn’t talk about it — they pretty much
avoided it like the big elephant in the room — so everyone just kept quiet,
pretending like it never happened.

“So, we’re going to pretend its Eastern
Standard Time?” I asked.

“You got it.” She continued fixing my
hair and I searched her eyes, trying to uncover her true motive. “And I would
like for you to play Auld Lang Syne on the piano.”

A pain struck the center of my chest and
my heart crumbled. The notes from the music I played for Raven echoed loudly
inside my head, making me scream internally. They crashed into each other,
clanging and banging until they stirred up every memory. Playing the piano was
the last thing I wanted to do. It reminded me too much of Raven and how we had
sang to one another. I wouldn’t be able to handle it. It was too soon.

“Um, I don’t know, Mom.” I pushed her
hand away and got up from the chair. “I haven’t played that song in a while and
it’s not like I can go and practice with everyone downstairs.” I put my shoes
on and headed out of the game room. She quickly followed me.

“Lexi, it’s only a couple of chords.”
Her voice deepened and I knew what she was about to say. “I know you can do
it.”

“I don’t want to play.” I turned around
and faced her. “Not tonight.”

“Lexi Ann Thompson,” her eyes narrowed
and her hands flew to her hips, “I’m not asking you to play, I’m telling you to
play.”

My blood pressure rose and I took a deep
breath. “Mom, please—”

“Olivia, Lexi, can you please come down
stairs? Some guests have arrived.”

Gritting my teeth together, I
unwillingly agreed. “Fine.” I stomped down the stairs like a kid, pissed that
I’d given in to her request. I hated being at home and I wanted to leave, but I
had nowhere to go. I flew down the stairs so fast that I didn’t see the group
of people standing near the entrance. “Sorry,” I said as I avoided a near
collision. “I… um—” My breath hitched and my eyes froze. Standing in front of
me was Collin and his parents.

“Hello, Lexi, it’s good to see you.”
Pastor Clifton extended his hand and I stared at it for a few seconds.

My mom elbowed me and I stuck out my
hand. “Hi, nice of you to bring your family.” My voice clashed with the words I
spoke, but I didn’t care. The Norris’ were the last group of people I wanted to
see. Especially Collin.

I shook Suzanne’s hand and then gave a
quick wave to Collin. What the hell was I supposed to do? This was more than
awkward and totally sucked.

“You look beautiful, as always,” Collin
said and I had to keep from rolling my eyes at him. It was a little too late
for him to play Mr. Nice Guy. He had his chance and totally blew it.

“Lexi, why don’t you get Collin
something to drink?” my mom offered.

The words
why don’t you do it
neared the edge of my tongue, but I held them back. I narrowed my eyes at her,
knowing that she had invited them. I hated to think of what else she had
planned for the night.

Reluctantly, I said, “Come on.” Collin
followed me in silence and I was glad. I really had nothing to say to him and
seeing him only made things worse for me.

“How have you been?” he asked as I
poured him a glass of punch.

Was he serious? We hadn’t spoken since I
told him it was over. Why did he want to know now? I was certain that my mom
had told him what had happened and he was just being cordial, so I did what I
was raised to do. I answered, “Alive, last time I checked.”

“Oh, I see.” He took the drink from my
hand and his fingers brushed across mine. His eyes searched my face and I saw a
sadness I’d never seen before. His lips parted and I could tell that he wanted
to say something to me. I waited, giving him yet another opportunity, but he
pressed his lips together and remained silent. Nothing had changed.