All That and a Bag of Chips (3 page)

Galen told his partners he'd catch up with them later. As they walked away, Galen looked back to find every last one of his friends' eyes on Venice. Under his breath, he said, “I hope I won't have to kick none of their asses.”

Venice asked, “Who was the guy in the gray shirt?”

“That's just Craig.”

“A friend of yours?”

Galen unlocked the door of his car. “Why do you want to know? Aren't you still spoken for?”

“Sort of…we just decided to chill a little.”

“If you two were chillin', I'd hate to see what you thought being together was like.”

“You just don't understand, Galen. Our relationship's complicated.”

“Whatever! Really, why do you want to know about Craig? You wanna hook up with him or something?”

“I think he's cute, that's all. He seems nice.”
He is soul-stirring handsome, sexy and unbelievably fine
, Venice thought secretively.

Galen started up the car and pulled off. As he drove down the street, he looked at her and said, “Don't be rushing into anything because I know how you and Jarvis are.
But
, I guess if you hang out with any of my friends, Craig's the coolest one.”

“Thanks for the 4-1-1, Galen.”

Galen smiled and pulled into a local soul food restaurant. “Let's grub, girl!”

Venice laughed. “You're silly and thanks for the advice because you're right. I do still have a serious thang for Jarvis.”
Then why was I shivering from being in the same air space with this Craig person
? she wondered.

“Are you listening to me, Venice?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. Go slow, Venice.”

“Thanks, Galen.”

W
hen Galen dropped Venice off at her dormitory, he told her that he'd talk to her later.

She gave him a punch on the arm after thanking him for dinner and said, “I love you, Galen.”

“I love you, too, girl. Now goodbye!”

Venice laughed because Galen didn't like to expose his soft side much.

As Venice got on the elevator, she wondered if her roommate was back. When she entered the room, it was still empty, but she could see this Monique person had read her note. Venice was sleepy and decided to lie down and take a nap. She didn't want to miss any of the happenings her first night on campus. She saw a sign in the lobby about a block party in the courtyard at midnight. This gave her time to take a catnap. Lying there, she wondered what she was going to wear. Most importantly, was Craig going to be there? It wasn't long before she'd drifted off the sleep.

 

Venice was startled awake by
someone opening the door giggling.

She sat up. “Hello, you must be Monique.”

Monique walked into the room and threw her purse on the bed. “Hey, Venice! Girl, we finally hooked up! It's been a wild day! Are you going to the block party?”

Excited, Venice answered, “I want to. Do you want to go together?”

“Yeah! There are some fine men out here!”

Monique was about five-foot-eight and was wearing some type of
designer short set. She was thumbing through her closet trying to decide what to wear to the party. Venice got up and thought to herself,
I think I'm going to like her
. The two women selected their outfits. Venice chose a burnt orange, mini skirt set with her midsection out and matching sandals. Monique chose a red midriff blouse, which showed off her washboard stomach. She also put on some tight white jeans. Monique looked like a runway model. She was very pretty and had her hair put up in a stylish French roll. They continued to chitchat as they got dressed for the block party.

Midnight rolled around quickly and the two women headed to the courtyard. They could hear the music filling the air. It was a warm night and thankfully not too humid. Venice was a little nervous, but glad that she had Monique with her. Once they made it to the courtyard, it was hard to see faces. Some people were dancing while others were getting their mack on. Venice scanned the crowd looking for Galen and wondered if Craig was there. Monique found someone to dance with in a hurry, which left Venice standing alone feeling vulnerable.

As she continued to scan the crowd, a couple of guys came by and asked her to dance. She decided to take them up on their offer. After a few dances, she was no longer feeling like the new kid on the block. The guys she danced with wasted no time trying to get Venice's phone number, but she wasn't ready to give it out. About that time, the DJ slowed the music down. Just as another young man was about to ask her to dance again, she heard a husky, yet silky voice call out, “Venice!”

When she turned, she saw Craig. He took her by the hand, all six-foot two-inches of him and told the young man, “I got this one, partner.”

The young man could do nothing but stand there with his mouth open. Craig led Venice out into the dance area through the crowd. Venice knew she was looking good in her skirt and Craig was definitely admiring her. Her hair was blown straight. It had so much body that it moved every time she turned her head or the wind blew.

Venice was a little shocked, but it was a good shock. She realized she'd been blind-sided and it was scary. Her hand in Craig's sent a heated tingle up her arm. They finally reached a good spot where Venice was able to really check him out.

Craig was wearing a nice pair of jeans and a white button down shirt and he smelled like heaven. The way his jeans were formed to his muscular thighs and buttocks should've been against the law. Venice felt herself trembling slightly but tried to keep her composure when Craig pulled her into his warm body and they began to dance. Chills started running all over her body as their bodies molded into each other. She could feel his gaze, but she dared not confirm it. She thought she would faint.

What is wrong with me? I haven't felt anything close to this since I met Jarvis
, Venice pondered.

She glanced over and saw that Monique was still dancing. In fact, Monique hadn't sat down all evening. Venice tried to keep her mind focused, but it was hard. She felt his warm hands caress her bare back as they danced. Once the song ended, Craig once again held her hand and led her back through the crowd to find a seat.

Once they sat down, he asked, “How long have you been out here at the party?”

Venice surveyed the crowd, trying not to make eye contact. “Oh, not long.”

Craig sensed her nervousness and smiled. “Do you like it here so far?”

Venice finally looked into his warm, brown eyes. “Yeah, it's nice here. Have you seen Galen?”

Craig pointed off to the left. “I saw him and Sidney over there a few minutes ago.”

There was a moment of silence and Venice noticed Craig was once again staring. He discreetly whispered, “Venice, you're definitely wearing that skirt.”

She crossed her legs and replied, “Thank you.”

In a weird way, Venice felt like she was cheating on Jarvis. They'd been together for so long that it felt strange hanging out with another guy. Especially one who was making her body loose control the way Craig was.

Galen and Sidney found them not long afterwards. Monique also finally came over to take a breather. A few minutes later, Galen's other friends, Spoonie and a couple of other guys, joined them. Venice introduced Galen, Sidney, and Craig to Monique. Galen also introduced his friends to everyone. As they talked, everyone began
to get to know each other better. They danced and laughed together and Venice felt great that her first night on campus was so cool. Galen's other friends seemed to admire Venice and Monique very much. Craig knew them and, in a sly way, made sure they didn't get too friendly with Venice in particular. He didn't mind them dancing with her. He just made sure there weren't any one-on-one conversations. He'd made up his mind that he wanted Venice for himself.

A couple of hours passed and the party began to wind down. Sidney told Galen that she was tired and ready to go. Monique was still macking with several of the guys. Craig socialized with several friends who'd returned for the new school year. Galen asked Venice if they needed a ride back to their dorm. It was about two-thirty and getting a little cool.

Craig spoke up. “Galen, if Venice doesn't mind, I'll drive her and Monique back to the dorm.”

Venice was taken aback by his forwardness.

Galen asked, “Is it okay with you, Venice?”

“It's fine with me.” She glanced at Craig. “I don't want you to have to go out of your way.”

Craig stood up and said, “I don't mind.”

Monique was talking to Spoonie and the other guys. She seemed to be having a great time with them. She came over and said, “Roomie, I'll see you a little later. I'm going to hang out a little longer.”

Venice responded, “Okay, Monique. I'm headed to the room. I'll see you later.” She stood and turned to Craig. “Well, I guess we can leave.”

Galen and Sidney walked in the same direction as Venice and Craig. When they reached the parking lot, Galen leered at Venice. “Page me when you get to the room.”

Craig laughed. “I'm not going to kidnap her, man. You don't have to worry about her. I'll take special care of Venice.”

Galen jokingly said, “Don't make me have to put a cap in your ass.”

Sidney hollered, “Galen, unlock the door! Venice, don't pay your brother any attention. You know he's crazy. See you later, Craig.”

Craig opened the door for Venice and said, “Goodnight, Sidney.”

Venice was feeling nervous once again. She realized that she was going to be alone with Craig. She wanted to act mature and not make a fool of herself. Craig had a very nice sports utility vehicle. Venice complimented it by saying, “Your truck's very nice.”

Craig pulled out the parking lot and grinned at her. “Thank you.” He reached down to turn on some music and slightly brushed her leg. “Excuse me.”

She smiled at him. “No harm done.”

“Do you like jazz?”

Venice looked straight ahead and answered, “Yes, it's my favorite.”

“So, Taylor, are you hungry?”

Venice shyly said, “Not really.”

He turned down one of the streets on campus. “If you are, I don't mind taking you to get a bite to eat. There's a place just a few blocks from campus that stays open all night.”

“Maybe another time. I'm a little tired tonight, with the long drive and moving in the dorm and all.”

“I understand.”

The rest of the ride was silent. It only took about five additional minutes to reach her dorm. When he pulled into the parking lot, they noticed people sitting outside socializing. Most of them had also just left the block party.

Craig turned the truck off and got out to open Venice's door. “Do you mind if I walk you to your door?”

Venice blushed. “No, I don't mind at all.”

Craig walked slightly behind Venice to admire her beautiful figure as she walked ahead of him. Her outfit looked as if God Himself had made it especially for her shapely curves. Venice could feel Craig's eyes, along with a weird stirring in her stomach. He finally got beside her and they walked slowly toward the entrance to the dorm.

Once they reached the porch, Venice turned to him. “Thanks again for dropping me off.”

He touched her on the arm. “No problem.” His touch was hot and fiery. “It was nice seeing you again, Venice Taylor. Maybe I'll see you again soon.”

“That would be nice.”

He gave her a quick hug and walked back to his truck.
What is this woman doing to me?
Craig thought as he started his ignition.

Venice's heart was still pounding when she arrived in her room. When she looked at her arms, there were goose bumps.
Damn!
She hurried into her nightshirt and paged Galen as instructed to let him know that she was in her room and went to bed.

W
hen Venice awoke the next morning, she realized that she hadn't heard Monique come into the room the night before. Somehow, the sunlight had found a way to shine directly on her face. She glanced at the clock and realized it was only six twenty-five. She got up, went to the bathroom, and crawled back into bed.

Monique was still fast asleep. Venice laid there for a moment, not able to recapture sleep. She was still wondering about Craig. He'd made her curious and she craved to learn more about him.

She decided to call Jarvis to get Craig off her mind. He'd be leaving for college in a few hours and she wanted to talk to him. She took the phone into the hallway, so she wouldn't wake Monique up, and sat down on the floor as the phone started ringing.

Jarvis answered in a sleepy voice, “Hello?”

“Hey, baby. Did I wake you?”

“Not really. I can't sleep anyway. I guess I'm still missing you. How's school?”

“It's okay. It helps that Galen and Sidney are here. Chanelle called me and told me she'd be here in a few days.”

“That's good. You'll have your partner with you. So, what did you do last night?”

“I went to a campus block party with my roommate.”

“So, how many guys tried to push up on you?”

Venice laughed. “Stop being silly. I just met a few of Galen's friends. They're nice.”

“Uh-huh! Did anyone put their hands on you?”

“You know they had to in order to dance with me, Jarvis.”

“I know. I'm just messing with you. I'm glad you had a good time. My plane leaves around eleven o'clock. I'll call you when I get to
school so I can give you my number.” There was an uncomfortable silence. “What's wrong, Niecy?”

“Jarvis, I had a weird feeling last night. I guess I've been with you so long that when I was with one of Galen's friends, I felt like I was cheating on you.”