Teach Me (College Daze Book 2) Read online

  I kind of laughed at all my near ass whoopins. Had it not been for Jay I’d have cashed in on a lot more than I did. He was always by my side, protecting me and standing up for me when he knew damn well I was in the wrong. He’d even helped me bulk up in case I ever got caught by myself.

  I considered going back and apologizing. It took me all of a second to push that thought away. I’d never begged for anyone’s affection and I wasn’t about to start now.

  An hour and two cups of black coffee later, I’d decided on a destination. I just hoped the promise of a door always being open still stood.

  ~ ♥ ~

  “Hey Benj, it’s Jay–”

  “Message deleted.”

  I repeated the process until all twenty-five messages were gone, and then cleared every text from my phone without reading them.

  Pulling my ball cap onto my head, I strolled up to the apartment complex I’d often escaped to as a kid. There was a strong possibility that the person I was looking for was long gone. If so I suppose a motel would do, until I ran out of money that is. My plan wasn’t well thought out. I just knew I needed to get away for a while. Between Auntie dying, my incubator showing up, and the fallout with Jay, my mind felt like it was on a never ending merry-go-round moving at warp speed.

  The lock to the main entrance was still broken after all these years. I pulled it open and stepped inside. The smell of shit almost knocked me back out. Luckily my stomach was still empty. I covered my nose and mouth with my coat sleeve and moved down the hall. When I got to the third apartment, the source of the foul smell was revealed. Some triflin’ person had a trash bag sitting outside their door. The corner was chewed open and the contents spilled out onto the floor.

  I knew the work of a rat when I saw it. I just hoped the fucker didn’t decide to scurry across my feet. I shook my head and stepped over the dirty diapers, continuing down the hall to the last door. I’d just raised my hand to knock when it swung open.

  I licked my lips as my gaze slid down the fine honey before me. Baby girl was bad. Small waist, pretty face, and thick in the hips just how I liked it. I could just imagine what she was working with in the ass department.

  There was something familiar about her but I couldn’t quite place what it was. It could’ve been that she had the same height and build as Cam. Camryn. I quickly pushed her image from my mind and focused on what was in front of me.

  When my gaze finally landed on ol’ girl’s face again, she was smirking like she just knew that body was a lethal weapon. “Can I help you?”

  I placed one hand on the wall above her and let my tongue slide over my lips again. “You definitely can. What’s your name?”

  She smiled and brushed her long micro braids over her shoulder. “Katara.”

  “Nice to meet you Katara. I’m Benji,” I said holding my hand out to her.

  Her eyes were on mine and a big grin spread on her face as she shook it. Putty I tell you.

  A male voice boomed from somewhere behind her. “Kay, why the hell are you just standing there? Take yo’ ass to school.”

  She jumped and looked over her shoulder. “There’s some guy at the door.”

  The owner of the voice came into view, wearing a murderous expression. He looked me over for a second before recognition flashed in his eyes. “Benji?”

  “Sup Isaac.” He and I went way back. I wouldn’t exactly call us friends. but we’d balled from time to time. That is when we weren’t stealing shit or smoking weed.

  Katara moved to the side and looked between us, her gaze lingering on me.

  Isaac scowled at her and pointed down the hall. “Go.” He shook his head, still frowning. “That damn girl is forever late.”

  There was an exaggerated swing in her hips as she walked toward the exit, clearly for my benefit. She paused when she reached the pile of trash. “Oh my fucking God, this is so nasty.” A second later she screamed and took off running. Mr. Rat must’ve finally made an appearance.

  A light shove to my chest drew my attention. Isaac’s face had once again taken on an expression of murderous intent. “Don’t even think about it.”

  I raised a brow. “That you?”

  “No, that’s my sister, and I will kill a nigga over her.”

  Sister? I’d almost forgotten he had one. Looking him over, it was clear I was out matched. He looked like he bench-pressed cars. Judging by the scar on his chin, a chipped tooth, and the slight droop of the corner of his right eye, fighting was something he partook in what seemed like a regular basis. I was far from afraid, but seeing that I was in need of a place to lay my head, I’d leave Katara be.

  “So, what’s good? How’re the folks?”

  “One’s dead, the other’s doing life.”

  “Damn. Sorry for your loss.”

  He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. “What do you want, Benji?”

  “Good to see you, too.”

  He scoffed then let out a dry chuckle. “Benj, you haven’t stepped foot in Grantwood for damn near five years. Last I heard you were living it up in River Crest.”

  “Nah, I stayed with family but it wasn’t by choice. Grantwood is home.”

  He stood silent for a long moment, sizing me up, I’m sure to determine if I was the same cat he used to hang with. “As long as you ain’t forget where you came from.”

  “Never that.”

  He gave a nod the motioned me inside. “So, what brings you by?”

  My gaze swept the tiny apartment. It was cramped but neat. Isaac always had been. He couldn’t stand when things weren’t in order. “Need a place to crash for a few days. If I remember correctly, last time I was here there was a promise made, and Isaac Kennedy has never been one to go back on his word.”

  When I turned to face him he was smiling. He shook his head and laughed. “Same ol’ Benji.” Moving closer, he held out his hand to me.

  I slapped it, followed by a series of hand movements that ended in a bro hug.

  “You can sleep on the couch, just don’t make a mess.”

  “Thanks.” I crossed the small room and flopped down in an arm chair. “Please tell me you got something to smoke in this place.”

  He smacked his lips and sat across from me on the couch. “It’s too damn early for that shit. Besides, I got class in a few.”

  “Word? Where at?”

  Isaac was a year younger than me, but growing up he’d always been the one taking the lead whenever we got into shit. “Over at the community college. I’m tryna get enough credits to transfer to the university in a year or two.”

  “That’s what’s up.” I kept my mouth shut about my enrollment at the university, as well as majoring in pre-med. This was a need-to-know type of relationship and my life wasn’t up for discussion.

  I picked at my cuticles, debating whether to go find the local weed man, or head to the corner store for a bottle of Jack. Something moved in the corner of my eye, and I jerked my head in that direction.

  A huge Rottweiler stood in the hallway staring at me.

  I held out my hand, palm side up, and whistled.

  It took cautious steps forward, sizing me up. When it was close enough it sniffed around my hand then started to lick it before moving closer.

  I scratched behind its ears while it wagged its tail and lifted its paws into my lap.

  “The hell are you some kind of dog whisperer?”

  I looked at Isaac, and continued rubbing the dog’s head. “Why do you say that?”

  “‘Cause Killa don’t like nobody. I knew for sure she was gone bite ‘yo ass.”

  “Seriously? You named her Killa?”

  “Yeah. And?”

  “A big ass Rottweiler in the middle of the hood, named Killa? Get ‘yo cliché ass on somewhere.”

  He doubled over in laughter. “Fuck you, man.”

  I turned back to Killa and held her face in my hands. A deep scar ran from her eye and down across her muzzle. My stomach churned and I felt my tem
perature rise. Cutting my eyes at Isaac, I spoke with bass in my voice, making sure he knew I was pissed. “What the fuck happened to her?”

  He returned my glare and crossed his arms. “First off, quit assuming. I’d never hurt an animal. We rescued her about a year ago. She was being abused by her owners and ended up in a shelter. That’s the reason she doesn’t like anyone. She doesn’t trust people and she’s right to do so.”

  I nodded without a word, and went back to playing with the dog. I couldn’t help but wonder why she’d put her trust in me, a stranger. Maybe she sensed that we were kindred spirits.

  ~ ♥ ~

  I leaned back on the couch, joint in one hand and a fifth of vodka in the other. Isaac had headed to class a few hours ago, and had to work right after, so I was left to my own devices.

  Lottery Ticket played on the TV but my thoughts were again focused on my surprise visit the day before. I never thought I’d lay eyes on her again. In my mind she was dead, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if the same had been true in real life. But somehow she was alive and kicking. Not only that, but clean.

  It wouldn’t be the first time she’d done so, or promised me that things would change. They never did. Things would almost seem normal for a while. She’d spend a few days, sometimes even weeks, showering me with affection and telling me how great our lives were gonna be. Then I’d find her nodding in her room with a belt around her arm.

  I’ll never forget the night I found her half dead in the bathroom. She’d OD’d and was laying in her own vomit. I banged on the neighbor’s door, begging them to save my mama. After a while I started to wish I’d let her die on the grime covered linoleum. Maybe things would be different now. Perhaps my demons wouldn’t have such a hold on me.

  Something wet slid across my cheek and I jerked my head away.

  Killa sat next to me with her tongue hanging out of her mouth, panting.

  “I like you, Killa, but don’t you ever do that shit again.”

  She whined a bit then lay down with her head in my lap.

  “What’s wrong, girl? You lonely?” I stroked her head and scratched behind her ear. “Me too, Killa, me too.”

  Chapter Four

  ~ Camryn ~

  Cool. Calm. Confident.

  Cool. Calm. Confident.

  I repeated the three C’s in my head on a daily basis. My hope was that if I did this enough one day they’d ring true. I’d slip into my designer clothes, paint on a smile, and put on a show for the world.

  I was the girl who had everything. Flawless skin, unlimited credit, and a body that made women envious and men fall at my feet.

  I was the girl who had nothing. My mother was hardly ever home after my father left. She was too busy on the hunt for the next sugar daddy. My mother was my only family and lastly, every friendship I’d ever had ended on ill terms.

  Until recently I’d spent my life being my own best friend. I was forever grateful for Gabi. It was beyond me how we’d even remained friends for this long. She and I were so different, or at least she was different from the me I pretended to be.

  The day we’d met I was sure she’d hate me. Making friends had never come easy for me. I was always cast off as gold digger, boy crazy, or air head. I’d spent so much time creating this fake persona with the lessons my mom had instilled in me, but it turned out the girl I’d become wasn’t very likeable. And I couldn’t blame those who’d cast me aside, even I didn’t like the Camryn I looked at in the mirror each day.

  I smacked my lips together after applying my plum Matte lipstick, then closed my eyes and repeated the three C’s a few more times. When I opened the again, I admired myself in my floor length mirror. The dress I wore hugged my body just right, accentuating my full breasts and round backside, and my mocha skin held a light sheen thanks to my coconut body butter.

  My date would be arriving soon, so it was time to bury frightened, and fragile, Cam. F was for failure. As much as I hated to admit my mother was right, I needed to snag Mr. Money Bags, and fast. Even if I didn’t get to finish school, I couldn’t be homeless.

  Melvin seemed like a nice guy. We’d been seeing each other for a couple weeks now. He had a great sense of humor, was sexy as hell, and best of all, he had money. I was in desperate need of a meal ticket and he fit the bill.

  I sat on my bed and slipped on my stiletto boots while glancing around the empty room.

  Gabi had been staying with Jay for the past week. He was still depressed about his mom passing, and apparently Benji had gone missing shortly after the funeral.

  Since Jay and Gabi had become an item I barely saw her anymore. And when I did she was too lost in what Gabi referred to as their ‘love bubble.’ While I was happy for her, for them, life was lonely without my friend to talk to and laugh with. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of their relationship. Even before they were dating, their friendship couldn’t be rivaled. They had a connection that you couldn’t help but admire, but also resent because a love like theirs was one in a million.

  I longed for someone to look at me the way Jay looks at Gabi, but I’d come to the realization that it would never happen. If my own father didn’t love me enough to stay, what other man would?

  A knock on my door pulled me out of my day dream.

  Cool. Calm. Confident.

  I opened the door and smiled at Melvin.

  ~ ♥ ~

  Melvin had said and done all the right things over dinner. The last couple weeks had been more of the same. He really knew how to make a girl feel special. Maybe my Prince Charming wasn’t so far off after all.

  Smooth Jazz played from the speakers in his car while he drove us to our next destination. I’d never really listened to Jazz but the song playing was actually really nice. “How far is this party?” It seemed like we’d been driving forever. The scenery had begun to shift about fifteen minutes ago. Brick homes and lush lawns were replaced with apartment buildings and dilapidated houses.

  Melvin reached over and patted my thigh. “Not too much further.”

  Moments later we pulled up to a house that looked like it was in its last leg. Loud music blasted from inside with so much bass that it made my insides vibrate.

  Melvin climbed out and came around to open my door.

  I accepted his hand and stepped out.

  Some scary looking guys loitered around the front of the house. Their attention turned to me when I exited the car.

  My gaze swept up and down the trash filled street. “Where are we?”

  “A party. The guy throwing the party is a friend of mine.”

  “You know people in this neighborhood?” I found that hard to believe, seeing that his father owned an advertising firm and his mom was a teacher.

  He stepped closer to me, his arms encircling my waist. “You don’t have to be afraid, Camryn. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  The baritone of his voice combined with his assuring smile eased my fears just a bit. “Okay, but I don’t usually hang out in these types of areas.”

  He leaned his head down to my height and brushed a kiss on my cheek. “Don’t worry love, we won’t stay long. I’ll just make a quick appearance then we can leave if you’re still uncomfortable.” He took my hand and we walked together up the steps.

  I felt eyes all over me as we passed the men outside, and drew closer to Melvin, hoping he wouldn’t take too long.

  The intensity of the bass made my heart beat out of sync. I’d been to a rager or two, but nothing compared to what I experienced when I entered that house. The number of people inside didn’t really equate to a party. I’d consider it more of a small get together. No one was dancing, not that you could to the racket blasting from the speakers set up in the corner. We made our way past a couch where a few people sat around laughing. I couldn’t take my eyes off the lines of white powder on the coffee table in front of them.

  Melvin continued to lead me through the house until we reached a kitchen.

  A skunk
smell entered my nose causing me to gag and nearly lose the dinner I’d just consumed. I’d smelled weed before but never any quite so putrid.

  Melvin chuckled, and then took a funny looking cigar from a dark skinned man who looked like he’d been beat with an ugly stick. He wore a fitted cap and had gold teeth in his mouth. Eww. Melvin took a pull off the cigar thing before handing it back.

  I’d heard of some students around campus smoking, but had never and would never partake in such a thing. I was just about to tell Melvin to take me home when he turned to face me.

  “My friend is upstairs right now. As soon as I talk to him we’ll leave, okay?”

  I nodded and hugged my arms to my body. It was barely warmer inside than the winter air we’d just come from.

  Melvin ran his fingers along my cheek and flashed a smile. “Don’t worry baby girl, you’re safe with me. Why don’t I grab you a drink?”

  I nodded and tried to smile. I was all for a party but this was way out of my comfort zone. “Non-alcoholic please.”

  “Sure thing, little mama.”

  He left me and went over to where some drinks were set up.

  I turned back to the living room, my gaze landing on that table again. A girl leaned over it and snorted some of the white powder into her nose.

  I was far from naive; I knew full well what they were doing. I’d been warned against drugs, had only ever seen them used on TV. Witnessing it in real life was a culture shock. I was a suburbanite. The most we got in River Crest were pill poppers and weed smokers.

  Someone tapped my shoulder and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

  Melvin smiled down at me and handed me a cup filled with red liquid. “Fruit punch.”

  “Thank you.” I took a slow sip, and then glanced around. “Have you seen your friend yet?”