Page 24

NYLAH

Carson took off before I even registered what he said to me.

Gotta go?

What the hell?

“Carson,” I call after him, but I don’t even see where he’s gone. One second, I was looking down the street; the next, my hand is left empty and he’s disappeared on me.

Again.

Is that like his MO?

He doesn’t like goodbyes, so he just doesn’t say them?

I didn’t even get a chance to arrange our next meetup.

And more importantly, I had bigger plans for him this afternoon. I wanted to go for another ride on his bike, which is still parked across the street… right in front of my parents.

Oh shit!

And they’ve just noticed me.

Double shit.

“Nylah!” Dad raises his hand with a smile, waving across the street and checking traffic before walking over.

Mom’s holding his hand, grinning and waving like we’re besties or something.

Cringe!

No wonder Carson took off. He could have at least given me a heads-up, though.

Pasting on a smile, I walk toward my parents because I don’t have the luxury of a quick getaway.

“Hey, guys.” I give them a feeble wave, which Mom squishes against my body when she comes in for a hug.

“Hi, baby. What are you doing here?”

“Just, uh…” I untangle myself and then have to hug Dad as well before finally stepping back to point over my shoulder. “I’ve just been to the movies.”

They glance behind me, obviously spotting the Lido sign and the big posters for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Month.

“Are you…?” Mom looks at Dad, then back at me. “Are you here by yourself?”

I shrug, desperately trying to hide the heat flushing through me. “Yeah.”

“Aw, honey.” She squeezes my arm, and Dad gives me a sad frown.

“It’s no big deal.” I try to laugh away their expressions. “It’s not like there are a bunch of college students who are interested in old sci-fi movies.”

Except one, but he took off.

“Well, we would have gone with you,” Mom offers, and I bulge my eyes at her.

She doesn’t seem to realize what a ridiculous idea that is, so I have to politely decline her offer with a stiff smile. “Uh, thanks, but it’s okay. I know you’re not really into these types of movies.”

“We should have invited my mom up.” Mom tuts, looking at Dad, who nods.

“Do you want us to arrange a visit with Gramma? We can?—”

“No!” I end up snapping, then have to laugh to soften my outburst. “Sorry, but I can go to the movies on my own. That doesn’t make me a loser.”

“Of course you’re not, sweetheart. Of course.” Mom rubs my arm, and I shrug her off.

“I got invited to a party. I am making friends, just none of them happen to like these types of movies.” My voice is picking up speed as I try to justify myself. “I don’t need my parents to set up playdates for me with my grandmother.”

Mom and Dad both wince, and I shake my head, not wanting them to feel bad for caring about me. I just wish they didn’t care so much about me, you know?

I clear my throat, flicking my hair over my shoulder and glancing back across the street. Carson’s motorcycle is still there. Maybe if I can get rid of my parents, I can perch my butt on that seat and wait for him to return.

Although, if my parents are strolling this sidewalk, they might spot me, and I really don’t want to get the guy in trouble.

Stupid no-dating-my-daughter rule. Dad, that was such a dick move.

I glance at him, trying to hide my angst. When I first found out he said that to the team, I hit the roof. I was so pissed off that he would demand that of his players… and that was before I’d even met Carson.

I still think it’s dumb, but I’m not about to get into it on a public street.

Focus, Nylah. Find out what they’re doing, and you can plan your next move.

“So, you guys on a date or something?” I hope my voice is innocent enough.

Dad grins at Mom, resting his arm around her waist and drawing her close.

Mom giggles when he kisses her cheek. “Yeah, Eli’s watching Amina for us. We’re paying him, so he’s happy.”

“Nice.” I nod.

“Actually, speaking of babysitting.”

I internally roll my eyes. Nice segue, Dad.

If they’re planning on going away next weekend, I’ll just have to say no. I have that party, and I wouldn’t put it past them to dump this on me just so I won’t be able to go.

“One of my team members is desperate to take his girlfriend out on a date. I wouldn’t usually mention your name, but these are special circumstances. They have a daughter and no family in the area.”

“Are you talking about Zander?”

“Yes.” He nods and smiles. “He’s been wanting to take Sienna out for a special dinner, and I mentioned that you’ve got plenty of babysitting experience. His daughter is named Zoey, and apparently she’s a real cutie.”

“Doesn’t he live with four other guys?” My insides zing as I realize that one of those guys is Carson.

Yes! This is my chance to see him again!

But I still have to be a little reluctant first, right? Play it cool so they don’t suspect a thing.

“Well, yeah, but I don’t think any of them have looked after a toddler before.

Zander will use them if he has to, but the one guy who would probably be the best choice is out the night he wants to go, and their usual babysitter is busy.

He was feeling a little stressed over it, so I mentioned that I’d ask you. ”

“What night is it?”

“This Tuesday.”

I pretend to think about it for a second, but it’s not like I’ll already have plans. I’m not the socialite I used to be, and everybody knows it.

After a beat, I start nodding and throw in a shrug for good measure. “Okay. I can do that.”

“You’re an angel.” Mom touches my cheek.

Dad grins. “Zander will be very happy when I tell him.”

“Why don’t you text him now?” Mom points to his pocket, but he’s already pulling out his phone.

“I’ll send you all the details as soon as I’ve heard back from him,” Dad tells me.

“Do you want to join us for ice cream or something?” Mom asks.

I shake my head. “Don’t want to interrupt your date. What are your plans?”

“We’re just gonna do some window-shopping, then get some ice cream.” Mom grins, and my smile struggles to stay in place.

There go my plans of waiting by Carson’s bike.

There go my dreams of finding a private spot to make out with him. Just the idea makes my body flare and heat with anticipation.

But it looks like I’m gonna be waiting a little bit longer. Maybe I’ll get my chance on Tuesday night, after Zoey goes to bed.

That thought makes it easier to smile, and I kiss my parents goodbye, heading down the street and already thinking about what I’m gonna wear for my Tuesday night babysitting gig.

* * *

I’m in the midst of rifling through my closet, trying to select the perfect outfit, when Jolie breezes through the door. She’s seemed a little happier lately.

We never sat down and dissected her night with Mr. Mystery the way I thought we might, but she didn’t come back until the morning, and her smile was… well, it said everything.

I really wanted to ask for deets at the time, but she flopped onto the bed with a happy sigh and immediately fell asleep. So yeah, I’m guessing she spent her night having sex. Sneaking out of the room with a smile, I took off to my first class, happy that she’d made things work with her tutor.

And now she’s staring at my pile of clothes on the bed, then turns to look at me with an eyebrow wiggle. “Hot date?”

“Babysitting gig,” I reply with a cryptic grin.

Her face puckers with confusion, and I end up laughing. “Said hottie just might be there, and I want to look irresistible if he happens to spot me.”

“Okay, what?” Her expression gets even more adorably confused, until eyes pop wide with what can only be described as hope. “Wait, is this a billionaire single dad falls in love with his young babysitter scenario?”

I hate to burst her bubble, but… “No.” I shake my head and start laughing again. “This isn’t a romance novel.”

“Bummer.” She fake pouts. “That’s one of my favorite tropes.”

I snicker and give her a little side-eye. “Didn’t know you were into age-gap romance.”

She blushes. “Just don’t tell my mom. She’d die if she knew I was getting into this spicy stuff. I wasn’t allowed to read anything she hadn’t read when I lived at home.”

“I see.” I spin to face her properly. “So, college is all about experimenting with steamy lit, huh? And maybe an older guy?” I probe.

Jolie’s cheeks stain bright red as she bites her lips together. But then she’s grinning and admits, “He’s a junior.”

“Oh really? So he’s just a baby, then.” I wink at her. “For a second, I thought you were gonna tell me that your tutor was like a forty-year-old professor or some silver fox with sexy reading glasses.”

“Reading glasses are so sexy, right?”

“The right pair on the right man? Mmmmm.” I make a sound of approval that reminds me of Gramma, then share a grin with Jolie.

Wow. This is so nice! We’re acting like friends. Like roommates!

Turning back to my closet, I’m about to ask for her opinion on what one wears to babysit a two-year-old while also trying to catch the attention of a roommate when there’s a knock at the door.

“Hey, JoJo, it’s me!” a woman calls through the door.

“Uh… hey, Caroline!” Jolie flashes me a nervous look before pasting on a smile and opening her door. “’Sup, cuz?”

“I thought we were meeting up after my lunch thing.”

“I know. I just got caught up with something, and I forgot to text you. Sorry.”

“What?” Caroline’s bubbly voice takes on a suspicious edge.

Jolie blinks and tips her head. “Um… what?”

“What did you get caught up with?”

I watch Jolie’s fingers tighten on the door. Interesting. So, her cousin doesn’t know she’s boinking a junior.

Time for a roommate save.

Stepping around the nervous-looking blonde, I paste on a smile of my own. “Hi! I’m Nylah.”

“Oh! Hi!” Caroline’s face lights with a grin, and I welcome the stunning redhead into our room and proceed to distract her while Jolie gathers herself.

Within twenty minutes, the three of us have chosen an outfit for my Tuesday night babysitting gig, and Jolie has had time to come up with a story about hanging out with some new friends she’s made.

Caroline’s face goes all mushy as she pulls her shorter cousin into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re starting to find your place here! We’ve all been so worried about you.”

“I’m good, Cinnamon. Seriously. It just took me a little minute to find my feet.”

Leaning back, Caroline cups Jolie’s cheeks and smiles like a mother hen. “Proud of you, my lil’ Joey.”

“Okay.” She pats Caroline’s arms and steps back, so obviously forcing a smile.

Her perceptive cousin tips her head, her eyes starting to narrow, and I quickly jump in with another roommate rescue. “Anyone wanna go for ice cream?”

Jolie and Caroline turn to face me in unison, and I grin back at their beaming smiles. Caroline’s eyes sparkle with excitement while Jolie gives me a grateful wink.

“Ice cream is always a good idea.” Caroline laughs, wrapping her arm around Jolie’s shoulders. “Ain’t that right, cuz?”

“It surely is, Miss Mason.” Jolie puts on a Southern drawl that cracks Caroline up, and I suddenly wish I’d grown up around these two. They obviously have a plethora of inside jokes, and as I grab my bag, I feel a small zing of pleasure.

Look at me, making friends with my roomie. Thank God for Caroline Mason. Thank God for little secrets that I can help Jolie keep. Maybe I can have the college experience I was hoping for after all.

If things go well on Tuesday, then maybe I can come back and tell Jolie all about it. I’ll be able to tick hot sex with a guy I really like and a roommate share session off my list in one night.