Page 4 of Hating On Riot

“Let’s pair her with Riot. He’s quick on his feet and can teach a rock evasive moves if he wants to. But he’s known for breaking the rules.” Emily chews on her pencil, thoughtful. “That’s where Arie comes in. She’ll squash that urge of his to do whatever it takes to win, including bending the rules. To Professor Wilson, bending the rules is the same as breaking them. Riot and I went to high school with Arie. She’s infamous for following the rules to a T. She can keep Riot in check.”

“Emily,” I groan. “Have you taken a good look at the guy?” I wave my hand toward Riot, sitting across from me. “The guns for arms. The take-no-prisoners glint in his eyes. There’s no way I can keep him on the straight path.”

Riot smirks. “Thanks, I think?”

God, I hate his I’m-too-good-for-you smirk.

Worse, I hate that I kissed the arrogant jerk twice. Being the jerk and player he is, I doubt he remembers our lip locks or can tell the difference between my lips and those of the other girls he’s kissed over the years. But why can’t I get the gentle, hungry way he moved his mouth over mine out of my head?

“You can if you give him some something-something in return,” says the guy who earlier mimed giving a blowjob.

“Ah, yeah, hell no.” I lean back and cross my arms over my chest.

“I second that. I’m not interested in quiet and uptight.” Riot locks his gaze on me. I glance away.

There’s a reason I’m the way he describes me. But what if, for a week, I could be someone else, a girl who takes risks, enough to help a bunch of athletes win a game and get a week off from writing research papers?

And what if, in the process, I’m able to get over my crush on Riot and let go of my dislike for all things him? Maybe then I can forget our pasts and move on with my life.

It’s worth chasing after, especially after that pep talk I gave my friends at the rugby team’s practice.

Let’s make our last year count. Let’s throw caution to the wind and live fully. Whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them head-on. Whatever trials and tribulations we face, we’ll say, ‘bring it.’

My pact with Gwen and Ever was yesterday, when we took the day off work to watch the rugby team scrimmage, along with half the coeds at DU. But goodness, Riot was sex on a stick, shirtless and wearing mesh shorts that didn’t hide the bulge between his legs.

I casually pick up my notebook and fan my hot face. “If Riot’s willing to train me, I’ll do my best to keep him in check.” I’m not intimidated by Riot or his reputation for getting into trouble on and off the field.

Murmurs of approval ripple through, including from Cooper. Of course, he would approve. He wants to see how I’ll handle being near Riot. We wait for Riot’s response with bated breath.

“I can handle a week of being handled, but you have to do everything I tell you.” From across the circle, he points a thick finger at me. “Everything.”

Why does the mischievous gleam in his green eyes make me second-guess myself?

“As long as you listen to everything I tell you,” I counter.

“Deal.”

That wicked grin of his . . . I groan under my breath. I just made a deal with the Devil.

3

Arie

“Hey, Arie, wait up.”

I stop at my car and face my ex-best friend.

“What do you want, Coop?” I’ve managed to avoid bumping into him on campus and making eye contact in the one class we have together.

“When should we meet to go over our part?”

Before class was dismissed, the group decided we should research our opponents. Where do they live? What are their daily habits? Basically, how can we take them down efficiently and quickly?

I applaud the team’s strategizing, but I wasn’t happy when everyone split into smaller groups and left me with Cooper. Riot was excluded from research because he’s already stuck training a wuss like me.

“First off, there is no our. Second, there’s no need to meet. I research the top three, and you get the bottom three on the list. Easy.” I shrug.

He runs his hand over his face before he blows out a frustrated sigh. “Reconnaissance is involved, Arie. And remember, this is about teamwork and not doing your own thing.”