Page 7 of Hating On Riot
“Look, forget about Cooper. All you need to know is that you’re safe from my brothers. They have no idea I’m with you.”
“How come he’s safe from their fists, but I’m not?”
Why did I think he’d drop my request to forget about me and Cooper? What I’ve learned from his bullying is that Riot is persistent. When he wants something badly enough, he is laser-focused. In high school, what he wanted was my misery.
“Cooper’s a football player. Tony and Cameron respect and love the game.”
“Shit.” He cups his neck and glowers, then his expression shifts to one I don’t like—determination.
“We’re not done here, but I gotta bounce. I have practice.” He runs his fingers through his hair and lets out a breath. “Though you’re only staying for a week, there are house rules you have to follow.”
“Do you follow these rules?”
“Yeah.”
“Why, when you’re known as a rule-breaker?”
“Rooming with guys I play ball with is different. I respect them, and that respect extends to our house, our home away from home.”
“But you’re willing to risk bending the rules and us losing the Nerf War? Does that mean you have zero respect for the people on our team?”
He looks at me long and hard, as though seeing me for the first time.
“Reverse psychology doesn’t work on me.”
“It was worth a try.”
He grasps my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes as he tips my head up. “Have you tried introspection? Maybe then, you’ll get over your problem.”
Why do I suspect we’re not talking about Nerf War?
“What problem are you talking about?”
“Your hang-up with Wilder.”
I scoff. “There isn’t one.”
“I beg to differ. Winning is about understanding your opponents and your teammates, including what’s going on in their lives right now.”
“No need to understand me. Really. Cooper is an insignificant blip I’ve already forgotten.”
He’s not. Cooper is my number one best friend, taking the top spot among my other friends. Among my besties, Cooper understands me the best.
“It doesn’t come off that way,” he says.
“How would you know?”
“The way you look at him. Conflicted.”
“Thanks for your astute observation, but I’m fine, Riot.”
“Sarcasm not appreciated.”
“Um, thanks, Professor Wilson.”
Riot smirks. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
“Sorry, not going there.”
