Page 67 of Hating On Riot

I point at the business building. “Business administration with an emphasis on project management.”

“So you can help your brothers with their construction business?”

“Nah. I mapped the majors on one of those trifold kids use in the science fair and tossed a dart.”

Cooper’s laughter echoes, and birds fly from the trees on campus. “You are fucking crazy!”

I smile, really liking the guy. “True that.” I stick out my fist. “I’ll get you what you want by the end of tomorrow.”

He bumps his fist on mine. “Take care of Arie. Don’t let her get tagged.”

“Will do. Emily’s fast. She’ll keep you safe.”

“You’re denting my ego.”

I shrug. “It’s true. That girl is a fucking track star.”

We stand in front of the gym, not wanting to go our separate ways. We must have cheesy grins on our faces. I’m seeing the beginnings of a bromance.

Boy, was I wrong.

What comes next isn’t a bromance or close to a happily-ever-after.

It’s my worst fucking nightmare come true.

25

Riot

I don’t know whether to stew or celebrate. Arie’s brothers are fist-bumping and collaring Cooper, rubbing their meaty fists through his already messy hair as if they’ve just won the lottery.

Arie skipped our elective. At practice, she ignored me and talked to the guys from the house. She’s still pissed about what happened with Brooke, the home wrecker. But does becoming her guy mean I have to pour my heart and soul out to her? To do what Hope did with Coop, giving him the bits and pieces she’ll never get back, because once given, they can never be returned?

Forget giving Arie my insecurities and vulnerabilities. She’ll realize that, after graduation, I won’t be the rugby player the girls go gaga over, a god on campus, because we jocks are at the top of the food chain, college royalty. After graduation, I’ll be a normal guy who is dumb as rocks, and she’ll see the true me and wish for someone better. Arie’s meant for more than a guy who lives in his brothers’ shadows. I love them, but damn, I’ll never reach the level they’ve achieved.

I told Arie I’m a fighter, not a lover, but my brothers take “fighter” to another level, dealing with anyone who dares to encroach on their territory with a heavy hand, and they back up their threats with violence.

I grip the steering wheel. I caught sight of Merrick having breakfast alone at Gigi’s diner. What the hell is my brother doing in Dumas when, in our last text two days ago, he said he’d be traveling to the Bay Area? Something to do with a joint project with that vigilante billionaire, “Mad” Maddox Stassi. He was rumored to have castrated the men who allegedly raped his younger sister. Alleged my ass. If there’s a rumor attached to that rich mother-effer, it means the rumors are true, and he did what he did.

I return my thoughts to Merrick. Thank fuck he’d left before Arie, her brothers, and Coop showed up. Angry words would’ve been exchanged. Fists would fly. The brass knuckles would come out to play. I blow out a breath. When will the hatred between our brothers end? When will Arie be ready to talk about her sister?

I shake away the image of Laney’s surprised look when she saw me, followed by the gunshot to the back of her head that froze her agony in time. She’d fallen in slow motion, hitting the pavement with a thud, bones cracking. I can still hear it echoing in my head. I ran for her, only to be knocked unconscious.

Damn it, I could’ve saved her. I could’ve given her CPR. Instead, I woke up to my cell ringing in my back pocket. I’d answered the call, dizzy and with the taste of blood filling my mouth.

Arie was on the other end, screaming. I knew it was about Laney. But Arie didn’t know I knew about her twin’s death. All that came out of my mouth was, “You could’ve waited for me to help.” Were the words for Arie? Or for Laney?

I’d stumbled to my feet with tears running down my face and the back of my head throbbing. I staggered to my car with my girl bawling her eyes out over the phone, and all I could think was that I could’ve saved Laney if she’d waited for me.

Running my palm over my face, I force my body to relax and focus on the present.

Nerf War starts soon. I’m waiting for Coop and Arie to have an early dinner before I tail them to where our team is meeting.

She’s moved out of the rugby house and into Coop’s. The tension between us was palpable as she gathered her things from the dresser and jammed them into her luggage.

She came into the house, organized as fuck, and left it a complete mess. Her long hair clung to her sweat-slicked forehead. A flush covered her face and neck. She didn’t bother to dress prim and proper, buttoning her shirt to her chin. Instead, she booked it down the stairs and out the door in her short shorts and thin tank top.

Damn it, I hated that she left. Hated that she’s not the same girl who moved into the house with her nervous smile. But I’m confident she can hold her own without me. She has the skills now. Can duck and run. Can pull behind her a heavy-as-fuck wagon of supplies. To see her on the field . . . I sigh. Seeing her, knowing I can’t walk off and carry her in my arms afterward, will kill me softly and slowly.