“Thank you,” Matty said, hoping that would be all.
But it wasn’t. Coop sat down across from him. His determined eyes pinged into Matty like BBs. Matty’s stomach twisted in suspense, waiting to find out the inevitable punchline.
“I mean it, Matty.” Coop had an earnestness that threw Matty off. “I’m sorry for how I acted in the library.”
“Okay.” Matty crossed his arms, still skeptical. Bullies never apologized to him unless ordered by a teacher. In those times, the fakeness pouring out of those kids was obvious, and he knew he still had to watch his back.
“Are you just saying okay to get me to scram?”
“No. I’m eating lunch. I have class soon.” Matty didn’t want to trust Coop. He wasn’t going to take that chance. Not all bullies were openly hostile. Some played the long game and attacked when you finally had your defenses down. He had experienced all kinds. He never underestimated the lengths someone would go to find sadistic amusement.
“Listen, Matty. I really am sorry for how I acted.”
“Why did you act like that?” Curiosity got the best of him. “Why were you such a jerk?”
“I don’t think I was a jerk. More of an asshole. We’re voting age, Matty. We’re allowed to use the fifty-cent words when appropriate. I was an asshole. I did it because…I just…” Coop looked around the room, averting his eyes like he was getting a shot at the doctor. “I think you’re interesting, okay?”
Not the answer Matty was expecting, and his ears perked up in response. “Interesting, like a science experiment?”
“No, interesting like you seem…” Coop made sure nobody was eavesdropping. “Cool.”
Matty withheld a smile. He wouldn’t let his defenses weaken from one measly adjective.
Coop shrugged. “You seem like a guy who has big plans going on in that head of yours. I thought that if I could study with you, your drive would motivate me, but it had the opposite effect. And so I reacted by being a total asshole.” He pushed the olive oil bottle closer to Matty with one finger. “That brings us up to the present.”
Matty knew “Never let them see you sweat” and “Never let them see you cry,” but he’d have to work on “Never let them see you blush.” A part of him still didn’t trust Coop though. Bullies could be very determined individuals.
“I appreciate the apology and explanation.”
“I’m not used to apologizing to cute guys.”
“Cute?” That was the most shocking adjective of this whole conversation.
“Yeah. Are you cool with me being gay?” Coop bit the edge of his bottom lip, sending a heat wave down to Matty’s Florida panhandle.
“Um, yeah. That is. Totally fine. I mean, you don’t really seem gay.”
“Thanks?”
Matty needed to change the subject. This was getting too personal for him, even though he hadn’t shared anything yet. “That class I was studying for is really important. There’s this research position up for grabs in the professor’s lab, and I want it.”
So maybe this was going to get personal, but sharing his excitement with somebody was like taking a really deep breath. He felt better knowing Coop was gay, because gay guys were never bullies, right?Unless he was lying about being gay to trick me.Matty hated that he would always think this way. High school had left him with some serious battle scars.
“As part of the olive branch, maybe we could hang out.” Coop drummed his fingers on the table. “What are you up to tonight? Some of my friends are having a party.”
“I can’t. I have plans.” Matty was grateful for the excuse.
Coop leaned forward in his chair and rested his chin on his stacked fists. “Oh, what plans?”
“It’s nothing.”
“What is it? I’m curious. Aren’t I allowed to be curious?”
Something in Matty couldn’t let him refuse those eyes. “I have game night.”
Coop gave an exaggerated nod. “Sounds like fun.”
“Well, it is for me.”
