“Unless anyone has another topic to discuss, we’re done.”
“Fuck!” I shout, disappointed in myself.
My teammates eye me warily and give me a wide berth. I hoist my gym bag over my shoulder and storm out of the locker room. Dee and Nix follow behind me. My equilibrium was fucked up during football practice. I couldn’t hold on to the ball to save my fucking life and spent half the time getting knocked on my goddamn ass. My whole body aches. It’s Cocoa’s fault. She fucking discombobulates me. I keep thinking about burying my face between her soft thighs and her melodious laugh at lunch. The sound increases my heart rate and raises the fine hairs on my nape.
“You cool, Mav?” Nix asks.
“Yeah,” I answer, not breaking my stride.
“I beg to differ,” Dee scoffs. “Your moves were straight trash.”
“I had an off day, so the fuck what? It happens,” I snarl, pushing through the double doors and stepping out into the mild evening.
“Get your shit together or we’re going to get our asses kicked, that’s what,” Dee says.
“I don’t need the fucking reminder,” I bark.
“She has you tied in knots.” Nix shakes his head.
“I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about,” I lie.
“Cocoa. I saw you gaping at her in the cafeteria. You were practically drooling.”
Nix is a perceptive son of a bitch.
“You crushing on her, man?” Dee asks in surprise.
“He has it bad.” Nix chuckles.
“Drop it,” I growl.
They exchange knowing glances but don’t press for specifics.
“I’m going to Mary’s. You guys coming?” I ask.
“Yep, I could eat a big fat calzone.” Nix rubs his lean stomach.
“Let’s go,” Dee says. “I’m always hungry.”
“See y’all there.”
We fist bump and head to our respective vehicles. Who else noticed me ogling Cocoa? The better question is: Why am I fixated on her? She isn’t special. Maybe it’s my way of sticking it to John.
Nah, I’m looking for an excuse.
This goes deeper than my hatred for him. I climb into my Jeep and make the twenty-minute drive. Unfortunately, I’m still left unbalanced by the time I get to Mary’s. Dee and Nix are already waiting in the parking lot for me. I find an available space, then we go inside. My eyes lock on Cocoa, who’s manning the cash register. I reach the counter first, implicitly enthralled by her.
She pastes on a fake smile. “Hello, what would you like to order?”
I just stare at her, words eluding me.
Dee clears his throat, but I remain silent like a moron, and she frowns at me.
“An extra-large pepperoni pizza, two chicken buffalocalzones, and three Cokes,” Nix replies, breaking the awkward tension. “Bottled, not fountain.”
She keys in the order on the monitor. “Dining in?”
“Yeah.”
