Cocoa rises to her feet, glaring at me. Her right cheek is scraped raw.
“You’re spiraling, Mav” Nix says, concern etched on his face.
“I’m pretty sure he hit rock bottom ages ago,” Cocoa sneers, eyes flashing in contempt.
“Dee, I’m sorry.” I turn on my heel and bolt to my Jeep.
Fuck, I can’t believe I almost hit him. I’m losing it. We rag on each other all the time, but we’ve never come to physical blows. The drive home is a fog, but somehow, I arrive unscathed. I trudge to my bedroom. My agitation skyrockets, finding John sitting on my bed.
“Get the hell out,” I snap.
“After the game, you refused to have your picture taken with me.”
I shrug. “What’s your point?”
“People noticed,” he sputters in anger. “I have a reputation to uphold and can’t be seen in a negative light.”
“You and this town can kiss my fucking ass.”
“I’m your father, and I deserve respect!” he bellows.
“You have my scorn. My resentment. Myabsolutehate. But you’ll never have my respect,” I say between clenched teeth.
“It’s not too late to repair our relationship, Maverick.”
I laugh contemptuously. “After graduation, I never want to see your revolting face again. And when you take your last breath on this earth, I’m going to celebrate. There won’t be a funeral in remembrance of your pathetic life. Oh no, your corpse will be cremated, and the ashes flushed down the toilet, but not before I take a massive dump. The sewer is a fitting final resting place for you.”
He swallows hard and leaves my room without uttering another word. I strip to my boxers and settle on the soft mattress but can’t fall asleep. As usual, thoughts of Cocoa plague me. I grab my cell and spend the next several hours searching Cocoa’s name on every social media app I have.
All of her profiles are public, granting me access to delve into her life unhindered. The pictures of Cocoa in her cheerleader uniform are my favorites. The material clings to her curvaceous body perfectly. In true stalker fashion, I save them to my camera roll. The same three people are tagged in most of her posts—Saint, Micah, and Lolita, aka Lo. Cocoa seems closest to this Saint. Maybe he’s an ex-boyfriend. A surge of jealousy consumes me, and I toss my phone on the nightstand. I was holding it together, then she came into my life and caused a fucking uproar.
Nix, Dee, and I saunter into the gym. It’s completely transformed from yesterday. An arch decorated in school colors is to the left. Silhouette cutouts of football players and cheerleaders are positioned behind it. Stars, paw prints, and streamers line the walls. To the right is a table laden with refreshments. The disc jockey is set up next to it.
Near the back, on a raised platform, are two thrones for the homecoming king and queen. Round tables are stationed on either side of the gym, leaving the center open for dancing. The school’s mascot mingles with students, acting the jester.
I’m wearing a white Versace button-up, dark blue Tom Ford jeans, and blackGiuseppe Zanottis sneakers. I’ve never cared about designer shit. If it’s appealing to me, I buy it. The label slapped on it isn’t important. I felt compelled to look my best tonight and refuse to analyze the reason why.
I catch sight of Cocoa and Jamal dancing.My fucking God. A short, sparkly blue dress clings to her lush figure. If she were shaking her ass on any other guy, I would’ve flipped my shit.
The seductive sway of her hips has me in a trance. My heart tightens in my chest, and my palms sweat, itching to slide along her soft curves. She’s a goddess amidst peasants.
“You’re in way over your head,” Nix says.
“Thanks for the memo,” I mumble.
“I’ll pray for you.” Dee pats my shoulder.
I grunt and stalk towards the girl who has me tied in knots.
“As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil…” I hear him recite, and Nix laughs.
Cocoa notices my approach and stops dancing. If I had a shred of common sense, I’d go in the opposite direction, but I’m irrevocably drawn to her.
I glance at Jamal. “Get lost.”
He scurries away, following my edict without opposition. Cocoa could learn a thing or two from him.
“Look, Maverick, I don’t want to fight tonight.”
