“You had your first study session with Cooper, right? How did it go?”
“You know Cooper?” I ask her.
“Of course.” She beams. “He’s my bestie. Love that guy. If he were straight, I’d totally make him mine.
He’s gay? Huh.
“Why, because he’s a football player?”
“God no. I don’t fuck around with football players. They’re all assholes. Well, all but Cooper. I guess Ellie’s boyfriends are alright, too. I mean, once they stopped being raging assholes and bullying her. But that's the past.” She waves it off. “We’re talking about Cooper. He’s so sweet and kind. Did you know he fake-dated Ellie so that people at school would leave her alone?” She swoons. “That's the level of dedication he has when it comes to his friends. The man would move mountains for you. Give you the shirt off his back.”
Normally, I don’t like her rambling, it’s hard to keep up with what she’s saying, and half the time, I don’t even know what she’s talking about.
But for some reason, I cling to everything she says about Cooper.
Last night, I stayed up for hours freaking out over the fact that I agreed to tutor a football player and considering all the bad things that could happen.
He could be an asshole, threaten me, get me to do his work for him, or make me feel small, like I’m a loser.
Cooper wasn’t any of that, and based on what Val is saying, my suspicion that it was all an act might be wrong.
“Anyway, thanks for helping him out. He really needs this. Not just because of the team, but he’s on scholarship, and it would be devastating for him to lose everything he worked so hard for, right before graduation.”
“Yeah,” I grunt, looking out the window. “It’s cool. Whatever.”
Val chatters on the rest of the way home, while I keep playing her words over and over in my head. Have I been so hurt in the past that I immediately judge people before even getting to know them?
I know I did with this guy. And it wasn’t right of me. But can you blame me? My past speaks loud and clear.
When Val drops me off, she mentions something about seeing me tomorrow. I’m too distracted and wave her off. I really need to take my car in this weekend. I’ll call tomorrow and see if they're open on Sunday.
“How did it go?” Nina is on me the moment I get in the house.
“How did what go?” I walk past her, heading up to my room. She follows.
“You know what,” she whines. “With Cooper.”
“Oh. Yeah, that. It was fine.”
“That's good. Fine is good, right?”
“Fine is fine, Nina.” I glare at her.
“So, you’re going to keep working with him?”
“As long as he keeps doing the work, yeah.”
“Yay!” She claps her hands. “You’re the best, Blakey-Poo.” She throws her arms around me, crushing me in a hug.
“Oh god, not you too. Stop it. Don’t call me that.”
She laughs, steps back, and crushes my face between her hands, squashing my cheeks. “Never.” She laughs again, leansup on her tiptoes, and kisses me on the forehead. “Best big brother ever.”
I can’t help that my prickly edges soften when it comes to her. “Love you, big bro.” She blows me a kiss before dancing out of my room.
“Love you, little sis,” I mutter back.
Changing into some sleep pants and a clean hoodie, I take the bean bag chair in front of my TV and start up my Xbox.
