Page 5 of Hating On Riot

“That’s awesome, Coop. In two sentences, you managed to make me feel like crap, and like I’m a kid rather than a grown woman who can make decisions.”

“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. It’s just⁠—”

“I was always into me, not us? That I’m selfish, keeping parts of myself from you when I should be more forthcoming? You’re not my best friend anymore.” I yank my car door open. “Let’s just stay civil, finish the assignment, and win this game.”

I toss my backpack onto the passenger seat. “I can meet eight to nine if that’s good for you.”

“You’re not a morning person.”

“Tonight.”

Grimacing, he cups the back of his head. “Yeah, sure. Makes sense now.”

An awkward silence falls over us.

“Anything else?” I lean against the car door, arms crossed, trying to look composed.

Inside, I hurt for my part in ruining our friendship. I limited what we had rather than letting our friendship grow and deepen.

“I got you your favorite smoothie, strawberry banana with lots of whipped cream.” The full drink in his hand that I thought was his. He shoves the drink near my face.

“Thank you,” I mumble, taking it from him. It would be rude to refuse.

“Arie, what happened⁠—”

“It's in the past. Let’s keep what we had in the past. It’ll make having you in one of my classes less complicated.”

“Okay, I get that.”

His brow furrows, and I long to smooth out his worry lines, but I take a drink of the smoothie instead.

“See you tonight. Thank you for the smoothie. You finish the rest.” I hand him the drink—it’s his favorite too—and hurry in my car and close the door before he can say another word that might make me change my mind about keeping us in the past.

What more is there to discuss? I saw what I saw. I saw my best friend’s mouth on a girl he knew had stolen the guy I had a crush on from high school.

In nine months, we’ll graduate and go our separate ways. For the sake of moving on, I’ll work with Riot and Cooper on our parts of the assignment, then leave my past and them behind.

What can happen in a week, anyway?

4

Arie

“Riot, is this necessary?” I set my luggage in the spare bedroom.

“Hell, yeah. Nerf War takes thinking outside the box. It also means taking risks. You staying in a house full of athletes who can take you down in a heartbeat because of their speed and size will show the team you’re cereal and in this to win it.”

“You mean serious, not cereal, right?”

“Cereal, Arie. Loosen up. If you weren’t so uptight, Cooper wouldn’t have hooked up with Bella.”

Ah, so he does know, and all over again, my feelings and pride are stomped on. Cooper is my best friend. Bella had no right to poach my friends. Who will she steal from beneath my nose next?

Gwen wouldn’t be high on her list. Her brothers are either in prison or will eventually be caught for doing something highly illegal. Bella is a bitch, but she’s not stupid enough to be friends with a girl whose brothers are criminals.

Ever would also be off Bella’s list. Ever’s father is serving a life sentence for murder. Syn? Not much is known about our friend with white-blonde hair, piercings, and tattoos, except that she’s not a fan of jocks. One must’ve broken her heart.

Bella is into people who are open books. Easier to read and manipulate. So, Syn is out. That leaves Riley Lee.