Chapter 13 #2
“Practice is open to anyone as long as they don’t distract the team,” I point out. “So no, I won’t stop bringing him. He’s welcome as long as he wants to be there.”
“He’s distracting me,” he says.
“That's bullshit.” I scoff. “What is your issue with him? Just because he won’t do your fucking schoolwork? How about you grow the fuck up and do it yourself? You can’t cheat your way through life, Mickey.
At some point you’re going to have to take accountability for your life and not expect everyone to do everything for you. ”
“That's what money's for, Novak.” Mickey grins. “I can pay people to do things for me. Not that you’d know anything about that.”
“That might be true, but not everyone can be bought. I’d rather know that I have the things I have because I worked hard and earned them.
Not by bullying people into doing things for me.
And at least I know my friends are friends with me because they like me, not out of fear of me or what they can gain from me. ”
Pushing past him, I debate on going up to my room but decide against it and head toward the front door.
I’m in my car and heading to the video game store before I realize what I’m doing.
The bell dings as I push the front door open. The sound of laughter has me smiling. Looking around for Blake, I find him behind the counter.
The smile falls when I see that the person who’s making him laugh is Bailey. I’ve only met her once in passing when meeting up with Blake after he was done tutoring her.
So what is she doing here with him, behind the counter?
And why is he laughing like that? He only smiles and laughs with me and my friends.
Who the hell does she think she is making my Latte Boy laugh!?
Oh...Oh, I’m jealous. Huh, that's a new feeling. Not sure if I like it.
What I’m sure I don’t like is the way Bailey puts her hand on his arm when she laughs at something he says.
I want to go over there and push her stupid hand off him.
“Hey, Latte Boy.” I put on my best golden boy smile.
Blake looks over to me, shock and surprise on his face at seeing me. But that quickly changes, as his face morphs into a genuinely happy look with the smile he only gives me. Which is not the same as the one he was just giving her.
Take that, tutor girl.
“Cooper? What are you doing here?”
“Got bored.” I shrug, reaching the counter. “Thought I’d come see how you’re doing. Was going to wait outside for you, but decided to come in and see what the place looks like.” I look around. “It’s nice.”
“It’s a pretty cool place to work,” Blake agrees.
“I thought I’d come keep you company on a Sunday night.” I look at Bailey. “But I guess you already had some. I thought you were working alone tonight?”
“I was supposed to but Bailey just started working here last week and my boss thought it would be a good idea to have her come in for some training.”
“Ah.” I nod.
“Hi.” Bailey waves. She’s cute. Too cute. She has long black hair, pink glasses and very nicely done makeup.
“Hi.” I grin a little too big. Blake gives me a look.
“What’s wrong with your face?”
“Nothing's wrong with my face.” My smile drops as I shoot him a glare. “I’m smiling.”
“Like a serial killer.” He snorts. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” I roll my eyes.
“Well, I’m gonna go stock those Funko Pops,” Bailey says awkwardly, rounding the counter and leaving me alone with Blake. Good. Go. Shoo, shoo.
“I thought you were just tutoring her. When did you two become friends?” I swing my gaze to Blake.
He frowns. “I mean, we’re friendly, but I wouldn’t call us friends. Although, she is a nice girl. So who knows?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him he can’t be friends with her, but I bite that down hard because, what the fuck, Cooper? That's not something you do. You don’t control people, tell them how or what they can do.
I seriously need to get a grip before I put my foot in my mouth.
“Cool. Cool.” I nod. “She seems nice.”
“Are you... jealous?” He chuckles. “Don’t worry, Golden Boy, you’re my bestie. No one can replace you.”
Okay, so I love how good that makes me feel and yes, I’m jealous, but not for the reason he thinks.
“Good, because I peed on you. You’re mine.” This time my smile isn’t forced.
“Ew,” Blake mutters. “Never do that.”
“Awe, not into golden showers?” I wiggle my brows.
And damn, my little virgin boy is blushing up a storm. Why does it make my cock twitch when he does that?
“To each their own, but no.”
“Yeah, not my thing either.” I grab a candy from the bowl sitting on the counter and pop it into my mouth. “So, what do you do around here for fun?”
“I work.” He snorts out a laugh.
“Yeah, but what's your favorite part?”
“I like getting first dibs on the new game releases. We’re allowed to test them out if the store is dead.”
“Okay, that's pretty awesome. All I do is get dirty.”
“Your job helps people though. It’s important. This?” He looks around. “Not really.”
“That’s not true. Some people use these games and hobbies as an escape from real life. You’re giving people a safe place and joy.” I shrug. “Pretty cool to me. At least they can come here and talk about the things they like, with someone who actually knows stuff about it.”
“I guess,” he says. “Never looked at it that way.”
For the next hour, I look around the store to see if there’s anything that catches my eye, talk to Blake and send side eyes to Bailey every time she talks to Blake.
I know I have no right to be jealous, she’s just a girl he’s friendly with, but I can’t help it.
I know the things Blake has been through and I should be happy he’s making more friends, coming out of his bubble, and seeing just how much he deserves to be happy.
It’s just that he’s only been this way with me and my friends, and I guess I’m a little jealous of the idea of someone else doing the same.
Like, what if he becomes good friends with her and doesn’t want to hang out with me as much?
God, when did I get so needy?
This man makes me crazy sometimes.
“Alright. The store is closed.” Blake locks the front door.
“Hey, Blake. My brother just called. He can’t come get me because he’s working late. Can you give me a ride home?” Bailey asks.
“I can take you,” I blurt before I even know what I’m saying.
“Ah.” Bailey looks at me. “You sure? It’s over by 90th street.”
“Yeah for sure. Blake lives the opposite way. I live closer to 90th. So no problem.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Bailey eyes me up again, a small smile twitching on her lip. What does she think is so funny?”
We leave the store and head for our cars. “See you tomorrow, Blake.” I wave bye as he gets in his car.
Unlocking my doors, I get in and Bailey gets in on the passengers side.
Everything is awkwardly quiet as I pull away from the store.
“You know, you have nothing to worry about,” Bailey says, breaking the silence.
“Huh?” I cast her a look before bringing my attention back to the road.
“With me and Blake. We’re only friends.”
“I’m not worried.” I scoff.
“You sure?” she asks, amusement in her tone. “Because you gave me the evil eye all night. I thought you might murder me.” She giggles.
My shoulders slump. “Was I that obvious?” I sigh.
“To anyone else? Yes. To Blake? I think you’re good. Although, if it makes you feel any better, his eyes were on you all night, even when you weren’t looking.”
“Yeah?” I grin over at her. “They were?”
“I knew it.” She laughs. “You totally have a thing for him.”
“I mean, yeah. Have you met the guy?”
“He’s a bit prickly, but he’s nice.”
“That’s what I like about him.” I shrug. “I love his grumpy side, because deep down, I know there’s another side of him. One that only really I get to see.”
“Does he know how you feel?”
“No,” I mutter.
“Why haven’t you told him? Because I can tell you, that man has it bad for you too.”
That has me doing a double take. “No.” I shake my head. “You’re mistaken. It’s complicated, but I can tell you he doesn’t like me like that.”
“Whatever you say, but I have eyes. I wouldn’t write it off. Either way, you have nothing to worry about from me. He’s not my type.”
“What?” I gasp, looking at her with wide eyes. “How isn’t he your type? He’s cute. No, not cute, sexy. Sexy as hell. He’s sweet, kind, and funny when he opens up. He’s like the whole package.”
She looks like she’s seconds away from busting out laughing.
“What?” I growl.
“He’s not my type, because he’s not a girl.”
“Oh...Ohhhh.” I shake my head, grinning at my stupidity.
“But it’s nice to know just how much you like him.” She giggles.
“Is it bad of me to say I’m glad you like girls?” I shoot her a sheepish smile.
“Nah. Makes me happy you won’t look at me like you wanna kill me. I must say though, I like Blake, so I plan on making him a friend. We vibe. So, you’re going to see a lot more of me.”
“Fine.” I sigh. “Just as long as you don’t take up all his free time. That's my job.”
“Man, you're really crushing on him badly, aren't you?”
“You have no idea.”
As I drop her off and say goodbye, what she said plays in my mind.
Between what Tabitha said, and now Bailey, could it be true? Could Blake really have feelings for me? Tabby said to be patient and maybe she has a point.
I’m smiling like a fool the whole way home. I know I shouldn’t get hopeful that something is building between us, but it’s too late.