Page 27 of The Rebel's Guide to Pride

“If that’s what you did to Mason,” she started, “then you do you.”

We both laughed, but the tension was still taut in my chest. “Seriously, sorry for missing last night. What do you need me to do for tomorrow?”

“I have it under control, and I know you’re dealing with a lot…So you get a pass. This one time.” She winked, twisting back and forth in her chair. “Kennedy and I mapped out where to put up the decorations, so all you have to do is show up early to help set up.”

“Okay,” I said, and then, trying to lighten the mood: “Speaking of, did you two map out each other’s mouths again?”

“What was it you said?” She pretended to think, tapping a finger on her chin. “Oh, yeah…We gave each other a secret handshake.”

“Definite girlfriend vibes,” I said, and nodded in appreciation.

“Let’s hope so.” Her grin was wide, pinching her pale cheeks. “All the stars are aligning in my favor.”

“How so?” I asked as the door chimed again.

“Because she’s using her cosplay skills to go as Captain Jaymes Catz’s girlfriend, Ava Daise, from my fanfic.” She plastered on another smile to greet the guests, but it dropped as she tsked. “You’re late, Cohen, and not even in uniform yet.”

“Sorry, the campaign meeting at Estrella Books ran late,” he explained in a rush.

Anger twisted me like it had when I’d left him standing in the hallway. I ducked under the counter as though I could will myself to disappear. His habit of making me feel like shit was triggering. Balling my fists in my leather jacket’s pockets, I held my breath. Afraid he’d hear me. Afraid the tightness vibrating inside me would erupt if he did.

“Go get changed before my parents see you,” she instructed, reaching for a drawer handle. “Don’t forget your server apron.”

She opened the cabinet underneath the desk, and I saw stars. “Shit,” I hissed as it banged me in the face.

“Sorry, sorry.” She pushed my tangled hair back. “How’s your head?”

“Haven’t had any complaints,” I joked, but my laugh died when Cohen’s messy cowlicks appeared over the counter.

“Zeke?” he asked, looking down at me like he always did.

My cover was blown. “Gotta go,” I groaned, standing with a wince. The start of a headache was forming, and I needed to be anywhere else but here. “Saw, I’ll have the decorations ready. Pick me up at seven tomorrow, okay?”

“Oookay.” Her eyes darted between Cohen and me in confusion.

“Later,” I called over my shoulder.

It was a straight shot to The Cove’s back entrance, where I’d parked my dirt bike. The hallway kept with the rustic theme, old-timey pictures and signs flashing by. With each stomp of my sneakers, I could feel the tension winding tighter and tighter inside me.You’ll only ruin everything with your Zasshole attitude,Cohen had warned.Just keep your head down and stay out of it,the JACass had ordered. Both of their voices were testing my newfound resolve.

“Wait up,” Cohen called, his voice breathy as he rushed to keep up.

“No,” I said, and lengthened my strides.

“Zeke.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Can we please just talk?”

I spun around to face him, and he nearly collided into me. “There’s no need. I said everything I wanted to say.”Too muchactually,I mentally added, a blush warming my face.

“At least let me apologize for saying—”

“We all know how much of a fuck-up I am. You remind me all the damn time.”

“You aren’t, though.” The depths of his brown eyes caught me in their stare, but I refused to glitch over him. Not right now when I was on the verge of lashing out. “I’m sorry for how I handled things in freshman year. I didn’t know you were afraid…if you would’ve just talked to me then we—”

“Do you know what’s worse than you being a total dick to me?” I asked, and he went silent as the front entrance chime echoed down the hallway. “You pretending like you care.”

“You don’t understand—”

“I don’t need to.”

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