Page 158 of Something Rad
She’s lying.
“That’s not true,” I say.
“Excuse me?”
“You were mad,” I insist, taking a small step forward.
She lets out a scoff, taking a step forward to match me. “I’m starting to thinkyou’remad,” she states. “Actually, I’mconvinced. Why are you mad, Robbie?” She tilts her head at me, her tone mocking
“I’m notmad, Cooper,” I chuckle dryly. “But, as I wastryingto say before, Denise being allowed to kiss me doesn’t exactly equate to you climbing Paul Strothers like a tree and wrapping yourself around him like a damn spider monkey.”
She barks out a laugh, raking her fingers through her fiery hair. “Oh, you’reunbelievable!”
“Me?” I question her, pointing toward myself. “I think my eyes are still trying to process that little show you put on out there,” I say, turning my finger in the direction of the living room.
She laughs, clapping her hands together. “Well, my apologies, Robbie. I’msosorry.Truly. I apologize if I shattered your little image of me tonight.”
“And what image is that?” I ask.
“Oh, you know,” Cooper says, waving her hands, “the one of the quiet little girl who stands in the corner all night with her mouth shut, observing everything around her and never participating. The one of the prudish, fun-allergic, untouchable little school nerd.”
A wave of heat rushes over me, and I automatically move forward, closing the distance between us. “Cooper…” I say, shaking my head, my voice low. “I can assure you, if I’ve ever had an image of you in my head at any point, it certainly wasn’tthat.”
She slowly raises her gaze to meet mine as she inches backwards away from me. Her lips part like she’s thinking about saying something, but then her back hits the door.
“Now, Cooper,” I say, ducking my head, “tell me why you were mad.”
“I wasn’t mad,” she replies instantly.
“Then why were youupset?” I ask.
Silence.
“You told Denise it was okay, Cooper,” I push.
She turns her head, not meeting my eyes. “Well, she shouldn’t have asked in the first place,” she grits.
Bingo.
“And why’s that?”
“Because…” she trails off.
“Because?”
She throws her hands in the air. “Because we’re supposed to bedating!” she fumes.
Her outburst dies out, and I don’t respond right away, only returning her burning stare. The air between us is silent, save for the sound of Cooper’s labored breathing. I let my eyes rake her figure once, doubling back when I graze over her thighs. I think about Paul’s hands on them and reflexively tighten my fists. When I force my gaze back to Cooper’s face, her expression is dead serious, an unmistakable depth within her gray eyes. I roll my lips into my mouth.
“I thought it was just supposed to be a game?” I say.
Cooper’s back straightens, and she pushes off the door, lessening the already small distance between us. “What,Spin the Bottle?” she questions, an edge to her voice as she tilts her head at me. “Orus?”
My brows shoot up.Jesus, Cooper. I suddenly take in how close she is and my throat bobs. Her pouty red lips are only inches away. An image flashes through my head of dragging the lower one through my teeth, but I instantly shake my head, forcing it away.
“I don’t know, Cooper,” I breathe. “Which are you willing to play at?”
“I don’t think I even know the rules anymore,” she mutters.
