Page 136 of What are the Risks
Promise me that you won’t do anything stupid, Wheels. Think about the Draft. Hurting Noah could mess with your career.
To be honest, caring about my future was really hard right now. Noah had no idea how much he owed to Ruby. She was the only reason I was holding back.
Stefan stood up straighter. “Oh shit. He’s coming over here.”
I groaned. Great.
“Yo, Richardson.”
Even Noah’s voice was irritating.
Taking a steady breath, I grudgingly turned to face him. Those extra beers had clearly worked their way into his system. His hazy eyes barely held mine as he looked me up and down.
If he was sizing me up, I was willing to help him out. I was taller than him, I’d bet I could bench press more, and I was certainly more equipped at confrontation than a water polo player.
“Is Ruby with you?”
My first tether snapped.
“You don’t get to ask about her.”
“Drop the big brother act, Richardson. Ruby’s still my–”
“She’s nothing to you,” I cut in. “Not anymore. You made sure of that.”
As he shifted, he momentarily lost his footing and had to lean on one of his seedy friends for support. “I don’t know what she’s told you–”
“Everything. So save your breath and go find someone else willing to listen to the bullshit that comes out of your mouth.”
Noah simmered, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Who the fuck do you think you are talking to me like that?”
The crowd around us had began to realise something was going on. Noah’s friends were on guard, watching, and I could feel my former teammates starting to swarm around me.
I hoped Stefan had taken his own advice and moved out of the way. If anything broke out, I didn’t want him getting caught in the crossfire. I didn’t need another reason to want Noah dead.
“Look,” I began, forcing patience into my tone. “Just move on. Ruby wants nothing to do with you, and neither do I.”
Noah sneered. “I’ll bet you’re glad we broke up.”
“Whatever you reckon, man.”
“You’ve always hated me,” Noah continued, undeterred. He was far too drunk to read the vibes. “If you think running your mouth will turn Ruby against me, you’re wrong.”
“You don’t need me to achieve that, Noah. Sleeping with six other girls did the trick.”
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. Damn, I hadn’t meant to let that slip – not all the details were public knowledge. Noah was getting under my skin.
“Don’t act high and mighty,” he spat. “You’ve never been in a relationship.”
“I’d never cheat on someone, let alone Ruby. You’re a fucking idiot for thinking anyone even comes close to measuring up to her.”
“Honestly, you’re so bothered by this it’s like you’re in love with her or something.” Noah let out a harsh, ugly laugh, his bleary eyes widening. “Wait, is that why you always hated me? Because you were jealous I was the one who got to fuck her?”
The second tether snapped.
I stepped forward. “Watch it.”
“Oh my God! That’s it, isn’t it? You’re sleeping with her now that we’re finally done.” He dragged his hands through his hair, but thegel was so thick it didn’t budge. “I always fucking knew there was something going on between you two.”
