Page 272 of Something Rad
“When are you going to New York?”
My head snaps in Robbie’s direction. “What?”
“I asked when you’re going to New York,” Robbie says.
I glance between him and the road, my mouth opening and closing.
Robbie’s body fully turns in my direction. “What day do you leave? What time is your flight? Where are you staying when you get there?”
I bark out a laugh. “Okay, what is with the interrogation?”
“Interrogation?” Robbie repeats. “Cooper, these should be the easiest questions in the world for you to answer.”
I shake my head. “I…”
“What all do you know about the summer writing course? What classes are you planning to take once the fall semester starts? What are you most excited to write about first?”
“Robbie, what are you doing?” I ask.
“Answer the damn questions, Cooper,” Robbie fumes, leaning closer to me.
“I–I can’t!” I sputter.
“Andwhy not, Cooper? Why the hell can’t you answer questions about how you’re about to be living your dream a few weeks from today? Why can’t you gush to me over how damn excited you are to get out of this town and go to New York City where you belong, where you’ve worked all of high school to get to?”
The backs of my eyes burn, my chest aching. “Robbie, please, stop,” I beg, shaking my head.
“Because you're planning to throw it all away, aren’t you?”
I shake my head. “Please…”
“Aren’t you?”
My lips part as I attempt to answer him, but a silent sob just comes out instead.
“Cooper–” Robbie begins, but cuts off, both of us stiffening in our seats as red and blue lights fill the car, reflecting in the rear view mirror.
“Oh… Oh my God,” I say, my hands shaking as I glance down at the speedometer. “I was distracted,” I breathe, slowing the car down and settling on the shoulder of the road. “I think I was speeding. Probably swerving some.”
Robbie looks over his shoulder and out the back window, cursing as realization passes over his face. “Wouldn’t have mattered if you weren’t,” he says. “We’d still be getting pulled over.”
I feel my heart hammering in my chest as I glance up at the rear view mirror, spotting a silhouette stepping out of the cop car, closing the door. I let out a shaky breath, watching as the silhouette starts to make its way towards us.
I’ve never been pulled over before. I don’t know what to do, how to act. I’m not exactly one for breaking the rules. I swallow hard, feeling like I might be sick. But then I feel a hand on my bicep.
“Cooper, switch with me.”
“What?” I demand as Robbie is clicking the button to release my seat belt.
Robbie blows a breath out of his nose, gritting his teeth. “Switch seats with me.Right now.”
“What? No. I can’t. I was driving. I was the one pulled over.”
“Inmycar. By the jackass who’s had it out for me since the moment I got my driver’s license. You’re not taking the fall for it.”
“Robbie–”
“Cooper, you have to move. It’s now or never.”
