Page 147 of Something Rad
I also feel an equally strong sense of dread at having to go back home to face my family. God only knows how they’ll react. Either my dad will yell, or he won’t speak to me for the next two weeks. I’m crossing every finger I have that it’s the latter.
Hell, if I’m lucky, maybe he’ll extend his usual silent treatment sentence to a month.
Whatever he does though, I know it’ll be worth it. Every ounce of punishment will be worth getting to see that flabbergasted look across my dad’s face. The look of someone that hasn't been challenged in eighteen years. I wasn’t aware he was even capable of having that look.
Looks like Cooper’s short temper and sharp tongue are good for something after all.
I’m suddenly brought back to reality at the sound of a car door opening, and, when my eyes refocus, I find Cooper out of her seat. Her gaze keeps flicking between the ground and my face, her mouth opening and closing. After a few seconds, she blurts, “See you at school, I guess. Bye.”
She slams the door shut before I even have a chance to respond, practically jogging to her front door.
See you at school, I guess?
What the hell?
I shake my head in confusion, throwing my door open and barrelling after her. I catch her by the arm just as she is pushing her front door open.
“What do you want?” she asks.
“Cooper, what I want is for you to explain to me what the hell that just was.”
Her lips press together tightly as she glances away from me. “I was just trying to do the right thing.”
“The right thing?” I question her.
“Yes,” she insists. “I’m sorry, but I just snapped. Someone can only be in an enclosed place with such a raging asshole for so long.”
My brows pull together, my mouth falling open, ready to fight her as always, but then, after a few seconds, I realize.
“You’re talking about my father.”
“Yes?” she confirms, tilting her head at me. “Who else would I be talking about?”
Me.
“No one. I don’t know.” I shake my head.
It’s quiet for a few moments as I stare down at the stained concrete of Cooper’s front porch steps beneath my feet, until she breaks the silence, practically whispering, “Are you mad at me?”
My head snaps up. “What?”
“I know your relationship with your family is strained, and that you’re not your father’s biggest fan– and honestly, vice versa– but I probably shouldn't have gone off as hard as I did. It wasn’t my place.” I cock my head, my eyes traveling between the lines of concern etched in Cooper’s forehead and her wringing hands. “You’re totally mad. Iwastoo much, wasn’t I?”
I take a moment to take in what she’s saying, how she’sapologizingfor defending me. It takes everything in me not to reach out and shake her by her shoulders. Instead, I blow out a puff of air, keeping my face neutral. “I mean, you giveonesuccessful speech, Cooper, and now you just have to bust them out everywhere you go.” Her spine steels when she catches my sarcasm. “You think you can dial it back a bit? Really, you’ve got us all walking on eggshells around here–”
Cooper whacks my chest with the back of her hand, making me chuckle.
“Goodnight, Robbie.” She rolls her eyes, moving to close the door, but I catch it with my hand.
“Hey, wait a second,” I say, pushing the door back open and leaning against the frame.
“What?” she huffs, crossing her arms.
“Thank you.”
Her brows raise, but she doesn’t respond.
“For coming tonight,” I elaborate, “even if it was only for, like, twenty minutes.”
