Page 65 of Call the Shots
My eyes flashed to his. “Gobackto therink.”
“Bear—”
“I don’t want to talk.”
“June wants someone nice. I think if you were open and told her how you feel?—”
“How Ifeel?”
He fidgeted with his jersey. “I have your gamer tag, Bear. I know you switch consoles before June comes back from class so you’re in the living room when she walks in.”
“I—” I stopped myself, fumbling for an excuse. “I—I like the wider screen?—”
“You dump out your water bottle, so you have to fill it by June?—”
“That—no?—”
“You play hockey differently when she’s here. I know you like her.”
“Listen to me,” I said, ignoring how red my face was. “I know how you think you see this—but I don’t fucking like June.” My throat tightened. “She’s my brother’s ex crazy pussy, who smashed his car, and stalks him all over campus. I don’t needyoubutting in. Goddamn, it’s like having a toddler.”
Montoya looked down at his hands, silent.
“You want to know how I feel?” I demanded. This was too far but I couldn’t stop. “I’m pissed I came to a university that doesn’t give a fuck about us, I’m pissed I never get to see my family because I’m a babysitter here. I’m pissed I got stuck with the shittiest hockey team in the country! I’m pissed I can’t get laid anymore because my brain’s fucked up! I’m pissed I’m living with a shit roommate!”
“I’m—I’m sorry, Bear?—”
“And I don’t need your help. I don’t need you. I don’t needanybody?—”
“You betternotbe fucking talking to him like that!”
I jerked into a standing position, and my heart dropped when June stormed in.
“Montoya, out,” she commanded. “Now.” The freshman shot me a last look of remorse before he left and June cut the distance between us, jabbing me in the chest. “Don’t you talk to him like that. Don’t you fucking dare.” She grabbed my jersey, yanking me down. “I don’t care about your tantrum, but he’s theonlyperson who gives a shit about you on the team. You don’t talk to him like thatever again. Do you understand me?”
I gazed down at her, frozen.
“Do you understand me?” she demanded.
“Yes.”
June released me and left for the door. “You better.”
“Wait—” There were a thousand things I wanted to say but the only thing that came out was one of the worst. “I don’t want King in our dorm.”
“That’swhat you have to say?” She touched the archway. “Trust me, King’s not coming over. I wouldn’t subject him to you.”
I was alone again. I thought I couldn’t feel worse.
I did.
CHAPTER 26
BEAR
HAVING A GOOD TIME
When it rains,it pours, and when it pours, everything gets so much shittier than you thought it could be.
