Page 55 of Don't Hate the Player
Before I can get a word in, Bob cuts me off. “I’ll ask again. Did Byunki put you up to this? Did he tell you to go for Jake after Round One or before we even showed up at the tournament?”
Yo. I do not like Bob. I look over at Jake again, hoping he’ll defend me, and to his credit, he tries. Whatever he wants to say is mostly a sputtering mess, but I can make out his catchphrase. More of a catchword, really.
“S-sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. But Em’s not—”
“Jake, it’s not your fault,” Bob says, rubbing his temples. Byunki didn’t tell me to mess with Unity before Round 2, but I definitely got under their skin entirely on accident. “Byunki probably—Ugh. Can you get in my car, please? I’d be more comfortable if I could talk to you alone, and we’re going to be late.”
One more look at Jake tells me that this battle, if I can even call it that, is lost. I’m overwhelmed, Jake looks on the verge of tears, and I think Bob might literally be the devil.
“It’s okay, Jake,” I say quietly. We have our answer as to whether or not this was bad. “I’ll see you . . . there, I guess.”
Jake slips into the passenger side of Bob’s car, and anyone watching from the highway would be well within their rights to assume this is some kind of hostage trade. I’m waiting for Bob to toss me a suitcase full of hundred-dollar bills when he gets in his own car, slams the door, and glares at me through the windshield.
Fine, dude, fine. It’s not fine, but I don’t know what else to do. I punch my hockey bag toward the back of the trunk, hit the button to close it, and carefully stalk back to my seat. Just go, both of you.
When Bob peels out of the shoulder, I get a last glimpse of Jake through the passenger side window. “I’m sorry,” he mouths. I can’t blame him for saying it this time. I’m sorry too.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Team Unity Chat, Saturday, Round 2
ElementalP: hellooooo is anyone here?? I’m in the parking lot and i need someone to help me carry all this stuff
MUDD: i thought ki was driving in with you
ElementalP: she is but she got *back pain*
shineedancer: it’s boob pain. you can tell him it’s new boob pain.
ElementalP: are you here muddy? Come help pls
MUDD: ugh i just sat down i’m in the green room. Idk why bob thinks we need to decorate. it’s stupid.
[BobTheeQhas entered the chat]
MUDD: i mean yeah wow decorating the green room so helpful totally makes sense i’ll be right over
BobTheeQ: stay in the parking lot we’re almost there
ElementalP: uh who are you and what did you do with Bob
ElementalP: my captain always punctuates and capitalizes
BobTheeQ: it’s jake i’m typing for bob he’s driving
MUDD: bob gave you a ride? lookit you, prince of unity over here. Bob never offered me a ride but thats super cool
BobTheeQ: bob says he has curtains in the trunk and a bunch of other stuff he wants to know what you have
ElementalP: some posters, a footstool, christmas lights
shineedancer: my stuff is a secret you’ll see
MUDD: i brought nothin but these skillz
BobTheeQ: Quelle surprise.
ElementalP: French? that’s gotta be Bob. Y’all parked?
