Page 37 of Anger Banger

Every time I’ve looked at Cooper tonight, his eyes have been on me. With no desire to hide it, he only grins and rakes his gaze over my body. It instantly brings back the expression on his face last night when I burst into his trailer for the “run by fucking.” His touch and kisses light me up in a way that feels amazing and pisses me off at the same time, because why? Of all people, why does my heart race at the feel of his tongue, his fingers? It’s infuriating.

I’m not going to fight it. The attraction is there whether I like it or not and since he seems amenable to screwing my brains out with no strings attached, this could work. Cara and Lila know about our arrangement, but Pops doesn’t. I’m not going out of my way to hide things like Cara did with Row, but the last thing I want is for Pops to think I’m dating him. For some reason he seems to like Cooper, unlike every other man I’ve ever introduced to him. Maybe I’m not the only one with bad taste. A slumlord, Pops?

Still, he’s come through for everyone tonight, I’ll give him that. All the trailers are empty. Tenants have either gone to family and friends before this started or are here with us. Now that it’s getting later, some have dragged blankets, sleeping bags, and air mattresses inside to prepare to spend the night. Even a few pool floaties and inflatable rafts. Anything to get them off the floor to sleep.

No one is in bed yet. The party is just picking up. Jarett’s resolution to the bumper sliding is to get out his four wheeler instead and attach a giant innertube to the back. We gather around the roaring bonfire to drink and watch as he drives it around the trailer park, giving rides to the kids and teenagers.

It’s been a really fun night and I’m in a good mood. Maybe it was the mind blowing orgasm last night, combined with the rum. But as I hang out with my friends and neighbors, I’m happy. Things aren’t bad at all right now. I’m making good money, Happy Haven is becoming a better place to live every day, Pops is feeling well, and I’m not bogged down in another shitty relationship.

“Look at you, all smiley,” Cooper teases, sidling up next to me where he won’t be overheard. “Are you daydreaming about the things I’m going to do to you next time I get you alone?”

It’s crossed my mind. Especially the way he keeps talking about eating me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that. Longer since it was any good. His kisses and eagerness make me think he may not be lying when he boasts about his oral skills.

“Actually, I was daydreaming.”

He leans in, listening closer.

“About a giant foot coming down from the sky and stepping on you.”

Laughter bursts out of him. “Interesting. Do I survive?”

“I’m not sure yet. You were squished up and stuck between the toes when you interrupted me.”

“Time to eat! Get your behinds inside and make a plate!” Rita shouts from the door.

He leans down and his breath turns to fog over my ear. “As soon as the power is back on, it’s going to be my turn to barge in, pin you down and make you come.” He nips at my earlobe. “But I won’t stop at one.”

With that, he walks off, joining the others. My face burns against the cold air. No. He’s not getting the upper hand. That’s not how this is going to go. He may not know it yet, but I’m in control here. I can’t let his dirty promises and threats get to me. He has enough power over me, being my boss. I’m fucking him, he’s not fucking me, I remind myself. It’s going to stay that way.

A massive amount of food lies spread out on a folding table in one of the former classrooms. A line forms and everyone fills their plates, then wanders to the other rooms to find a chair and eat. Cooper gave us all a place to stay warm but it’s some of the older tenants who have pulled everything together for a meal and made sure everyone has more than enough.

It doesn’t feel like we’re taking shelter during a storm with the upbeat mood. The room is full of conversation and laughter, with even Susan—the resident Karen—being more cooperative than usual. The teenagers disappear back outside after dinner and I’m just about to ask Lila and Cara if they want to go sit by the fire when we hear the motor of Jarrett’s four wheeler race by. It’s followed by loud cries that could be the sound of joy or panic.

“Damn it!” Jarrett shouts, and we run out the door after him.

It takes about five seconds for my brain to catch up to what’s happened when we get outside. A massive pile of snow sits at the end of the street a few yards past a ramp that’s been cobbled together from particle board and a couple of cinderblocks. Three boys dig like crazy, but it doesn’t become clear why until I get closer. A pair of feet stick out of the pile, only visible from the ankles down.

Cooper, Row and Jarrett race over to help. While Cooper and Row dig, Jarrett grabs the ankles and pulls until they get Russ Dealey free. The giant whoop of air he draws in tells us how close he was to being unconscious.

“Are you trying to kill yourself?” Cooper demands, anger and incredulity churning in his voice.

Russ coughs and scrubs at his face. “I’m okay!”

“We didn’t think it’d bury him!” Evan argues, his eyes wide, watching his dad check over his friend for injuries.

Pops walks over, shaking his head. “If you put that boy’s brain in a fish, it’d swim backward.”

“He’s fourteen,” Lila points out. “Teenagers are like toddlers. Most of the parenting is trying to keep them from killing themselves by being stupid.”

Row disassembles the ramp while Jarett orders all of them to get inside and find something not life threatening to do. They’re scared enough to obey without an argument. As they pass by, Evan slaps Russ on the back. “Bruh, wait until you see the video. You didn’t even try to break your fall.”

“Why did you keep your arms pinned to your sides? You looked like a dolphin,” one of the girls teases and they all crack up.

Jarrett laughs once they’re out of earshot. “Okay, who wants a ride?”

“I do!” Lila chirps and rushes to sit on the innertube. Grinning at us, she kicks her feet excitedly like a little kid. She isn’t the only one. With the kids and teenagers inside, it’s our turn to have some stupid fun, urged on by the bottle of rum that’s been added to our drinks.

When I dive onto the tube for my turn, Cooper climbs on beside me. “Move over. You’re hogging the whole thing.”

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