“It’s gross, but for what he came here looking for, it’s necessary,” Marcus sighed. “Still, he’s in trouble for being careless enough to let you see that.” Riff grimaced, looking like a scolded puppy, and I ruffled his hair. He smiled, and Marcus scoffed, although he grinned when I glanced his way. Albeit, he frowned a moment later and growled under his breath. Within moments, the store was full with the rest of the show choir entering along with several of my teachers, other school faculty, and many students I remembered seeing around. “I hate all of you,” Marcus sighed, and they laughed. “Riff, take Angel outside for a few minutes, please.”
Bowing his head, Riff grinned and indicated the door. I bristled, and he smiled. Stomping, I left the store knowing I didn’t want to know what Marcus was doing. I refused to let myself think about it because it was none of my business. I sat on the curb, Riff joined me a moment later and chatted about his favorite plays in football. Eyeing him, I asked why he was in choir if he’s a jock, and he laughed. Riff replied that while he liked football, singing brought him joy. And he gave up playing when he reached high school. He used to be on the team, but once they became teenagers, he and Kyler butted heads. So, instead of dividing the team, he resigned in favor of a more beloved pursuit. Other than in gym when he enjoyed giving Kyler a run for his money. He admitted they grew up best friends until they fell apart. Kyler became more interested in chasing every girl he saw, so Riff accused him of being a two-bit whore and focused on singing to put distance between them. And one day, their relationship deteriorated into the broken thing it was now. Neither could stand the other anymore, Riff said Kyler was lost but too stupid to see it. Whereas Kyler thought Riff was a goody-two-shoes who needed to learn to appreciate what the female body offered.
My heart ached when Riff mentioned Kyler’s constant search for new conquests, and I bit my lip. Staring at the ground, I sighed before smiling and murmuring, “maybe Kyler caught a disease that makes his tiny brain hurt if he doesn’t have sex.” Riff blinked for a moment before laughing uproariously, and I sighed, letting my expression become miserable for a few seconds.
Startled, I looked up when Char and Dakota sat on either side of Riff and me with kind smiles. “So, we hear you guys are meeting in the woods this weekend?” Dakota asked with a slight smile.
“Angel likes to draw, as I’m sure you noticed since you share that class,” Riff replied dryly. “She will sketch whoever she wants while we hang at our spot. Come along if you desire, the more the merrier. Plus, Angel will feel terrible if she thinks we left you guys out. Don’t forget to bring Marissa too.” I looked at him in shock, still not used to his uncanny ability for knowing how I feel.
“We’ll be there,” Char announced with a pleased smile. He held out a rectangular box, and I frowned before meeting his gaze. “It has everyone’s number in it, including Marcus, so you can text or call anyone you like. Plus, if you run without us, then you can stay in touch. If asshole doesn’t know about it because it’s not in your name, well, he can’t track you with it then, can he?” I stared at him with a dropped jaw, and he chuckled although his eyes were full of icy fury. “Claire explained it to spare you from having to relive it again so soon, sweetheart. I hope you don’t mind and aren’t angry with her. I promise she meant well.” Shaking my head, I hugged him, and after a moment, he hugged me back.
“So, Marcus agrees that one of us always gets to be on shift with you,” Dakota announced with a smile. “And, we’ll give you half our wages because you’ll flip out if we give them all to you like we desire. We want to help you and Matty, especially since the two of you have been without aid for so long.”
My lip trembled, and although I desired to argue, I swallowed the words to nod my acceptance. It would be cruel of me to stomp on their hopes to provide aid since I felt their sincerity in my soul. And to be in contact whenever I desired would be wonderful. “Thank you,” I whispered in a voice trembling because of my overwhelming emotions. Words couldn’t describe how much I wanted this place to become my home. I felt like I belonged, and like I was wanted. Loved. Screw Kyler, he couldn’t run me out. Besides, I didn’t care what he thought. Hmph.
Soon, the sizeable group in the store left only to for an even larger one to replace them, and I heard Marcus growling in irritation from outside. Oh boy. What the heck was happening? After this set of people left, Riff deemed it safe to head inside, and we did while Dakota and Char waved bye. Donning a vest, Riff called me boss and asked what we needed to do. Rolling my eyes, I showed him the list of closing duties, and we split them up while Marcus pouted at the register. He smiled whenever I met his gaze, and I sighed. At least he wasn’t angry over whatever happened. A few minutes before closing, Kyler waltzed in alone, and Riff bristled.
Staring him down, Kyler’s eyes widened when Riff grinned and met
