“It’s not just because he’s a Riptide and you know it.”
“Of course, there’s a ton more to this, but I just don’t understand. What is he really expecting to get out of acting all buddy-buddy with me?”
“Revenge.”
I paused and considered it. That sounded like the easiest and most logical explanation, but I understood the issue was more complicated than that. Levi would naturally defer to whatever possibility painted Zane Hirst and the Riptides in the worst possible light.
“He definitely wasn’t trying to mend fences when he ordered you outside at Parkside Candy,” he said.
“I know, I totally get that. It pokes a hole in the only explanation that makes any sense.”
“As for the gym, I don’t know what to tell you except that I wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him across the street.”
Levi was right. Hallelujah! Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Really, I felt shocked that Zane didn’t let two hundred pounds of bar bell crush me when he’d had the chance. The fact that he didn’t shouldn’t have signaled trustworthiness in a dirtbag like him. For all I knew, he was picking his shots.
“I don’t trust him,” I said.
“But you’re willing to talk to him.”
“Only because he approached me first. What was I supposed to do?”
“Tell him to fuck off.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t you have any idea how rude that is?”
“You had no problem punching him right in the face at the Colter Bay Grill.”
He had a point there but letting him know it posed danger. By now, I shouldn’t have needed to explain anything. I couldn’t tell him I’d only punched Zane in the heat of the moment, and that I could never pull off such a feat under ordinary circumstances. That would totally screw up any badass image I’d created for myself.
I certainly couldn’t tell Levi that I’d felt bad about the damage I’d caused to Zane’s face. Nothing permanent, of course, but I’ve already confessed here that I thought it a shame to mess up such a handsome mug.
Yeah, that would go over like a mud balloon.
“Bottom line,” Levi said, “if Zane approaches you anywhere—I don’t care if it’s in church—I want you to tell him to fuck off. If he doesn’t, give him another taste of your kryptonite right fist.”
He balled a fist, made a punching gesture, complete with an explosion sound in the back of his mouth. I couldn’t help finding that amusing in a weird way. I didn’t allow myself to get too comfortable with it, though. Anytime he used words likebottom line, I understood how serious he was, and that I shouldn’t argue. Still, I thought myself lucky to have not broken my hand on Zane’s face the first time. And I couldn’t forget about Coach Hardison’s warning.
“Yeah, well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to something like that.”
“Oh, it will.”
“What makes you so sure of that?”
Levi didn’t answer right away, which threw me off guard. Normally, Levi Dunn had a ready comment for just abouteverything, so I couldn’t help wondering what was really on his mind.
When he turned left onto Lafayette Avenue, he still hadn’t told me what he was thinking, and I tensed up. I had no business feeling nervous about anything. At least, I kept telling myself that.
“You’ve got something on your mind,” I said. “What is it?”
“Do you think your buddy might be a bit obsessed?” he asked.
“Obsessed with what?”
“Obsessed with you. Do I need to draw you a picture?”
