Flock (The Ravenhood)

“Trust me,” Sean sighs, “it doesn’t matter what I say.”

I surge to my feet. “Enjoy your dinner.”

“Oh, look, she has a breaking point.” Dominic tsks as I gather my purse, “How original.”

I head for the door; hearing Dominic speak up behind me. “I told you she doesn’t have it in her.”

“Give her some time.”

I’m beyond the bullshit and any attempt to understand their exchange when Tyler walks in just as I reach the door. “Hey, gir—”

“Hey, Tyler, I can’t…excuse me,” I push past him, tears threatening and slam the door behind me.

I’m fuming mad, standing at my driver’s door when I realize Tyler blocked me in. Intentional or not, he’s aware of it by now and not even he is going to make it easy on me. I stand in the heat for endless minutes before I hear the front door open and close. Sean appears and I dart my eyes away.

“You plannin’ on glaring at the front door all night, Pup?”

I look up at him to see he’s smiling which only infuriates me further. “You guys are assholes.”

He dips his chin. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I round my car, tossing my purse on the hood. “Maybe? What is your game?”

“No games. I told you not to play into his shit and you did anyway.”

“He’s horrible. And what did he mean by, ‘I don’t have it in me?’”

“Exactly what he said. And you’re proving him right.”

“Why do I have to prove anything to him?”

“You don’t, but if you’re going to be taking up space that he’s sharing, you’ll have to figure it out.”

“Figure what out exactly?”

“How to get along.”

“With him?” I scoff. “Impossible.”

“Not impossible. Improbable.”

“Sean, cut the shit. Dominic is not going to cut me any slack, okay? That’s clear.”

“Then step up.”

“And what? Kick his ass?”

“Couldn’t hurt.” His playful tone has my hackles rising.

“This is funny to you?”

“Hysterical. Got to give you props though, you were holding your own for a minute back there.”

“So, this is a game.”

“No, it’s a test of wills, and I really do hope you win.”

“You did not just say that to me.”