Page 88 of The Cheerleader

“I’ll stand in the back.” Vinnie sounds reasonable, but I tense up. When he pushes Liz aside to go past her, I spring to my feet and race to the doorway at the back of the lecture hall where they’re arguing.

I put my hand on Vinnie’s shoulder and pull him away from Liz. Heads turn our way when he curses at me, and I feel my friends come up behind me.

Keith stands between us and the seats as he faces the staring crowd. “Enjoy the movie, everyone.” He points to the screen, and that gets the crowd’s attention back where it belongs.

“Can you escort him outside?” Liz says to me with a wobble in her voice. Her expression is uncharacteristically tense and her skin pale. Shit. I knew she wouldn’t react well to a physical threat from this guy. I should have intervened sooner.

“Let’s go.” I move my grip from Vinnie’s shoulder to his arm and drag him through the doors from the lecture hall turned movie theater to the entry lobby. His friend follows with his mouth open.

Liz, Mack, and Eldy follow us out. I motion for Chuck to stay inside.

“Make sure things stay calm in there.” He nods.

While my attention is on Chuck as the door closes behind him, Vinnie pulls from my grasp.

“You can’t do this.”

His friend finally says, “Hey, who the hell are you?”

I ignore him, and Mack opens the glass door to the outside. Vinnie’s friend rushes me and shoves me against the closed half of the double glass doors.

“No!” Someone shouts. It’s Susie. She and Sherry are still at the ticket table, packing up. They have identical expressions of shock on their faces. Registering their responses, I reign in my anger-fueled adrenaline and take a breath instead of following my instinct for a violent reaction.

“Keep your hands off me, asshole,” I say, stepping away.

“Who do you think you are⁠—”

“I’m a friend of the lady you put your hands on, that’s who.”

“I didn’t⁠—”

“That’s right. It wasn’t you.” I turn to Vinnie, who’s being guarded by Mack and Eldy as he glances between them, me, and Susie. Fuck that. “It was Vinnie, who should know better. Time for you to leave.” Forgetting about his friend, I move to Vinnie and stand up to him.

I’m a few inches taller and close enough to smell the alcohol on his breath. Staring him down, I try making him leave with sheer intimidation rather than punching him again. Frankly, I’d rather punch him in the nose, but I don’t want to get into trouble.

Glancing at Susie, who’s watching closely with less horror on her face, I admit to myself I also don’t want to upset her or give her the impression that I’m some dickhead with a violent temper. Because I’m not. I have an abundance of self-control, thanks to my old man.

Regaining her composure, Liz comes to stand next to me. “I’m sorry, sir. Here’s your money back.” She hands him and his friend a ten-dollar bill each, then smiles.

“I’ll make sure you get a front row seat next time.”

Brushing his rugby shirt as if to make sure she sees it, Vinnie responds as predicted to her efforts to placate. He leers at her as if she’s invited him to bed.

“Let’s go,” I repeat, holding the glass door open while Mack and Eldy herd him and his friend to the threshold.

“When’s the next showing?” Vinnie cranes his head around while I close in, standing between him and Liz.

“Never mind. Time for you to leave before I call the campus police.”

He scoffs, turning his attention back to me. “Not this time. This is between me and the ladies, asshole. I have you pegged. You think you’re something special because you play football, but you’re nothing but a wuss. You wear a helmet. Try playing rugby, big shot. You wouldn’t last.”

I stare at him without saying a word and without giving him an inch.

Liz says, “Look for posters about our next movie. I’m not sure when it’ll be.” She waves at him and then turns away, hurrying toward the ticket table to gather up the money and tickets. As soon as Liz, Susie, and Sherry disappear around the corner, Vinnie brings his attention back to me.

“Susie’s too good for you.”

“Join the club,” I say, not disagreeing. Not even surprised that he knows Susie’s name. She’s gaining notoriety on campus, as pretty cheerleaders often do.