Hating Game

By day two, Lauren had resigned herself to Larry’s presence like an annoying, uninvited guest who wouldn’t leave. Every morning, he was there, stealing her food or making sarcastic comments about everything including the way she folded the towels.

It was exhausting.

“You know, you could at least pretend to enjoy your time here with me,” Larry remarked as she sipped her coffee. “I mean, look at me. I’m here, being all fun and charming and stuff.”

Lauren glared at him over the rim of her mug. “You really glorify your existence, don’t you?”

Larry leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his smirk still firmly in place. “What can I say? When you’ve got it, you’ve got it.”

“Yeah, well, you’ve definitely got something. Like your ugly face,” Lauren muttered.

He raised an eyebrow. “Careful, Grinch. You’re starting to sound like you like my face a lot.”

Lauren choked on her coffee, coughing as she set the mug down. “In what world? You’re like a human mosquito, buzzing around, getting in my face, impossible to ignore.”

Larry laughed, the sound low and genuine this time. “Okay, that’s a new one. A mosquito? Really? You couldn’t come up with something cooler?”

“I’m not wasting my creativity on you,” Lauren shot back, grabbing a piece of toast from her plate and taking a bite.

He tilted his head, his smirk softening into something more curious. “You know, you’re kind of fun when you’re angry. Do you even like anyone, or am I just special?”

She didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, you’re special, alright. Specially annoying.”

Larry clutched his chest dramatically, stumbling back a step. “Ouch. That one hurt, Daria.”

Lauren frowned. “Daria?”

“Yeah. You know, from that old cartoon. Sarcastic, brooding, hates everyone. That’s you.”

“I don’t hate everyone,” Lauren said, rolling her eyes.

“Could’ve fooled me,” he teased, snagging her last piece of toast off her plate before she could stop him.

“Hey!” she protested, lunging for it, but he held it just out of reach.

“See? You’re fun when you’re mad,” he said, grinning as he took a bite.

“Unbelievable,” Lauren muttered, shaking her head. “You’re like a giant child.”

“Better than being a Grinch,” Larry said around a mouthful of toast, still looking far too pleased with himself.

Lauren grabbed her mug and started walking out of the kitchen, but Larry called after her, his tone lighter now.

“Hey, I’m just saying you might hate me, but you’re not kicking me out or leaving. Makes you wonder if you like me, huh?”

She didn’t turn around, but she let out an exasperated sigh as she walked away. “I’m not kicking you out because I don’t want Sophie to think I’m a monster. That’s all.”

“Sure, sure,” Larry called back. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Daria or Grinch. By the way, can I borrow your blanket?” Larry called out.

“What are you doing with a blanket?” She asked.

“Didn’t ask for a lecture, just the blanket,” he replied, his voice smooth and teasing.

“I figure yours is dirty. Fine, take it. Just… don’t wreck it.”

Larry plopped down on the couch, throwing the blanket over his legs like he was the king of the house. “I’m not the one wrecking stuff around here, sweetheart.”

Lauren clenched her jaw. “Yeah, well, you’re sure trying to.”

He chuckled, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling. “Can’t help it if I have a magnetic personality.”

Lauren snorted. “You’re full of yourself.”

“Better than being full of nothing, right?” he shot back, clearly not even bothered by her jabs.

Lauren glared at him, But chose to ignore him as she walked away. 

***

Lauren found herself in the living room, trying to get some reading done while Sophie colored at the coffee table. She was finally starting to relax when Larry walked in, carrying a hockey stick.

“Please tell me you’re not about to start practicing inside,” she said, lowering her book to glare at him.

“Relax, Grinch. I’m just fixing the tape on my stick,” Larry replied, sitting down on the floor and pulling out a roll of white tape.

“You don’t have a garage or something for that?” Lauren asked, trying to ignore how his presence filled the room.

He smirked up at her. “What, does this bother you? Me existing in your space?”

“Yes,” she said bluntly.

Sophie giggled, glancing up from her coloring book. “You’re mean to Uncle Larry.”

Lauren looked at the little girl, her annoyance softening slightly. “No, I’m not. He’s just… frustrating.”

Larry grinned at Sophie. “See? Even she admits it. I’m frustrating but irresistible.”

Lauren rolled her eyes. “Don’t teach her words like ‘irresistible.’”

“Why not? She’s gonna grow up surrounded by guys like me. Better to learn how to handle us early,” Larry said, expertly spinning the hockey stick in his hands.

“Ugh, as if the world needs more men like you,” Lauren muttered, returning her focus to her book.

“You really hate hockey or is it men, huh?” Larry asked, his tone more curious now.

“I don’t hate hockey,” Lauren said without looking up. “I just don’t like what it turns people into.”

“People like me?” he pressed, and she could feel his gaze on her.

She hesitated, then looked up, meeting his eyes. “Yeah. People like you.”

He didn’t smirk this time. Instead, he nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “Fair enough.”

Lauren blinked, surprised by his lack of a comeback.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’m not just a hockey player,” he added after a moment, his smirk returning like a reflex.

Lauren rolled her eyes again.

Sophie interrupted by holding up her coloring book. “Look, Uncle Larry! I made you a picture!”

Larry grinned, taking the book from her hands. “Wow, Sophie, this is awesome. Is that supposed to be me?”

Sophie nodded enthusiastically. “And that’s Lauren! She’s mad at you.”

Larry laughed, glancing over at Lauren. “She’s got you pegged.”

Lauren shook her head, trying not to smile. “She’s a quick learner.”

Larry handed the book back to Sophie, then looked at Lauren, his expression softening just slightly. “Alright, Grinch. I’ll leave you to your book. For now.”

Lauren watched as he

walked out of the room. He was a hockey player. He was arrogant. He was everything she hated.

And yes... she hated him.