along her nose until she stopped it with her finger. “Maggie, I’m sorry. Can we talk? I didn’t mean that stuff, really.” He moved to hug her and felt his face grow hot when she pushed his arms down. “Either you leave, or I leave.” Robbie suddenly felt stupid, standing there in front of her. He looked away and shrugged. “Can we talk?” “I’m leaving.” She flicked her hair behind her, wiped her eyes, and strode rigidly into the other room. The camera flashed, followed by a burst of laughter. Robbie dug his hands into his pockets and cleared his throat. “Shit.” Of all the things he could have been saying? This. He felt Jake’s arm across his shoulders. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t want to say anything, but I tried to let you know.” “Where did she even come from?” Robbie’s mind swam with confusion. “She just popped out between those two kids.” Jake motioned over his shoulder. “Terrible timing, too; you were talking about her temper.” Robbie ran his fingers through his hair and tugged on a fistful of it. “What the hell did I do, Jake?” He slumped onto the couch and stared blankly at a red cup on the table in front of him, half-empty. After a minute, he reached.
R
obbie wouldn’t leave Jake alone until he agreed to drive to Maggie’s house. “Robbie, you’re drunk. Just wait until tomorrow.” He slapped Jake’s shoulder and laughed. “You know it’s not gonna make a difference!” Jake pushed his hand away, and Robbie turned to the couch for support, nearly stumbling onto the sleeping girl. “Okay, Jake. Okay. How ’bout this? You take me there,” he patted Jake’s stomach, “and then you can come back, and you can get pictures with all
those girls in there. You know you want to.” He winked and nudged Jake’s arm. “Robbie, really. You don’t want this. Trust me.” He pushed Robbie’s shoulder down, but his legs wouldn’t give. “Just sit down for a while.” Robbie glanced at the sleeping girl. “Next to her?” He bent down and stared at her face. “Maybe she’ll be good for something, for a change.” “Nothing good is gonna come from this, Robbie. You know that, right?” Robbie wasn’t listening. “Nope.” He shook his head. “Nope. You’re gonna get your car, and we’re gonna go.” He grabbed the couch’s arm to steady himself. Jake heaved a sigh. “This is your choice, not mine.” He reached into his pocket and flipped his keys around his fingers. “So don’t blame me.” He turned and led the way to the door.
T
en minutes later, Jake’s car coasted to a stop in front of Maggie’s house. “Don’t do this, man. Not tonight.” Robbie shook his head vigorously. “It’s gotta happen, Jake.” He grabbed the handle on the door and pushed it open with his foot. “Robbie, hold on a minute.” Jake turned the key, and the car’s engine sputtered into silence. Robbie leaned against the door and stared past him. “Please don’t do this. The only reason I’m here is because I know you’d be stupid enough to drive yourself. Just let things cool down.” Robbie stood for a moment, examining Jake’s face, then shut the door slowly. He leaned his body against it until it latched closed and made his way to Maggie’s porch, stepping carefully. He steadied himself against the railing and raised his arm to knock, not caring how late it was. The door opened before he could make contact. “I knew you’d be here.” Maggie glared at him. “You’re drunk, aren’t you?”
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