Page 38 of Fish Out of Water

“Oh, fuck off, Robbie. I was actually trying to help for once.”

“Well, you didn’t.”

“So you wanted to have sex with that guy?”

Robbie hesitated. “No.”

“And I got him away from you.”

Robbie sighed, clearly still annoyed. “You know what? I’m heading home. This was all a big mistake.”

“Agreed.”

They both got up, both walked to the door, and both reached for the handle to push it open. Robbie got to it first, shoving his body in front of Jake. He would have let the door slam on Jake too if Jake hadn’t been close enough to catch it and follow Robbie straight out.

The music and lights faded behind them, disappearing entirely as the door finally closed. They were alone, the two of them, in the cool, dark night. The sudden, muffled silence was sobering, the scent of sea breeze mixing with that damn cologne Jake hadn’t been able to get out of his nostrils all month.

Robbie picked up his pace, turning down the alley to get to his car on the other side of the building. Jake didn’t know why, but he kept following Robbie despite the fact that his car was in the opposite direction. Well, he did know, but it scared him too much to think about it.

Halfway down the alley, Robbie stopped short and turned on his heel. “Why are you following me?” he asked, the bite in his voice making Jake flinch.

“Why did you come to the bar tonight?” Jake asked in return.

“The same reason you did.”

Jake shook his head. “Not good enough.”

Robbie was quiet. He was caught between having to lie to Jake and definitely not get away with, or tell the truth and…

“I came here to see you.”

A cold, stark fear churned in Jake’s stomach. Robbie was telling the truth. He would never lie about that.

Robbie started walking again, but Jake grabbed his arm, pulling him back. “Wait.”

“No.”

“Please.”

Robbie stopped trying to fight Jake’s grip. “What was that?”

“Don’t make me say it again.”

“No, I want to hear it.” He drew his arm away from Jake readily now, crossing both over his chest. “Say it.”

Jake’s jaw twitched. “Please.”

Robbie smirked. “No. I’m done with you, Jake. You’re nothing but a thorn in my side. I tried to be your friend, and look where it landed me.”

“You never wanted to be my friend,” Jake insisted, “or you would’ve tried harder.”

“I did try,” Robbie said, “but you’re right, I didn’t want to be your friend.”

Jake nodded. “I knew it.”

“I wanted more than that.”

There it was. The other shoe had finally dropped, and now that it had, Jake could hardly breathe.