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I nodded. “Like I was saying, these past couple of days, I’ve really gotten to know Andrea, you know?”
“You know she’s still married, right?” Bobby interrupted. “Crazy guy who beats her, probably driving around the state looking for her.”
I frowned. “Of course, I know that.”
“And don’t get me wrong, the guy’s a complete prick,” Bobby continued. “If I get half the chance, I’ll probably bash his face in. But he’s still her husband, and she still has a ring on her finger.”
I shook my head, confused. What the hell was he getting at?
“People here, they don’t know that, though,” Bobby explained, as if reading my mind. “I don’t share that kind of information with anyone, other than you, of course, because you’re my friend. Right?”
“I don’t –”
“So how do you think it looks when my sister’s hanging out with you all the time?” Bobby asked. “My married sister and my best friend? The guy who’s fucked half the student body at UCONN?”
“Wait, hold on,” I stopped him, a little ticked off at what he was saying. “Nothing happened between us.”
“I never suggested something did,” Bobby said. “I don’t think either of you would be that stupid. I can’t speak for everyone else.”
“Since when did you care about what everyone else thought?”
“Since she called me in the middle of the night, crying and scared shitless, running away from home,” Bobby snapped. “I can’t keep my eyes on her 24/7. I need the support system that is this town. Do you think I’ll get that when they think my sister’s out having a good time while her husband’s not around?”
“Dude, seriously, I think you’re overeating about –”
“And what about Crazy Hannah?” Bobby interrupted me again. I pursed my lips, holding back my anger at being scolded like a child. “You know, the maniac who threatened to cut off your cock if she caught you in bed with another woman? She sees you with Andrea, and then what? I’m supposed to worry that she might run my sister over at the first chance she catches her crossing the street?”
“Hey, can you calm down,” I shot back. “I ended things with Hannah yesterday. Besides, crazy bitch is my problem, not yours.”
“Like hell,” Bobby yelled. “I asked you to watch her for a day. Her first day. Not encourage whatever the hell she thinks she’s doing.”
“I have no idea what’s gotten into you,” I said, his reactions driving me up the wall. Usually Bobby had a pretty good head on his shoulders, and worrying about what people thought, and what Hannah might or might not do, was unlike him. “Listen, I just came here to tell you that I’m really starting to like Andrea, and I think the feeling’s mutual. I just wanted to make sure that you’d be on board with it, but obviously, that’s not going to happen.”
“Of course, it’s not going to happen!” Bobby stood up, furious. “How the hell did you expect me to be okay with that?”
“Because of what people would think?” I asked. “Really? I would have expected –”
“Because of you, you jackass!” Bobby cut in. “I don’t want her hanging out with you!”
I stared at him, shocked and a little taken back. The way he was glaring at me, I had a feeling that he was inches away from strangling me. I didn’t expect a hearty blessing, but I definitely didn’t see this coming.
“You’re as stable as a rabid dog,” Bobby shouted. “Do you think my sister’s a toy? Go out, drop her off at home, then spend the night with some college student you pick up on your way home. Or are you going to just sleep with her, then toss her to the side?”
I jumped to my feet, just as angry as he was, my fists balled. “What the fuck do you think I am?”
“I don’t think, Andy, I fucking know!” Bobby snapped. “I’ve been your friend forever. I know!”
“You’re wrong.”
Bobby shook his head, his face twisted in disgust. “You know what? Whatever. You two want to play college fuck buddies, be my guest. But don’t you fucking think I’m going to be applauding from the front row!” He marched towards the door, obviously believing that the conversation was over.
“This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard from you!”
“I’m trying to protect my sister!” Bobby yelled, turning around and pointing a finger at me. “From Dennis, from you, from anyone who’s going to hurt her.”
“That’s fresh,” I scoffed. “The only reason she’s here is probably because she had nowhere else to go. Where the hell were you the past few years when her husband was using her as a punching bag?”
The punch came out of nowhere. I knew Bobby was quick on his feet, but I had my guard down, and didn’t expect him to actually attack me. His fist connected painfully with my jaw and sent me tumbling back over my chair and crashing to the ground. I could taste blood, and a quick, tentative check confirmed that he had cut my lip.
