Page 24 of For One Night

Lachlan slaps me on the shoulder as he passes by. “That’ll work! One, let’s get a list started.”

“Right behind ya!” One slides from the bed, walking out with Lachlan.

Robin steps through the door, shutting it. “Don’t you think you three party enough?”

“We’re graduating from college, Robin” I bend over, picking up my pillows from the floor. “People usually have a full-blown weekend.”

“You’re not everyone, and you have a girlfriend.” She places her hands on her hips. “You know as well as I do, Lachlan and One are all about getting drunk and getting laid.”

“Exactly! LACHLAN and ONE. Not Lennox.” I stare at her, hoping to get my point across.

She purses her lips. “You expect me to believe they’re not doing this to cause us problems? You know they hate me.”

“If they hate you, you should think about why.” There it is, I can’t take it back. I watch as steam rolls from her ears.

“What’s that suppose to mean? I’ve been nothing but nice to them.” Her face reddens.

“Nice? How in the hell do you call the way you act around them being nice?”

She steps closer to me, and her jaw sets. “Lower your voice. This isn’t their business. It’s between us, and I don’t appreciate your tone.”

“Are you kidding me with this shit?” I blink rapidly when she doesn’t flinch. “What in the hell?”

Robin points toward the direction of my brother and our friend. “You’re always taking their side over mine. You know they don’t want us together.”

“And why is that, Robin?” My chest heaves as anger grows in the pit of my stomach. “He’s my brother, and he wants me to be happy, whether that’s with you or not.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” Her eyes narrow. “Tell me now! Spit it out if you have the balls.”

I take a step back, putting some space between us. “You need to calm down. I never said anything about it.”

“Just say it, say it!” Robin pushes me, catching me off guard, and I stumble.

“Leave, Robin.” I move across the room from her. “Now.”

She rushes over to me, striking me until she drives me back into the wall. “No! You’re not getting rid of me!”

“I want you to leave, now!” I hold my hands over my head as bile rises in my throat. I know what she’s wanting me to do.

Her hands beat on my chest. “You used me! You never loved me!”

“Robin!” Lachlan sneers from the doorway. “We’re calling the police. Please leave.”

She stares at me, not moving. “Are you really going to let them do this to us?”

“You need to go.”

“If you can tell me you don’t love me.” Her eyes search mine, for what, I have no clue. “Did you ever love me?”

“Stop, don’t do this.” I work my mouth into a lopsided smile. “Go back to your dorm and try to calm down. I’ll call you after we’ve had a few minutes.”

A line forms between her eyes. “Do you promise?”

“Yes, I promise.” I step around her, walking toward the door. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” She follows me without hesitation.

I stay in front of her, never touching her in any way. At this point, I’m not sure what she’ll say or do. I need her to leave as peaceful as possible, or Lachlan will take matters into his own hands.

I open the door, holding it for her. She pauses in front of me, tiptoeing to place a kiss on my lips. “Call me, I love you.”