Page 78 of Detour

“Why?” the frog and I croak out. Thanks to Robert’s confession, the amphibian is sticking around a while longer.

“That I can’t answer. I honestly don’t know.” He crosses his arms on top of the table. “Pride?”

I scoff through a watery hiccup. Sounds about right.

“What I didn’t know at the time though, was that you two would find each other all on your own. You’ve healed each other in ways that I never would’ve been able to. And it turned out you didn’t need anyone’s saving, Angela. You just needed a friend by your side all along. I’m so proud of you both.” The tears in his eyes finally spill over and I fight mine from following suit. Feeling Drew’s hand under the table, I latch onto it, lacing our fingers together. “It’d give me no greater joy than to help in this one small way, if you’d let me. Just think of me as another friend in your corner.”

Robert’s graying hair still has bits of Drew’s auburn to it and I remember when it was the other way around, only lightly salted, and in this moment all I see is his son. My best friend for as long as I can remember, for as long as I want to remember, I know everything he’s done, everything he’s given has only been out of pure love and selflessness. Attributes unfamiliar to the Taylors. So foreign, I’m still fighting the novelty when I do encounter them, even to this day. Which is why I nod, feeling tears escape from the movement, and say, “Okay.”

Without delay, he stands, coming to my side and before I can fully push out of my chair, I’m enveloped in a tight hug. I lift my arms to wrap around him, but Drew beats me to it, wrapping his around both of us. We stand here, huddled in an amazingly awkward group hug for several minutes, letting the affection soak in.

I don’t know who moves first but we eventually pull back, each of us wiping our eyes as discreetly as possible.

“Congratulations, Angela. I know you’ll go far. You’ve already beat the odds stacked against you. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different.” Robert looks me in the eye.

“Thank you, Robert.” I turn to Drew. “And thank you.”

“Aww, stop, you’re making me blush,” he teases.

I kiss his colorless cheek.

“You heading home?” Drew asks as we make our way out the door and I nod. The high temperature from this afternoon is still holding steady and I’m glad the long gown is no longer required.

“Speaking of, those neighbors of yours certainly seemed smitten with you. They don’t give you any trouble, do they?”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” I tell Robert honestly.

“I don’t doubt that. But let me know if they step out of line. Living next to three guys could end one of two ways.” A porn or a horror movie, I know, I refrain from saying. Wrong audience. “Really bad or really fun. I hope for your sake it’s the latter. You could use some good in your life.”

I attempt a salute, causing both men to chuckle lightly. Looks like I found a new thing to do with my hands at least.

Cringing, I promise to keep in touch, then wave before leaving.

* * *

Back home, I’m too busy replaying what Robert shared that I barely notice the busy parking lot. I scoop up my discarded items and climb the stairs without a second thought.

Only when I see the cupcake bouquet in front of my door do I stop to take in my surroundings. There’s loud music coming from…somewhere. People with drinks in their hands are milling about but not from any particular apartment. A glance back at the lot shows all three bikes, and cars, which means the boys are home. Are they having a party?

Carefully balancing the pail—the bouquet really is cute, with frosting piped petals and leaves on the miniature cakes to look like a bundle of flowers—I unlock the door and place them on the counter before discarding the rest of my stuff.

A note catches my eye as I’m drinking some ice water and I try not to laugh at the first two lines.

Swimsuits are great,

But skinny dipping is, too.

Meet us at the pool,

Or we’ll come and get you.

I spot Beckett first as he rests against the fence, leaned into a girl, his usual crude biker shirt stretched across his chest, this one reading Eat, Sleep, Ride with swim trunks and a backward hat. He fits the party boy image perfectly. The sign from earlier is hanging next to him, tied to the fence.

“Oh, shit.” He notices me and straightens, yelling behind him, “She’s here!”

My eyebrows scrunch together and I peer behind me to see who just arrived. When I don’t see anyone, I turn back in time to hear a sloppy chorus of “Congratulations, neighbor girl!” from the mass of people strewn around the pool area.

Beckett lunges for me before I can move and lifts me clear off my feet. “Happy Graduation, Angie.”