T H A N K S G I V I N G, L A S T Y E A R
THE THANKSGIVING HOMEgame is one of the biggest games of the year. With no school the next day, all the football players, and the whole rest of the school really, goes out to a party down by the lake afterwards.
My parents stayed in town for the holiday, but they're leaving tomorrow to do their turn with my grandmother for the weekend. Lacey called me a few days ago to invite me to stay with her family. I've never mentioned anything to Robin about staying at Cam's every other weekend, but I know Lacey knows, and I'm sure she told him. I also have a feeling Robin insisted she invite me there so I wouldn't stay at Cam's. He's been a little more jealous lately of how much time I spend with Cam. He hasn't come out and said anything really, just little things - like glaring at Cam when I show up at school with him, or insisting on taking me home after practice himself.
Cam acts like he doesn't mind, and maybe he doesn't, but it's weird. If my best friend was a girl, I wonder if Robin would still insist on these things. Maybe he just likes spending the time with me.
The thing is, we still haven't discussed our relationship. He takes me out every week, and he acts like I'm his girl, but I still don't know if we're exclusive. He's had wandering hands lately, and I've been shoving them away regularly. Part of me wonders why I'm not yet ready to move things along, but I know I'm not. I do like kissing him. It's nice. It really is. But when his hands start moving over my shirt, it's like a bucket of ice water, and I don't know why.
I offer to drive tonight, since I know Robin will drink, so I follow him while he drops off his car at his house and he and Lacey pile in.
It's still pretty mild out here, even in November, so we all sit around on downed logs and some of the larger rocks. Everyone is drinking from the keg, except me since I'm the designated driver. I've never been drunk, and I think I'd like to try it, but obviously not tonight.
I'm chatting over by Chip's truck with him and Cam when Lacey walks over and runs her finger down Cam's arm. He smirks crookedly at her and I wonder if I'll be dropping her off at his house later. For the first time, the idea bothers me. I look around for Robin and spy him standing off away from the crowds with Maddie. They're just talking, but something about the way they're standing is too intimate. Of course, I know they've been intimate before. I even know they've had sex. But I didn't think he'd entertain the prospect now. I watch, my heart sinking, as she touches his chest, laughing flirtatiously. He smiles, and doesn't push her hand away either. After another minute, he seems to excuse himself and I'm flooded with relief.He was just being polite.
I realize I need us to talk about our relationship. I need to find out what we're doing. If we're exclusive. I don't know why I've let things go on this long without talking about it.
Robin scours the crowds until his gaze finally lands on me. He narrows his eyes on Cam until he realizes it's his sister who seems to have his interest tonight, and saunters over.
Robin's arm possessively slings around my shoulders and he pulls me to his side.
"So, Foster, kinda funny that you threaten me about takin' out Rory, and yet you have no problem usin' my baby sister whenever it seems to suit you," Robin slurs.
I gasp, and all eyes turn to him, shocked that he would insult his own sister that way. He's not even trying to protect her, he's just trying to call out Cam.
Lacey would never question her big brother though, so she just excuses herself to go join the girls. Cam shakes his head and shoots Robin a disapproving scowl before walking away. Cam never pretended to be doing anything other than using Lacey when it suited him, but he wouldn't insult her by verbalizing it, especially in a crowd.
"Rob, that was mean," I whisper when we're alone.
"What was?" He really doesn't seem to think he said anything wrong.
I shake my head. He's drunk. There's no point in explaining it right now. I start to walk away so we can rejoin the party, but Robin roughly grabs arm roughly and yanks me back. "What was mean, Rory?" he demands, his voice deceptively low.
"You just called out Cam for usin' Lacey, but you basically called her a slut in the process."
Robin shrugs, and I'm surprised he's not remorseful. "If she acts like a slut she should be prepared to be called out for it."
"Robin!" I hiss, horrified by the way he's talking about his own sister.
His grip tightens on my arm, making me wince. "So Foster can dictate to me about my life, but I can't call him out on his? Especially when he's usin' my own sister?" His tone is still so quiet and it's unnerving.
I know I should probably concede the argument, but I just can't. "But you're not worried about Lacey. You were just trying to be a jerk to them both."
It was the wrong thing to say. I know that immediately. Robin's eyes narrow and I try to step back, but he holds firm. He leans in close to my ear."Youdo not tellmewhat I can or can't say. And you don't question me, and you definitely will watch what you fuckin' call me. You got that, Rory?" His tone is calm and deathly quiet. I'd prefer he yell. Robin pulls back just far enough to meet my eyes. His face is red, and I don’t know if it's with drink or anger, but he raises his eyebrows expectantly.
I swallow nervously and nod. I know I shouldn't have called him a jerk. He's never called me a name. I wait to see what he'll do or say next. I half expect him to tell me he's done with me. He watches me, as if to see if he accepts my agreement to his demands.
Finally he nods. He releases my arm, which throbs painfully, but I don't move. Robin brings his hand to my face and brushes my cheek with his knuckles, and just like that, he's gentle again.
"You know I care about you, right?" he asks.
I nod again. I want to ask him what that means, but now's not the time. "I'm sorry, Rob. I shouldn't have said-"
He shakes his head. "No, sweetheart. That's all sorted out. Let's get back to our friends," he decides, lacing our fingers together. He picks up our joined hands and kisses my knuckles, our squabble forgotten. I hope.
****
"Hey Sleepin' Beauty," Robin whispers.
