Just who was he winningagainst?
“Why did you want me, Rob?” I turn to him the best I can. “Because it wasn’t my personality.”
“I mean, look at you.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m hot. Whatever. It takes more than that to spend a decade onwinningsomeone.”
“What do you want me to say?” He laughs uncomfortably. “I mean, you’re a good person. You, uh, clean up really well. Speaking of which, those shorts you’re wearing ... Are they new? They’re a little short.”
I’m about to argue with him when I realize he’s changing the subject, which is what he always tries to do when I’m getting close to a conclusion he doesn’t want me to have. The cracks in our relationship are obvious. They always have been, but I was too afraid to look into them. I still am, but I survived the water.
I’ll make sure to survive this too.
“Did you see Nate as your competition?” I ask.
Rob jerks back, jaw opening. He thinks about it for a moment and then laughs. “What? Why would you ask me that?”
“Answer the question.”
“Is that an ideaheput into your head?”
“No. I can have my own thoughts, you know. I may have forgotten it over the last few years, but it’s still possible.”
Rob glances at me. Instead of the guy he’s been playing, I see a glimpse of the man he really is. His jaw is tight and his eyes narrow into a glare. He doesn’t like me fighting back. He doesn’t like this side of me at all.
That’s why he got rid of it.
“One little vacation and you’re very different. I should have known.Hemakesyou this way.”
“Imake myself this way. This is who I am, and I guess it’s someone you hate.”
He shakes his head. He doesn’t say anything in response and I scoff, realizing now he’s avoiding the conversation entirely. For the first time during the drive, I look out the window and focus on the road. Once I’m home, I’m going after Nate.
But the only things I see are tall buildings. We’re pulling through a gate, one that leads to a high-rise I know all too well.
“Rob, why the hell did you bring me here?” I ask. “You said you would take me home.”
“I said I would get you to where you need to go. This is it. You need space from Nate. And I have a delicious dinner waiting on us. After, you can use my tub and?—”
I go for the handle of the door. The car is too stuffy and I need tobreathe.
“This isn’t what I want!” I yell as I turn to him. “God, do you not understand the word no?”
“Maisie, calm down. You’re acting?—”
“Take me to my fucking house, Rob!”
“No!” he snaps as he climbs out. “I’m not letting you have another second with that man. Not after he turned you against me!”
“You did that yourself! You won’t listen to me, you don’t evenknowme, and the only reason you want me is because you think you can take me away from the man who actually cares about me!”
“Icantake you away from him. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.”
“Not this time,” I say. “I’m not going into your apartment. I’m not getting back with you.”
“Yes, you are! You said it yourself, you’re giving me a chance!”
“A chance totalk, not get back together.”
