Almost Home (NG2)

Jerk

Robbie's head spun as Phoebe walked out the door. She made him crazy. The teasing girl who negotiated ten dates was suddenly angry at him. He should be angry at the temptress who had him hard all afternoon.

Not want her. She was all he thought about.

Nash emerged. "Clyde thinks it's crazy, too."

"I knew all along money would take care of it."

"Where'd she go?"

"Home to wait for Morgan. She's not happy with me."

"Because you keep her at arm's length." Nash grabbed his pad and scribbled something. Rob didn't want to know. "Cut the gal some slack. You know she loves you?"

"She has forever, but she thinks it's real now."

"Fool, it is real. Stop fighting it."

"I need some air." Space, a break from the twisted feeling I can't shake.

Grabbing his coat and keys, he went through the door. He drove in the direction of the causeway but had no place to go. He couldn't tell his parents what was tormenting him. Instead, he took a right on River Road and drove to the boat ramp. The marsh looked different in the winter. The waterways were frozen over and all the tall grass was dead. It looked like a barren desert with ice.

Phoebe was right. He should call Cayla. Tapping to connect, he listened to the rings.

"Hey! Did ya hear?" Her voice was high with enthusiasm.

"Yeah. You must be happy." He should have gone to jail.

"I knew he was innocent. She was lying."

Robbie had seen the minor's press conference and recognized her as the girl at the house the day he almost bought the ring. Who else knew she wasn't lying aside from him? Beau and Mrs. Hopkins. He could say something, but his gut told him the girl was happy with whatever Beau gave her. She hadn't been with him under duress, which made his skin crawl. She looked at home in her robe. Robbie never felt comfortable in the impressive mansion.

"So what now?"

"The other girls are a nuisance. They're trying to ruin his reputation because they weren't good enough."

"Did any of his friends ever get a recording?"

"They all did. Daddy has a studio at the house. None proved worthy."

Rob's interpretation was a little different. "What's Beau gonna do now?"

"Do? I hope he goes back to work soon."

"What about his women?"

"I haven't seen any. I'm more concerned over the credibility this ordeal has given my mother. Can you believe she's gone into the office? People are talking behind her back."

Probably because she stayed married to a monster. No good would come from speaking his mind. His world was moving further away from hers.

"People will always talk. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. Hey, don't freeze up there."

He laughed. What would she say if she knew about him surfing?

He put down his phone and, without warning, all his messed up feelings about Phoebe bombarded him. The last light of the day was vanishing as he started the engine and drove down River Road towards the beach. Houses were lit up. He imagined cozy, happy families. He slowed in front of Lily's friend's new house. Nash could afford a house on the beach. Rob never could. Osprey then Puffin. Without thinking, he turned right. Sasha's house glowed like a shelter in a storm.