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Tucker says, “Totally necessary,” at the same time Mark says, “Yes, it was.”
I look at each of them in turn. “Blake got one thing right. He said I had loyal friends.”
“Damn right,” Tucker says, scowling at the mention of Blake’s name.
Lila searches my face. “So what now?”
“No more Winner versus Whiners. I’ve had my fill.”
“So there’s no possibility of redemption for Blake?”
I raise one eyebrow. “After tonight? Not a chance. Besides, he made it clear he's no longer interested.”
Mark crosses his arms. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
“Why?”
“His truck pulled in a few minutes ago.”
There’s stunned silence before Lila goes to look out the window. “That’s Blake all right.”
Tucker frowns. “Want me to deal with him?”
I shake my head. “Nope. He can sit there until his tires rot for all I care.”
Lila looks surprised. “You aren’t going to talk to him?”
I shrug. “He didn’t say anything when it mattered. He doesn’t need to waste my time now.”
You could hear a pin drop. Tucker’s the one who breaks the silence. “Well, we’ve determined that Blake’s an ass and Charlie’s a badass. What’s next?”
The tension dissipates and everyone laughs. We eventually decide to move to the living room and watch a stand-up comedian. I nurse a couple more drinks, enough to take the edge off but not enough to get buzzed.
When Tucker and Lila leave a couple of hours later, Blake is still outside, leaning against his truck. He catches sight of me briefly before I close the door. I leave it cracked, curious what Tucker and Lila will say to him.
“Can I just talk to her?”
Tucker’s voice is decisive. “Nope.” I picture him standing with his arms crossed and feet planted, the way I’ve seen him a thousand times when he’s determined.
“I need to explain.”
“She’s not interested in anything you have to say.”
Blake appeals to Lila, hoping she’ll take his side. “Please. I know I messed up.”
“I warned you, Blake. Go home before I rip you to shreds right here.”
“I can explain, Lila,” he pleads. “I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to say the wrong thing, and I knew not to hug her. But the longer the silence got, the worse it was, and by the time I knew what I wanted to say, it was too late.”
Gravel crunches as Tucker’s voice cuts across the driveway. “Leave.”
When I hear their car doors close, I lock up and go to Mark’s room. He’s waiting. “Want me to get rid of him?”
I shake my head. “He’ll leave eventually. I just want to forget today ever happened.”
I lie down beside him, and he pulls me close, his arm around my waist. “I’m proud of you.”
I turn my head to look back at him over my shoulder. “Why?”
