Page 103 of Forfeits

They didn’t respond, and I felt like shit for him.

“Anyway, I’d better call an Uber,” he said.

“I’ll pay for it,” I said. “Let me know how much. And text me your email address so I can send an e-transfer for tonight.”

Robin would be getting a bonus for putting up with all this in such a graceful way, when I knew that he could have easily flattened Lucy’s grandparents with a few sharp words and his acerbic wit. It would have been wasted on them, though, and would have only made them angrier.

“Sure. I’ll wait outside. By the way, Lucy is pretty fucking smart. I can’t believe she beat me at Scrabble. I know a lot of words that she doesn’t.”

I heard a gasp from Annie as Brian cleared his throat.

“Yes, she is. And I’m sure you do.”

Aiden laughed lightly, and I was reminded that there were still reasonable people in the world.

“I’ll, uh, wait for my Uber outside,” Robin said again.

“Good idea. Thanks again, eh? You’re a lifesaver.”

“Yeah, thanks. Good luck,” he whispered. “And, sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll sort it out.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Aiden nodded at Robin as he went by.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…

“Where on Earth were you, Fletcher?” Brian asked. “It’s almost midnight.”

…four, three, two, one…

“Hello, Brian. Annie. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Well, that’s obvious,” Annie muttered.

I toed off my boots and hung my jacket on a hook, while Aiden did the same.

“You must be Lucy’s grandparents,” Aiden said, with a charming smile, stepping forward. “I’m Aiden Thompson.”

Brian and Annie didn’t say anything. They shot me with accusatory glances instead.

“Aiden is my boyfriend. We were out on a date.”

“Well, I’m glad that your personal relationships are taking precedence over fatherhood,” Annie said.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…breathe in, breathe out, smile.

“Robin says Lucy’s in bed, which is exactly where she’d be if I’d been home. I’m not sure what you’re implying.”

Annie stood from her chair and glared at me. “I don’t think it’s very responsible to have a young man in a blouse and makeup looking after our granddaughter.”

I blinked. “I’m sorry. What?”

Brian cleared his throat. “We were very surprised to find that young man here. If it had been Patrick, well, that’s one thing.”

“But it’s not Patrick, is it?” Annie stated. “Where did you meet this Robin character?”

---