Page 46 of The Idiot

“To my room.”

“What? Why? Wait. I’ve still got to get my drink.”

I don’t wait. I don’t answer when he calls after me again. I don’t stop. I just keep on walking, fueled by annoyance, pathetic heartache, and a big stupid love that shouldn’t exist.

CHAPTER 13

Jesse

Maybe it was from sampling all the Oktoberfest beers, but seeing that guy putting the moves on Murph made me sick to my stomach. I just scared Philip off. I didn’t think Murphy needed another guy ruining this cruise for him so soon. How was I supposed to know he was into the guy?

Geesh. We need to come up with hand signals or code words or something.

Damn it. He makes good ground.

I finally catch up to him when he’s nearing the door to his cabin. What is with the giant bottle of scotch? Are we having a room party? Should I have grabbed some sodas and ice? Details would be nice here.

“Murph! Geez. Slow down, will you?” I wheeze, catching my breath when I scurry up to him, trying not to spill my beer.

Glancing over at me, even his beard looks hostile right now. Grumpy much? What the heck is that look for?

“What are we doing?” I ask.

“We?” He arches a brow, waving his keycard over his door lock. “Wearen’t doing anything. I’m going to my room.”

“It’s only eight-thirty! You can’t be tired already. And what’s with the bottle of scotch?”

“I never said I was tired. I said I was going to my room, and the scotch is a beverage. Usually, people drink beverages.”

Dang. Salty much? What’s with the cryptic crabbiness?

“Is this about the guy at the bar? I can go find him and let him know I was just being your wingman.”

“I don’t give a fuck about the guy at the bar. I just want some privacy.”

OhMylanta. Not the privacy thing again.

He starts making his way over the threshold, causing my heart to jump into my throat. I am not getting shut out again just because he’s upset about something.

“You’re not going to sit in there and pout all night, are you? Don’t waste your trip just because I screwed up. I want you to have fun.”

“I plan on having fun. Goodnight, Jesse.”

The door nearly shuts in my face, but I stop it with my palm. That gets his attention, his green eyes narrowing at me.

“I don’t believe you. I think you’re just ignoring me again.”

“I don’t care if you don’t believe me, and, yes, I am ignoring you. Some things a man just needs to do alone.”

“Like what?” I challenge because he issogoing to sit his grumpy ass in this room and then pass out if I leave him. The hermit.

Huffing, his nostrils flare. “I’m going to watch porn, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“Porn? You have porn?”

CHAPTER 14

Murphy

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