Page 13 of What are the Chances

“I only meant I don’t know what to do now that we’re going to be hanging around each other while we’re here.” I look at Sam, begging him to give me an answer. “You’ve seen how we are. Apparently, we can’t be around each other and civil. She manages to press all my buttons and seems to enjoy it.” Feeling the exhaustion of the last fifteen hours catching up with me, I lie back on the couch, stuffing a throw pillow under my head. The knitted fabric of the pillow grates against my skin, but I’m immediately comforted, breathing in the scent of my mother’s home.

Sam stands up, finished with his cup of noodles, tossing his empty cup into the trash, then walks back into the living room, placing his hands on hips.

“Actually, about that. I need to talk to you for a minute. Can you sit up?”

“Can’t you just talk to me like this?” I groan.

“No.” Nudging the couch with his foot, he says, “Come on, it’s important.”

“Fine.” Sitting up, I stare at Sam as he stands in front of me.

“Emily’s coming up here this week to visit.”

“Okay, what does that have to do with me? I won’t get in your way if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Wincing, he crosses the room, and sits on the arm of my dad’s recliner situated in front of the white stone fireplace.

“Well, when Kyle told me he wasn’t coming anymore, I booked the house as an Airbnb to a couple travelling from Dublin.”

“Man, why would you do that?” Sighing, I drop my shoulders. “It’s going to be all weird having strangers roaming the house. I never understood how people can rent out their house to random strangers. It’s not like this is a hotel or an inn.” Pausing, I think of the next issue with having strangers in the house. “Where is everyone going to sleep?”

Standing up, Sam avoids making eye contact. “That’s not the only issue.”

“Out with it, Sam. I’m losing my patience.”

“Okay,” he sighs. “I booked this couple between the time I didn’t think Kyle and Charlotte were coming and when Emily told me she was coming out to visit. But Emily isn’t coming out here to stay, she’s coming to pick me up. Emily took time off work so we could go out to Dublin to check out possible wedding locations. This is the only time she was available.” He pauses, his eyebrows raised, waiting for me to understand what he’s trying to tell me.

Emily is Sam’s fiancé, and they’ve been engaged since New Year’s. Since University, Sam and Emily have maintained a long distance relationship with her living in London and him staying here with our parents. Despite knowing how special and rare their time together is, I can’t help but feel he’s abandoning me. I stand up, my anger quickly growing.

“No. Fuck, no. You aren’t leaving me here alone with Charlotte. The woman drives me crazy.”

Sam stands up, holding his hands out.

“It’s only for a few days,” he explains. “You don’t need to hang out with her all the time, just make sure she’s okay. I know there are some things she wants to do while she’s here, and I want you to go with her, make sure she doesn’t get lost or hurt.”

“No, Sam. She’s your friend, and this was all your doing. We couldn’t even manage to spend a thirteen hour flight together, what makes you think I could spend the week with her?”

Silence falls upon the living room, when Sam presses his hands together like he’s praying. “Please,” he begs.

“I don’t need a fucking babysitter.”

Turning my head quickly, I see Charlotte standing in the hallway. The sun has now begun to set, the orange rays lighting her body. She’s wearing the same clothes as earlier, but her hair is now tied up in a high messy bun.

“That’s not what I meant, Charlotte,” Sam explains. “I just don’t want you roaming Ireland by yourself. Kyle and I can’t go with you, so I want to make sure you’re with someone I trust. You’ve never been here before.”

“What is it with you McConnell men?” Charlotte scoffs. “I appreciate your concern Sam, but I’m twenty-eight years old. I can handle myself. And even if I needed a tour guide, I wouldn’t want it to be him.” Charlotte turns to me, her eyes filled with frustration.

I turn to Sam, holding my arm out toward Charlotte.

“See,” I say sarcastically. “She doesn’t need me. She’ll be fine.”

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