Page 72 of Waiting to Lose
EACH STEP WAS harder than the one before it. It seemed an all-girl dorm only needed one men’s bathroom—in the basement.
As he stammered back to Rob, Rob smiled. Jake hadn’t seen him smile since high school. “What? What happened?”
“Kendra came out said she wanted to talk to you. Had some questions for Madi.”
“Really?” Jake turned toward the door. “Is she coming back out?”
Just as he asked, the door opened and Kendra emerged. She sucked in a breath when she saw him and glanced over to Rob, wringing her hands as she approached them.
“I was just in the bathroom. I hope you told her. I’d never leave. I’m not going anywhere.”
Kendra rolled her eyes. “I fucking hate you.”
“Okay…” Jake said as he furrowed his brows.
“I just want to make that clear.”
“It’s clear.”
“Even though I hateyou, I hatethismore.”
Jake glared at her questioningly.
“She said it’s over. She wants you to leave. Don’t come back.” Kendra turned on her heel and bolted for the door.
Jake stretched out and pulled her arm. She hoisted it away and gaped at him. “Excuse me?” she asked angrily.
“That’s what you came out here for?” he scolded.
“Yes.”
“The first time?”
“No.”
“What did you want the first time?”
“The first time, she wanted me to hear your lies so I could confirm they were lies. Then, when you were gone, she changed her mind. She doesn’t want to hear them. So, bye now. Ta-ta.”
As Kendra turned to go, both Jake and Rob reached for her.
“Oh, come on. Leave me the fuck alone,” Kendra said exhaustedly as her shoulders slumped.
“They aren’t lies, Ken. I don’t remember any of it. I got sick after the concert. I felt like I was drunk, but I hadn’t had any alcohol. I passed out. I heard voices. I woke up feeling like my head weighed a hundred pounds with no memory of anything other than feeling like crap.” His words sputtered out quickly. “I went to sleep. I woke up to Rob’s call and freaked out. I’d never do that to her. I. Love. Her. Rob thinks I was drugged. We found Allison. She says she’s got a story. They’re bringing her here, to Chicago. I’m waiting for a toxicology report from the hospital in Melbourne. I didn’t do it. I couldn’t have. Please, please… I’m begging you. Let me talk to her. Let me explain. Do you want me to get on my knees and beg you? Because I will.” Jake dropped to his knees and Kendra gasped.
“For fuck’s sake, get up! I’m not the one you need to beg. It’s her.”
Jake stood, smiling for the first time in forever. “You’ll tell her? Get her to talk to me?”
Kendra pursed her lips as she did a double take at Rob, who was grinning at her. “What the fuck are you smiling about, Navy boy?”
Rob rolled his eyes and sighed.
“I didn’t even know your face could do that. Isn’t it against code for you to be human?”
“Kendra, please…” Jake pleaded. Kendra glanced to Jake before doing another double take at Rob, who grinned again.
“Don’t look at me like that!” she said to Rob. “You’re not getting in my pants.”
