Page 69 of Pitcher Perfect
“Because we were supposed to be the ones who didn’t get trapped. We’ve talked about this a thousand times. We were going to be the smart ones who stayed free while all the other idiots got tied up with engagement photo shoots and making babies. Babies all look the same. We’ve gone over this!”
Robbie shoved his friend, but it was half-hearted, because who liked letting down their best friend? “Oh yeah, those conversations we had after likenine beers?”
Mailer pushed him back. “Are you saying you didn’t mean any of it?”
“At the time, maybe I did, but I didn’t know what it was going to feel like to meet Skylar yet. Okay? She’s the thing makingme feel free, not the thing taking away my freedom.” He cursed under his breath. “Love isn’t what we thought it was, okay?”
“Love?” Mailer covered his face with both hands. “Christ. It’s worse than I imagined.”
“Yeah, no shit! It is pretty fucking bad, because she wants someone else and I’m trying to make something happen. Feels horrific, if I’m being honest, you dick.”
“Well, I’m sorry it feels horrific, cock wad.”
“Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.”
They shoved each other once more each.
Took a moment to regroup.
“At least come in for a beer.”
“Oh my God. No. I don’t want to see any girls in whipped cream bikinis. I only want to see Skylar in sweatpants.”
“You’ve been brainwashed,” Mailer whispered.
“What happened to you liking the new general manager, anyway? For a week, you couldn’t stop talking about her. Now you’re doubling down on this playboy lifestyle like it’s your job.”
Mailer’s face lost some of its color. “I asked her out. She told me she doesn’t date boys, she dates men. Then she closed her office door in my face and emailed me a copy of the organization’s nonfraternization policy.”
Robbie knew better than to show even a hint of sympathy. “Wow. She must be blind, because you’re a king.”
“I know, right?” There was some definite embarrassment mingled with a healthy heap of disappointment in Mailer’s expression, but he quickly banished it. “Anyway, it’s fine.” He jerked a head toward the apartment door. “I’ve got a deep enough roster, don’t I?”
Funny, Mailer didn’t look all that excited to go back into the apartment, either.
“You really going to move out?”
“Afraid so. But we’ll still have lasagna nights. At least twice a week.”
“Three and you’ve got a deal.”
“Sold.”
They fist-bumped.
It turned into a hug.
“Look. We don’t have to figure the living situation out tonight. I’m just going to head back to Rhode Island, so you can pick up where you left off.”
“Great,” Mailer muttered, making no move to enter the apartment. “Thanks.”
“Yeah.” After a brief hesitation, Robbie backed toward the elevator. “See you in a few days, man. Bye.”
“Bye.” Right before Robbie stepped into the elevator, Mailer shouted, “You got this, man. I believe in you.”
The elevator closed on Robbie’s grateful, if dubious, grin.
