Page 72 of Pitcher Perfect
Who was Robbie benefiting with this speech?
“He left when you said you missed me.” He searched her eyes. “Did you mean it?”
“Yes.” Nine avenues of thought merged into a traffic jam. “Wait, I have so many questions.”
“About last night? Ask.” He dropped his hands from her face and backed up, straightening his shoulders as if swearing on a Bible in court. “Ask me anything. I recorded my drive on my GPS so I could show you I was on the road. Not partying—”
“No. No, I believe you about that.”
His slow grin could have powered the entire state of Rhode Island. “You do?”
“Yeah.” She opened her mouth, closed it. “What reason do you have to lie?” Saying the next part felt... oddly like a lie, but she couldn’t figure out why. “You don’t owe me an explanation. We’re not actually together. It’s... just for show. Right?” One after another, strings pulled taut in her chest. “Which is why I’m wondering why you said all that when Madden wasn’t even standing here.”
“Oh my God. Okay.” He dragged both hands down his face. “Here’s a lesson for you, Rocket. A guy doesn’t choose to spend a week with a girl’s deranged family unless he’s into her. Like,reallyfucking into her. Maybe I lied to myself about doing this for noble reasons—and yeah, fine, that was part of it. I wanted to show you and myself I’m not a tool.” He took a shuddering breath. “But at the heart of it, Skylar, I wanted so badly to be with you. I was afraid of not seeing you again. And now?” He laughed without humor. “Now, I’m petrified of that. I couldn’t actually do it.”
The superhighway of her mind had become a ten-car pileup. “I... what?”
Robbie grabbed her shoulders, leaned down until they wereeye level. “I want to be your boyfriend. I don’t want to be the reason Madden pulls his head out of his ass and notices you. I want to be the reason I pullmyhead out of my ass.”
“So much butt talk this morning,” she said, dazed.
“Just a cheeky little coincidence. Did you hear anything I said?”
“Yes, I’m trying to decide if you need medical attention.” Gently, she took him by the elbows. “Exactly how hard did you get punched in the face last night?”
He stared at her with incomprehension.
Even though her heart was heavy and racing from the effect of his words, she pasted on an incredulous smile, because no. No, she couldn’t just accept them at face value. Even if he truly meant them right now, he would regret giving up his lifestyle. He’d look back and claim he was in a fugue state. “You’re just going to give up clubs and women and whipped cream—”
“You heard that, did you?” he asked, weakly.
“You’re going to give that up for one girl. Who doesn’t even know how to give head.”
“Ready and willing to work on that, Sky. Right now, if possible.”
A light bulb went off. “Maybe that’s what this is about. You’re not used to delayed gratification and I’m the one putting you through it.” She nodded sagely, positive she had the issue all worked out, although not so sure anymore she wanted a cut-and-dried explanation.I got a speeding ticket on my way back to you.“I’m sure if we sleep together, you’ll get over this fleeting interest in being my boyfriend.”
“Well.” His jaw popped. “You’ve got me all figured out, don’t you?”
“I’m not...” She wet lips that were rapidly drying out. “The last thing I want to do is hurt your feelings, especially after y-youshowed up here in a Boston University T-shirt and you...” Her voice fell to a whisper out of necessity. Talking was suddenly difficult. “I’ll never forget you did that. I mean, ever. You’re actually my hero right now.”
His eyelids slid closed. “Skylar.”
“The possibility I’m hurting you is giving me the worst stomachache. I guess I’m just worried you’ll change your mind after some time passes.”
His nostrils flared. “I won’t.”
“I never wanted to change you.”
“I’mchanging me.”
“Robbie...”
“Okay.” Resigned, he nodded. Planted both hands on his hips and regrouped. “Okay, I hear what you’re saying. You need time to believe I’m for real. That’s fair, even though I hate it.” He’d never looked this serious. Not since she’d met him. “Just tell me you have feelings for me. Tell me I’m not crazy.”
Oh God. This was like leaping over a ravine full of crocodiles. Admitting she had feelings for him would only encourage him to pursue this relationship—one that would absolutely lead to her getting hurt when he eventually decided to go back to his wild bachelor ways. Hurt was putting it mildly, too. He’d cut her off at the knees, wouldn’t he? Yes. Because shehadbeen developing feelings for him. Sneaky ones. They’d been nipping at her heels since day one. Now they were fully grown, biting her everywhere. Stealing chunks of her preconceived notions about Robbie. Chunks of what might have been her resistance.
“I have feelings for you,” she whispered.
