Chapter Thirty-One:
This was ridiculous and she knew it. So he dumped her. So what? Was her life so dependent on a man that she fell apart without him?
No.
Robin Scorpio didn't depend on anyone and she sure as hell wasn't going to crawl into a hole and die because of an arrogant jerk like Patrick Drake.
It was time to get out there and live again. She had been home for a week and physically, she was finally feeling more normal. Her meds were back on track and she had had finally kicked the slight infection she had in her kidneys.
The problem was, her head and her heart weren't talking. She felt better, but her heart was broken. She was healthier, but she felt worse than ever. She was moving on, but her life felt completely derailed.
How had she so completely misjudged him? How did she allow herself to fall in love with him? What was she thinking?
Her cell phone rang and startled her as she was putting on her shoes.
"I'm almost ready," she answered, seeing Maxie's number.
"Okay, but make sure you wear the hot red pumps I got for you," she said. "They make your legs look longer."
"Maxie. I'm five feet tall. Nothing helps that."
"Just stop complaining. I'll be there in a minute."
Robin smiled as she hung up. She promised Maxie she would go out to the bar with her because Maxie was worried and Robin was tired of trying to make it okay for everyone. She wanted the questions to stop and she needed a distraction.
She piled her long brown hair loosely on her head and clipped it up, allowing a few tendrils to fall down. She smoothed her little black dress and put on some pink lip gloss. She walked over to Ben and sighed.
"If I act like I'm okay, how long until I feel it?"
The little rat watched her like he understood and Robin smiled, reaching in to pet him.
"You're the only man in my life to never disappoint me," she sighed. "That's completely pathetic."
Maxie arrived and knocked on the door and Robin yelled for her to come in.
"Oh my God, Robin, you can't dress like that and play with a gross rat. You are never going to find a man when you have that thing. Men don't like rats."
Robin calmly put Ben back and closed his house before she washed her hands.
"Contrary to popular belief, some men actually like pets," she smiled. "Besides, Ben understands me."
Maxie shook her head and moved to fluff Robin's hair a bit.
"There. Now you look good enough to screw."
"Excuse me? I am not about to screw anyone, or whatever. You know I'm not interested in anything."
The cute blonde rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say you had to screw anyone. I said you looked good enough to screw. There's a difference. But Robin, really, don't you miss sex? I mean when was the last time you had a mind blowing night of passion?"
Robin blushed and then felt the familiar wave of sadness wash over her. She hadn't told Maxie about sleeping with Patrick.
"It doesn't matter, Maxie. I don't do casual. I can't."
Maxie sighed.
"I know that, but I want to see you happy. After seeing how torn up Patrick was over you, and knowing he didn't do anything to fix it, I am sure you need to move on."
Robin blanched.
"Wait, what? When did you see Patrick?"
"Two days ago. I went to see his friend Leo and then I stopped to see him at his house. He looked like a cave man, Robin. He forgot how to shave and shower. It was nasty."
Robin felt tears prick her eyes.
"Was he okay? Maybe he was fighting the effects of his meds. Do you know if he needed help?"
"Seriously? The man dumped you and trampled over your heart while you were in the hospital. I don't care if his dick falls off and you're the only one who could reattach it. Screw him."
Robin smiled at her analogy and then sighed.
"You're right. I need to move on. Let's go."
Maxie linked her arm through Robin's and they left. She decided the rest of the night would be a surprise.
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"I don't understand why you're making me do this," Patrick said as Leo drove him to the bar. "I'm here to see Robin and try to fix whatever I can. I don't even think there's anything I can do, but you and Maxie were right. I have to try."
"Do you know if she's single?" Leo asked.
"Robin? Isn't that why I'm here? What the hell are you talking about?" Patrick turned to glare at his friend.
Leo rolled his eyes.
"I was talking about Maxie. You need to chill out."
"Right, sorry," Patrick said sheepishly. "I think so, why?"
"Because she's hot. She came at me with quite a passion the other day. I saw sparks."
"Is that why you decided to take this excursion with me to check out the "hospital" as you said? You have the hots for Maxie?"
Leo shrugged.
"Look. You fucked up and the only way Robin will look at you is if she doesn't know you're coming. Maxie told me she would have Robin at the bar, so we will show up, too. Whatever else happens between me and Maxie is none of your concern."
Patrick smiled.
"My only advice is to watch your back. That woman is a handful."
Leo grinned.
"I know."
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She shouldn't be drinking, but she enjoyed how it numbed the pain. Nothing else did. Robin smiled at the man next to her who bought her another drink. She thought he was cute enough, kind of heavy, but so what? He was genuine and funny and Robin enjoyed talking about nothing.
"So, do you want to dance?" the man asked.
She totally forgot his name. How could she forget his name?
"Um, I don't think so, but thanks," she smiled.
Maxie looked at her from the table she had moved to and Robin wondered who the good looking man was who sat with her. Maxie grinned and Robin laughed as Maxie continued flirting.
"It's just one dance," the man said.
Robin sighed.
"Okay, sure," she said and reached to take his hand. He led her to the dance floor and pulled her close, a bit closer than she would have liked. She felt his hand move to her behind and she stepped back.
"I'm really tired, but thanks," she went to leave.
"Are you a tease? I thought you were into me," the man said.
Robin crossed her arms and glared at him.
"I accepted a dance, not a chance for you to feel me up. Excuse me," she walked back to the bar to wait for Maxie.
She sat down and sighed as she played with her drink. This was a mistake. The only hands she wanted on her body were Patrick's. The only man she wanted to dance with was Patrick. She picked up the drink and downed the entire glass, welcoming the burn down her throat.
"You should take it easy," the voice said and before she turned around she knew it was him.
Patrick sat down next to her and felt his pulse race at how absolutely gorgeous she looked. Her hair was framing her face and she had a blush on her cheeks from the alcohol. The dress she wore was skin tight and he looked at her like she was naked.
"Go away," she slurred a little before she ordered another drink.
"Why wouldn't you return any of my calls?" he asked her.
"I'm not talking to you. I'm here to enjoy myself and you're ruining that. Get away from me."
"Robin, please let me explain," he began as she got another drink. He worried about her handling of the alcohol.
"Were you possessed by a demon?" she looked at him.
He smiled.
"What?"
"Held by gunpoint?"
He sighed.
"No."
"Oh, right, I was, but the point is that you made the choice to walk out on me. You made hurtful statements about me having children and you made my heart hurt," she said and got up, stumbling. He reached to help her and she pushed him off.
"No. I'm going home. You don't get any of this," she motioned to her body. "You don't get any of me ever again."
Patrick looked at Leo who was with Maxie and he pleaded for help. Leo said something to Maxie and she walked to Robin.
"Where are you going?"
Robin looked at her.
"Asshole is here. I'm going home with Ben."
Leo looked at Patrick and raised his eyebrows.
"Ben?"
"Her rat."
Leo nodded and then rubbed his eyes.
"Her what?"
"Nothing. I need her to let me take her home," Patrick said.
"She looks pretty pissed," Leo said. "But really hot."
Patrick glared at him and walked to Robin.
"I'll take you home. You're in no condition to drive."
She stepped away from him and snorted.
"I'm not a moron. I didn't drive."
Shit. He was simply looking for a way to take her home.
"Robin, let him talk to you. Let him take you home and I'll go with Leo," Maxie said.
"Leo? That's Leo? You set me up?" She cried and her tears filled her eyes.
"We didn't set you up, but you need to talk to him. Please let him take you home and hear him out," Maxie said.
Robin grabbed her purse and stormed out, Patrick running behind her.
"Robin, wait," he reached to her arm.
She flipped to look at him and her tears spilled over her cheeks.
"Is this fun for you? Do you enjoy hurting me? Embarrassing me? I don't need you to explain. I don't need you to talk to me. I just need to go home."
Patrick felt his own eyes burn with tears.
"I'm sorry," he said. "Please hear me out."
She flagged a cab and got in, effectively ending the evening.
Patrick sighed and looked at the keys Maxie gave him. Perhaps it was time he stopped running. Perhaps he needed to go after what he wanted.
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I would love to know if anyone is reading this