“I’d fight anybody for you.” It seemed outlandish that I'd be offering this up to him. He was taller than me, stronger than me, but still, I meant it.

He nodded. “And it’s really nice to have that. It’s been a few years since someone was fighting for me instead of just fighting me.”

I knew we were talking about Endgame then. The damage that relationship had done was not going to be fixed by one weekend in a fancy house. I hoped we had enough of a foundation to make it through whatever was ahead of us. I didn’t want to think I was someone Austin was settling for. I certainly wasn’t as exciting as Endgame. I started to think about what we had in front of us.

“So, I’m guessing it was Roberta that called my dad. Which is concerning and escalating at a rapid pace. I’m not sure what to do next about her.”

Austin put the car in gear. “I feel like we’re getting close to restraining order type behavior here. I don’t know what she thinks she’s going to get out of this.”

I looked out the window and saw my face reflecting there. I didn’t know either. I wish I knew.

23

AUSTIN

When Taylor and I returned to the apartment, it was not empty. The music was pumping, and all the windows were wide open. The place was littered with empty alcohol bottles and beer cans. For some reason, the whole place smelled like salsa. I happened in on the scene of three guys attempting to break into my room. The door had a padlock on it, but that seemed to just be slowing them down slightly. I held Taylor‘s hand and stepped through so I could stand in front of them after pushing them out of the way.

“Hey, this isn't your place. This isn't your bedroom. Where’s Endgame?”

The guys attempted to argue with me briefly.

“Where is who? I don’t even know who you’re talking about, man.”

The shortest one looked Taylor up and down.

“Everybody leave.” I went over to the speaker and unplugged it. A slew of groans greeted me.

I spoke to Taylor, “Hey, do you wanna go in our room while I clean this place out?”

She gave me an indignant stare. “No, we’re going to do this together. Obviously.”

After letting go of my hand, she went and found a trash bag in the kitchen. The empties clinked together as she started collecting them.

As the people left—some belligerent—Taylor plucked full drinks from peoples’ hands. She motioned with them to encourage everyone to leave. Some of the interlopers took the hint and wanted to keep their drinks, so they hustled out the door clutching them.