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“And you have no idea what happened?”

“Nope. Just that he met with that ex-brother-in-law of his yesterday. Maybe some more news about his ex. That always throws him for a loop.”

Shit.

Roxie reaches out to rub my arm. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“I was a just rebound for him after all,” I say, my voice small and shaky. I hate it. I hate how tiny and defeated I sound. “She must be getting married or something, and he’s not over her.”

“I don’t think that’s it,” Trey says. “I mean, she is getting married and he’s known about it for months now. He didn’t seem like he cared very much. It really didn’t seem to bother him.”

“What then?” I hate the note of desperation in my tone.

“I really don’t know, Lizzie,” Trey says. “You should talk to him.”

“He doesn’t want to talk.”

Trey walks over to me and grabs both my hands. “Make him talk to you,” he says. “He’s crazy about you. I mean it. You’ve made him so happy. So happy. Everyone sees it. You have no idea how he was before. I don’t know what happened, but it has nothing to do with how much he cares about you.”

I lower my eyes and don’t respond.

Roxie pats Trey on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, boys, I’ve got her. Go have fun.”

“Do you need me to come back tonight?” Bobby asks. “I was planning to stay at Trey’s, but I can come back—”

I wave him off. “No, of course not. Go enjoy yourselves. I’ve got booze. And ice cream. And Roxie. I’ll be okay.”

Trey gives me a kiss on the cheek, Bobby gives me a brief hug, and then they cast their final glances, looking slightly guilty that they’re leaving, and they’re off.

****

Six episodes of Scrubs, one whole pizza, four margaritas, and half a joint in, followed by a second pizza and two beers to battle the munchies, Roxie decides I’m relaxed enough to interrogate.

“Tell me what the hell is going on,” she says.

“I told you, I don’t know. Joe’s avoiding me and I’m taking a hint.”

“So you will just give up without getting to the bottom of this?”

“That seems to be my lot in life,” I say. “People get bored with me and that’s it. Took Jake seven years. Only a few months for Joe.”

“He did not get bored with you. That’s not like him at all. Something’s up.”

I shrug. “That’s what I would’ve thought until yesterday. But not today.”

Roxie takes a swig of her mostly empty beer. “I am the least qualified person in the world to give relationship advice.”

“So don’t.”

She throws her hands up in the air. “I have to! Because even I can see that what’s about to happen is monumentally stupid!”

I just shrug.

“I don’t know what’s up with Joe,” she continues, “but I’ve seen you together, and you’re obviously crazy about each other. Anyone can see that. It’s a little nauseating, really, how fucking cute you two are.”

I shrug again.

“Listen to me.” She leans forward. “You can’t let him do a one-eighty without an explanation. You have to figure out what happened.”