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out, “But we should be realistic.”
    Sarah started to tear up.
    Noah explained, “You’re going to Madison. I’ll be halfway across the country.”
    “They don’t have Spring Break at Brown?” Sarah asked accusingly.
    “They do, it’s just…” Noah didn’t know if he should go there, but if they couldn’t be honest with each other, then what’s the point? “We fight all the time…”
    A tear streamed down her cheek. “If you want to break up with me, just say so.”
    But Noah didn’t say anything, which was actually worse. She had her answer. The silence was interrupted by a car honking for Sarah.
    “Fine. Whatever.” She turned to leave.
    Noah felt like an asshole. “Wait. Sarah—”
    But it was too late. Sarah ran over to her friend’s waiting car and got in.
    Noah watched them drive off, then trudged over to the driveway where Pike and Dylan were waiting for Walker to say goodbye to Patience.
    “It was really great talking to you tonight,” Walker said, content in his mind that he had flawlessly executed step one of a ninety-three-part plan.
    “Yeah, me, too,” Patience responded politely.
    Walker added, “Have fun in France,” proving to her what a good listener he was.
    “Thanks.” She shifted uncomfortably.
    “So… I’ll email you,” Walker confirmed. He leaned in to hug her at the same time she extended a hand to shake in a classic-sitcom awkward moment. Walker quickly adjusted and shook her hand.
    And then she was gone.
    Walker joined the other three guys.
    “Pathetic,” Dylan launched into him. “Fucking pathetic.”
    Walker still didn’t get it. “What?”
    Noah was in no mood to watch Dylan pick on Walker. “Give him a break.”
    Dylan looked at Noah like, What’s your problem?
    Pike changed the subject. “Anyone hungry? I’m starving.”

 
    CHAPTER SIX
    T HE S TEAK AND Egg Kitchen was a throw-back to a simpler time, when grease was one of the four major food groups, and if you got sick from eating a $4.99 T-bone then that was your problem, not theirs. The simple brick building in the West Hartford Center housed some of the surliest waitresses and crunchiest pancakes in town. But the Steak and Egg Kitchen was also the only place in town that was open twenty-four hours.
    Dylan and Pike were busy chewing out Walker while Noah moped over his scrambled eggs. “The girl goes to Choate, so you know she’s gotta be all coked up,” Dylan theorized.
    “True dat,” Pike affirmed.
    Walker shook his head. “I don’t think she was—”
    But Dylan didn’t let him finish. “And she’s going to France, home of the dirty whore. Leaving on Tuesday, mind you, so whatever happens is totally guilt-free.”
    Walker was starting to see the picture they were painting of sweet Patience.
    “Don’t forget Wellesley,” Pike added with a mouthful of cube steak, “so chances are she’s into chicks as well.”
    Walker’s mind raced with the possibilities that entailed.
    Dylan took Walker by the shoulder. “She didn’t know anybody at the party.” Walker thought back on the evening. Dylan continued, “Admit it, this girl was giving you the green light to use and abuse her like the cheap slut that she is.”
    Without looking up, Pike gave an amen, “He ain’t lyin’.” He started demolishing the stack of pancakes on the side plate next to his cube steak.
    Walker went over it in his mind and after weighing all the possibilities, he suddenly realized that they were absolutely right. He sunk into his seat. “Fuck.”
    Dylan laughed. “Did you at least get her info?”
    “I got her email,” Walker remembered hopefully, brightening his mood like maybe all wasn’t lost. “I told her when she gets back I would make her a lasagna.”
    Pike and Dylan looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.
    Walker didn’t get the joke. “What?” he asked.
    But Dylan just rubbed his hair, like you would do to a little kid who just said something cute. “Eat your