Page 101 of Challenge
Rolling my eyes, I ask, “Do you think it’s crazy? I’m sure it wouldn’t be a paying job. I have some money saved, but things might get tight.”
“So you move in with me. Or get some guilt money out of your parentals. Plus, I bet that that Harris brother you’ve got wouldn’t mind sparing a zero from that big fat contract he just signed.”
Her last suggestion makes me frown. “I’m not taking money from Cam.”
She tsks. “I know you won’t. I’m just saying you have options. I’ve been trying to get you to move in with me since med school. This sounds like an exciting prospect.”
Her encouragement touches me. “But it’s sad I won’t be working with you anymore.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” she scoffs. “I won’t be here much longer anyway.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, I meant to tell you sooner, but we had that little fight and then you got Harris’d. I got a fellowship position offer with Dr. Elizabeth Miller. She’s a high-risk neonatal surgeon at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.”
“I’ve heard of her!” I screech, quickly pressing my hand over my mouth. “She’s like the American badass in the world of high-risk pregnancy surgery. Belle, this is huge.”
“I know. I can’t believe I was selected. You’d think they hadn’t met me or something,” she giggles.
“Shut up, you’re brilliant. So I guess you’ve picked your specialty then?”
“I guess I have.”
A moment of heavy silence stretches out between us.
“You’re going to save babies, Belle.” My smile couldn’t be wider, and I’m shocked when my chin begins to wobble.
“Tequila Sunrise, Indie.” Her voice catches a bit, and I’m transported back in time to the moment we saw that baby die of SIDs. That moment we started living our life to the fullest.
“Tequila Sunrise, Belle.”
We discuss the particulars a bit more. By the time I hang up, I feel a renewed sense of determination to get back to London and put my plan into action. Belle and I have grown up so much in a matter of weeks and our futures look very bright indeed.
We say our goodbyes. Then I walk over to the bed to try to rouse Camden. “Mmmm, stroke lower, Specs. You know what I like.”
I giggle and slip back into bed with him. “You like everything.” I kiss his shoulder.
His sleepy blue eyes pop open. “I like you,” he growls and pulls me on top of him, rolling us over to the other side of the bed where he proceeds to remind me just how much he likes me.
2 Months Later
“I’M NOT KIDDING,TANNER. You need to put the fear of God into the team. If anyone even makes a backhanded comment that could be remotely toward Indie, Camden Harris Fists of Fury will fly,” I bark, while standing in our kitchen and using wild hand gesticulations to demonstrate my point.
Then I add, “First they’ll get your fists. Then Booker’s fists. Then my fists once you guys get back to London and I get a hold of whoever had the nerve to look at her funny. You think we can cart them to Manchester so Gareth can have a crack, too?”
“He’s full on psychotic now.” Gareth’s deep voice cuts into my tirade as he murmurs to Indie. They are sitting across from each other at the kitchen table, both apparently judging the show.
“I think you’re overreacting just a titch, Cam,” Vi states as she waddles over to the stove, stroking her now protruding belly.
“You think?” Hayden laughs, pulling Vi away from the oven and bending over to grab the large pan she was about to take out.
I look at them with wide, horrified eyes. “There’s more where this is coming from, Hayden and Vi. Just you two wait ‘til my niece is born. She’s not going to have a bloke get within a mile of her without the Harrises bringing the pain!”
They burst out laughing and Tanner pipes up next. “I’m with ya all the way, Cam. The best defence is a good offence.” He sets his fists up in front of his face and takes a couple jabs at Booker’s shoulder.
“Lay off,” Booker bellows. “Vi, you might want to keep that wee babe in there as long as possible. It’s not safe out here. And, Camden, you do need to relax. We’re going to take care of Indie. She’s shadowing the team doctor, not giving sponge baths to the players.”
I groan at the thought of all those players in the changing room. I’ve been in that changing room, I know what it looks like after a match.
