Page 49 of Endurance
Despite my little joyride on Tanner, we make good time. Gareth’s house is in Astbury—a village right outside of Manchester—and when we drive down his long, private gravel lane, it feels a bit like coming home.
However, when his detached house finally comes into view, I’m pleased to see it’s much more contemporary than what I grew up in. I don’t think I could stand walking into another dusty, old, Victorian mansion.
Tanner grabs our bags and we walk up the steps toward the front porch. I see some movement through the large plate glass windows surrounding the oak door before it opens.
“Tanner!” Gareth’s deep voice exclaims as he steps out onto the brick porch. He looks a bit dishevelled. His dark hair is unruly on top of his head, and his hazel eyes dart between Tanner and whatever is behind him inside the house. He looks as if he didn’t know we were coming. His voice is tight when he adds, “Surprised to see you tonight.”
I frown up at Tanner. “Didn’t you tell him you decided to come early?”
Tanner shrugs at me. “Didn’t occur to me.”
I look at Gareth, ready to voice my apologies, but a woman steps out into the doorway behind him. She’s simply dressed in all black, and her chestnut hair is tied back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.
“It’s fine. We’re all done here.” Her American accent is smooth and confident as she throws a garment bag over her shoulder.
“Who’s this?” Tanner leers, a look of shock and curiosity on his face.
“This is no one,” Gareth snaps. “I mean, she’s someone, but…Sloan is my personal shopper.”
“Personal shopper?” Tanner’s voice is unconvinced.
“I prefer celebrity fashion stylist,” Sloan states, her voice crisp and unforgiving as she moves past us. I watch Gareth’s eyes drink her in with a pained look on his face. “And I really need to be going. I only did this late call as a favour. Good luck at your event tomorrow, Mr. Harris.”
Without a glance back, Sloan strides down the drive toward her car parked in front of the garage. I frown when I see her ponytail is mussed into a bit of a nest down her back.
“Who the fuck was that really?” Tanner asks, placing a hand on Gareth’s shoulder. “Cam and I thought you were fucking celibate!”
Gareth shakes him off. “Don’t be daft. She’s no one.” He looks at me. “I’m sorry you’re saddled up with my twat of a brother. Vi’s told me the particulars of what you guys are going through and, knowing Tanner here, I’m sure you’re about ready to kill someone. I’m Gareth. It’s nice to meet you, officially. Cam and Indie speak very highly of you.”
He reaches out and shakes my hand. I see a tiny bit of resemblance between him and Tanner in the shape of their eyes, but that’s where the similarities end. Gareth is more the tall, dark, and handsome variety, whereas Tanner is more the dirty, blonde, and sexy category. However, they both tower over me and ooze that athletic sort of posture. The kind that makes walking through a foyer look artful.
We follow Gareth through the living room and into a bright, modern kitchen where he grabs us both a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Sorry, no booze in the house. I don’t drink during the season.”
I roll the bottle in my hands. “It’s no problem.”
Tanner throws a lazy arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, this one got rat-arsed the other night and is probably still feeling the effects.”
I scoff, “I am not. And would you kindly shut the fuck up?”
Gareth booms with a deep laugh. “Yes! Finally! A woman not afraid to put you in your place.”
Tanner’s eyes narrow as he prepares to take a sip. “I put her in places, too.”
My jaw drops. “You better watch it, or the only place you’ll end up tonight is a cold shower.”
This silences him and Gareth’s shoulders shake with a silent laugh.
“So why did you guys come down tonight? I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow?”
Tanner gives me a random cheeky arse squeeze and says, “I just needed to get the fuck out of London. It feels like a bloody fishbowl lately.”
I nod feeling similarly. I didn’t even have the heart to tell Tanner that our little snog outside his flat before we left was photographed. “The vultures are everywhere.”
Gareth shakes his head. “I don’t envy you guys. That’s why I like it out here. It’s private. It’s quiet. The London nightlife is not for me. Manchester is bad enough at times.”
“I’m beginning to see the appeal.” Tanner looks around the kitchen as if considering it from a different perspective.
