Page 57 of Endurance
“He got all awkward at the end! Things were so great. Friday night was incredible. Saturday was amazing, but then Saturday night he just…flipped a switch. He wouldn’t even pick a fight with me like he normally does. He did a complete one-eighty.”
“Did something happen?”
I shrug. “He was with me the whole time. Nothing happened. I think I’m maybe…confusing drama with happiness maybe.”
“Oh, don’t say that,” Indie chastises. “Drama is passion, and passion in a footballer is second nature!”
“But why the change in script? I mean, I know what we’re doing is fake, but I thought we were both sort of enjoying this ride together.” I take a big drink of my water, attempting to cool down the anxiety pooling in my belly.
“What do you want to happen with you guys?” she asks, eyeing me thoughtfully.
“I don’t know. I guess I want to keep doing what we’re doing. The sex is incredible. I laugh so much. Yeah we quarrel, but it doesn’t seem to bother either of us. I don’t want serious, and I don’t think that’s what Tanner wants either. I just thought we could keep having fun and see what happens.”
Out of nowhere, tears prick the backs of my eyes and fall down my cheeks like they are operating on their own free will. I point to my face, a look of complete and utter horror. “Look at this shit! I’m ridiculous. Tanner Harris has made me utterly ridiculous.”
Indie giggles, “You’re not ridiculous.”
“My mother would say, ‘Come now, Belle, don’t turn the taps on again.’” I sniff once and swipe at my cheeks.
“Your mother is a cold, unfeeling cow,” Indie states deadpan.
“Bravo!” I exclaim with a smile. Indie being riled up is exactly what I need.
She baulks, “Well, since when did we start living our lives by her standards?”
“Since never.” I hold my bottle of water out to Indie for a cheers. She returns it with a bit of a scowl, still brooding over everything I’ve said.
She looks deeply into my eyes. “Belle, you’re a strong, confident doctor. You have the world by the balls. Don’t let Tanner’s stupidity make you crumble. He’s probably just sorting things out in his head. I’m sure he’s feeling the same way you are. You’re fabulous.”
I sigh. “I feel very unfabulous today. Perhaps it’s those three chocolates I ate while watching Jillian Michaels scream at me to move.” I prop my feet on the coffee table and ask, “What are you doing tonight? Maybe we can go see a film or rent something stupid and order in?”
Her face falls. “Well, I’m erm…heading out to Chigwell for Sunday dinner as soon as Camden gets here to pick me up.”
“What’s Sunday dinner?”
“Vi cooks at Vaughn’s house. All the boys come home for it. Even Gareth when he can manage.”
Hot shards of irritation course through me.
“Do you want to come?” Indie asks, looking horribly uncomfortable.
“Are you kidding?” I exclaim. “To a family dinner at the Harris’ house? That sounds about as fun as a dead vibrator.”
Indie eyes me with concern. “You look hurt.”
“I’m not hurt!” I snap, standing up and suppressing my grimace. “I’m just going to grab a bottle of wine and have a nice long bath. It’ll be the perfect night.”
“I’d really love it if you’d come with me.”
“Indie, will you just go?” My voice is harsher than I intended. “I have a big surgery this week I need to study for anyway.”
“Okay, but I really—”
“Go!”
And after hearing the slow click of the door to our flat, I let my faucets run.
“You’re an idiot,” Indie snipes, waltzing into Dad’s kitchen and whacking me upside the head.
