Page 83 of Keeper
Indie looks down and Belle tsks like she’s annoyed. “Andrew snapped like a twig. For a hot Scotsman, he’s not very strong.”
I shudder to even imagine what they did to get Andrew talking. “Poor Andrew. So, what brings you here?”
Belle pushes her way past the doorway and steps into the foyer. “We know everything.”
My eyes are wide as I look back at Indie and ask, “Everything, everything?”
They both frown at me. Indie is the one to reply. “We know you guys had a row and you’re moving out.”
I let out a breath I didn’t even realise I was holding. I’ve not even told my parents I’m pregnant yet. The idea of Booker’s family knowing already would be too much to handle.
Belle’s voice snaps my attention to her. “Where are your parents?”
“The Canary Islands. I’m sorry. What all did Booker tell Vi?”
Indie replies simply, “That you left.”
My brows lift and I feel like I could tip forward. “Is that all?”
“Yes,” Belle states, her brow furrowing at me like I’m a mental patient.
I exhale with relief. “Do you guys have time for some tea? I’m extremely thirsty.”
They follow me into the kitchen and sit up at the long counter island. I put on a kettle and then grab a few tea bags and mugs.
“So, how are you doing?” Belle asks like she’s waiting for me to say something.
“I’m fine.”
“Seriously?”
“No, but there’s nothing that can be done. You were right. I wouldn’t have been satisfied if I didn’t try. And I tried.”
“For two weeks,” Belle scoffs. “I can’t believe it all fell apart so quickly. What happened?”
I shrug, wishing I could tell them everything but knowing that it’s not the right time. “I’m in love with him.”
“I thought you were already in love with him?” Indie asks, her tone soft and sympathetic.
“I didn’t even know what love was back then. The two weeks we spent together as a couple were some of the best days of my life. I drifted into a dream with him. Knowing that I can never have any of that back makes me hurt in places I didn’t even know could hurt.”
Belle and Indie are silent for a moment.
“But what if things were different?” Belle asks, glancing down at her watch and looking up at me.
I sigh, feeling like I’m reliving the same conversation I had with Andrew two days ago. “They won’t be. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to trust Booker with my heart again. Too much pain has happened.” Belle looks at her watch again. “You guys need to get going, don’t you? It’s almost dark outside. Surely dinner is almost ready. Don’t let me keep you.”
Indie and Belle give each other a peculiar look. “Go for a walk with us,” Indie says, her voice cheery.
“A walk?”
She nods. “Yeah, I want to see the wooded park behind your house.”
This is getting stranger by the minute. “No thanks.”
“Just a short one,” Belle interjects. “I think it’d be good for you to go outside for a bit.”
I huff, “I’m not going in the woods, guys. I…hate it back there. It holds my favourite and my most horrid memories.”
