like I was giving in after my knee-jerk reaction days ago. Out loud, it sounded like attitude.
“Vee.”
It was dark in my room. I hadn’t hopped out of bed. The curtains were hung over the window and my bedside lamp was off. I had to be at work for a lifeguarding shift from mid-morning, taking over the five-thirty opening shift, and would have a short break before switching to lifeguarding and closing up late tonight. The darkness welcomed me with the long day looming ahead.
It was cold since I couldn’t feel the heater gushing, so I had my bed sheets up to my chin. It reminded me of Rick, and hearing him call my name just seconds ago on the phone caused an ache to grow in my belly. I curled into a ball, letting the warmth blanket over me in my cocoon-like shape.
“I got a call from Amber,” I said. “She’s busy but wondered if with us knowing each other, I’d feel more comfortable hearing about the details for a double booking from you.”
“A double?” Rick quieted after this, and I could imagine his eyes darting, the clogs in his head working out what this meant. He’d know, but I could only imagine. “Well, if Amber insisted. Sounds fine. We’ll meet a couple of hours before you need to get ready. Text me the details, and we’ll meet at The Rental and chat in one of the staff rooms.”
I had so many other things to say, but didn’t.
I leant up on my elbow. Since he couldn’t see me, the change in position meant nothing to him, but the slight rise awoke me. I flipped on my lamp, squinting away from the light to adjust. I was ready for the day. Though I’d have mere hours to gulp down what would unfold, and soon after, do said unfolding, I let the possibilities simmer softly at the back of my mind—at least for now. Rick was probably working in the morning, and he helping me at all after we both weren’t thrilled with each other was kind.
“All right. See you then.”
I had the information I needed to pass on to him. Amber had sent me everything later yesterday. Seven p.m. Tomorrow night in Room 107. Nix was the sole rental and I would be the ‘sidekick’ of sorts, I gathered. I told Rick that and the other smaller details.
I rose, ate breakfast, and left the house, walking to my car, wrapped tightly in my coat in the windy winter morning. It was then Rick texted me.
As soon as I slid into the driver’s seat, I ignited the engine and put the heater on full blast. I checked his message.
Rick: Meet me there at four p.m.
• • •
A FTER SHUTTING DOWN Smiths Leisure Centre that night, I drove home, arriving to an even chillier wind than I’d left in. It was nine o’clock, and I tilted my head into my neck huddled within the lapels of my coat for the short dash to my front door.
I was still thinking of the cold, Rick, and The Rental when I stepped up to my porch. My hands were deep in my pocket, fingers looped through the key ring, and clutching my door key when I saw a pair of boots through my lashes.
My visitor had been standing there a while because the porch sensor only lit when I stepped up. Mum’s car wasn’t visible in the driveway, but it would’ve been in the garage as she should be home. I hoped not, however, given I looked up to see it was Cara waiting outside my house.
She’d put on weight since I saw her. Her cheeks and body looked bloated and strained under draping layers; she wore heavier make-up like an extra layer masking her true self; and for some reason, a big grin on her face. “Hi, Vee.”
I tore my eyes away and walked to the front door, holding my shoulder high to block her out. It didn’t work.
“I’m so glad to see you!” Cara leant against the bricks as I tried to hold my keys steady to unlock. “I know we’ve been missing each other, and it has been difficult to talk, but—”
“Right.” I turned the handle and stood in front of the ajar door. “Let’s clear things up. I’ve been avoiding you. I have no interest in keeping up a
“Vee.”
It was dark in my room. I hadn’t hopped out of bed. The curtains were hung over the window and my bedside lamp was off. I had to be at work for a lifeguarding shift from mid-morning, taking over the five-thirty opening shift, and would have a short break before switching to lifeguarding and closing up late tonight. The darkness welcomed me with the long day looming ahead.
It was cold since I couldn’t feel the heater gushing, so I had my bed sheets up to my chin. It reminded me of Rick, and hearing him call my name just seconds ago on the phone caused an ache to grow in my belly. I curled into a ball, letting the warmth blanket over me in my cocoon-like shape.
“I got a call from Amber,” I said. “She’s busy but wondered if with us knowing each other, I’d feel more comfortable hearing about the details for a double booking from you.”
“A double?” Rick quieted after this, and I could imagine his eyes darting, the clogs in his head working out what this meant. He’d know, but I could only imagine. “Well, if Amber insisted. Sounds fine. We’ll meet a couple of hours before you need to get ready. Text me the details, and we’ll meet at The Rental and chat in one of the staff rooms.”
I had so many other things to say, but didn’t.
I leant up on my elbow. Since he couldn’t see me, the change in position meant nothing to him, but the slight rise awoke me. I flipped on my lamp, squinting away from the light to adjust. I was ready for the day. Though I’d have mere hours to gulp down what would unfold, and soon after, do said unfolding, I let the possibilities simmer softly at the back of my mind—at least for now. Rick was probably working in the morning, and he helping me at all after we both weren’t thrilled with each other was kind.
“All right. See you then.”
I had the information I needed to pass on to him. Amber had sent me everything later yesterday. Seven p.m. Tomorrow night in Room 107. Nix was the sole rental and I would be the ‘sidekick’ of sorts, I gathered. I told Rick that and the other smaller details.
I rose, ate breakfast, and left the house, walking to my car, wrapped tightly in my coat in the windy winter morning. It was then Rick texted me.
As soon as I slid into the driver’s seat, I ignited the engine and put the heater on full blast. I checked his message.
Rick: Meet me there at four p.m.
• • •
A FTER SHUTTING DOWN Smiths Leisure Centre that night, I drove home, arriving to an even chillier wind than I’d left in. It was nine o’clock, and I tilted my head into my neck huddled within the lapels of my coat for the short dash to my front door.
I was still thinking of the cold, Rick, and The Rental when I stepped up to my porch. My hands were deep in my pocket, fingers looped through the key ring, and clutching my door key when I saw a pair of boots through my lashes.
My visitor had been standing there a while because the porch sensor only lit when I stepped up. Mum’s car wasn’t visible in the driveway, but it would’ve been in the garage as she should be home. I hoped not, however, given I looked up to see it was Cara waiting outside my house.
She’d put on weight since I saw her. Her cheeks and body looked bloated and strained under draping layers; she wore heavier make-up like an extra layer masking her true self; and for some reason, a big grin on her face. “Hi, Vee.”
I tore my eyes away and walked to the front door, holding my shoulder high to block her out. It didn’t work.
“I’m so glad to see you!” Cara leant against the bricks as I tried to hold my keys steady to unlock. “I know we’ve been missing each other, and it has been difficult to talk, but—”
“Right.” I turned the handle and stood in front of the ajar door. “Let’s clear things up. I’ve been avoiding you. I have no interest in keeping up a
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