“I think you two are so much healthier than Tatum and Reed,” she said, with a hint of disdain. Becky doesn’t like Tatum. This might just work out after all, I thought.
“Oh yeah? How so,” I said with genuine interest.
“Well…,” she paused for a bit, looking around and moving a little closer so no one would hear. “I think their relationship is pretty much nothing but sex.”
My insides were twisting tighter than they ever had before. I knew that Tatum and Reed were physical, but for some reason hearing another girl confirm it just made the vision of it that much more intense.
I nodded in return, hiding how hurt their intimacy made me.
“I mean, I get it. They’re hot and young. But, man, they have nothing in common. And…,” Becky looked around again, “I think Tatum is really dumb and boring.”
I couldn’t help it and let out a tight snort laugh. Becky reached up and slapped her hand over my face trying not to laugh herself. Quickly covering up for it she added, “Funniest joke ever, right? My brother told me that one.” And with a wink, I knew Becky was my ally.
After an hour or so in the pool, we all started to dry off and gather our things to head back inside. I was looking around the patio for my towel and flip flops when I heard the patio door slide to a close. I turned to walk over and join the rest of the girls when the patio light went dark and I heard the distinct sound of the click of the patio lock.
“Hey! Still out here,” I shouted, walking quickly to the door and giving it a useless yank. I knocked on the door for a bit, but then quickly heard the sound of the TV kick on full volume. I knew she wasn’t done, I thought.
I knocked a few more times, but I knew that there was no way I was getting in that house until Tatum wanted me to. She would tell the other girls I was upstairs or that she wasn’t sure what I was up to and then distract them with the movie. It was about 50 minutes before I heard the movie pause and saw the reflection of the light flick on in the kitchen as some of the girls started pulling out chips for snacks. I deliberated whether or not to knock again, not wanting to give her the satisfaction. I think had it been a warmer evening, I would have stuck it out, even slept out here if I had to. But given that I had already wrapped my body as tightly as possible with the towel for warmth, I knew my options were limited.
I knocked again, “Hey, can someone unlock please?” I was pathetic.
Tatum’s eyes met mine as she flung the shades open on the door. Her smirk gave her away and I dug in with an equally intense stare. She wanted me to know that she controlled everything, but I wanted her to know that I didn’t give a f**k. And my face didn’t leave anything to the imagination.
“Oh my god, Noles. Have you been out there the entire time? I thought you were just getting ready for bed or something or showering. We had no idea!” she squealed. So fake.
I walked in right past her and headed into the room with my stuff and grabbed my pajama pants and long-sleeved T-shirt from my bag to head upstairs and change.
“Noles? I’m sorry, you’re not mad, are you?” she trailed off, smirking at me as the rest of the girls were behind her and couldn’t see her true evil self. If she wanted a game, then I was ready to play.
Smirking back and batting my lashes in the most over-the-top way I could I walked up to her and gave her a hug. “Tates, OMG! Like I could ever be mad at you. I know it was an accident, silly.” I held her stare for a second as I let go, just to signal are we clear here? I hate you, you hate me. Done.
I turned to head upstairs to change and caught Becky’s attention. She was grinning ear-to-ear and gave me one fast wink to let me know she was on my side. I liked Becky. We would be good friends.
The night was long. I didn’t want to fall asleep, knowing that even though Tatum appeared to be sleeping, she could still wreak havoc on me in a second. I stood it as long as I could, but when the clock read 3 a.m. I let my heavy lids take me over. We had to report for our meet at 7, and I knew I wasn’t going to be worth much. I was counting on grabbing an extra hour of sleep at the meet before my race.
As I stretched in my sleeping bag and awoke to the rustling sounds of the other girls stirring in their sleeping bags, I scanned the room for Tatum. She was rolled over on her side on the couch, just where I had left her. A wave of relief flushed over me that I had survived the night.
My face felt tight from the lack of sleep and I desperately wanted to brush my teeth. I headed into the spare room and grabbed my uniform and toothbrush to run upstairs for a quick shower and some freshening up.