“You care more about Ian than you
care about me,” India whispered. Her lip trembled and she lowered her chin to
hide her face. “What is it about Ian Taylor that makes everyone follow him
around like a puppy dog?” It’s not fair.
“It’s my job to travel with him.”
Ed’s British accent reminded India how far he’d travelled to be here with her
in Michigan. “I’m Ian’s bodyguard… and I don’t act like a puppy dog.”
His large frame and commanding
persona had captured India’s attention from the day they’d met. Anyone who saw
Ed Williams could envision him as either a linebacker for a pro-football team,
or the bodyguard for a rock band. He fit the cliché perfectly.
Still, Ed shouldn’t have chosen the
beginning of their date to tell India about Ian’s request to join him in
Nashville. How was she ever going to enjoy dinner and a movie if she couldn’t
get that airplane ticket out of her mind?
“You could get a different job here
in Michigan.” Here with me, her eyes pleaded.
The waitress interrupted their
conversation, straining to lower a skillet of fajitas onto the table. Sizzling
chicken and shrimp nestled on a skillet with sautéed mushrooms. The scent of
onions filled the air above the table with a heavenly aroma. Forget Ian; pass
the guacamole!
“I love my job.” Ed lifted the lid
on the tortilla warmer and pulled apart two tortillas that were stuck together,
placing one in front of India and the other on his own plate. “You of all
people should understand that. You’re so passionate about your job as a
teacher. Just like you could never leave those kids, I can’t let Ian move to
Nashville without me.”
Take me with you. India felt her
throat clench as she stared down at the warm flour tortilla. What had seemed so
appetizing just moments before suddenly became an empty shell. I’d leave my
teaching job in a heartbeat if you’d just tell me you love me. Is that so much
to ask?
But India couldn’t ask. Girls
weren’t supposed to be the first in a relationship to admit they were in love.
Sure, she enjoyed teaching her little second graders. They were so full of life
and willingness to learn and grow. They loved her, and they told her they loved
her. Why can’t he?
One blind date had led to a long
series of romantic interludes, shopping, out to dinners, sitting together in
church. That was her favorite part. Ed devoted his life to God and wasn’t shy
about his love for his Savior and the Church. If only he could channel some of
that love toward her. Great, now I’m jealous of Ian Taylor and God? I’m
pathetic.
“Ian’s a grown man.” India reached
for the little tongs and began lifting meat and vegetables off the skillet and
onto her steaming tortilla. “He can take care of himself.”
“You don’t understand what’s it
like to be a rock star.” Ed’s condescending tone of voice stopped her hand
mid-air. “The guys of Buxton Peak would get mauled if their bodyguards weren’t
there to hold back the superfans.”
“You make yourself out to be way
more important than you really are.” India dropped the tongs onto the skillet
and sank back in the booth, folding her arms across her chest. She was tired of
hearing about that stupid rock band full of spoiled, rich kids who couldn’t
walk down the street without protection. “Ian could replace you in a
heartbeat.”
“That’s not true.” Ed’s tone was
defensive. “I am way more than just his employee. We’re best mates. We served
as missionaries together. We’ve been through some really good times and some
really bad times. He’s like a brother to me.”
“And what am I?” India asked. She
felt like a silly little teenager passing notes to the boy in the next row. Do
you love me? Check ‘yes’ or ‘no’. It was ridiculous.
“You’re… my girlfriend.” Ed gulped.
I should be more than that… India
let his declaration hang in the air over the cooling skillet. They’d been
exclusively dating for over a year. What was he waiting for? As she
contemplated how to respond, India finished spooning guacamole onto her plate. I’m
hungry, and you’re aggravating!
“How is everything so far?” the
perky waitress asked. India felt her temper snap.
“My boyfriend’s running away to
Nashville to be the lapdog for a rock star,” India said with a sarcastic smirk.
“Other than that, the chicken looks delicious, thank you.”
“Uhh…” The waitress peeked over at
Ed, who lowered his head into his hands, face and neck turning red. Good, let
him squirm. India narrowed her eyes, even though neither of them would notice.
India realized she was being discourteous to their server.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s not your fault. Could I get some more ice water?” India asked
sweetly, holding up her half-empty glass.
“Sh… sure,” the waitress stammered.
She hastily left the table, and Ed finally looked up at India.
“What was that for?” Ed’s eyebrows
creased. India couldn’t tell if he was angry or hurt.
“Well… aren’t you?” India continued
her snippy attitude. “…running off with Ian?” I’m done trying to be nice about
this situation. Either ask me to marry you and come with you to Nashville, or…
leave me alone.
“India, be reasonable.” Ed reached
across the table and tried to take her hand.
“Be reasonable?” India’s voice
carried through the dining room as she stood up from her seat. “You think I’m
the one being unreasonable?”
The startled waitress beside India
knocked the now full glass of ice water off her tray and down the front of Ed’s
lap. He nearly dislodged the table from the wall, jumping off his seat in an
attempt to brush the ice cubes off his clothes and pull the cold fabric away
from his skin.
“Have a nice flight to Nashville,”
India said. She started to walk away, but turned back, flipping her long black
hair over her shoulder. “You might want to change your pants before you board
the private jet Ian sent for you. Goodbye, Ed.”
To read more of India's story, check out Buxton Peak: Silence from Nashville, featured in the anthology collection, Unspoken Words by the creative writers at LDS Beta Readers.
Other books by Julie L. Spencer
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