Chapter Ten
India lay sprawled across her favorite chair, book in hand, cup of tea just within reach, only half-paying attention to what she was reading. She’d had a great time with her sister last night- it was always fun for the two of them to get together… but she couldn’t quite get over Nick not calling. Part of her felt like she shouldn’t be so upset, but part of her felt justified for wanting to hold him accountable to his word. She knew she’d let it go this time… she was sure he’d charm her out of being mad, anyway. 

She’d seen the totally surprised look on his face when she’d shut the door on him… she figured that wasn’t something that happened very often. Chasity had congratulated her on her stand- after listening to India in the time she’d been wondering where he was, she was glad that when he’d just been late with no real excuse, her little sister hadn’t just let him off the hook.

She picked up her cup of tea to take a sip, and nearly dropped it in surprise when the phone rang. She set the cup down and ran for the phone, “Hello?”

“India… it’s me… I’m sorry about last night…” Nick said, quietly. He’d picked up the phone probably twenty times before he’d actually called her, unsure of just what to say. He hated the thought of her being upset with him, and he was worried that she might not actually pick up.

“Fine.” India said, sounding a little snippier than she’d intended.

Nick wasn’t sure how to respond to her tone, “Uh, can I see you tonight?”

”No.” she replied.

He was alarmed when she didn’t offer any more information right away.

“Sorry.” She said, having taken the sip of tea she’d intended to get when the phone had rang. “One of my students is having a recital… and I told her I’d be there. So, I’m going to go, because I keep my word.”

Nick recognized the intentional jab and let it go. “Oh… okay… I’ll see you later then.”

“Yeah… give me a call….” She wondered if maybe she should say more to him, rather than just leaving him unsure of what she was feeling and thinking, but decided against it… he’d let her worry for hours the night before… so it was only fair she could do the same to him.

“I will…” He realized she’d hung up before he could say anything else.  Before he gave himself time to mope about it more, he grabbed his keys and headed out the door.

**

India was searching through her closet for the belt she’d tossed in a few days before when she thought she heard the doorbell ring. She walked down the hall, into the living room and opened the door, surprised to see Nick standing there, holding six red roses- a much more traditional bouquet than he’d ever given her before.

“What are you doing?” she asked, glancing at the clock. She really didn’t have time to get into this again.

“I’m trying to apologize.” Nick told her, a little offended his gesture at trying to be romantic with the red roses was totally not going over as well as he had hoped.

India sighed, “You did that already.”

“But it doesn’t seem to be working very well.” He said. “I know you’re still pissed.”

“I hate being blown off, Nick. That is one of my biggest pet peeves. It’s rude, it’s inconsiderate…”

Nick cut her off, “I didn’t blow you off! I lost track of time!”

“I find it hard to believe that in an entire afternoon/evening at the bar you never once managed to think, damn… I’ve been here a while, maybe I should find out what time it is because I’m supposed to see my girlfriend tonight.” She said, getting irritated.

“You’re not making this easy…” Nick started.

Instantly, India was totally and completely pissed off. “This isn’t supposed to be EASY!! It’s not going to be EASY to date me… I’m not some stupid little girl that’s all star-struck and will let you get away with shit because you’re “famous”. If you want me, if you want to be with me… you’re going to have to act like it.” She glared at him for a second, then said, “Now leave. I have to get going or I’m going to be late.”

She gave him a second to move, and when he didn’t, she shut the door on him, mumbling to herself as she locked it and went back upstairs to grab a different belt. She hurriedly looped it through her pants and grabbed her purse, running out the door to get in her car. As she pulled out of the driveway, she could still see Nick standing on her front porch, bewilderedly looking at the door, as if he couldn’t quite believe she’s actually shut the door on him again.

Nick blinked in shock when he saw her drive off. What the hell had happened? He lay the roses at her doorstep and trudged back out to his Escalade, his heart heavy. He’d been hoping to apologize, maybe have her invite him along with her for the recital and then spend the evening together… but apparently, not so much on that plan. 

As he sat in the driver’s seat, unmotivated to actually start the SUV and drive off, he realized the truth in what she’d said… the relationship he had with her was so different from everything in his past… he knew exactly who she was, what she wanted, and what she expected out of their relationship… and he found so much security in all that… it was going to be easy to get lazy… But he knew he was going to have to work to keep her.. and he had no intentions of letting her get away from him.

~~

India fidgeted through the recital… unable to hold still or really pay attention because there was so much going on in her mind. She almost couldn’t believe the exchange between her and Nick earlier… what the hell had that been??? She hadn’t wanted to get so upset.. but god! He’s trying to turn her into one of those silly little girls that will let him get away with anything- hell no! He was going to have to learn what it meant to be in an equal, reciprocal relationship… and that meant being responsible.

When the recital was finally over, India hung around to talk to Torey, to congratulate her on her performance. She could see the girl was happy that she’d come. “Torey! You’re awesome!!!”

Torey blushed, “Thank you, Miss Evans. I’m glad you came.”

“I told you I’d be here.. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” India said, smiling, but inwardly cringing at the semi-irony. Because she’d kept her word, she’d ended up leaving things on an awful note with Nick.

Torey’s parents appeared, wanting to tell India how much they appreciated her supporting their daughter. India talked with them for a while, praising Torey- as a person and a student as her parents basked in the compliments.

India noticed Torey regarding her carefully as she spoke and wondered what she could be so intently scrutinizing. When Torey’s parents left, India turned to her, and asked, “What??”

Torey motioned for India to follow her to a less crowded area, “I don’t think you’re very happy today.”

India was surprised at the observation, she’d never expected that anyone- let alone one of her students- would be able to pick up on that. She gave Torey a little smile, “I’m happy to be here with you… I really enjoyed this… but no, I guess I’m not very happy today.”

“Why?” Torey asked.

India considered what to say, then answered, “Let’s just say I’m having one of those moments when I understand why all you girls are always saying boys are stupid."
to chapter eleven

1