Page 104 of We'll Meet Again

“Hey, I was trying to see if Ethan took the Chelsea offer!” she protested.

“It won’t be finished yet, and you know that better than anyone,” Tessa replied. “Stop torturing yourself.”

Billie huffed, but having no real argument, didn’t retort. It made her feel pathetic, scrolling social media and watching hours of sports coverage just to get a glimpse of what might be going on with him because she’d rather die than reach out directly and risk him turning her away. Again.

“How’s your face?” Tessa asked.

“Fine,” Billie said. “Still sore, but fine.”

“Can I have a look?”

Billie nodded, and Tessa approached her left side, hinging at the waist to get a better view. The bruise was still a purplish blue and right along her cheekbone. The swelling had gone down after a couple days of cold compresses, but it still had a dull ache anytime she touched it.

“It’s getting some green in the middle,” Tessa said.

“Gross,” Billie said with a disgusted frown.

“Gross it may be, but that means it’s healing.”

“If only the rug burns would catch up.”

Billie had not anticipated so much pain from a tussle on a carpeted floor, but the skin of her elbows was raw and tender. Itchy, too, which made it all the more insufferable.

“Want to change the bandages?” Tessa offered.

Billie nodded. “Yes, please.”

Tessa disappeared into the kitchen and was back within seconds, first aid kit in hand. Billie only winced a little when the band aids came off and Tessa dotted a cooling cream onto the angry red skin.

“D’you think Ethan will take the offer from Chelsea?” Billie asked.

“I imagine it’d be hard for him to turn down the pay increase and a club he’s loved since he was seven.”

Billie chuckled. Of course, it was that simple. And Ethan wasn’t afraid of reaching for things that were good for him. Even if he was, he did it anyway. She missed his readiness, his assurance, his courage. So much so, she was trying to muster up some of it for herself. Which was why she had plans with Stevie to take a night during the week to send out applications to law school. Billie figured if she could survive the hurt of losing Ethan, the sting of rejection from law school wouldn’t be so bad. And if she was accepted, she’d have something to look forward to.

“There,” Tessa said with finality. “Good as new.”

“Thanks, Tess.”

“Can you help me with something now?”

“Sure, anything.”

Tessa had been absolutely doting on Billie since the breakup and the following nastiness with Tony, so Billie was more than happy to return the favor.

“Would you mind going through a couple of the boxes I’ve got for the showcase?” Tessa asked. “It’s a lot for just me.”

“Yeah, alright,” Billie agreed. “It’s not like I’ve got anything else to do.”

Besides crying my eyes out a little more, but that can wait until after dinner, she thought.

Tessa smiled. “Right you are. Don’t move, I’ll go get one.”

Billie watched her go into the entryway, pick up the topmost box, and carry it back over to the couch where Billie sat. She set it on the coffee table, and cracked it open. Already, Billie could smell the must of age wafting out. Across the side, the name Maggie Owens was scribbled in black marker. Billie’s brow furrowed.

“Maggie Owens?” she said, scooting to the edge of the couch. “Was she famous?”

Tessa shrugged. “Nope, her things were found in a little flat here in London.”

---